Kontio is the world’s largest manufacturer of log homes. The company processes and manufactures its wood products in-house, from logs all the way to the finished product. Kontio places a strong emphasis on quality assurance, and various structural and construction solutions are thoroughly tested both in its own laboratory and in collaboration with external experts. Vertia is responsible for Kontio’s airtightness and moisture measurements. Collaborating with a nationwide provider is easy, whether the building is in Hanko or Nuorgam.
Kontio has delivered over 50,000 log buildings worldwide. In addition to single-family homes and various types of vacation homes and recreational properties, Kontio supplies log buildings to businesses and the public sector. Approximately 10–15% of production is exported annually. Based on the experience and know-how accumulated over decades—Kontio Woodhow—functional and safe structural solutions have been developed.
– We deliver about two thousand buildings worldwide every year. We employ a total of 250 people, slightly less than half of whom work at our factory in Pudasjärvi. The rest of our employees work at our offices across Finland, says Kontio’s Technical Director Mikko Löf.
“We want to do our part to secure the future of wood construction. We’re developing new innovations and constantly striving to improve our products,” Löf emphasizes.
Mikko Löf, Technical Director at Kontio
The logs come directly from nearby forests
High-quality raw materials are the foundation of a high-quality product. The logs are sourced for Kontio’s own sawmill from nearby certified forests within a radius of about 150 kilometers. At the mill, the logs are processed into logs and ultimately into log buildings.
– We’re proud to use high-quality raw materials and to make the best possible use of them. When a log building is constructed, a tremendous amount of carbon dioxide is sequestered at the same time. Logs are a great material from a carbon-neutrality perspective, Löf emphasizes.
“Our mission is ”Healthy Living,’ which means creating a healthy and safe living environment. We also make sure that nature stays healthy and that we have a safe and healthy place to work,” Löf continues.
Testing at every stage of the project
Whenever Kontio develops new products, the design and necessary testing are carried out with great care. First, the new innovation is carefully planned on paper and in drawings. To this end, alternative solutions are also considered and suitable components are identified. Kontio’s product development manager has developed a moisture and airtightness testing chamber suitable for testing, which can be used to identify potential leak points and analyze the cause of the leak.
“This allows us to compare different sealing solutions, for example. Once we’ve selected the best solution, our product is sent to Eurofins Expert Services for testing,” says Löf.
Air tightness tests are conducted on every single-family home
Once a new product is ready, Kontio compiles comprehensive instructions for the factory and construction sites on how to manufacture and install it. Testing is also conducted regularly during the manufacturing process to ensure that everything is as it should be. When the building is delivered to the construction site and we reach the stage where it can be leak test, Vertia arrives on the scene.
– Vertia conducts measurements in every single-family home. They measure how many times the indoor air is replaced at a given pressure and over a given period of time. They also use a thermal camera to determine if there are any leaks, and if so, how much and where. Vertia provides us with a detailed report on where the leak was and what kind of leak it was. In addition, they regularly produce a summary report that makes it easy for us to identify areas for improvement, says Löf.
“If we start to notice, for example, that water is leaking from under the threshold in several locations, we can investigate the cause and begin planning how to improve that particular structure. We’re constantly working on continuous improvement,” Löf emphasizes.
Vertia offers more comprehensive analyses than before
Vertia conducts annual airtightness tests at a few properties even after occupancy. Once the initial measurement has been taken after occupancy, the next one is conducted one, two, or three years later to see if any changes have occurred during use. Measurements conducted by an external expert have proven to be a good solution for Kontio.
“At first, we did the measurements ourselves. We had our own equipment and the necessary expertise. However, we decided to outsource the measurements to Vertia because they provide us with a thorough and comprehensive analysis. The quality of our construction has improved as a result of these measurements,” Löf says happily.
– With Vertia, we were able to continue using the same operating model we had previously followed ourselves. At the same time, we were able to improve our analytics. One major benefit for us is that we can conduct measurements nationwide with the same provider, rather than having to use different providers with varying reports and operating models. Together with Vertia, we have also been thinking about and developing how we guide our customers. We work together for the benefit of the end customer, says Löf.
Moisture measurements indicate whether a surface is suitable for coating
In addition to airtightness testing, Vertia also performs the following for all Kontio Muuttovalmis projects: Moisture measurements in concrete structures. Measurements are taken regularly, and the number of weeks until the concrete structure is ready for coating is not the only factor considered.
– We provide all builders with a guide on moisture control and how to protect the site during the project. For example, if the floor is poured when the roof and windows are already in place, that creates moisture. We have detailed instructions on how to manage moisture so that it doesn’t dry too quickly on one hand, and so that too much moisture doesn’t build up on the other, Löf emphasizes.
“Logs absorb and release moisture well, but the process must not be too rapid, as this increases the risk of the wood surface cracking. Cracking is mainly a cosmetic issue, but it’s something we want to avoid,” says Löf.
Certification by an external body is reliable
According to Löf, the collaboration with Vertia has gone quite well.
– As a national player, Vertia is able to provide Kontio with important background data and statistics that allow us to compare our own results with the general level and trends in the industry. The comparison is more reliable because we don’t have to gather information piecemeal from other sources, says Löf.
Vertia performs an annual certification for Kontio related to airtightness testing. This process calculates a leakage rate that can be used in energy calculations. The certification is reliable because it is outsourced and performed by a third party.
– Through airtightness testing, we want to ensure that heat does not escape through the structures and that cold air does not get inside. Structures—such as ceilings and windows—contain materials other than solid wood, and moisture buildup in them can lead to harmful emissions. Air tightness and its measurement are important because they allow us to be certain that the structures function as intended during the design phase, Löf summarizes.
Learn more about Kontio here: https://www.kontio.com/
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