When housing associations specify galvanised steel rainwater systems for social housing, they’re looking for a specific combination: robust longevity, distinctive appearance, and materials that won’t burden maintenance budgets for decades. At a 48-home development in Liverpool, we delivered exactly that – Zambelli galvanised steel rainwater systems complemented by custom aluminium cappings to the pikes throughout.
48 Homes, One Material Brief
A social housing scheme in Liverpool required rainwater systems and roofline details for 48 new affordable homes – a mix of apartments and family houses across a brownfield regeneration site. The specification called for Zambelli galvanised steel rainwater products, supplied by Rainclear, with bespoke aluminium cappings to the pikes to complete the roofline package.
Working on occupied urban sites demands coordination, programme discipline and installation quality that meets exacting standards. Social housing projects don’t have the luxury of flexible timelines or forgiving maintenance schedules – systems need to perform reliably from day one, for decades to come.
Zambelli: European Quality, UK Performance
Zambelli is Germany’s largest roof drainage manufacturer, known for precision-engineered steel rainwater systems. Their galvanised steel range offers:
Hot-dipped galvanisation – A zinc coating that protects the steel substrate for 25+ years with minimal maintenance, essential when maintenance budgets are constrained.
Distinctive finish – Unlike powder-coated aluminium, galvanised steel has a characteristic appearance that complements contemporary social housing design without being overbearing.
Cost-effective durability – Steel systems provide long-term performance at a price point that makes regeneration schemes viable. Not the cheapest option, but the whole-life cost analysis favours quality materials.
Innovative jointing – Zambelli’s dry joint system installs efficiently without caulking or sealants, with rubber-lined union connectors ensuring watertight performance.
For this Liverpool scheme, Zambelli’s steel systems provided the robust, low-maintenance rainwater solution the project required. But specification is only half the story – installation quality determines whether systems last 25 years or fail prematurely.
Complementing Steel with Aluminium Pike Cappings
While Zambelli supplied the rainwater systems, we designed and installed custom aluminium cappings to the pikes (gable ends) to complete the roofline package. This combination approach – specifying manufactured steel systems alongside bespoke aluminium fabrications – is where material versatility really matters.
Our aluminium pike cappings provided:
- Precise fit to gable dimensions across varied property types
- Clean architectural lines protecting verge edges
- Colour coordination with the overall scheme aesthetic
- Long-term, low-maintenance performance matching the galvanised steel’s lifespan
Working across 48 properties – apartments and houses with different roofline configurations – required consistent fabrication standards and installation quality throughout. Every property deserved the same attention to detail, whether it was unit 1 or unit 48.
Why Galvanised Steel for Social Housing?
Social housing projects operate with constrained budgets and demanding performance requirements. Galvanised steel sits in an interesting position – not as cheap as uPVC, not as premium as seamless aluminium, but offering a specific set of characteristics that make it the right choice for certain applications:
Proven longevity – 25+ year performance with minimal maintenance, backed by manufacturers’ warranties. Housing associations planning 30-year asset management cycles need systems that deliver.
Visual character – The galvanised finish provides architectural interest without requiring ongoing repainting. The material ages honestly, developing a weathered patina rather than degrading.
Structural integrity – Steel systems resist impact and withstand demanding installation environments. Urban regeneration sites aren’t gentle places – materials need to be robust.
Environmental credentials – Fully recyclable metal systems with long functional lives. Lower replacement frequency means reduced whole-life environmental impact.
For this Liverpool scheme, galvanised steel delivered the performance-to-cost ratio the project needed, while our aluminium pike cappings added the bespoke elements that completed the architectural intent.
Material Versatility: The Rainmen Approach
This Liverpool project demonstrates something people often don’t realise about Rainmen: we work with whatever materials the project requires. We’re known as aluminium rainwater specialists – and yes, seamless aluminium gutters are our core business. But we also deliver:
- Galvanised steel systems when that’s the specified material
- uPVC packages for cost-effective volume solutions
- Cast and extruded aluminium for heritage and high-specification work
- Bespoke fabrications in aluminium and other materials to complement any system
- Mixed material packages combining manufactured systems with custom elements
The key is understanding why a particular material is specified, respecting the design intent and installing to standards that do justice to the specification. Material choice serves the application – and we have the experience and capability to work with what the project needs.
Social Housing: Where Quality Really Counts
Social housing projects like this Liverpool scheme remind us why getting the details right matters. These aren’t investment properties that will be sold in five years – they’re homes where people will live long-term, maintained by housing associations with constrained budgets.
Quality rainwater systems and roofline details in social housing mean:
- Residents’ homes stay dry and weather-tight
- Maintenance costs remain manageable over decades
- Buildings maintain their appearance and dignity
- Public investment delivers lasting value
- Housing associations can focus budgets on resident services rather than reactive repairs
Working on 48 properties and maintaining consistent quality throughout requires experience, planning and commitment to standards. It’s exactly the kind of work Rainmen has been delivering for over 20 years.
Urban Regeneration: Site Realities
Urban regeneration projects present specific challenges that countryside greenfield sites don’t. This Liverpool scheme occupied a former industrial site in an established residential area, with:
Access constraints – Urban sites don’t have generous laydown areas or unrestricted vehicle access. Materials management and logistics need careful planning.
Coordination requirements – Multiple trades working simultaneously across a compact site. Miss your installation window and you hold up everyone else.
Community considerations – Working in occupied neighbourhoods means managing noise, access and disruption respectfully. Good site practices matter.
Programme discipline – Social housing funding and construction programmes don’t wait. Installation targets need to be met consistently.
We delivered the rainwater systems and aluminium pike cappings across all 48 properties to the required programme, coordinating effectively with the main contractor and maintaining quality standards throughout.
Beyond Individual Homes
While Rainmen is well known for seamless aluminium gutters on individual residential properties – and we’ll continue delivering that work to high standards – projects like this Liverpool scheme demonstrate our capability beyond the domestic market:
Volume delivery – 48 properties might not sound enormous compared to 500-unit schemes (which we also do), but it’s substantial work requiring materials procurement, workforce management and quality control at scale.
Material versatility – Working with galvanised steel systems and custom aluminium pike cappings, not just our core seamless aluminium products.
Programme delivery – Social housing projects operate to fixed timelines. We understand targets, coordination requirements and keeping schemes moving.
Urban regeneration experience – Working on constrained sites in occupied areas, managing access and logistics effectively.
Working with Housing Associations and Main Contractors
If you’re planning social housing schemes, urban regeneration projects or volume residential developments requiring rainwater systems and roofline packages, we’d welcome the conversation.
We understand:
- Volume procurement and logistics
- Programme delivery to fixed timelines
- Working on urban regeneration sites
- Coordinating with main contractors and other trades
- Consistent quality across multiple properties
- Whole-life cost specifications
- Material selection for long-term performance
Whether it’s galvanised steel, aluminium, uPVC or mixed material packages, we have the experience and capability to deliver quality installations at scale.
Let’s Discuss Your Next Project
48, 148 or 500 units – if you need rainwater systems and roofline packages for social housing, regeneration schemes or volume residential projects, get in touch.
Call us on 01457 871676 or visit rainmen.co.uk to discuss your requirements.
Rainmen: Over 20 years keeping buildings dry – from individual homes to social housing schemes across the North West and beyond.
