You are sitting in the house with the low ceilings, the many small rooms and the flat roof that has been worrying you since you bought it. The heating bill is too high, the bathroom is worn, and the kitchen does not suit the way you use the house. The 60s suburban house (parcelhus) is Denmark’s most common house type — and one of those with the greatest renovation potential.
Here is an overview of what you typically encounter, and what it costs to address it.
What defines the 60s suburban house?
Suburban houses from 1960–69 were built in an era of material optimism and minimal insulation. Typical features:
- Low insulation. 50–100 mm in exterior walls, 100–150 mm in the loft. Far below current requirements.
- Flat or near-flat roofs. Often with roofing felt on lattice trusses. Short lifespan, risk of moisture.
- Early sealed units. Double glazing without coating — poor insulating capacity.
- Aerated concrete or lightweight exterior walls. Many houses have exterior walls of aerated concrete or lightweight aggregate blocks, which insulate better than brick, but still insufficiently.
- Many small rooms. Living room, dining room and kitchen as separate rooms with narrow doorways.
- Asbestos. Fibre cement panels on roof and facade, vinyl tiles, pipe insulation and sealant may contain asbestos.
What does it cost?
A renovation can be approached in stages. Here are the typical sub-projects:
New roof: 120,000–300,000 DKK Flat roofing felt roofs from the 60s have often reached their lifespan. Either new roofing felt (cheapest) or conversion to a pitched roof with clay or concrete tiles (more expensive, but longer lifespan and potential for using the loft space).
Insulation: 60,000–200,000 DKK Loft, exterior walls and ground slab. Loft insulation is cheapest and gives most effect per DKK. Exterior walls can be cavity-filled (20,000–50,000 DKK) or externally insulated with new cladding (150,000–400,000 DKK).
New windows: 80,000–160,000 DKK Replacement of all windows with triple energy glazing. Gives better comfort, less draught and a lower heating bill. See new windows cost.
New heating system: 50,000–150,000 DKK Many 60s houses still have oil or gas boilers. Switching to a heat pump or district heating reduces heating costs by 30–60%.
New bathroom: 80,000–200,000 DKK Original bathrooms from the 60s are typically worn and do not meet modern wet room requirements.
New kitchen with revised floor plan: 100,000–350,000 DKK Opening between kitchen and living room often requires removal of a load-bearing wall (15,000–40,000 DKK for a steel beam including structural engineer’s calculations). Plus new kitchen and flooring.
Total cost for comprehensive renovation: 800,000–1,800,000 DKK for a 120 m² house.
Asbestos — take it seriously
Houses built between 1920 and 1986 may contain asbestos. In 60s houses, the most common occurrences are:
- Fibre cement panels (eternit) on roof and facade
- Vinyl tiles and vinyl flooring
- Pipe insulation
- Sealant around windows
Always get a professional asbestos survey before demolishing anything. It is a legal requirement, and incorrect handling poses a serious health risk. A survey costs 3,000–8,000 DKK and can save you far more expensive problems.
Sequence matters
Do not renovate randomly. The right sequence saves money:
- Building envelope first. Roof, facade, foundation and windows — make sure the house is tight and insulated.
- Heating system. Once the heat demand has been reduced via a better building envelope, you can choose a smaller and cheaper heating system.
- Interior. Floor plan, kitchen, bathroom, floors and surfaces.
This sequence ensures you do not oversize the heating system, and that moisture risk is minimised before you close up the walls.
Which 60s houses are most at risk?
Houses with flat roofs. Greatest risk of moisture damage in the roof structure. Check the loft space for condensation and dark patches.
Houses with aerated concrete facade. Aerated concrete is porous and absorbs water. Without maintained surface treatment, moisture penetrates and can cause frost damage.
Houses that have never been renovated. Surprisingly many 60s houses still have their original roof, windows and heating system. Here the need is acute — and the total cost is highest.
Houses with unlawful conversions. DIY renovations from the 1970s and 80s are not always done correctly. Check BBR to see if the registered area and use matches reality.
Energy rating and grants
Most unrenovated 60s suburban houses have an energy rating of E, F or G. A comprehensive energy renovation can bring the house to C or better — this typically requires new building envelope, new windows and a new heat source.
Energy companies provide grants for energy renovation: insulation, new windows and heat pumps. The grant varies, but can amount to 10,000–50,000 DKK in total. Always apply for grants before work starts. Check Sparenergi.dk for current rates.
In addition, the BoligJob scheme (the tradespeople deduction) can provide a tax deduction for labour costs on energy improvements. In 2026, the limit is 12,900 DKK per person for green improvements.
Floor plan — from many small rooms to open living
The 60s floor plan with separate kitchen, dining room and living room rarely works for modern families. The most common changes:
- Opening between kitchen and living room. Often a load-bearing wall — requires a steel beam and structural engineer’s calculations (15,000–40,000 DKK). The result is a significant improvement to daily life.
- Merging two small bedrooms. Creates a proper master bedroom or a usable home office.
- Enlarging the entrance. Many 60s entrance halls are dark and narrow. A door or wall can be removed to open up.
Remember a building permit is required for changes to load-bearing structures and for extending the floor area.
How to move forward
The 60s suburban house has good bones — solid brickwork, decent foundations and enough rooms for a modern family. But it requires a plan. Start by mapping the condition of the house and prioritise the measures that give the most effect. A professional survey saves you from expensive surprises along the way.
If you have a slightly newer house, our guide to 70s type houses may be more relevant — many of the challenges are related, but the constructions differ.
Sources: Bolius — suburban house guide, Danish Energy Agency, BYG-ERFA