Insulating the roof
With a dormer, extra storey or new roof covering, the roof is easiest to insulate, on the inside or the outside.
Sustainability · Existing home
Sustainable renovation: a comfortable and efficient home
A renovation is the moment to make your home more sustainable: when floors, walls or the roof are opened up anyway, insulating is easier than later. We include insulation, ventilation and heating in the design, so comfort and energy use improve together.
- The right order: first the building envelope, then ventilation and heating
- Building physics that prevents damp and thermal bridges
- Measures that suit the house type, heritage status and budget
Measures
What we include in a sustainable renovation
Which measures make sense depends on the year of construction, the condition of the home and your plans.
Insulating the facade
Cavity wall insulation, interior insulation or external insulation: each solution has its own effects on moisture, space and appearance.
Insulating the floor
A ground floor above a crawl space can often be insulated from below, provided the crawl space is accessible and dry enough.
Glazing and window frames
Insulating glass and well-sealing window frames reduce heat loss and draughts. For listed buildings, slim insulating glass or secondary glazing is an option.
Ventilation
After insulating, good ventilation is needed: with vents and extraction, or with a heat recovery system.
Sustainable heating
A heat pump works best with a well-insulated envelope and low-temperature heating, such as underfloor heating.
Building physics
What we look out for
Sustainability measures go wrong when they are taken separately. That is why we design them together.
- Moisture: insulation, vapour control and ventilation must work together
- Thermal bridges: especially at the connections of window frames, floors and roofs
- Sound and space: a heat pump's outdoor unit needs a good location, also with regard to the neighbours
- Structure: solar panels or equipment on the roof sometimes require a check of its load-bearing capacity
- Rules: extra rules apply to listed buildings and in protected townscapes
Do you live in a listed or protected building? Then also read renovating a listed building and renovating in a protected townscape.
Subsidy and advice
Subsidies and local help
There are national and local schemes for sustainability measures. Amounts and conditions change regularly.
- ISDE: for owner-occupiers, for measures including insulation, (hybrid) heat pumps and, since 2026, ventilation combined with insulation
- Applying: after installation, within 24 months at the latest; with two or more measures the amount can be higher
- Amsterdam: Duurzaam Wonen Amsterdam and the Sustainable Heritage desk (Loket Duurzaam Erfgoed) for listed buildings
- Amstelveen: the Energieloket Amstelveen
Check the current conditions at RVO: ISDE for homeowners (in Dutch). Local information is available from Duurzaam Wonen Amsterdam (in Dutch) and the Energieloket Amstelveen (in Dutch).
From survey to construction
The route in five steps
Survey and energy profile
Year of construction, existing insulation, glazing, heating and consumption give a first picture of what makes sense.
Choosing measures
We list the possible measures, in the order that suits your home.
Design and details
Insulation, ventilation and connections are worked out in drawings and details. Building drawings
Permit and subsidy
We check whether a permit is needed and which documents you need for a subsidy application.
Construction
With clear details, the contractor can carry out the work without thermal bridges or damp problems. Finding a contractor
Sustainability FAQ
Frequently asked questions about sustainable renovation
What should I do first: insulate or install a heat pump?
Usually insulate and draught-proof first. A heat pump works best in a well-insulated home with low-temperature heating.
Can I get a subsidy for insulation?
Owner-occupiers can apply to RVO for the ISDE subsidy for measures including insulation and heat pumps. You apply after installation, within 24 months at the latest. Check the current conditions with RVO.
Why is ventilation important after insulating?
An insulated home is more airtight. Without enough ventilation, moisture stays inside, with a risk of mould and poor air quality.
Do I need a permit to make my home sustainable?
Often not, but you do if a measure changes the appearance where rules apply, such as on a listed building or in a protected townscape. External wall insulation may also need a permit.
Can I make my home sustainable during a renovation?
That is the best time. When floors, walls or the roof are opened up anyway, insulation and the ducts and pipes for ventilation and heating can be included straight away.
Heritage and sustainability