Overview
The Hills Presweld house is a post-war non-traditional property type developed during the 1940s in response to acute housing shortages. Manufactured by Hills (West Bromwich) Ltd and designed by Hills Patent Glazing Co. Ltd in collaboration with E.D. Hinchliffe, around 600 examples were constructed across urban and suburban areas of the UK.
Typical characteristics & construction
Hills Presweld houses are generally two-storey semi-detached or terraced properties with steeply pitched gable roofs. Roof coverings are commonly interlocking tiles or PRC scalloped tiles. External wall construction varies and may include brick, rendered blockwork, roughcast no-fines concrete, or precast concrete panels, sometimes with tile hanging at the gable apex.
Identifying features often include precast stone door and window surrounds, along with flat precast concrete or pitched tiled entrance canopies. Terraced examples may incorporate ginnel access to the rear.
| Element | Typical construction | Inspection focus |
|---|---|---|
| Substructure | Concrete trench fill with ground floor slab and DPC | Movement, cracking, damp protection continuity |
| Frame | Steel lattice stanchions, joists, trusses and RSA ties | Corrosion, particularly at stanchion bases |
| External walls | Brick/block cavity, no-fines concrete, or PRC panels | Cracking, moisture ingress, surface deterioration |
| Floors | Concrete ground floor; timber boarding at first floor | Deflection, decay, signs of movement |
| Roof | Pitched roof with felt, battens and tiled covering | Tile condition, felt deterioration, water ingress |
Potential hazards & inspection priorities
The primary structural concern in Hills Presweld houses is corrosion affecting steel lattice stanchions, most commonly at their bases. Where corrosion is advanced, structural capacity may be compromised. Vertical cracking within no-fines concrete external walls is also frequently encountered and can allow water penetration.
Moisture-related issues may arise where damp proof courses have deteriorated or where external wall systems allow moisture ingress. Older insulation materials, including glass fibre and wood wool slabs, may no longer perform effectively.
Is this house right for you?
Purchasers should be aware that Hills Presweld houses are non-traditional in construction and require condition-based assessment rather than reliance on age or appearance alone. Maintenance history and current structural condition are key considerations.
Mortgage & resale considerations
Hills Presweld houses are not designated defective under the Housing Defects Act 1984. However, evidence of steel corrosion or significant cracking can affect lender confidence and future resale, particularly where repairs are undocumented or unresolved.
What a survey can — and cannot — tell you
A building survey provides an informed assessment of the visible condition and construction of a Hills Presweld house. Inspections are non-intrusive and limited to areas that are accessible at the time of inspection.
- Identify visible corrosion to steel stanchions and frame elements
- Assess cracking to no-fines concrete or precast wall panels
- Comment on dampness, moisture ingress, and insulation performance
- Review roof coverings, drainage details, and external envelope condition
- Highlight defects requiring repair, monitoring, or further investigation
However, there are limitations to what a survey can determine without intrusive investigation.
- Confirm the condition of concealed steelwork within walls
- Assess hidden structural elements behind finishes
- Determine the full extent of corrosion or internal deterioration
- Inspect inaccessible or covered areas
Where higher-risk indicators are identified, further specialist or intrusive investigation may be recommended.
