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Green Building Bible, Fourth Edition
Green Building Bible, fourth edition (both books)
These two books are the perfect starting place to help you get to grips with one of the most vitally important aspects of our society - our homes and living environment.

PLEASE NOTE: A download link for Volume 1 will be sent to you by email and Volume 2 will be sent to you by post as a book.

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    • CommentAuthorandybw
    • CommentTimeMay 11th 2010
     
    Hi All
    Looking for alternatives to PVC gutters and downpipes, I'm aware of aluminium but not sure if they are any greener.
    I've looked back thru 10 pages of this forum and cannot find similar thread.
    Suggestions welcome - residential extensions/conversions..
    Many thanks
    Andy
    • CommentAuthorTuna
    • CommentTimeMay 11th 2010
     
    I thought aluminium was pretty green - it is efficiently recycled and a lot of the processing is done with hydro power in Nordic countries. Should last longer than uPVC as well.
    • CommentAuthorRobinB
    • CommentTimeMay 11th 2010
     
    Maybe it's ok if it's recycled PVC? Or Lindab metal ones? Or giant pieces of bamboo and rain-chains?
    •  
      CommentAuthorfostertom
    • CommentTimeMay 11th 2010
     
    AFAIK aluzinc/galv pressed steel like Lindab - and what about cast iron?
    • CommentAuthorpmusgrove
    • CommentTimeMay 11th 2010
     
    Lindab are good products. Have fitted them to commercial and residential buildings and they are great to work with but do make sure that you make the exit holes from the gutter to the downpipe well. The easy way of cutting a hole without turning the steel back may come back and bite when all the leaves catch on the edge. Also the 125mm is a stock item in most places, the 100mm is not so pay the extra and get a larger section.
    •  
      CommentAuthorbetterroof
    • CommentTimeMay 11th 2010
     
    yup - Lindab all the way. It's lovely to work with, looks the business, will last well and is steel so fully recyclable.
    •  
      CommentAuthorfostertom
    • CommentTimeMay 11th 2010
     
    But before we leave this, what about cast iron?
    • CommentAuthoraa44
    • CommentTimeMay 11th 2010
     
    @ fostertom - I don't want to hijack Andy's thread but I would be really interested to know what sort of clients you get to spec things for. A quick search reveals that cheap plastic guttering costs £1.25 per metre. Lindab costs about £5.00 per metre. Cast iron costs £16.00 per metre. Do you have clients who are willing to spend a thousand percent more for the greenest option?
    •  
      CommentAuthorfostertom
    • CommentTimeMay 11th 2010
     
    Yes I do sometimes - still used on new public buildings for example because unbeatably long lasting. According to my old faithful 1989 Laxton's price book, iron costs about 3 x PVC, fixed.
    • CommentAuthorandybw
    • CommentTimeMay 11th 2010
     
    Thanks for all comments
    I'll look into Lindab and Client has already seen this thread and happy to pay the extra.
    Most efficient forum
    Sorted within half a day!
    Many thanks
    Andy
    •  
      CommentAuthordjh
    • CommentTimeMay 11th 2010
     
    I'm surprised nobody's mentioned copper?
  1.  
    Posted By: djhI'm surprised nobody's mentioned copper?
    I was just about to :) Looks great and lasts a long time too - though it's not cheap.

    Paul in Montreal.
    •  
      CommentAuthorfostertom
    • CommentTimeMay 11th 2010
     
    What's the eco profile of copper versus zinc coated steel, aluminium and other metals? Copper is poisonous to living things (which makes it great, along with lead, for drinking water pipework).
    • CommentAuthorCWatters
    • CommentTimeMay 11th 2010
     
    The main problem is stopping the local crooks recycling it for you.
  2.  
    Beat me to it as well - I actually have copper gutters and down pipes - safe enough from crooks here. I was able to have whatever profile I wanted (I drew my own!) no extra cost - I paid E866 for 23m of gutter (profile was 50mm when flat) plus E270 for 15m of 100mm dia down-pipe and all the curves/accessories etc.
    •  
      CommentAuthorJustin
    • CommentTimeMay 12th 2010
     
    I saw this at Ringwood Waldorf school. Wooden gutter. Softwood with a rubbery fibre cloth lining. Also needs a lead edge, so possibly less green than PVC! Looks nice though..

    I just fitted Lindab galv steel to my house. They claim it's green credentials, but I've never examined those claims in any way.
    • CommentAuthorCWatters
    • CommentTimeMay 12th 2010
     
    I believe lead lined wooden gutters were quite common years ago.
    •  
      CommentAuthorfostertom
    • CommentTimeMay 13th 2010
     
    That's v clever - wonder what the rubbery cloth lining is. Are galv straps in electrolytic contact with lead a good idea?

    Many trad wood gutters are completely unlined - anyone provide link to prev discussion of this on GBF?
    • CommentAuthorevan
    • CommentTimeMay 13th 2010 edited
     
    Posted By: fostertomThat's v clever - wonder what the rubbery cloth lining is. Are galv straps in electrolytic contact with lead a good idea?


    It's a zinc-lead battery, you could harness the electricity when it rains :)
    • CommentAuthorNickiB
    • CommentTimeMay 13th 2010
     
    If you look on Biff's website he has a page on wooden gutters....
  3.  
    You can buy them (wooden gutters) off the shelf at any Sheffield timber merchant. The Whole House Book has a slice of my gutter in!
    • CommentAuthorevan
    • CommentTimeMay 13th 2010
     
    • CommentAuthorCWatters
    • CommentTimeMay 13th 2010
     
    "Carpentry and Joinery" by Brian Porter & Christopher Tooke mentions wooden guttering very briefly. It suggests the insides were traditionally "treated with a water repellent (bituminous type) paint". Perhaps like the tar used on roofing felt?
  4.  
    In Sheffield any bituminous gunge seems acceptable. It should be done every year and, errr....isn't.
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