Puurakenteisiin

Puurakenteisiin is a Finnish term that refers to structures whose load-bearing framework is made of wood. The term covers both traditional timber-framed buildings and modern engineered timber systems, where elements such as posts, beams, and stud walls carry loads and transfer them to foundations.

Construction methods range from traditional timber framing with heavy timber members to lightweight timber framing with stud walls, and to contemporary engineered systems such as cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels, glulam beams, and hybrid constructions that combine timber with concrete or steel. Timber structures are typically protected with moisture barriers, insulation, and vapor retarders, and design emphasizes drainage and moisture management to prevent rot and mold.

In Finland, wood has long been a central construction material due to abundant forests and a temperate climate favorable to timber construction. The contemporary use of puurakenteisiin aligns with sustainability goals and prefabrication, enabling faster construction and reduced embodied energy. Modern practice also focuses on energy efficiency, airtightness, and durable detailing.

Advantages of puurakenteisiin include renewability, relatively low embodied energy compared with steel or concrete, lightweight construction, and the potential for prefabrication which can reduce on-site time and waste. Challenges include moisture sensitivity requiring careful detailing, maintenance needs to prevent decay, fire safety considerations for timber structures, and the need for skilled workmanship in timber connections and assemblies.

Today, puurakenteisiin are used in residential, educational, and commercial buildings, as well as modular and retrofit projects. They are supported by national building regulations and fire safety standards, as well as advancing timber technology such as CLT and engineered wood products.