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About Our Rainwater Downpipes
A greenhouse rainwater downpipe links your roof gutter to a water butt. Rain runs off the glazing, down the pipe and into storage you can dip a can into. Kits start at £23 and most clip on in under ten minutes. We fit these during nearly every greenhouse build, so we know which bung suits each gutter outlet. Rainwater also beats tap water for plants. It carries no chlorine and sits slightly acidic, which tomatoes and ferns prefer.
This is an accessory page, not a structure page. Add the kit while the frame is still open and the gutter run is easy to reach. We stock brand-specific kits for Elite and Vitavia greenhouses. Pair a downpipe with the right greenhouse accessories and a water butt for a complete harvesting setup. Keep a spare bung in your greenhouse spare parts box, and route the pipe clear of any greenhouse staging below.
Why we chose this range
"We only stock kits cut for the gutter they bolt to. Domestic guttering parts never seat right on a greenhouse outlet, and a poor seal drips all winter. The Elite and Vitavia kits use rubber bungs that grip the outlet and hold for years. I water my own tomatoes from a butt fed this way, and the plants are noticeably happier on soft rain than on tap."
Matt, Founder of Greenhouse StoresMatt's Tip: Match the kit to your brand
Buy the kit made for your greenhouse, not a universal part. An Elite gutter and a Vitavia gutter take different bungs. Check the brand on your frame first, then pick the matching kit below.
Installer's Note: Raise the water butt
Stand your water butt on a solid base so the pipe runs downhill into it. If the tube has to climb upward, water backs up in the gutter and overflows. We aim for at least a 150mm drop from outlet to butt inlet. Clear grit from the gutter at the same time, as level greenhouse gutters pool easily.
Matt's Pick for Most Greenhouses
Best For: standard Elite greenhouses feeding one water butt
Why I Recommend It: it is the kit I reach for most. The bung seats first time and the price keeps the whole job affordable.
Price: £49
Compare Our Rainwater Downpipe Kits
| Kit | Fits | Best for | Price from |
|---|---|---|---|
| ⭐ Matt's Pick: Elite Standard Downpipe Kit | Standard Elite frames | One butt, single gutter | £49 |
| Elite Rainwater Kit to One Gutter (8ft) | 8ft wide Elite | Wider spans | £75 |
| Vitavia Rainwater Downpipe Kit (x2) | Vitavia frames | Both gutters at once | £23 |
| Vitavia Water Butt Connecting Kit | Vitavia downpipes | Linking pipe to butt | £24 |
Frequently asked questions
Will any downpipe kit fit my greenhouse?
No, gutter outlets differ by brand. We stock kits cut for Elite and Vitavia frames. Check the make of your greenhouse, then choose the matching kit. A brand-specific bung seals far better than a universal part.
How much rainwater can a greenhouse collect?
A typical 8x6 greenhouse can collect over 20,000 litres a year. The roof area and your local rainfall set the exact figure. One full season usually fills a 200-litre butt many times over, cutting your tap use.
Why is rainwater better than tap water for plants?
Rainwater carries no chlorine and is slightly acidic. Tap water leaves white salt deposits on pots and staging over time. Acid-loving plants like tomatoes, blueberries and ferns grow stronger on collected rain.
Do I need a kit for both sides?
Most greenhouses have a gutter each side. For maximum harvest, fit a kit to each one. The Vitavia x2 kit covers both gutters in a single purchase. You can then feed two butts or join the pipes into one.
Can I add a downpipe to a greenhouse already built?
Yes, downpipe kits clip on at any time. The bung pushes into the gutter outlet and the pipe clips to the frame. No tools are usually needed. Adding it during the build is easiest, but a fitted greenhouse works too.
Ready to harvest your roof runoff? Pick the kit cut for your greenhouse brand above, raise a water butt on a solid base, and start watering with soft rain. Browse the full range of rainwater downpipes on this page, or ask our team which kit fits your frame.