Yes, you can sell a house with a metal roof, but it won’t be easy unless you find a cash buyer. Metal roof ex-council houses are often found in Bath and Wales, and they are difficult to mortgage.
It is easy to confuse corrugated asbestos or its modern replacement with metal roofing. Most prefab types of homes tend to have metal roofs. The clue is to look for rust if it is corrugated iron that has not been galvanised.
In this article, we will cover common mortgage challenges that your buyer will come across and how you can sell privately instead.
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What is the life expectancy of a metal roof?
Depending on the material, a meta roof’s life expectancy is between 40 and 70 years. Asphalt roofing materials typically last between 12 and 20 years. This means that homeowners can expect to replace their roofs within that timeframe.
It is likely that the metal roof will outlast the life expectancy of a prefab or a British Iron and Steel Federation (BISF) house. These BISF properties have been clad in new insulated render and some had their roofs replaced by the councils.
What are the advantages of a metal roof?
These are the advantages of a metal roof:
- They are affordable and cheaper to own.
- Metal roofs are an environmentally friendly roofing option, with high recycled content and full recyclability at the end of their lifespan.
- They also offer energy efficiency by reflecting sunlight and reducing cooling costs.
- Metal roofs are durable, can withstand strong winds, resist corrosion, and require minimal maintenance.
- Finally, they have a long lifespan of 40-70 years and are safe during stormsor lightning strikes.
What are the disadvantages of a metal roof?
These are some of the disadvantages of having a house with a metal roof:
- Heavy rain can be very noisy like a drum being beaten. In our experience, flats with metal roofs must be replaced with fibreglass.
- Houses with metal roofs require extensive surveys in the loft to establish if they are made of precast concrete sections. This type of non-standard construction makes them unmortgageable.
- If the roof is made of corrugated asbestos, which looks like metal, then mortgage lenders won’t lend. Your buyer will struggle to get a mortgage.
- Lenders may recommend further surveys, such as a structural survey from a Chartered Structural Engineer(IStructE, not RICS), which would introduce additional costs to the buyer and delay your sale.
- A loft may not be well insulated, and therefore, heat escapes quickly, and the cost of keeping a home warm is much higher. Therefore, property will have a lower EPC rating.
- Metal window frames are a major contributor towards condensation, and you will notice patches of damp.
- Unfortunately, many of the roofs were not replaced when houses were sold by the council to tenants. Some of these houses built in the 1940s are now nearing their life expectancy because iron was not galvanised as these houses were built as short-term accommodation following World War II.
- Metal roofs are designed to expand and contract with temperature changes, which can affect the lifespan of both exposed and concealed fasteners. Depending on the climate, the neoprene washers and screws used might degrade and come loose over time.
- Metal ages when exposed to the elements, changing colour. If you decide to extend or make repairs, you won’t be able to match the colour to the original.
Water accumulation due to subpar installation or repair work can compromise metal roofs’ performance, leading to significant damage over time. Lower-quality metals might be less durable and more prone to rusting in certain climates or denting during hailstorms or the installation process.
Can I sell my home with a metal roof?
Yes, you absolutely can sell your home with a metal roof.
We love quirky and unusual properties, there’s a famous estate in Bath with a distinctive copper roofing which has turned green over time.
The good news is that we will buy any house by making you a cash offer, so if you are thinking of selling, why not get in touch:
Sell with certainty & speed
Property Saviour Price Promise
- The price we’ll offer is the price that you will receive with no hidden deductions.
- Be careful with ‘cash buyers’ who require a valuation needed for a mortgage or bridging loan.
- These valuations or surveys result in delays and price reductions later on.
- We are cash buyers. There are no surveys.
- We always provide proof of funds with every formal offer issued.
We'll Pay £1,500 Towards Your Legal Fees
- No long exclusivity agreement to sign because we are the buyers.
- You are welcome to use your own solicitor.
- If you don’t have one, we can ask our solicitors for recommendations.
- We share our solicitor’s details and issue a Memorandum of Sale.
Sell With Certainty & Speed
- Our approach is transparent and ethical, which is why sellers trust us.
- 100% Discretion guaranteed.
- If you have another buyer, you can put us in a contracts race to see who completes first.
- Complete in 10 days or at a timescale that works for you. You are in control.
