Metal Roofing in London
Metal roofing is one of the longest-lasting and lowest-maintenance options available, and it suits everything from a modern extension to a listed building being restored. Golden Roofing Expert Ltd installs and repairs standing seam, zinc, aluminium and steel roofing across London, including the battens, insulation and ventilation that make a metal roof perform properly.
Done well, a metal roof looks deliberate and precise. Done badly, it is noisy, it dents, and it leaks at every fixing. The difference comes down to detailing, thermal movement and experience with the material.
Types of metal roofing we install
Standing seam steel and aluminium
Concealed fixings, clean vertical seams and excellent weather performance. Widely used on modern extensions, garden rooms and commercial buildings.
Zinc
A self-healing, long-lived material with a distinctive matte grey finish. Popular on contemporary London projects and ideal for complex roof shapes.
Copper
Traditional for period properties and church work. Develops a characteristic green patina over decades.
Metal sheet and profile roofing
Cost-effective sheet systems for garages, outbuildings and industrial roofs.
Advantages of a metal roof
- Long service life — often several decades, with minimal maintenance.
- Lightweight — frequently suitable where the structure cannot carry tiles or asphalt.
- Low maintenance — no tiles to slip, no mortar to fail, no moss to strip.
- Fire and weather resistance — performs well in exposed and high-wind locations.
- Design flexibility — handles curves, dormers and complex junctions.
- Energy performance — works well with insulated warm-roof build-ups.
A zinc roof on a Victorian terrace in Hackney
A homeowner in Hackney was extending the back of a Victorian terrace and wanted a roof that looked contemporary but still sat comfortably against the original brickwork. The architect had specified zinc, but the builder on site had never installed a standing seam roof and the quote from a specialist was beyond the budget.
We took on the metal work only, which kept the cost down while leaving the general building work with the main contractor. The roof was a warm-deck build-up — insulation above the structure, with the zinc fully supported on a substrate and fixed with concealed clips that allow the metal to expand and contract with temperature.
The tricky part was the junction with the original pitched roof and the new parapet, where thermal movement over a long run would have torn a rigid detail apart. We designed the detail so the zinc could move independently, and finished the upstand with a vented termination to keep the roof space breathing.
Three years on, the roof has not moved, marked or leaked, and the owner has a written guarantee covering the metal work.
Metal roof repair and replacement
Metal roofs can often be repaired rather than replaced. Common issues we resolve include failed fixings, dented or scratched sheets, leaking laps, blocked gutters and failed flashings around chimneys and roof lights. On older roofs, corrosion at cut edges and around fixings is usually the first sign that attention is needed.
Where a roof has reached the end of its life, replacement with a modern concealed-fixing system usually solves the original weaknesses — and often improves the building’s insulation at the same time.
Metal roofing FAQs
Is a metal roof noisy in the rain?
A properly built metal roof with a solid deck, insulation and correct fixings is not noticeably noisier than a tiled roof. Noise is usually a symptom of a poorly detailed or uninsulated build-up.
How long does a metal roof last?
Metal systems are among the longest-lasting roof coverings available. Exact lifespan depends on the material, the environment and the quality of installation, so we state the guarantee against your specific system in writing.
Can you install a metal roof on an old building?
Yes, including period properties, where zinc, copper and painted steel are all appropriate with the right detailing and ventilation. If the building is listed or in a conservation area, planning permission may be needed before work starts.
Do you repair metal roofs you did not install?
Yes — we repair and maintain all metal roof types, alongside our roof leak repair and roof maintenance services.
Get a metal roofing quote in London
Send us your drawings or photos and we will advise on the right system and detail. Metal roofing sits alongside our flat roofing and wider London roofing services. Reach us through our contact page.
Vetted through Checkatrade, Which? Trusted Trader and TrustATrader (TT24074), and fully insured.
