Tiili

Tiili is the Finnish term for brick, a rectangular masonry unit used in constructing walls, facades, and other structures. In Finnish practice, tiili most often refers to fired clay bricks, though concrete bricks and other hollow or perforated brick units are also used.

Types and forms: Fired clay bricks are traditional and known for durability and thermal mass. Concrete bricks are lighter and can be produced in a range of shapes. Bricks can be solid or hollow; facing bricks are intended for visible surfaces, while structural bricks are designed for load-bearing walls. Special bricks may be used for insulation, fire resistance, or aesthetic effects.

Manufacture and standards: Bricks are manufactured by shaping raw material, drying, and firing in a kiln (for clay bricks) or by molding and curing (for concrete bricks). They are produced to national and European standards that specify dimensions, tolerances, mechanical strength, and water absorption.

Construction and properties: Brick walls provide fire resistance, durability, and substantial thermal mass, which can help stabilize indoor temperatures. They offer good weather resistance and are relatively low maintenance. Nevertheless, proper detailing is required to prevent moisture ingress and to meet contemporary insulation and energy-performance requirements.

History and usage in Finland: Bricks have been employed in Finnish architecture since the 19th century, prominently in industrial buildings and later in urban housing and public architecture. Today, brick is commonly used as load-bearing material or as a façade veneer in combination with modern insulation and air-barrier systems.