honka fusion™ inspiration for architects

HONKA FUSION™
INSPIRATION FOR ARCHITECTS
Honka Fusion™ enables you
to combine materials for a modern and naturally healthy solution.
Realize life dreams without compromise!
1. History
2. Design
3. Ecology
4. Energy efficiency
5. Healthy indoor air
6. Technical information
1. HISTORY AND AIMS
1.1 COMPANY
Honkarakenne was established in 1958 by the Saarelainen brothers. After its modest beginnings, the
company gradually grew into an international log house factory. Today, Honkarakenne has subsidiaries in
Germany, France and Japan. All products are manufactured in Finland. Over 80,000 Honkarakenne
houses have been built worldwide. Honkarakenne is listed on the Helsinki stock exchange (NASDAQ OMX
Helsinki).
1.2 FINNISH PRODUCTION
All Honka products are manufactured in Finland. The company is constantly improving and developing all
Honka products and the factories in Karstula and Alajärvi. The R&D departments are constantly developing
new and improved ways to build log houses. Over 80,000 Honkarakenne houses have been built
worldwide.
We will continue this way.
2. DESIGN
2.1 RISING TO THE DEMANDS OF MODERN ARCHITECTURE
Honka Fusion™ is a massive wood structure developed by Honkarakenne that enables the combination of
materials and modern architectural solutions. Honka Fusion™ was developed specifically to rise to the
demands of modern architecture. The wall core frame is formed by non-settling logs (thickness 128 or 204
mm) that enable low-energy buildings with breathing and moisture-safe wall structures. Honka Fusion™
offers natural wooden houses with modern and spectacular architecture.
2.2 INNOVATIVE 21ST-CENTURY SOLUTION
Logs have been used to build homes for thousands of years, but the Honka Fusion™ wall solution is a 21stcentury innovation. This non-settling log structure offers new freedom for home design.It is a fully
breathable solid wood structure that can now easily be combined with stone, steel and glass. Interior walls
can also be panelled, painted or papered, or let the wood be exposed. Combining a log surface with natural
stone also creates impressive solutions.
2.3 BREATHING AND LOW-ENERGY SOLUTION
One of the key properties of the structure is that it breathes. Using Honka Fusion™ logs, i.e., massive
wood, together with indoor and/or outdoor panelling and, if necessary, insulation materials containing wood
or cellulose, results in a low-energy, breathing solution.
2.4 HONKA FUSION™ – A PROVEN HIGH-QUALITY SOLUTION
The product has been studied and developed for 10 years in co-operation with universities of technology
and research institutes. So far, about 100 Honka Fusion™ buildings have been built in Finland, Germany,
Japan and France.
Non-settling logs have valid EU design protections in Europe and a utility model in Finland. The product is
included in Honkarakenne’s ETA (European Technical Approval) product approval, which, together with the
Honka quality system, enables Honka Fusion™ houses to bear the CE marking. The non-settling log
innovation means that none of the traditional great qualities of log houses, such as healthy indoor air and
durability, are lost.
2.5 INTERIOR DESIGN
Non-settling logs give interior designers free hands to combine logs with different surface materials, such
as decorative panels, smooth sheet surface and natural stone.
Freedom of design is demonstrated by the fact that logs can be either inside or outside, depending on the
wall. The surface material can also be chosen to match individual style. Interior walls can be panelled or
covered with wallboards and wallpaper. Combining log surfaces with natural stone also creates impressive
solutions.
Wood can be treated in various ways, too. It can be painted with body or glazing paint, or it can be stained,
oiled or hewn. Your imagination is the limit. Massive wood is an ideal building material for interior
decorators as sturdy walls make it easy and safe to hang heavy objects such as shelves, artwork and
cupboards.
Log surface treated with colourless protection.
Log surface treated with light-pigment protection.
Close shot of the surface of an FXL 128 wall.
Architraves of an external door from outside and inside.
