Materials and structures

Finland is one of the most forested countries in the world – more than 80% of its territory is covered by forests, and the forestry sector is a key part of the economy. Forest management is sustainable: annual growth consistently exceeds harvesting, and all harvested areas are restored through reforestation. Annual forest growth is approximately 103–106 million m³ and depends on the age of the forests – it is highest when they are between 20 and 40 years old. Growth decreases significantly in older forests, while the absence of harvesting leads to a temporary increase followed by a decline.

Forests play an important role because they absorb carbon most efficiently during their active growth phase. Sustainable management is therefore essential for the long-term storage of oxygen.

Kontio’s Arctic pine has the most favourable properties because it grows in the ideal location – near the Arctic Circle, where the characteristics of the heartwood are at their best, but not so far north that the landscape becomes treeless tundra.

Arctic pine in Finland grows very slowly because of the short growing season and harsh climatic conditions. Slow growth is directly linked to high natural resistance to decay. Slow-grown northern pine produces dense, strong timber.

The durability of Arctic pine is due to its high heartwood content, with cells saturated in natural resins. Because there is very little living tissue to feed the fungi that cause decay, the wood is naturally resistant to deterioration.

Slow growth further increases the proportion of heartwood, improving resistance to changes in moisture and weathering. This increases durability in demanding applications such as window and door frames and other exterior products.

In contrast, spruce and fast-growing pine contain significantly more light-coloured sapwood, resulting in lower resistance to decay.

Modern concrete construction has a significant impact on the climate and global warming. The built environment generates more than 30% of greenhouse gas emissions, while cement production alone accounts for approximately 8% of global CO₂ emissions. The solution? Wood. Log buildings act as natural carbon stores and offer a sustainable, environmentally friendly alternative to conventional construction. KONTIO is a leading innovator in timber construction, actively working to build a greener and more responsible future.
Log buildings act as natural carbon stores and offer a sustainable, environmentally friendly alternative to conventional construction.
KONTIO е водещ новатор в строителството с дърво, който активно изгражда по-екологично и отговорно бъдеще.

Innovative technology with vertical lamellas: The use of vertically oriented lamellas ensures that Kontio SmartLog™ is a completely non-settling system that permanently retains its precise geometry.
High energy efficiency through tight joints: Thanks to the precise factory sealing of every joint, the structure achieves excellent insulation performance and prevents heat loss in all climatic conditions.
Certified quality and durability: The strength, rigidity and joint tightness have been tested by VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland with exceptional results.

Wood ignites at temperatures between 250°C and 350°C, with the ignition temperature depending significantly on the duration of exposure to heat.
Innovative technology with vertical lamellas: The use of vertically oriented lamellas ensures that Kontio SmartLog™ is a completely non-settling system that permanently retains its precise geometry.
High energy efficiency through tight joints: Thanks to the precise factory sealing of every joint, the structure achieves excellent insulation performance and prevents heat loss in all climatic conditions.
Certified quality and durability: The strength, rigidity and joint tightness have been tested by VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland with exceptional results.

Kontio buildings are designed to withstand specific loads, including those in areas with high seismic activity. Their structural safety is based on
the natural flexibility of wood, the system of solid horizontal timber beams and
precisely developed engineering solutions for each individual project.

Designed for areas with seismic activity
Kontio buildings Kontio buildings are designed in full compliance with Eurocode 8. Each project is individually designed and calculated, taking into account the specific seismic loads in the region, site characteristics, geology and applicable national regulations. се проектират в пълно съответствие с
Eurocode 8. Всеки проект се
оразмерява и изчислява индивидуално, като се вземат предвид специфичните
сеизмични натоварвания за региона, особеностите на терена, геологията и приложимите
национални разпоредби.

Natural flexibility and structural integrity
Compared with many traditional construction materials, wood is naturally flexible and
lightweight. This flexibility allows timber structures to absorb
dissipate seismic energy effectively through limited movement. At the same time
the specific corner joints act as a strong binding system that ensures
the structural integrity of the building and protects it against sudden collapse.

Proven quality in seismic zones
For decades, Kontio buildings have been constructed in areas with high
seismic activity, such as Japan, Central Asia and Southern Europe. In these regions, customers rely on Scandinavian engineering expertise and modern solid timber construction technologies as
construction technologies as strong, reliable and long-lasting solutions.