Scorching hot days, and new-build homes retain heat
Many Dutch homes are not equipped to cope with tropical temperatures.
Published on June 30, 2025
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We have hot days ahead of us. And it turns out that many Dutch homes, especially new builds, are still not up to tropical temperatures. Modern houses are well insulated to keep the cold out, but they barely let the summer heat escape. As a result, residents are left panting in their homes even after sunset.
An outdated approach in a warming country
In the Netherlands, the building tradition has long focused on keeping heat inside, which is proving problematic with increasingly extreme summers. While new-build homes often have large windows and excellent insulation, they lack effective ways of dissipating excess heat. As a result, indoor temperatures can remain high for days, even when it has cooled down outside. Research shows that millions of Dutch people live in homes that are vulnerable to overheating.
Large glass surfaces and insufficient ventilation
The architecture of many modern homes contributes to overheating. Large glass surfaces and insufficient ventilation allow heat to accumulate inside. Residents of new-build apartments or converted buildings complain about a lack of cooling.
Adopting the architectural style of warmer countries
Experts have been warning about this problem for some time. Professor of Climate Design & Sustainability Andy van den Dobbelsteen of Delft University of Technology recently told NOS: The Netherlands must adopt the architectural styles of warmer countries, with thicker walls, smaller windows, and more natural shade. Regulations must also be amended so that future homes are heat-resistant as standard, rather than relying on energy-guzzling air conditioning systems installed retrospectively. Only then will homes be truly able to withstand the summers of the future.