2.6 COMBINING MATERIALS
Honka Fusion™ makes it possible to install insulation inside or outside logs with a thickness of 128 or 204
mm to achieve low-energy construction. Logs can be visible from inside in parts of the house and from
outside in other parts (entire walls or parts thereof). Outside panelling can be actualised with wood panels,
plywood or boards. Plastered surfaces are also possible. No matter what combination of materials you use,
the structure is always healthy and breathing and takes advantage of the best properties of wood. With the
Honka Fusion™ structure, it is possible to build low-energy, truly breathing houses.
Logs are excellent for living and sleeping areas thanks to their properties that promote healthy indoor air. In
bathrooms and other spaces that are exposed to moisture, it is practical to have stone surfaces inside and
log facades outside.
Log interior with panelled or plastered facade.
Log facade with panelled, boarded or plastered interior.
The Honka Fusion™ solution allows you to freely combine log surfaces, panelling, glass, metal and even
plastering – just like any other modern solution.
The images above show a few combination options.
Honka Fusion™ makes modern details possible.
Floor-length windows.
Sliding doors are quite possible.
Logs as an interior design material.
Logs are well-suited to modern kitchens.
Window details.
Strong shapes.
Honka Fusion™ makes many materials possible.
Combining materials.
Non-settling logs create comfort.
Interior of a modern log house.
A traditional house on the outside, a modern Honka Fusion™ home on the inside.
HOUSE IN BRETAGNE, FRANCE
A detached house built according to the customer’s wishes.
HOUSE IN BRETAGNE, FRANCE
A detached house built according to the customer’s wishes.
RESTAURANT HUILI IN JÄRVENPÄÄ, FINLAND
A high-quality restaurant built on a demanding plot in a park in Järvenpää in the cultural landscape of Lake
Tuusulanjärvi.
RESTAURANT HUILI IN JÄRVENPÄÄ, FINLAND
A high-quality restaurant built on a demanding plot in a park in Järvenpää in the cultural landscape of Lake
Tuusulanjärvi.
DETACHED HOUSE IN SIPOONRANTA, FINLAND
A detached house designed according to the customer’s wishes and built on a tight and demanding site in
Sipoonranta.
HOUSE IN MARSEILLE, FRANCE
A detached house built according to the customer’s wishes.
LEVI SPIRIT VILLA IN LEVI, FINLAND
A high-quality holiday villa built according to the customer’s wishes.
LEVI SPIRIT VILLA IN LEVI, FINLAND
A high-quality holiday villa built according to the customer’s wishes.
3. ECOLOGY
3.1 ECOLOGY
When it comes to the ecology of building materials, wood and massive wood are in a league of their own.
Wood is a renewable resource that traps carbon dioxide. The ecology of Honka Fusion™ houses is a
combination of several factors, such as:
- use of renewable wood raw materials
- action as a carbon sink
- low energy-consumption on factory side
- minimisation of energy consumption
- long life span of the house.
3.2 RENEWABLE AND CERTIFIED WOOD RAW MATERIALS
We use certified wood raw materials for our log houses. Honkarakenne is certified by the Programme for
the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC). This guarantees that wood is not sourced from areas with
high natural value that are preserved to promote natural diversity. After logging, the forests are renewed by
planting multiple times more saplings.
3.3 LOG HOUSE: A CARBON SINK THAT PREVENTS CLIMATE CHANGE
Trees absorb and trap carbon dioxide from the air as they grow. On average, a cubic metre of wood traps
about 900 kilograms of carbon dioxide. A medium-sized log house has about 40–50 cubic metres of wood
and stores about 40 tonnes of carbon dioxide. At the same time, the new forest grows and traps more
carbon dioxide, which slows down climate change.
3.4 LOW ENERGY CONSUMPTION ON PRODUCTION SIDE
The energy consumption on production side is very much lower compared with stone houses, steel- or
mineral wool-production.
3.5 LOW ENERGY CONSUMPTION AND ENVIRONMENTAL STRAIN
The energy consumed when living in a Honka Fusion™ house is minimised thanks to low-energy
structures, excellent airtightness and the thermal mass of logs (see below for more details). Using
renewable energy helps further decrease environmental impacts.
