Kerto, produced by Finnforest (www.finnforest.co.uk), is a strong and dimensionally precise product, which does not warp or twist. It derives its high strength from the homogeneous structure, which also keeps the effects of any defective single veneers down to a minimum.
Problems that naturally occur as solid sawn lumber dries – twisting, splitting, checking and warping – are greatly reduced. Kerto possesses excellent bending resistance, tension and compression properties.
It has around a 100% more load-carrying capacity than other traditional structural softwood materials. Kerto is stronger, straighter, lighter and more stable than commercial sawn timber. With its great flexibility, Kerto has many uses within the construction and industrial markets, including new buildings, renovation and repair, and the manufacturing of prefabricated components.
Production
It is produced from 3mm thick, rotary peeled softwood veneers, glued together using a WBP-type glue to form a continuous 2.4 metre wide billet, with thickness ranging from 27 to 90mm and maximum length of 26 metres.
The billet is then hot pressed and cut to size to make beams, planks, posts or panels, which are then used as such or processed into a variety of products.
Kerto is independently certified under the PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification) environmental chain of custody certification scheme.
