world news - 11.11.2008
Wood construction strengthens its position after recession
Already
before the crisis construction in Europe did not meet demand. Strong
growth is expected when the business cycle takes an upward turn. The US
is an important market for wood products industry and wood is
extensively used in construction. This is one reason for more
optimistic market expectations. 
In Finland wood is expected to increase as construction material when the global financial crisis is eventually abating.
Wood and concrete have each in turn been market leaders as construction
material. Last year 40 % of all new buildings had wooden frames. Almost
half of all exterior panelling was made of wood. In Sweden, Norway and
in the UK the use of wood in particular for building apartment houses
has increased. Industrial wood construction has improved the quality of
work and permitted quicker building. The renaissance of wood is also
reflected in publications in the building sector where wooden
architecture is given more and more space.
At present in Finland the time is favourable for building in wood.
Prices are competitive, there is enough labour available and delivery
reliability is good. The changeover to energy saving construction in
2010 will cause only marginal price increases of wooden constructions.
The amortization period of energy saving wooden houses is very short.
New wooden buildings are also fire-resistant and contribute to climate
change mitigation. A wooden Finnish one-family detached house binds an
average of about 30 tons of carbon dioxide, which equals the carbon
dioxide emission by an average size car during 10 years.
See also:
- — Light and darkness for the Swedish forest industry
- — Russia takes step with wood to meet the EU halfway
- — Italian woodworking technologies follow the general global negative trend
- — New carbon standard set for forestry trading
- — Timber export tariffs held off as Prime Minister Putin visits Finland
