RAIN CUPS AND RAIN CHAINS
Beautifully Crafted Alternatives to Traditional Downpipes
Our premium rain cups and rain chains provide a visually striking and highly functional alternative to conventional downpipes, creating an elegant cascading flow of rainwater from roof level to drainage. Inspired by traditional Japanese rainwater systems, they combine architectural beauty with practical water management for homes, gardens and commercial projects.
Manufactured from high quality copper and stainless steel, and zinc, our rain cups and rain chains are designed for long term outdoor performance and excellent weather resistance. Copper remains a popular choice for its natural corrosion resistance and the attractive patina it develops over time, while stainless steel offers a clean contemporary appearance with exceptional durability and low maintenance.
Supplied in convenient 2.5m packs, designed to suit common installation heights, but the system is intentionally flexible.
Suitable for both heritage and modern properties, rain cups and rain chains add movement, sound and architectural interest to any exterior setting. Available in a wide range of styles and finishes, most designs are now offered in both copper and stainless steel, making them ideal for residential, commercial and landscape design applications.
Typical Applications
-
Gutter outlets
-
Hopper heads
-
Canopies
-
Porches
-
Garden buildings
-
Courtyards
-
Water features
-
Architectural rainwater displays
-
Rainwater harvesting systems
They are particularly effective where the rainwater system is intended to be seen rather than hidden.
Installation
Depending on the installation, we can supply:
-
Top fixing kit for rain cups
-
Top fixing kit for rain chains
-
Base plate with eye fixing
-
Retaining wire for lower restraint
-
Fixing detail for planters or water features
-
Bespoke ground fixed or wall mounted base restraints
Additional cups, chain lengths and connectors for extending the drop
Standard fixing details are suitable for many installations, but bespoke brackets and restraints can be produced where required.
RAIN CUPS
Inspired by natural structure, designed to collect and guide rainfall
Our decorative rain cups provide a beautiful alternative to standard downpipes. Designed to guide rainwater visibly from roof to ground, each chain transforms rainfall into a calming architectural feature. From the nature inspired form of Acorn to the faceted geometric profile of Hive, the collection combines traditional rainwater craft with contemporary architectural detail.
Acorn Rain Cups
Our Acorn Rain Cups take their name from the familiar cup of an acorn, with each individual metal cup echoing the natural form that holds and protects the seed of the oak.
The name felt like a natural fit. These rain cups are designed to guide water visibly from roof level to the ground, turning rainfall into movement, sound and architectural detail. Rather than hiding rainwater away inside a conventional downpipe, Acorn Rain Cups allow it to become part of the building’s character and its connection to the landscape.
The acorn itself is a small but powerful symbol of nature, growth and longevity. That makes it especially appropriate for a rainwater product designed for gardens, courtyards, homes and architectural projects where practical drainage and natural beauty can work together.
Available in copper and stainless steel, Acorn Rain Cups provide a decorative alternative to a traditional downpipe, with each cup linking to the next to create a flowing vertical feature during rainfall.
Hive Rain Cups
Our Hive Rain Cups take their name from the ordered structure found inside a beehive, where repeating geometric forms are used to collect, hold and organise.
The name felt like a natural fit for this more faceted rain cup design. Each cup has a crisp, architectural shape that links to the next, creating a vertical chain that gathers and guides rainwater from roof level to the ground.
Just like a hive, the system is made from a series of individual elements working together. Each cup collects the water from above and passes it on to the next, creating movement, sound and visual interest during rainfall.
Hive Rain Cups offer a decorative alternative to a standard downpipe, allowing rainwater to become a visible feature rather than something hidden away. They are particularly suited to porches, garden rooms, courtyards, canopies and architectural rainwater details where the drainage system is intended to be seen.
Simple to fit, easy to adapt
Every installation is slightly different, so our rain cups and chains have been designed to be flexible on site.
They can be hung from a suitable outlet or hopper using our top fixing kit, then adjusted to the required drop by adding or removing cups or chain sections. At the base, they can either fall freely into a drain, planter, water feature or gravel trap, or be lightly restrained using one of our base fixing plates.
For more exposed locations, or where the fixing needs to be built into a planter, concreted into the ground or projected from a wall, we can produce a bespoke fixing arrangement to suit.
Hive
2.5m drop
Material options:
Copper
Stainless Steel
Natural Zinc
Quartz Zinc
Standard product
Bell
2.5m drop
Material options:
Copper
Stainless Steel
Special order item
Subject to minimum order quantity
Blue Bell
2.5m drop
Material options:
Copper
Stainless Steel
Special order item
subject to minimum order quantity
Rose
2.5m drop
Material options:
Copper
Stainless Steel
Special order item
Subject to minimum order quantity
Lily
2.5m drop
Material options:
Copper
Download drawing >
Special order item
Subject to minimum order quantity
RAIN CHAINS
Beautifully Crafted Japanese Style Alternatives to Traditional Downpipes
Our decorative chain designs offer an elegant alternative to conventional downpipes. Designed to guide rainwater visibly from roof to ground, each chain creates movement, sound, and architectural detail during rainfall while adding sculptural interest throughout the year.
