Cast Iron Air Brick Company - Exeter

Shelley Jerram

Found this great little company when looking for the “finishing touches” for the renovation of our home. I was impressed by the selection as well as the customer service - they really went above and beyond to make sure we were happy with our purchase. I heartily endorse the company and will use again should the need arise.

Lesley Harper

With regret, I’m rating this company as poor, we ordered two CON4 vents 6m ago paying extra to have them painted by the company. I noticed the vent we put up 6m ago ( one only went up recently) is experiencing rusting and bubbling of the paint. I contacted the company thinking they would replace the item with no quibbles and I did not expect to incur any costs for returning as the paint job is clearly faulty.
The communications I have received are dire, clearly explaining all costs of returning must be met by me. Sadly this is not what I expected from a British company which supposedly prides itself on quality (even in its brochure says I shouldn’t have to repaint for a decade). The company now refuse to even respond to further emails or answer the telephone and I am now seeking further advice. It would probably only be around £15 for to return but it is merely the principle that they are asking me to do this. These vents cost £440 in total, this is terrible customer service.
We are having our kitchen renovated in the spring and we were looking to buy two more. I have contacted another forge who can provide a similar product. Please consider talking to your local forge before buying from this company. You may be fine if your product isn’t faulty, but if it is then do not expect any customer service or support thereafter.

Following the reply below:
For your information, the vent was not positioned south facing. One is (which also now suffering the same fate), the initial one was placed in a north facing shaded area. As I mentioned prior, we have repainted cast metal work over 18 months ago and this has not rusted at all. Neither was cast metal work in such poor condition as your vents prior to painting (and they hadn’t been painted for years). Yes, we live near the coast, but if your paint jobs are so poor they require repainting every 6 months then you should make this clear as we would have painted them ourselves. We are very conscious of maintenance and of course we expect this, however not every 6 months. We now have streaks of rust running down our newly painted house, which yet again results in more costs for us.
In response to your offer of a replacement for returning for £15, why would we do this for us to have to repaint again in 6 months? As you now suggest this is normal (which it isn’t). You are very welcome to see for yourself the cast items we have painted and how they still look new despite being in a more exposed condition than the first vent and painted over a year before. We are going to repaint using hammerite instead as this will last far longer. My issue is I paid extra for a poor paint job and finish so why would I then pay more to have the same paint job? Also your lack of reply when I questioned this. No doubt you will only reply to publicised reviews sadly.
For your information The Forth bridge is not expected a repaint for 20 years.
Kind regards
Lesley

John Hughes

Fantastic company and products. Always had great service. Nice to see a company casting the parts in the same way as they've been made for hundreds of years

Leigh Dale

The products received were of superior quality to similar products I have bought in the past and will definitely be buying from CIABC again the future. Thank you CIABC for an excellent service and product.

Will Johnson

Provided us with an external cast iron extract ventilation terminal in black. High quality product for the listed residential property that we were working on. Great service, and would trade with them again on the next project.

Smile End

Beautiful castings & great service

Khatija Hafesji

Some great products, particularly the conservation vent cover which looks brilliant - but I found the air bricks produced at a mere fraction of the price at my local foundry, which makes them to its original victorian designs (having been in operation since the 1890s). All I had to do was give them a lick of paint.

Polly

Excellent quality and fast delivery
10/10
Will definitely be using them again!