Which is the Better Option? The Answer is …Your Preference
Factory painted Cast Iron can cost around 20% more than the primed cast Iron, but then you are not paying the labour cost for the installer to paint the system and there’s the cost of the primer, the F&B undercoat for metal and the F&B Exterior Eggshell top coat too.
But you’ll have to wait 15 working days for delivery unless you choose black.
You’ll have to wait longer (15-20 days) and pay an additional surcharge (recent example was £400 for F&B’s French Grey equivalent ‘BS381 210’) if you choose to order a bespoke RAL or BS colour.
Although a rainbow range of colours are available, you only have the choice of RAL or BS colours and not all of them will be available. None are an exact match to Farrow & Ball colours. Some are close, but vary from ‘slightly different’ to ‘distinguishably different’, so may not match that well with doors or window frames already painted with F&B colours.
The transit primed cast iron is available from stock for next day delivery, but it will take the installers time to paint the rainwater components by hand and allow for optimum drying times (dependent on the weather/temperature) between the necessary coats.
Obviously, the more primed cast iron components you have bought, the longer it will take. But you will have the exact colour, the rich, dark hues or lively accents, muted pastels or subtle neutrals that are only supplied by Farrow & Ball.
What is most important to you?
- a unique F&B colour now (which you can always change in 5-6 years time as it will require repainting anyway by then)
- or lower maintenance costs in the future (weather dependent: may need a light touch-up in 5-6 years time or may not need repainting for 10 years (regular inspections are recommended)).
The answer to this question will help you to decide which is the best option for you.
Visit the Rainclear Systems website now to see the difference the Half round, Victorian Ogee or Moulded profiles make to the finish at the roofline of a period property and download Rainclear’s ‘Painting Cast Iron with Farrow & Ball Guidance’ created with advice from Farrow & Ball.
Or, to get in touch with the friendly, knowledgeable team at Rainclear, call 0800 644 44 26.