Aluminium Rectangular Hopper Head – Round Outlet

On plenty of buildings across Essex, Kent and the Home Counties, there is a point where two or more gutter runs, a flat roof outlet, or a parapet wall drainage channel all need to feed into a single downpipe. Without a hopper head to collect and funnel the water, you end up with bodged junctions, open pipe ends dumping water against the wall, and overflow problems the moment the rain picks up. It is a common detail on Victorian terraces in Chelmsford, on Edwardian semis across Brentwood and Colchester, and on modern commercial units where the roofline directs water to a single collection point.

A properly sized hopper head solves the problem cleanly. It sits at the top of the downpipe, collects water from multiple sources, and feeds it into the pipe in a controlled way. During heavy downpours, the hopper acts as a temporary reservoir, increasing the downpipe's effective capacity and preventing the system from backing up.

Product Overview

The aluminium rectangular hopper head from Online Metal Store Ltd features a rectangular body with a round outlet at the base, connecting directly to the aluminium round downpipe system. Available with a 76mm or 100mm outlet to match the two standard round downpipe sizes, each hopper head is custom fabricated at our Chelmsford, Essex workshop and powder coated in any RAL colour.

The rectangular body provides a wide collection area for incoming water, whether from gutter outlets, flat roof drainage or pipe junctions. The round outlet at the base channels the collected water into the downpipe below. If your downpipe system uses square pipe, the box outlet version is also available.

Key Benefits

Collects Water from Multiple Sources

The rectangular body acts as a collection point where two or more water feeds converge. This reduces the number of downpipes needed on a building and simplifies the overall drainage layout, especially on properties with complex rooflines or multiple levels.

Increases Downpipe Capacity in Heavy Rain

In normal conditions, a downpipe runs roughly a third full. When a hopper head fills during a heavy downpour, the water column above the outlet increases pressure and allows the downpipe to carry significantly more water. This buffering effect helps prevent overflow at the gutter line during the worst of the UK weather.

Corrosion Resistant for All UK Conditions

Aluminium does not rust. Combined with a polyester powder coat finish, this hopper head withstands driving rain, frost cycles, coastal salt spray and the prolonged damp that buildings across Essex, Kent and the South East deal with year after year.

Powder Coated in Any RAL Colour

Every hopper head is colour matched before dispatch. Whether you need Anthracite Grey RAL 7016 for a contemporary new build, Heritage Green for a period property in Maldon, or Black RAL 9005 for a commercial unit, the finish matches the rest of your gutter and downpipe system.

Adds an Architectural Detail

Hopper heads have been a feature on British buildings since the Victorian era, where they combined function with decorative presence. A powder coated aluminium hopper head provides the same visual detail without the weight and corrosion problems of cast iron, giving the building a finished, considered appearance.

Lightweight and Quick to Fit

Aluminium is roughly a third of the weight of cast iron. The hopper head is straightforward to handle at height, mounts to the wall with standard fixings, and the round outlet drops directly into the first downpipe length or offset below.

UK Manufactured with Fast Turnaround

Every hopper head is fabricated at our workshop in Chelmsford, Essex. We make to order, control quality from start to finish, and keep lead times short. Most orders leave within a few working days.

Technical Specifications

Material: Aluminium

Type: Rectangular hopper head with round outlet

Outlet Sizes: 76mm diameter, 100mm diameter

Body Shape: Rectangular

Finish: Polyester powder coated in any RAL colour

Manufactured: Chelmsford, Essex, United Kingdom

Custom Fabricated: Yes, made to selected size and finish

Returns: Non-returnable unless faulty (custom fabricated item)

Price: From £78.65 ex. VAT (£94.38 inc. VAT)

Choosing the Right Outlet Size

The hopper head outlet diameter must match the downpipe system it feeds into. There are two options:

• 76mm outlet: Connects to the 76mm round downpipe system. Suitable for most domestic properties, single storey extensions, and smaller commercial buildings with standard gutter capacities.

• 100mm outlet: Connects to the 100mm round downpipe system. Used on larger roof areas, commercial and industrial buildings, schools, and properties with higher rainfall volume or multiple converging gutter runs.

If you are collecting water from two or more gutter runs, consider the total roof area draining through the hopper. Where the combined area is large, the 100mm outlet and corresponding downpipe system will handle the flow more comfortably.

How to Install an Aluminium Hopper Head

The hopper head mounts to the wall at the top of the downpipe run, typically directly below the gutter outlet or at the convergence point of multiple incoming pipes. Fix the hopper to the wall using appropriate masonry or timber fixings, making sure the body sits level and the outlet aligns with the downpipe below.

Connect the incoming gutter pipe or outlet to the top of the hopper. Where the gutter outlet does not reach the hopper, use a short length of round downpipe or a bend to bridge the gap. Seal all joints with colour coded sealant for a watertight, colour matched finish.

Below the hopper, connect the first downpipe length or adjustable offset to the round outlet and secure with a pipe clip immediately below. Continue the downpipe run to ground level, finishing with a downpipe shoe over the drain or gully.

Where Aluminium Hopper Heads Are Used

Victorian and Edwardian Properties

Hopper heads are a traditional feature on period buildings across Essex, Kent and London. On Victorian terraces and Edwardian semis where the original cast iron hoppers have corroded beyond repair, a powder coated aluminium replacement provides the same visual detail with none of the rust. Conservation officers in towns like Chelmsford, Colchester and Billericay are familiar with aluminium as an acceptable replacement material when finished in an appropriate heritage colour.

