• The Netherlands
  • Church

Roof insulation

Proportionally, in uninsulated historical buildings, most of the energy is lost through the roofs. This is an average house up to 360 m3 of gas per year, which equals to approximately € 230, - on the energy bill. Can you imagine what this could potentially mean for church buildings? The best way to insulate the roof depends on the type of roof, flat or sloping, and space on the inside or outside of the roof.

Always call in a professional for the post-insulation of roofs, especially with monuments. This avoids the risk of damage to the wooden or steel construction due to condensation. If you do not use the space under your roof on a daily basis, it is less interesting to insulate it with roof insulation and the space can better serve as a buffer. In that case, consider insulating the attic floor.

Sloped roof exterior insulation

Source : Centrum kerk Winsum
Source : Centrum kerk Winsum

Most heat is lost through the roof, so insulating the roof reduces energy consumption considerably. A sloped roof is best insulated on the outside, because this limits the risk of moisture problems. Renovation of the roof is the best time to insulate, when the roof tiles have to be removed anyway. Always have the roof insulation carried out by a professional insulation company. Roof insulation on the outside is not always possible because the roof becomes 5 to 15 cm thicker after insulation. This should not conflict with the monumental view or the connection to the gutter line.

  • Increases the comfort of the building
  • No loss of space on the inside
  • It is possible to achieve very good insulation value
  • There is no chance of moisture problems if implemented correctly
  • Never apply insulation both inside and outside because of the risk of moisture problems
  • The existing roof covering is (temporarily) removed
  • The roof package will be thicker and connections in the gutter and facade change
  • Insulating your building is always work for a professional company
Regulations

Monumental

  • The roof line must remain lower than the front or rear facade line.
  • The gutter is at least 15 cm wide (the gutter can be raised if necessary).

Protected city view

  • Historical roofs must be adequately ventilated.
  • Sealant and PUR foam are not permitted.
Financing possibilities

Nationwide

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Considerations

When insulating on the inside, the risk of moisture and wood rot in the construction is many times greater, which is why insulation on the outside is preferred for historic buildings.

Most heat is lost through the roof, so insulating the roof reduces energy consumption considerably. A sloped roof is best insulated on the outside, because this limits the risk of moisture problems. Renovation of the roof is the best time to insulate, when the roof tiles have to be removed anyway. Always have the roof insulation carried out by a professional insulation company. Roof insulation on the outside is not always possible because the roof becomes 5 to 15 cm thicker after insulation. This should not conflict with the monumental view or the connection to the gutter line.

  • Increases the comfort of the building
  • No loss of space on the inside
  • It is possible to achieve very good insulation value
  • There is no chance of moisture problems if implemented correctly
  • Never apply insulation both inside and outside because of the risk of moisture problems
  • The existing roof covering is (temporarily) removed
  • The roof package will be thicker and connections in the gutter and facade change
  • Insulating your building is always work for a professional company
Regulations

Monumental

  • The roof line must remain lower than the front or rear facade line.
  • The gutter is at least 15 cm wide (the gutter can be raised if necessary).

Protected city view

  • Historical roofs must be adequately ventilated.
  • Sealant and PUR foam are not permitted.
Financing possibilities

Nationwide

Sloped roof interior insulation

Roof insulation prevents unnecessary heat loss through the roof. The roof can be insulated on the inside between the beams of the roof. This is less effective than insulating on the outside, but is often easier to implement. And for historically valuable roofs, insulating on the inside has the advantage that it does not alter the appearance of the facade on the outside. Keep in mind, however, that about 5-15 cm of space is lost inside and that the wooden structure is usually no longer visible. Always have roof insulation applied by a professional company to prevent moisture problems.

  • Increases the comfort of the building
  • It is possible to achieve very good insulation value
  • The face of your building will not change
  • Working from the inside is relatively easy
  • Never apply insulation both inside and outside because of the risk of moisture problems
  • Insulating your building is always work for a professional company
Financing possibilities

Nationwide

Continue reading Read less
Tip

A cold roof structure means that the insulation is applied underneath the construction. The structure and the roof finish are cold, as it were, as they are adjacent to the outside air.

Considerations
The savings are greatest if the space under the roof is a heated room. In the case of an unheated room, such as a storage room, the savings are 40% lower on average. At the same time, the investment can also be lower with an unheated room by not opting for a roof finish on the inside.

Roof insulation prevents unnecessary heat loss through the roof. The roof can be insulated on the inside between the beams of the roof. This is less effective than insulating on the outside, but is often easier to implement. And for historically valuable roofs, insulating on the inside has the advantage that it does not alter the appearance of the facade on the outside. Keep in mind, however, that about 5-15 cm of space is lost inside and that the wooden structure is usually no longer visible. Always have roof insulation applied by a professional company to prevent moisture problems.

  • Increases the comfort of the building
  • It is possible to achieve very good insulation value
  • The face of your building will not change
  • Working from the inside is relatively easy
  • Never apply insulation both inside and outside because of the risk of moisture problems
  • Insulating your building is always work for a professional company
Financing possibilities

Nationwide

Insulating the attic floor

The attic is the upper part of a church, just below the roof. Warm air rises and is lost through the attic through the roof. Insulating the attic floor or the top of the vault is interesting if the attic is not heated and is actually never used as a living space. The insulation material can be placed between the wooden floor beams or on the floor or vault. Make sure that the access to the attic is also insulated. Insulating the attic floor is cheaper than roof insulation and yields the same reduction in heat loss.

