In Finland wood is expected to increase as construction material when the global financial crisis is eventually abating.

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.

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.

www.nordicforestry.org