Finnforest - Products and Company Details

Fins are looking good

The facade of an extension to Longford Community School, Feltham has been transformed thanks to Finnforest's Kerto 'fins'. Chosen for its structural and aesthetic benefits, the Kerto 'fins' not only support the structure but also add an interesting decorative finish says the firm. The two storey extension has been constructed using a combination of Kerto components from the supplier to deliver a new, modern teaching block. Kerto is used to support the first floor structure and the roof, thanks to its inherent strength, coupled with its aesthetics. The Kerto 'fins' were colour-stained, adding to the decorative aspect. Kerto is produced from 3 mm thick, rotary peeled softwood veneers, glued together using a WBP-type glue to form a continuous 2.4 m wide billet, with thicknesses ranging from 27 mm to 90 mm. The billet is then hot pressed and cut to size to make beams, planks etc.

Kerto for the natural look

Finnforest Kerto engineered timber has been used in the construction of a resource centre at the rural Forrest Hills centre in Lancaster. Selected for its enhanced strength and natural aesthetics, says the firm, the Kerto will help provide a new cafe and meeting room facilities for visitors. The resource centre, which has been built using natural and local materials, is designed to blend with the surrounding landscape. Kerto has been used to create the internal beams and purlins. The engineered timber is produced from 3 mm rotary peeled softwood veneers.

Durable nature of timber

Finnforest's Thermowood material has recently been used at Cambridge University's Botanic Garden. The product was used as cladding on the exterior of the entrance kiosk. The building was vertically clad using Finnforest's Thermowood to help enhance visual aesthetics. Thermowood is manufactured from Finnish Redwood and through a process of intensive steam treatment, baking the wood at temperatures exceeding 200 °C, the result is a stable timber product, which is strong, durable and virtually maintenance free, says the firm.

Raising the SoundBar

An acoustic flooring solution, the SoundBar System from Finnforest, has been used in the construction of nine new apartments for Elim Housing Association. The SoundBar System was specified for its proven capacity to exceed Part E requirements, said the firm. The system consists of three components: an engineered timber i-joist (Finnjoist), the SoundBar System acoustic board, and Lafarge Gyvlon anhydrite screed, claimed to be "environmentally sound". Mike Court, architect from Quattro Design, was keen to ensure that noise transmission was kept to a minimum: "The SoundBar System has Robust Detail accreditation, the only system to do so at the time of specification; we were keen to use it on this particular project due to this proven capability that it would exceed the requirements of Part E legislation. "This system delivers time efficiencies into a build programme and helps to ease site logistics too. The flooring system presents a one-stop-shop for specifiers."

A lighter barn for the farm

Finnforest is delivering speed of installation, site efficiency, design versatility and cost benefits to the large=scale agricultural and light industrial building sector. Finnforest's new Kerto Portal Framing system is ideal for use within this sector thanks to an eaves height of up to 4.5 m and a low pitched roof between 10 degrees and 15 degrees. The Kerto Portal Framing system is an engineered timber building solution, bespoke manufactured, with a frame available up to 24 m x 70 m. The timber system offers a lightweight alternative to steel, and offers the further the advantage of being able to be erected in one lift, cutting construction time.

Intelligent technical detail

Finnforest has further developed its engineered timber systems to help architects, developers and contractors exceed energy performance targets for residential and commercial applications. The firm's Low Energy Wall and Roof solutions deliver intelligent technical detailing to form pre-engineered timber panels that embody an important strand in the energy performance equation for both Code Level 4 and BREEAM status, says the firm. The detailing means improved performance, lower U-values and reduced CO2 emissisons, says Finnforest. The fully-engineered timber i-joist, Finnjoist, is at the heart of the solution. With Kerto flanges and an OSB web, the joist is designed to be remarkably stable, and not to warp or twist. Also it is designed not to be susceptible to the effects of moisture, unlike standard timber products. The pre-engineered panels are filled with a mineral wool core. The wall and roof cassettes can be designed and made to specific energy requirements. The panellised format provides design versatility says Finnforest, and their offsite-constructed nature means that the method is fast to install and will not therefore compromise schedules.

Prize-winning pavilion

The Hesse Architectural Prize has been awarded to a unique pavilion in the German spa town of Bad Hersfled. Constructed from Finnforest's Kerto laminated veneer lumber, the pavilion combines Kerto with glass and steel components. Designed by Hamburg architect Volker Petters, the structure is set into a water basin, on a raised concrete dais. The pavilion's exterior comprises 38 slim Kerto beams, erected on an elliptical floor space of 8 m x 16 m, giving a ridged effect. These beams join similar shaped structural rafters, to form the eliptical roof, where they are met by a steel support ring. Between the Kerto beams, 100 cm x 550 cm glass panels were installed, allowing in sunlight during the day and letting out the blue light from the pavilion to reflect across the water surrounding it at night. Finnforest's specialist timber engineering company, Merk, worked closely with Petters to ensure that the technical capabilities of Kerto were fully realised. Curved profiles, use of special synthetic resin as a treatment, and employed connections on the pavilion all required close collaboration, says the company.

Kerto up to the challenge

Finnforest's Kerto has recently been used by Crendon Timber Engineering in the challenging construction of some roof dormers overlooking Newquay Bay, Devon. Finnforest supported Crendon in the design, supply and fix contract by producing detailed drawings of the 45° pitched roof design incorporating dormers. Kerto beams, which were specified for their strength and versatility, were transported and formed on-site to be installed in the pitched roof construction over the dormer windows.

Wind now back in sails

Kerto S engineered timber from finnforest has been used in the restoration of the Wray Common Windmill in Reigate. It has been employed to build the dummy sails for the windmill, which span sixty feet across and remain locked in the St Andrews cross. Kerto S laminated veneer timber was specified for its strength, lightness and durability. These qualities will drastically reduce the amount of maintenance required on the sails compared to any other possible material, as well as ensuring the sails are resistant to the high wind forces exerted on them.