From Nordic pine trunk to finished beam
Every KONTIO beam is made from slow-growing Nordic pine in our own factory in Pudasjärvi in northern Finland. You can choose between the traditional laminated log and the non-settling SmartLog™ beam. Both draw on more than 50 years of manufacturing experience and in-house development.
Short summers and long winters make pine in northern Finland grow slowly. The growth rings are dense and the wood has a strong, durable heartwood. KONTIO walls are made from sturdy trunks from these very forests.
Pine is also naturally hygienic: substances in the wood slow down the survival of bacteria on its surface.
The cross-laminated structure of the SmartLog™ beam keeps the wall stable, so the house does not settle the way solid timber usually does. That allows large windows, tall walls and clean details – and a faster build.
On the outside, SmartLog™ has the same clean profile as KONTIO high laminated logs and can now also be ordered with a spruce surface. Read more on the SmartLog™ page.
The edges are only slightly chamfered, giving the beam a clean look that suits both modern and traditional architecture. High laminated logs and SmartLog™ are made in thicknesses of 275, 205 and 135 mm.
We assemble the laminated log from carefully selected pine lamellas so that the durable heartwood faces the surface of the beam – where it is exposed to the weather. A laminated beam also stays straight and dimensionally accurate, which is key to an airtight exterior wall.
Proven seals inserted into the beams at the factory add to the airtightness. An airtight house is easy to heat, free of draughts and evenly warm inside. The airtightness of KONTIO homes approaches passive-house values.
A classic beam with clearly chamfered edges – a typical choice for cabins, saunas and garden buildings.
The corner is the most visible part of a log home and largely defines its character. For modern architecture there is the Neo Corner joint without overhang, developed for timber buildings in urban settings. For a more traditional look, choose Long Corner with overhang or the dovetailed Eagle Corner. Details are on the Beam types page.
KONTIO beams, corner joints and related structural details are designed to work technically and look good – whether you are building a home, a cabin, a sauna or a garden building.
New solutions are tested during development, and production is continuously checked: beam samples are taken from the line and load tests verify their strength. Engineers work together with designers and architects on development.
The best way to choose the perfect structural solution and design for your future home is a personal meeting. We’ll be happy to present our delivery and build options.