Porttiviiveet

Porttiviiveet, a Finnish term roughly translating to "gate slates" or "door slates," refers to a traditional building material and technique primarily used in older Finnish wooden houses. These were thin, often rough-hewn wooden planks or shingles that were applied to the exterior of buildings, particularly around openings like doors and windows. The primary purpose of porttiviiveet was to provide a transition between different building elements and to protect the more vulnerable edges of structural timbers from weathering and moisture.

The installation of porttiviiveet was a craft skill, with carpenters carefully selecting and shaping the wood to fit the specific dimensions of each opening. The material was typically made from readily available woods like pine or spruce. The application was often layered, with the outer planks overlapping to create a water-shedding surface. While their aesthetic contribution was secondary, they added a distinct visual texture to the facades of traditional Finnish homes. Over time, with the advent of more standardized and manufactured building materials, the use of porttiviiveet has become less common in new construction. However, they are still appreciated in historical preservation and restoration projects, where they help maintain the authentic character of older buildings.