3.6 LONG LIFE SPAN
There are many log buildings in Europe that are 200 to 300 years old: churches, mansions and private
rustic houses. Breathing structures are moisture-safe, which is an important factor for durability. Honka
Fusion™ wall structures are also breathing structures that last for several generations if the house is
designed and built correctly. We recommend eaves that are at least 30 to 40 cm long as their structural
weather protection will further prolong the life of wall structures. The long life span ensures the ecology of
Honka Fusion™ houses. 4. ENERGY EFFICIENCY
4.1 U-VALUE
Low U-value of wall-structure can be reached by combining massive wood structure and all other
components.
4.2 NO THERMAL BRIDGES
Nearly free of thermal bridges because of homogeneity of building materials.
4.3 ENERGY LEVELS
Combining with an ecological and modern heating system Fusion is a high quality natural low-energy –
concept, by which you can reach every asked energy level today and in the future.
4.4 AIRTIGHT HOMES AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY
For more than a decade, Honkarakenne Plc has carried out research in collaboration with VTT Technical
Research Centre of Finland and industry organisations, studying the energy efficiency, tightness and
moisture safety of log houses. In independent tests, Honka Fusion™ homes have proven to be extremely
airtight and energy efficient. The tighter the house is, the more energy efficient it is.
4.5 SOLAR HEAT ENERGY
Honka Fusion™ log structures store solar heat energy. The massive wood stores solar energy especially in
early spring and autumn, when the sun is low on the horizon, and slowly releases the heat during the night,
saving energy costs. In summer, this works the other way round. When the sun is high in the sky, the eaves
and porch canopies protect the walls from the heat.
HONKA FUSION™ HOMES ARE AIRTIGHT AND ENERGY EFFICIENT
5. HEALTHY INDOOR AIR
5.1 PEACEFUL ATMOSPHERE
The effect of wood and forests on the human mind has been studied quite extensively all over the world.
Basic research in Japan and Norway has demonstrated that wood has a positive psychological effect.
Architecturally harmonious solutions, restful colours, comfortable surroundings and the use of wood as a
building material cause aesthetical pleasure and calm, thus increasing well-being. Wood is perceived as an
aesthetically pleasing, calming and nursing material.
5.2 GOOD INDOOR AIR
In addition to being an ecologically sustainable and energy-efficient building material, massive wood is a
good way to achieve high indoor air quality. The more massive wood is used in the house, the more
optimised indoor air humidity remains for good health.
Effects of indoor air humidity on health and indoor air quality
A lower position on the bar indicates lesser effects.
Optimal area
Bacteria
Viruses
Fungi
Ticks
Allergic rhinitis and asthma
Chemical reactions
Airway infections
Ozone formation
Relative humidity
5.3 BALANCED INDOOR AIR HUMIDITY
Good indoor air and the natural ability of massive wood to balance indoor air humidity help decrease the
risk of respiratory infections. Massive wood walls breathe naturally, letting water vapour move freely from
the air to the wall structure and back. A relative humidity of 30 to 55% minimises the harmful aspects of
indoor air, such as growth of mould spores and bacteria. These factors make a massive wood house an
ideal environment for those who suffer from respiratory problems, allergies or asthma.
5.4 SLOWER PULSE WITH MASSIVE WOOD
A study commissioned by the Austria Pro Holz project compared the effects of classroom wall structures on
heart rate. The tests, which took place over a period of more than a year in Ennstal, Austria, involved two
classrooms with massive wood walls and two traditional classrooms for comparison. Scientists from
Joanneum Research measured the students’ pulse. The average pulse rate of the students in the
classrooms with massive wood walls was 8,600 beats per day less than that of the students who studied in
the traditional classrooms. The difference is approximately 6 beats per minute.