  • Increases the comfort of the building
  • It is possible to achieve very good insulation value
  • The face of your building will not change
  • Short cost recovery period
  • Working from the inside is relatively easy
  • Make sure that the floor remains walkable
  • Your floor will be raised by the insulation material
  • Due to lack of space, seamless insulation is often difficult in this case
  • Also insulate the sloping parts of the roof, under the attic floor
  • Securely fasten the insulation at the curvature of the vault to prevent sagging of the insulation
Financing possibilities

Nationwide

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Tip

If there is a desire in the future to use the attic in a different way, and the roof will then be insulated from the inside. Then you can opt for pressure-resistant wood fiber boards. These plates can then be reused to attach to the inside of the roof. A nice circular solution.

The attic is the upper part of a church, just below the roof. Warm air rises and is lost through the attic through the roof. Insulating the attic floor or the top of the vault is interesting if the attic is not heated and is actually never used as a living space. The insulation material can be placed between the wooden floor beams or on the floor or vault. Make sure that the access to the attic is also insulated. Insulating the attic floor is cheaper than roof insulation and yields the same reduction in heat loss.

  • Increases the comfort of the building
  • It is possible to achieve very good insulation value
  • The face of your building will not change
  • Short cost recovery period
  • Working from the inside is relatively easy
  • Make sure that the floor remains walkable
  • Your floor will be raised by the insulation material
  • Due to lack of space, seamless insulation is often difficult in this case
  • Also insulate the sloping parts of the roof, under the attic floor
  • Securely fasten the insulation at the curvature of the vault to prevent sagging of the insulation
Financing possibilities

Nationwide

Flat roof exterior insulation

Flat roofs are best to insulate on the outside of the roof, which prevents heat loss and reduces energy consumption. By applying insulating material on top of the roof structure, you avoid the risk of moisture damage in the wooden structure. With interior insulation, this risk is greater for flat roofs. After insulation, the insulation panels are finished with a waterproof material. If your roof with roof covering is due for replacement soon, this is a good time to insulate on the outside. If the roof covering is still in good condition, you can also place waterproof insulation panels on top of the existing roof covering. With gravel or tiles, you prevent the insulation panels from blowing away, but this ‘inverted roof’ does not insulate as effectively.

  • Increases the comfort of the building
  • No loss of space on the inside
  • It is possible to achieve very good insulation value
  • There is no chance of moisture problems if implemented correctly
  • Can also be combined with a green roof
  • The existing roof covering is (temporarily) removed
  • The roof package will be thicker and connections in the gutter and facade change
  • Let an expert advise you well in advance
  • Insulating your building is always work for a professional company
  • Never apply insulation both inside and outside because of the risk of moisture problems
Regulations

Monumental

  • Permit required in most municipalities.
Financing possibilities

Nationwide

Continue reading Read less
Considerations
The savings are greatest if the space under the roof is a heated room. In the case of an unheated room, such as a storage room, the savings are 40% lower on average. At the same time, the investment can also be lower with an unheated room by not opting for a roof finish on the inside.

Flat roofs are best to insulate on the outside of the roof, which prevents heat loss and reduces energy consumption. By applying insulating material on top of the roof structure, you avoid the risk of moisture damage in the wooden structure. With interior insulation, this risk is greater for flat roofs. After insulation, the insulation panels are finished with a waterproof material. If your roof with roof covering is due for replacement soon, this is a good time to insulate on the outside. If the roof covering is still in good condition, you can also place waterproof insulation panels on top of the existing roof covering. With gravel or tiles, you prevent the insulation panels from blowing away, but this ‘inverted roof’ does not insulate as effectively.

  • Increases the comfort of the building
  • No loss of space on the inside
  • It is possible to achieve very good insulation value
  • There is no chance of moisture problems if implemented correctly
  • Can also be combined with a green roof
  • The existing roof covering is (temporarily) removed
  • The roof package will be thicker and connections in the gutter and facade change
  • Let an expert advise you well in advance
  • Insulating your building is always work for a professional company
  • Never apply insulation both inside and outside because of the risk of moisture problems
Regulations

Monumental

  • Permit required in most municipalities.
Financing possibilities

Nationwide

Tip
Cooling roof covering

Cooling roof covering

Black roofs absorb a lot of light and heat, which causes the roof and the spaces underneath to heat up. It also leads to heat stress in cities. This problem can easily be solved with white roof covering. The white colour reflects the sunlight and limits the heating of the building. Keep in mind, however, that this changes the appearance of the roof and makes pollution more visible.

Tip
Combine with a green roof

Combine with a green roof

If you are replacing the roof covering, consider installing a green roof in addition to roof insulation. This can double the lifespan of the roof finish and keep the space underneath the roof cooler in summer. Moreover, your green roof will keep the city cooler and the streets drier during heavy showers.