Pipe Ring Chain
Inspired by traditional Japanese rain chains once used on tea houses and temple buildings, the Pipe Ring Chain combines simplicity with rhythm and movement. Formed from repeating circular pipe links, supplied in packs to be gathered to create a 2.5m drop, the design creates a sculptural flow of water while offering a clean architectural appearance. The clustered arrangement produces a fuller visual effect and a calming water feature during rainfall.
Double Link Chain
The Double Link Chain takes its influence from traditional Japanese kusari doi rain chains, where linked forms guided rainwater elegantly from roof to ground. Featuring paired interlocking links, supplied in single drop packs, this versatile design can be installed as a single drop for a minimal appearance or grouped in pairs to create a bunched 2.5m drop for greater visual impact. The open structure allows water to cascade naturally while maintaining a refined and understated character.
Square Link Chain
Drawing inspiration from the geometric forms found in Japanese tea house architecture, the Square Link Chain offers a more defined and contemporary interpretation of the traditional rain chain. Constructed from grouped square links, supplied in packs to be gathered to create a 2.5m drop, the design creates strong linear detail and a striking sense of symmetry. During rainfall, water travels gracefully through the chain while the repeating forms provide year round architectural interest.
Pipe Ring
Pack: 3 x 2.5m lengths
bunched for a single 2.5m drop
Material options:
Copper
Standard product
Double Link
Pack: 1 x 2.5m length
for a single 2.5m drop
Material options:
Copper
Stainless Steel
Stainless Steel special order item
Subject to minimum order quantity
Square Link
Pack: 3 x 2.5m lengths
bunched for a single 2.5m drop
Material options:
Copper
Stainless Steel
Standard product
PRODUCT GUIDANCE
Designed to be seen, not hidden
Top fixing kit
Available in copper and stainless Steel
Contents
-
80 mm to 60 mm reducer with pre-drilled holes
-
2 rivets
-
1 length of studding with 2 nuts
Instructions
-
The reducer is pre drilled with two fixing holes to secure it to your outlet.
-
Position the reducer over your outlet and use the pre drilled holes as a guide to drill two 4 mm holes through the outlet.
-
Secure the reducer in place using the two rivets.
-
Fit one nut onto the studding before passing it through one side of the reducer, through your cups or chain, and out through the other side of the reducer. Fit the second nut and tighten both nuts to secure everything in place.
If you are using chain, we recommend bunching a couple of links inside the outlet to help keep it secure.
Bespoke options
If you require a bespoke rain cups or rain chain system, we can manufacture to your exact requirements. Whether you need a custom length, cup size, outlet connection, finish or a completely unique design, we are happy to help.
Please contact us with your requirements and we will be happy to discuss your project.
Bottom fixing kit
Available in copper and stainless steel.
Contents
-
Eyelet
-
Small eyelet mounting plate with pre drilled fixing holes
-
1 metre length of wire
Instructions
-
Fix the mounting plate and eyelet assembly to your chosen surface, ensuring it is positioned centrally beneath the hanging cups or chain.
-
Thread the supplied wire through the eyelet and secure it to the bottom of the cups or chain.
-
Trim off any excess wire once everything is securely fastened.
Bespoke options
If you require a larger mounting plate for concreting into the ground, submerging beneath soil or water, or any other bespoke solution, please contact us to discuss your requirements.
Matching accessories
Planters and water troughs can be produced in copper, stainless steel or zinc to match your rain cups or chain. Please contact us to discuss your requirements.
Installation guidance
The rain cup or chain length can be adjusted during installation. Cups or chain sections may be removed to shorten the drop, or additional sections added where a longer installation is required.
Top fixing:
Rain cups and chains should be securely suspended from a suitable outlet, hopper or support bracket. We can supply a top fixing kit to suit our rain cup and chain systems, helping to provide a stable connection point beneath the rainwater discharge.
Base restraint:
Where required, the lower end of the rain cup or chain can be restrained using a base plate with eye and retaining wire. This is particularly useful in exposed locations, or where the chain is positioned close to walls, glazing, planters or walkways.
Base fixing options:
The standard base fixing can be mounted to a hard standing, positioned inside a planter, or incorporated into a water feature or collection vessel. Bespoke versions can also be produced for fixing into concrete, projecting from a wall, or connecting to a custom planter or drainage detail.
Important notes:
-
Rain cups and chains are a decorative rainwater drainage product and should be specified with consideration to roof area, rainfall intensity, outlet size and local exposure.
-
For larger roof areas or critical drainage locations, please contact us for guidance before ordering.
