We’re often asked for products by names that don’t quite match the terms we use, and that can sometimes cause a bit of confusion! It’s not that one name is more correct than the other, just different.
To help everyone stay on the same page (and avoid any mix-ups!), we’ve put together this handy glossary of guttering terminology. It lists the names and descriptions we use for our products, alongside other common terms we’ve come across. We hope it makes things a little easier and ensures you get exactly what you need!
Gutters
Synonyms: Troughs, Channel
Guttering is the horizontal element of a rainwater system.
We offer metal guttering in Cast Iron, Aluminium, Galvanised Steel and Copper. Metal gutters have numerous advantages over their plastic counterparts, including increased durability & longevity, higher strength and resistance, enhanced aesthetics. They’re also more sustainable and kinder for the planet.
Downpipe
Synonyms: Drainpipe, Rhones
Downpipes are the vertical pipes in a rainwater system that safely carry rainwater away from your building’s foundations. They direct the water into underground drainage, either by:
- Releasing it above an open grate using a downpipe shoe, or
- Connecting directly to the sub-surface drainage system.
If your downpipe connects directly to the drainage system, it’s important to include a leaf or bird guard to stop debris from entering. It’s also a good idea to include an access point in the downpipe to make it easy to remove any debris that could cause a blockage.
To further enhance your system. considering adding a rainwater diverter connected to a water butt. This not only gives you access for cleaning but also lets you collect rainwater, perfect for watering the garden or washing the car.
Leaf Guards
Synonyms: Gutter Brushes
For your gutters:
We offer handy leaf guard brushes that help keep leaves and debris out. Once installed, there’s no need for constant checking or cleaning; perfect if you’re surrounded by trees and foliage.
For your downpipes:
Our bird and leaf guards are made from durable galvanised steel and fit into the outlet where the gutter meets the downpipe. They stop birds from nesting and block leaves from entering the downpipe.
You only need one of these options, not both.
For your soil pipes:
We also sell galvanised steel “balloon” guards that sit in the open top of soil pipes. These prevent birds or leaves from getting into the system and causing blockages.
Hopper Head
Synonym: Hoppers, Rainwater Head, Gutter Hopper Box, Snow Box
The Victorians used hopper heads fitted just below gutters to help drainpipes handle up to 66% more water during heavy rain.
A hopper head acts as a small reservoir, allowing rainwater to collect briefly before entering the narrower downpipe. This helps prevent overflow and improves drainage efficiency in sudden downpours.
As a bonus, hopper heads often added an attractive architectural detail to the building’s exterior.
You can browse our hoppers by material under the ‘Downpipes’ section of our website.
Cast Iron Soil Pipes
Synonyms: Cast Iron LCC Waste & Grey Water Drainage Pipes
We offer both Cast Iron LCC and SimpleFIT soil drainage systems—perfect for heritage, traditional, or listed properties.
These systems carry grey water and waste water from the building down to the underground drainage or sewage system. They’re the visible pipes you’ll see on the outside of a property, so it’s important they match the building’s style and character.
Please note: we only supply above-ground soil pipes—the ones you can see. We don’t sell the underground drainage pipes.
Offset
Synonym: Two-Part Offset, Fixed Offset, Swan Neck
Galvanised Steel:
Offsets are created using two 70° bends. For a larger offset, insert a cut length of downpipe between them.
We also offer a single-piece fixed offset of 60mm.
Cast Aluminium:
Two-part 112.5° offsets are available in 63mm and 76mm pipe sizes, allowing for up to 457mm or 685mm offsets (can be cut to suit).
Extruded/Extruded Aluminium:
With swept bends and swaged necks, two-part offsets in 63mm and 76mm sizes allow for up to 400mm or 750mm, adjustable by cutting.
Cast Iron (Fixed Offsets Only):
Only fixed single-piece offsets are available, with set distances from the original outlet or downpipe position.
- 3″ (76mm) pipe: Offsets of 76mm, 114mm, 152mm, 228mm, 304mm, 381mm, 457mm, 533mm, 609mm, 685mm*, 762mm
- 4″ (102mm) pipe: Offsets of 76mm, 114mm, 152mm, 228mm, 304mm, 381mm, 457mm, 533mm*, 609mm*, 685mm*, 762mm*
(*Not all sizes are stocked—please check availability.)
Access Pipe
Alternative: Rodding Eyes
An Access Pipe is a section of downpipe with a built-in door that opens, making it easy to clear blockages once your rainwater system is in place.
We also offer rodding eyes, which provide similar access at ground level or in underground drainage, allowing for easy maintenance and cleaning of the system.
Spigot, Socket & Union
Socket
- A socket is the female end of a pipe fitting—it’s the wider end designed to receive another pipe.
- It usually has an internal lip or seal to help join and seal the connection.
- Think of it like a sleeve or cup that the other pipe fits into.
Spigot
- Often used to describe the plain end of a pipe that is inserted into a socketed fitting or another pipe.
- A spigot is the male end—it’s the narrower, straight end of a pipe that fits into a socket.
- It does not have a widened end and is typically the same diameter as the pipe itself.
Union
- A separate fitting used to join two plain-ended (spigot) pipes together.
- May include clips and seals for a tight, secure join
- Can also allow for disassembly or movement if needed
Internal & External Angles
Internal Angle
- Also called an inside angle
- Used when the gutter needs to go around an inward corner of a building (like the corner of an L-shaped extension)
- The angle fits inside the corner where two walls meet
- Commonly 90°, but other angles are available for less sharp corners
External Angle
- Also called an outside angle
- Used when the gutter needs to go around an outward corner of a building (like the corner of a square house)
- The angle fits around the outside of the building’s corner
- Also available in larger angles where needed
Downpipe Shoe
Alternatives: Downpipe Cover (with Rubber Seal)
A downpipe shoe (sometimes just called a shoe) is a fitting attached to the bottom of a downpipe that helps direct rainwater away from the building.
- Redirects water: It bends the downpipe to direct water away from the wall and towards a drain or drainage pipes
- Prevents splashing: Helps control the flow of water to reduce erosion or splashing at the base of the building.
- Finishes the system neatly: Offers a clean and practical end to the downpipe.
You can browse our downpipe shoes by material under the ‘Downpipes’ section of our website.
Running Outlet
Alternative: Wrap-Around Outlet, Swiss Outlet, Prefabricated Outlet
The outlet is the handy part that connects your horizontal gutter to the vertical downpipe.
Sometimes, the outlet comes with a built-in stop-end. That means it’s designed to sit at the very end of the gutter run. Other times, it’s open on both ends, so it can be placed anywhere along the gutter line, which is called a drop.
