Roofing in the Netherlands and Belgium

The Netherlands and Belgium share a dense, low-lying landscape with a mild, wet and windy North Sea climate. Pitched roofs of ceramic tiles are the norm on traditional houses, while flat roofs are common on post-war housing and in cities.

Ceramic tiles

The Low Countries have long been centres of roof tile making. In the 16th century Holland required fireproof roofing materials in towns to reduce the spread of fire, which encouraged many small tile makers. The S-shaped pantile (Hollandse pan) is the classic Dutch roof tile and was exported to eastern England and Scotland from the early 17th century. Dutch settlers also established full-scale tile production in the upper Hudson Valley of North America by 1650. Today both regions produce and use large quantities of ceramic interlocking tiles, with glazed and smoked (blue-grey) finishes popular.

Reed thatch

Thatch with water reed remains a living tradition in the Netherlands, used on farmhouses, villas and some new public buildings, often at pitches of about 45-55 degrees. The House of the Five Senses at Kaatsheuvel is often described as having the largest thatched roof in the world. Belgium's Flanders and Kempen regions also retain thatched farmhouses.

Slate

Natural slate is traditional in parts of Belgium, especially the Ardennes, which straddles the border with France and has its own slate quarrying history.

Flat roofs

Flat roofs on terraced housing, apartments and commercial buildings use bituminous, EPDM and other synthetic membranes. Dutch and Belgian cities increasingly promote green and blue roofs to retain stormwater, a priority in such a low, wet landscape.

Standards

Product and performance standards follow European EN norms, with national building regulations in the Netherlands and regional regulations in Belgium.