Finns focus on wood

Despite the prominence of Finland’s forest products industry and the close relationship that Finns have with their forests, it is still “a challenge” to enhance the use of timber in construction, says Mikko Viljakainen, director of building systems at Wood Focus Oy.

While 70% of wood products go into construction, and timber frame is the predominant building method for single family houses, in multi-storey dwellings it is a different matter.

Up until 1987, Finland’s building regulations did not allow timber frame to be used in buildings over two storeys. However, through developing knowledge of sound and fire in relation to timber frame, building codes have been changed and timber frame can now be used in buildings up to four storeys.

Wood Focus was created in 2000 from the merger of the Finnish Timber Council and Finnish Wood Research. Its promotion and research activities are aimed at increasing demand for wood – and it has certainly done that. Since 1987, when “it was realised that our forests were growing more wood than we were using”, Finland’s per capita timber consumption has grown from 0.8m3 to 1m3. This compares with 0.45m3 in Sweden and 0.6m3 in Norway.

“Designers are in a key position and we must show them that it is as easy or easier to use timber than any other material in structural applications,” said Mr Vilhakainen.

To this end, Wood Focus has developed manuals for architects and structural engineers and “product inspirational material” showing timber applications in construction.

Another promotion of wood is seen in the development of wooden towns, which stem from an initiative by the University of Oulu in 1997. With 15 already established in Finland and another 30 planned, they reflect the long tradition of timber building in Finland and aim to boost the use of timber in construction.

Sign up for our weekly news round-up!

Give your business an edge with our Timber Trades Journal.

Sign up