Organic and natural homes
Because Finnish pine grows slowly, its wood is exceptionally hard, particularly the heartwood. That’s why it is one of the densest wood materials on earth. In Finland, the natural growth of forests far exceeds the number of trees cut down, so it is also a very sustainable choice for your log home.
Although over 100 different types of pine trees grow around the world, only one of them grows wild in the forests of Finland. It’s a tough and robust survivor that can thrive almost anywhere. Finnish Pine (Pinus Silvestris) is a tree that can weather even the harshest conditions. It’s able to withstand fierce frost, sweltering heat and the scarcity of nutrients, although it does require plenty of light. How fortunate it is, then, that Finland is the land of the midnight sun!
The perfect material for construction
Because Finnish pine grows slowly, its wood is exceptionally hard, particularly the heartwood. Pine canwithstand changes in humidity with little to no cracking, which makes it the perfect choice for log wall structures. Using cutting-edge production technology, Honka processes the wood into the best possible construction material. The process transforms an individual pine tree into a natural part of a building that, ultimately, becomes someone’s home.
A NATURALLY HEALTHY HOME WITH PLASTIC-FREE WALLS
Honka log homes are plastic-free and breathe naturally. Made from the 100% natural construction material, the Finnish pine, the naturally breathing walls allow water vapor to move freely between the wall and the air. When insulation is needed, we use wood fiber insulation in the walls to enhance the natural qualities of the wood.
Sustainable forestry and manufacturing
One of the greatest things about Finland is its abundance of trees. In fact, more wood grows in Finnish forests than is harvested. More than 70 % of Finland’s land area is covered by forests and more than 40% of the trees in Finnish forests are pine.
When purchasing wood, Honka is committed to sustainable forestry where ecological values and wood production are in balance. The PEFC certification guarantees that Honka’s raw material originates from certified Finnish forests. We never buy wood from protected regions. In addition, we make use of every last scrap of the wood we use. Leftover building materials are burned to season the wood used to build Honka houses.
Despite the high degree of processing, the dense and healthy log in the wall of a building is still the same pine tree that once swayed in the breeze alongside a lingonberry patch. Maybe this is why the feeling you get when you walk through the doors of a log house is so unique – warm, cosy, natural and thoroughly welcoming.
