Puurungoseiniä

Puurungoseiniä is the Finnish term for wooden-framed walls, a common wall construction in Nordic architectural practice. The word derives from puu (wood), runko (frame), and seinä (wall), and it is used to describe walls that consist of a wooden skeleton with infill and an outer finishing layer.

Typically, a puurungoseinä has a timber skeleton of studs or frames, exterior bracing or sheathing, an insulation layer, and an outer cladding such as siding or brick veneer. The interior finish may be plaster, gypsum board, or wood paneling. Many configurations include an air-tight layer and a ventilation gap to manage moisture and indoor air quality.

Variants of puurungoseiniä appear in both traditional and modern constructions, ranging from lightweight timber-frame buildings to heavier post-and-beam structures. They are common in new Finnish buildings and in retrofits of older structures where preserving timber elements is desirable.

The approach offers advantages such as relatively good thermal performance, acoustic insulation, and ease of on-site adjustments or renovations. Performance depends on moisture management, timber quality, and the continuity of insulation and air barriers. Proper installation, sealing, and maintenance are essential to prevent moisture-related problems like mold or timber decay.

Historically, timber-framed wall systems have been integral to Nordic construction, reflecting climate-adapted design and sustainable use of locally available materials. Puurungoseiniä continue to be relevant in discussions of energy efficiency and a modern, low-embodied-energy building stock.