A summary of the study is available in German at:
http://www.holzfachberater.at/seiten/news.php?m=12&id=2.
http://www.humanresearch.at/webcontent/WH.pdf
6. TECHNICAL INFORMATION
6.1 NON-SETTLING LAMINATED LOGS FXL 128 AND FXL 204
Product description: cross-glued layered laminated logs consisting of four horizontal-grain side
lamellas and two vertical-grain middle lamellas
Intended use:
- frame material for exterior and dividing walls
- not suitable for railings
Log types:
FXL 128 and FXL 204
Wood species:
pine
Surface quality:
factory-planed
Profile:
page.
grooved, symmetrical, very low and narrow side joint, see image on next
Bonding:
traditional English bond
Log measurements:
- log widths 128 mm or 204 mm
- log pitch
260 mm (i.e., effective height)
Log length:
- maximum 11,700 mm
- minimum 200 mm
Cross corner length: - normal
the
log)
- minimum
the
log)
Gluing:
glue
Settlement:
300 mm (measured from the log wall centreline to the end of
170 mm (measured from the log wall centreline to the end of
laminated logs are glued using formaldehyde-free polyurethane (PUR)

non-settling (like a vertical frame wall, meaning that moisture change is
about 0.1%); lack of settlement is achieved through vertical-grain middle
lamellas, a WOW (Wood-On-Wood) profile, tightening bolts that remove
installation gaps and special log drying to 12%.
Joint and seam sealant: tested and high-quality synthetic sealants that make walls completely
air- and watertight
Log weight:
15 kg/m and 24 kg/m at production moisture at the factory (450 kg/m3)
Log wall U value:
0.81 W/m2K and 0.53 W/m2K
Log wall fire resistance class: REI 90 (tested by VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland in
2012)
Log surface fire resistance class:
D-s2, d0
Log strength class:
C18
Columns:
glue-laminated 110x110 mm and glue-laminated 185x185 mm
Panel:
glue-laminated FXL 25x279 panel mirroring the profile of both logs
(effective height 260 mm)
Certificate and CE marking:- VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland product certificate
number 126/00, granted on 24 March 2009
- ETA approval granted on 12 September 2009, permission to use CE
marking
Product protection:
- log profile and structural combination under EU design protection (design
registered in the EU)
- log profile and structural combination under design protection in Russia
(Design Patent)
- log profile and structural combination under design protection in Japan
(Japanese Design Patent)
FXL 128 log corner joint.
FXL 128
FXL 204
FXL crosscorner-connection
6.2 ADVANTAGES
Non-settling logs have many advantages:




producing high-quality massive wood wall structures that do not live or settle
speeding up construction as preparations for settlements are not necessary
enabling direct fastening of different materials and structures, resulting in more stable and high-quality
structures
helping to make structures extremely airtight, which saves heating energy.
6.3 FIRE SAFETY REGULATIONS
Massive wood is a fireproof material that can endure fire even better than concrete or steel pillars. Wood
contains about 15% of water. Therefore, before wood can catch fire, all water has to evaporate. Surface
charring also protects wooden structures. In a fire, a massive wood house will char, but it will not collapse
in the same way as light- or steel-structured houses.
6.4 SMART VENTILATION SYSTEM (SVS)
Developed and tested together with VTT, used especially in Scandinavia.
Function: removing all moisture that gets into the structure.
Operating principle: Due to wood-based hygroscopic materials and diffusion, moisture in the structure
moves into the vertical ventilation ducts, where the chimney effect makes air move upwards, thus carrying
moisture out of the structure.


Incoming air is directed through a hole (d=10 mm) drilled in the lowest log seam at the bottom of the
wall (see image 7) and is then shunted out through a hole drilled in the topmost log (d=10 mm) at the
top of the wall (see image 8) or below the external window sill lead. Removal can also be done through
the roof ventilation gap by extending the upper end of the duct there.
The size of the duct and air holes has been optimised for sufficient ventilation flow to remove all
moisture from the structure. However, the flow is not strong enough for unnecessary structure cooling.
