The UK still has a preference for concrete and steel systems for large-scale buildings. But a new alternative is now filtering in from Finland in the form of an engineered timber system specifically developed to meet the demanding needs of UK contractors across large-scale commercial construction.
Developed as a stress skin panel system, Kerto Ripa provides design flexibility for roofs and intermediate floors of wide spanning buildings. Using the inherent strength, rigidity and versatility of Kerto, Ripa comprises Kerto S ribs and a Kerto Q panel structurally glued to the top and/or bottom. For roofs, the Kerto Q has a factory-fitted single ply membrane to the top plate, while the bottom plate can be finished to the architectural specification of the internal ceiling of the building. It can also be specified as either an open or pre-insulated closed panel.
The system enables clear spans of up to 10m without supporting columns, beams or purlins, speeding up installation, giving added flexibility and providing a strong solution for flat or low-pitched roofs.
Speed of installation was a key factor in the specification of Kerto Ripa on the roof of Finland’s northernmost shopping centre, K-Rajamarket Suomenrinne in Nuorgam, a Finnforest glulam-framed building. The roof comprised 2,200m² of Kerto Ripa panels and 250m² were used in the walls, and their ease of installation contributed to an on-site construction programme of just five months.
The Ripa system is also used with other construction methods. At Raisso in Finland, IKEA used it for a concrete-framed store, featuring 16m of fully insulated elements. With the single ply membrane and gypsum board fitted in the factory, up to 1,000m² per day of fully wind and watertight panels were installed. And the finished store maintains a constant +22° when exterior winter temperatures can drop to -30°C, demonstrating Ripa’s performance in more than just spanning terms.
Kerto Ripa intermediate floors can also be enhanced with acoustic deck, like Finnforest’s SoundBar System. Over 250m² of Ripa was used for flooring by Westframe in a Towcester office building. The system enabled a 9m span with commercial loadings and the floor took a matter of hours to complete while also providing the flexibility for some value engineering.
For more information www.finnforest.co.uk
