Nature-friendly insulation

When you make changes to your home or garden, you may disturb or even kill vulnerable plants and animals. This is harmful to nature and prohibited under the Omgevingswet. We are all required to take these protected animals—such as bats, house sparrows, and swifts—into consideration.  

The following measures are known to cause animals to be trapped:

  • cavity wall insulation
  • exterior wall insulation
  • exterior roof insulation
  • insulation of parapets
  • installation of solar panels

How can you do nature-friendly insulation?

Are you a homeowner looking to insulate your home? If so, follow these steps before you begin.

Step 1: Decide whether you want to start from the inside or the outside

Not all types of work disturb protected animals. For example, do you want to insulate your home from the inside? If so, you can start right away. You do not need to follow the other steps for this type of work.

The following outdoor activities are subject to Requirements, however, because protected animals may be present (see Step 2):

  • Cavity wall insulation
  • Exterior Roof Insulation
  • Insulation of Parapets
  • Installing Insulation Panels on the Exterior
  • Seal cracks and gaps, such as those between the exterior wall and the window frame

Step 2: Check whether your home is located in an urban area or a rural area

Whether your home is located within a built-up area determines whether an environmental assessment is required.

  • Homes in built-up areas: eco-friendly insulation
    You don’t need to conduct your own environmental assessment, but you must use eco-friendly insulation. This means you Requirements install insulation provided you meet certain Requirements . You can read about how to install eco-friendly insulation in Step 3 of the step-by-step guide.
  • Home in a rural area: ecological assessment
    Planning to insulate a cavity wall? Have a certified insulation company perform an eDNA test. Is the test negative? Then you may insulate the cavity wall. Is the test positive? Then additional ecological assessment is required.

    Other (insulation) work to be done from the outside? You must have an ecological survey conducted. Request this online via the Province of Fryslân’s Guide for Small Initiatives. 

Step 3: Follow the guidelines for eco-friendly insulation (NVI)

You hire an insulation company that is certified in Nature-Friendly Insulation ( NVI) through www.natuurvriendelijkisoleren.nl. They have completed training in this area. An insulation company that uses nature-friendly insulation works as follows:

  • Removes natural materials from your home before insulating it
  • is active outside the breeding season and during hibernation
  • ensures that animals can leave safely
  • establishes or maintains sufficient shelters