Structure: The ventilation duct is triangular, vertical and cardboard-framed. The side dimensions are
40x40x57 mm, and the standard length is 2,620 mm. If the standard length is not used, a 150-mm overlap
and a second cardboard are used. The cardboard is stapled to the non-settling log wall by the side flanges,
and it is delivered in long straight sheets with fold grooves, making it easy and fast to fold the ducts into
shape during installation. The duct material is permeable to water vapour.




Ventilation ducts are always installed to the full height of the log wall in the same way as in dry spaces.
There should be one duct per frame post interval.
Ventilation ducts are installed in exactly the same way as in the exterior walls of bathrooms and other
moisture-exposed spaces in which vapour-blocking plastic or aluminium sealing paper is used instead
of air-blocking cardboard or which have been waterproofed.
Air inlets and outlets are covered with ready-to-install wire mesh on the inside of logs.
Operating principle of the Smart Ventilation SystemTM ventilation duct and two alternative ways to remove
air from the duct.
OPTION 1. REMOVAL
TO ROOF
INSULATION GAP
OPTION 2. REMOVAL
THROUGH LOGS
INTO OUTDOOR AIR
Interior lining and air blocking
Heat insulation
Studding
Flow to
outdoor
air, small
flow
resistance
Outdoor
air
Ventilation duct
Duct wall
permeable by
water vapour
Log wall
Outdoor air
Outdoor
air
Vertical
duct and
outdoor air
connected
by ports
(10-mm
holes)
Indoor
air
Vertical
duct and
outdoor air
connected
by ports
(10-mm
holes)
Indoor air
6.5 STRUCTURE TYPES
6.5.1 HONKA FUSION™ STRUCTURE TYPE FW 1
Product description:
an external wall structure that enables low-energy buildings, breathes and is moisture-safe.
Use:
detached houses, high-quality holiday homes, terraced houses.
Structure:
structural layers from the outside in:
- non-settling, cross-glued laminated logs FXL 128
- vertical frame 41x240 (41x195 + 41x45) k 600
+ cardboard-framed ventilation duct k 600 + dry-sprayed Ekovilla wood fibre insulation 240 mm
- air-blocking paper Ekovilla X5
- optional interior lining, such as plasterboard or panel
Properties:
- Non-settling: achieved through laminated logs with vertical-grain middle lamella and internal vertical-frame
structure fastened together (both bear the load).
- Moisture-safe: moisture safety is ensured through Smart Ventilation SystemTM (developed in co-operation
with VTT), which is located against the logs in the insulation space and removes moisture from the
structure.
- Low-maintenance: equivalent to similar exterior walls with vertical-frame structure.
- Modern: the non-settling nature of the logs enables understated details in all joints such as window and
door junctures.
Log wall structure U value: - 0.17 W/m2K
(NB! The reduction caused by ventilation ducts has been taken into account in the value.)
- The U value has been determined by VTT through calculations and testing.
Product protection: - The company has applied for an EU patent for Smart Ventilation SystemTM
(patent pending), patent application number: EP 06012477.3.
- The FXL log product card contains information on its product protection.
Certificate and CE marking: the structure solution is part of Honkarakenne’s ETA approval, permission for
CE marking.
Honka Fusion™ wall FW1 with insulation on the inside and logs in the outer surface.
6.5.2 HONKA FUSION™ STRUCTURE TYPE FW 2
Honka Fusion™ wall FW2 with insulation and rendering on the outside and log in the inner surface.
6.5.3 HONKA FUSION™ STRUCTURE TYPE FW 3
Honka Fusion™ wall FW3 with insulation and cladding on the outside and log in the inner surface.
6.5.4 HONKA FUSION™ STRUCTURE TYPE FW 11
Honka Fusion™ wall FW11 with insulation and panelling on the outside and log in the inner surface.
6.5.5 HONKA FUSION™ STRUCTURE TYPE FW 12
Honka Fusion™ wall FW12 with insulation and rendering on the outside and log in the inner surface.
6.6 CORNER OPTIONS
Mini cross corner
Panelled corner
Cage corner
Winged corner