Flat Roof Drainage and Parapet Walls

On buildings with flat roofs or parapet walls, water is often discharged through a wall outlet into a hopper head on the external face. The hopper collects the water and feeds it into the downpipe system. This is a common detail on commercial units, apartment blocks, and modern housing developments where the roofline is concealed behind a parapet.

Multiple Gutter Runs Converging

Where two or more gutter runs meet at a single downpipe location, the hopper head acts as the junction. Instead of running separate downpipes for each gutter run, the hopper collects all the incoming water and feeds it into one pipe. This simplifies the system, reduces the number of downpipes on the elevation, and keeps the building facade cleaner.

New Build Housing Developments

On new build estates across the South East, hopper heads are specified where the roofline design creates convergence points that a standard gutter outlet cannot serve. The aluminium construction, any RAL colour coating, and lightweight handling make it the preferred choice for volume housebuilders and their subcontractors.

Schools, Care Homes and Public Buildings

On public buildings where NHBC or local authority standards apply, a hopper head provides a visible, inspectable collection point at the top of each downpipe run. Maintenance teams can check the hopper for debris and blockages without accessing the gutter line.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an aluminium hopper head used for?

A hopper head is a box shaped collector that sits at the top of a downpipe. It gathers rainwater from one or more sources, such as gutter outlets, flat roof drainage points, or converging pipe runs, and channels it into a single downpipe below. It also acts as a temporary reservoir during heavy rain, increasing the effective capacity of the downpipe system.

Do I need a hopper head on my downpipe?

You need a hopper head where multiple water sources feed into a single downpipe, where a flat roof or parapet wall discharges through an external outlet, or where you want to add an architectural detail to the roofline. If a single gutter outlet connects directly to the downpipe with no convergence point, you may not need one, but it can still improve capacity during heavy rainfall.

What is the difference between a hopper head and a gutter outlet?

A gutter outlet is a hole in the base of the gutter that drops water into the downpipe. A hopper head is a separate, wall mounted collector that sits between the gutter system and the downpipe. The outlet is part of the gutter itself. The hopper head is part of the downpipe system, collecting water from the outlet (or from multiple outlets) before feeding it into the pipe below.

What size hopper head outlet do I need?

Match the outlet to your downpipe diameter. This hopper head is available with a 76mm or 100mm round outlet. The 76mm suits most domestic properties and smaller commercial jobs. The 100mm suits larger roof areas, higher volume drainage, or installations where multiple gutter runs converge. Check your downpipe size before ordering.

Is an aluminium hopper head better than cast iron?

Aluminium weighs roughly a third of cast iron, does not rust, and can be powder coated in any RAL colour. Cast iron needs regular painting to prevent corrosion and is significantly heavier to handle and install. Unless planning conditions on a listed building specifically require cast iron, aluminium is the more practical and longer lasting choice.

Can I use a hopper head to join two gutter runs into one downpipe?

Yes. That is one of the main uses. Each gutter run feeds into the hopper via its own outlet pipe, and the hopper collects all the incoming water and channels it into a single downpipe below. This reduces the number of downpipes on the building and simplifies the drainage layout.

Aluminium vs Cast Iron vs Plastic Hopper Heads

Aluminium

Lightweight, rust proof, and available in any RAL colour. Aluminium hopper heads cost less than cast iron, weigh far less, and last 25 years or more when powder coated to a high standard. For the majority of domestic and commercial installations across the UK, aluminium is the best all round choice.

Cast Iron

Cast iron carries a traditional, heavy weight presence and is sometimes required on listed buildings or in strict conservation areas. However, it corrodes without regular painting, costs more to buy and install, and is significantly heavier to handle at height. Where planning conditions allow, powder coated aluminium provides the same period appearance without the maintenance burden.

Plastic (PVCu)

Plastic hopper heads are the cheapest option, but they degrade in UV light, become brittle in cold weather, and are limited to a handful of standard colours. On any project where longevity, colour matching, or a professional finish matters, aluminium is the better long term investment. Browse the full round downpipe collection to see how the hopper head fits within the complete system.

Part of a Complete Round Downpipe System

The hopper head sits at the very top of the downpipe system, collecting water and feeding it into the pipe run below. Ordering every component from a single supplier means consistent colour, consistent profile, and no compatibility problems on site. The complete round downpipe range includes:

• Round Downpipe 3m Length – the main pipe run

• Spigot Extender – extends gutter outlet past deep fascia boards

• Adjustable Pipe Clip – for walls with uneven surfaces

• Standard Pipe Clip – fixed wall bracket

• Internal Joiner – connects two pipe lengths

• Bend – changes pipe direction

• Shoe – ground level discharge fitting

• Adjustable Offset – bridges the gap between outlet and wall

• Branch – merges two pipe runs into one

• Access Panel – inspection and cleaning access

For the gutter side of the system, see the full half round gutter collection including gutter 3m lengths, gutter round outlets, rafter brackets and union joiners.

Standards and Compliance

Aluminium rainwater goods, including hopper heads, fall under BS EN 612 which covers eaves gutters and rainwater downpipes. The powder coat finish is applied in line with BS EN 12206-1 for powder organic coatings on aluminium. On NHBC registered new build projects, the rainwater system should meet the requirements of Chapter 7.1 (drainage) and Chapter 7.2 (roofing). Getting these details right protects the warranty, the building and the people inside it.