How prefabricated wood elements can ensure faster on-site construction

5 Dec 2016

MetsäWood’s prefabricated wood elements have been proven to lead to faster building turnaround and, in turn, more profitable projects.

Up to 1,500m² of the brand’s leading Kerto LVL (Laminated Veneer Lumber) roof panels can be assembled within one working day, which has lead to shorter schedules on 70 percent of projects that have used the elements.

Likewise, according to construction professionals interviewed by McGraw-Hill Construction, 65 percent of project that used prefabricated elements had decreased budgets,

This was the case at the headquarters of the Diesel-Benelux Company in Amsterdam, where Kerto LVL roof elements helped keep to a tight building schedule of 9 months.

On-site weather protection

In addition to shorter construction times, using prefabricated elements means weather-related risks are virtually eliminated. Prefabricated wood elements shield the building site beneath, providing protection against all weather types including snow loads and heavy winds.

At the DB Schenker logistics centre inFinland, Kerto LVL roof panels were used to create a roof over the building in just 15 days – the same amount of time used to erect a temporary tent for weather protection.

“Using prefabricated roof panels ensured that the rest of the work could be completed in a protected environment and without additional costs for temporary protection,” commented Matti Kuittinen, architect and researcher from Aalto University.

Minimising accidents

Kerto LVL is manufactured under controlled indoor conditions at MetsäWood’s prefabrication plant, meaning some of the more dangerous on-site construction phases, such as building a roof from beams, panels and bitumen at heights, are no longer required.

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