Wood has played a significant role in the history and development of Tampere, a city in Finland. Tampere is located in a region of Finland that is rich in forests, and the city has long been associated with the forest industry.
Anyone who decides to work with wood and wood-based materials actively contributes to the environment: wood is the only renewable raw material – enough wood to build a family home in Tampere can grow in just five seconds. Wood is also a natural carbon sink, and it has been proven that the production of wood-based materials consumes less energy compared to other building materials.
The energy efficiency of wood processing significantly reduces CO2 emissions. Even the smallest particles or production waste are ultimately reused to generate energy, which only occurs at the end of the product’s lifecycle and is used sensibly. Wood and wood-based materials meet the modern needs of a sustainable circular economy and are therefore valuable and forward-looking green building materials.
Wood construction knowledge for the Tampere Region
The nature of wood as a raw material is a combination of insulating voids and moisture-regulating cellular walls, making it ideal for almost all regions. Wood and wood-based materials still possess high strength despite their relatively low weight. Because wood and wood-based materials have natural thermal insulation properties, they are ideal building materials for energy-efficient concepts.
When it comes to a healthy living environment, wood and wood-based materials also have a positive impact with their natural properties, contributing to a balanced and, consequently, healthy indoor climate.
Why are Tampere houses made of wood?
Houses in Tampere are made of wood for several reasons:
- Tradition: Finland has a long history of using wood in construction, dating back centuries. In Tampere, as in many other parts of the country, wood has been a common building material for homes and other structures for generations.
- Availability of materials: Tampere is located in a region with extensive forests and a thriving forestry industry, making wood an abundant and cost-effective material for construction.
- Climate considerations: Wood is a good insulator and provides natural warmth, which is important in Tampere’s cold and sometimes harsh climate. It can also withstand heavy snow loads and other weather-related stresses.
- Sustainability: Wood is a renewable resource that can be grown and harvested responsibly, making it an environmentally friendly choice for construction. Tampere has a strong focus on sustainability, and many builders and homeowners are choosing wood as a way to reduce their environmental impact.
Wood is an indigenous raw material in Tampere. The wood industry and wood trade are strong sectors in the region, respectively. Essentially, companies that use wood as a building material, raw material, or for further processing can source wood as a primary resource in this country.
Hardwood or Softwood?
When it comes to wood, a distinction is made between hardwood and softwood. As a general rule, hardwoods are deciduous, while softwoods are coniferous. There are exceptions to this rule, however. Hardwood species like poplar, pine, and birch are considered softwoods. Conversely, some relatively hard softwoods, such as European spruce, exist.
The primary difference between hardwood and softwood is density. The lighter it is, the less dense it is and the softer it tends to be.
If the density of its dry wood (dry wood density) is less than 0.55 grams per cubic centimeter, it is considered a type of softwood.
Buy Sustainable Wood: Protecting the Climate Requires Healthy Forests
Tampere is known as a country with the most wood in Europe. This positions European countries as key trading partners, followed by China and the United States. This is precisely the global timber trade that has gained notoriety for a while, especially when media reports highlight illegal deforestation activities.
Wood is considered a climate-compatible building material – provided it comes from a sustainable timber industry that replenishes forests at the same rate it clears them. However, regionally and sustainably sourced wood can only come from healthy forests.”
Why is the wood used in construction in Tampere?
Wood is not only used for construction but is increasingly employed for exterior facades and cladding as well. Ironically, the very factor of weathering that once discouraged architects from using wood for facades is now the exact reason for its growing popularity. This is because it can create an authentic and naturally aged appearance.
There is also a growing interest in thermally modified wood – wood that is exclusively treated and stabilized using heat and steam. The aim of thermal wood modification is to enhance the technical properties of wood as a building material, achieving a high level of resistance to decay through the thermal process.
This means that locally sourced woods are suitable for use in outdoor spaces and humid areas without suffering from fungal attacks shortly after use, making them a viable alternative to tropical woods like teak.
With reduced water absorption capacity, thermally modified wood does not swell, warp, or contract at a fast rate. Since no chemical substances are used in its production, Thermo wood is a sustainable choice for natural beauty and can be used in a wide range of climatic conditions.
Wood for burning in Tampere
Whether your fireplace burns in an environmentally friendly or harmful way largely depends on how you operate it and the type of fuel you use. Therefore, only use dry wood. Hardwoods like oak and beech are the most suitable. Use only small wood pieces to kindle the fire. They ignite faster than large logs, so the required temperature for complete combustion is quickly reached. Adding smaller amounts of wood multiple times is more energy and environmentally efficient for continuous heating.
Only low-smoke fuels may be burned in the fireplace. These are natural and bulk woods, including glued logs, in the form of wood pellets and wooden briquettes. Using brown coal briquettes for any stove is not allowed. This is why you should consult your fireplace’s operating manual.
In addition to unpleasant odors, burning prohibited materials also produces greenhouse gases that are harmful to health and the environment. Improper fuels and their combustion residues can disrupt the performance and lifespan of the stove and chimney – in this case, the manufacturer’s warranty is usually voided.
- Birch: Birch wood is one of the most common types of wood used for burning in Tampere. It is easy to split and dries quickly, making it an ideal wood for burning.
- Spruce: Spruce wood is a softwood that burns hot and fast, making it an excellent wood for kindling or for use in wood stoves.
- Pine: Pinewood is a softwood that also burns hot and fast, but it produces more resin than spruce, which can cause it to spark and pop more.
- Aspen: Aspen is a hardwood that burns cleanly and produces a lot of heat, making it an excellent wood for burning in fireplaces and wood stoves.
- Oak wood: Oak is a dense hardwood that burns slowly and produces a lot of heat. It is an excellent wood for use in wood stoves and fireplaces, but it can be difficult to split.
- Beech: Beech wood is a hardwood that also burns slowly and produces a lot of heat. It is an excellent wood for use in wood stoves and fireplaces, but it can be difficult to split.
read more: Which Wood Is Good For Firewood
How to buy the right wood from Tampere?
When buying wood for burning, it is important to choose the right type of wood and ensure that it is of high quality. Here are some tips on how to buy the right wood:
- Choose the right type of wood: As mentioned earlier, different types of wood have different burning characteristics. Choose a wood that is appropriate for your needs and the type of stove or fireplace you have. Hardwoods like oak and beech burn longer and hotter than softwoods like pine and spruce, but they can be more difficult to split.
- Look for properly seasoned wood: Freshly cut or “green” wood has a high moisture content and does not burn as well as seasoned wood. Look for wood that has been properly dried and seasoned for at least six months. The wood should be dry to the touch and have visible cracks on the ends.
- Check for signs of insect infestation: Insects like wood-boring beetles can damage the wood and reduce its quality. Look for small holes or sawdust on the surface of the wood, which may be a sign of insect activity.