Roof renovation prepares 53 homes for the future

An aging roof is not only a reason for renovation but also for making the building more sustainable. This was evident in the case of 53 rental homes in Wijk00 (De Boomkamp and surrounding area) in Nieuwkoop. Commissioned by SPIT Projecten, Aannemingsbedrijf Richard van Leeuwen en Zn B.V. replaced all the residential roofs. They also installed exterior insulation. This was a major undertaking, requiring a well-thought-out approach not only for the roofs themselves but also for the building structure, logistics, and the livability of the neighborhood.

“During the project assessment, it became clear that the structural condition of the roofs was not optimal,” explains co-owner Tony van Leeuwen of Aannemingsbedrijf Richard van Leeuwen en Zn B.V. “All the purlins had sagged by about eight centimeters. As a result, we couldn’t get by with a traditional approach, in which insulation boards are installed over the existing structure.” The technical challenges called for a meticulous approach and extensive coordination right from the initial design phase. This is where the strength of the family-owned business really came into play: various disciplines were able to collaborate from the very beginning to determine the most suitable solution.

The power of a family business

At Aannemingsbedrijf Richard van Leeuwen en Zn B.V., projects such as Wijk00 are literally approached as family projects. Not only father Richard van Leeuwen, but also his sons Tony, Stan, Timo, and Ries contributed their expertise starting from the design phase. The work was then carried out by approximately fourteen of the company’s own skilled tradespeople, ranging from crane operators and carpenters to roofers and tile setters. “We are a family business through and through,” Van Leeuwen emphasizes. “You can feel that atmosphere in everything we do: short lines of communication, trust, and commitment. We work together and are dedicated to delivering quality—without any fuss, but with a focus on the craft.”

Self-supporting roof structure

The roofs of the 53 rental units in Wijk00 were fitted with a self-supporting structural roof panel, which was installed across the entire width and from one exterior wall to the other. “This prevents any additional load on the existing roof structure,” said Van Leeuwen. “We were then able to install the new insulation, a vapor barrier, and the roof battens, and the roofs were fitted with new roof tiles.” Because the new roof structure ended up being about thirty centimeters higher, additional solutions were needed for the connections. “We carefully considered how to accommodate the differences in height so that all connections were neatly and watertightly executed and water drainage is also ensured for the future.”

In addition to the roof structure, all skylights were also replaced. The new ones not only offer better quality but also let in more natural light. “New fascia boards also ensure a neat finish.” The old woodwork was removed from the attached sheds. New insulation was then installed from the outside, followed by low-maintenance Keralite siding.

Just-in-time Through the Neighborhood

A project of this scale requires more than just craftsmanship. “Especially in a residential neighborhood, logistics are key to both progress and minimizing disruption,” Van Leeuwen explains. “That’s why we used a central materials hub.” From there, the necessary materials were delivered just-in-time to the residential blocks. “We arranged for two construction cranes ourselves and used a loader with a trailer for transport. This allowed us to deliver materials to the homes at exactly the right time and keep disruption to a minimum.”

The renovation of Wijk00 marked the first successful collaboration between SPIT Projecten and Aannemingsbedrijf Richard van Leeuwen en Zn B.V. in the field of roof renovation and sustainability. That collaboration has since led to a promising follow-up project: the roof renovation across the street on Beerstratenlaan. “We look forward to a long-term partnership,” Van Leeuwen concludes. ‎‎