Kerto LVL enables slimmer walls and stairs

Metsä Board Oyj announced that its Kerto LVL (laminated veneer lumber) panels can be utilized for constructing load-bearing walls and stairs in buildings. The material is suitable for new construction, renovations, and extensions, offering flexible and resource-efficient building solutions.

In multi-storey timber construction, planners and contractors face the challenge of creating load-bearing components that are strong, material-efficient, and flexible. Especially in space-constrained renovations and extensions, solutions are needed that can handle significant loads while saving space. Similarly, stair construction requires slim, easily installable, and durable solutions.

Kerto LVL Q- and L-panels provide a robust foundation for both load-bearing and bracing walls, as well as for stair construction. The material's exceptional strength-to-weight ratio and high dimensional accuracy enable the production of slim, precisely fitting elements. A key advantage is that walls and stairs can be constructed from the same material, simplifying planning and execution, and ensuring material consistency throughout the building.

Walls made from Kerto LVL Q-panels are noted for their slender design and high load-bearing capacity, capable of managing significant cantilever loads, such as those from built-in cabinets, even with wall thicknesses of 39 millimeters. Stabilization can be achieved with boards as thin as 45 millimeters, optimizing space utilization, particularly in tight floor plans. Large element sizes allow for multi-story installations with minimal joints.

Kerto LVL also offers advantages in stair construction due to its stability and slim profile. During the construction phase, these stairs can serve as temporary access routes, eliminating the need for separate scaffolding. The material can also be finished as a surface, creating a modern aesthetic that highlights natural materials. Kerto LVL provides architects and builders with new possibilities for developing economical and functional detail solutions in timber construction.