DEFINITIONS OF SOME OF THE TERMS USED
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breathing base of a building
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This kind of a base has been used in traditional Finnish floors. There is a "crawling space" between the floor and the ground, which allows the ventilation of the base of the building. Moisture as well as harmful gases rising from the ground are also aired out. If the crawling space is high enough, the structures may be checked from below.
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dry rot (Serpula lacrymans)
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If the base of the building dampens, even a thick structure may quickly be destroyed by dry rot. Therefore, it is extremely important to ensure the ventilation of the structure. Dry rot destroys the pulp of the wood and, consequently, the strength of the wood deteriorates quickly. The wood that is damaged by dry rot is brown in colour and has deep cracks in it. White mycelia with can be seen on the surface of the wood. The rhizomorphs may be even as thick as a finger. Dry rot is easily recognised by the strong scent of a mushroom.
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flat iron
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The joint of the window/door frame and the timber wall must be flexible, because the timber wall settles as it dries. The correct way to fasten the frame to the wall is to use a flat iron which can turn as the wall settles.
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log joint without visible log faces
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Traditionally a short bit of the log face has been left outside the notching. When the logs are joined without visible log faces the notching "locks up" the corner. This technique became common around the 1840s.
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log joint with visible log faces
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A short bit of the log face is left outside the notching. This has been the traditional way to join logs. In town houses visible log faces have been encased and disguised in corner pilasters when boarding the walls.
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pulp wool
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Ecological material used for insulation, today mainly available in loose form and blown into the desired place. 80% of the pulp wool is recycled paper. To prevent dry rot boric acid and borax have been added.
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vertical timber post that connects timber wall to brick wall (or to window/door frame)
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The joint of the timber wall and the brick wall must be supported with a vertical post that stands in the groove cut to the ends of the logs. This structure allows the settling of the timber wall while it dries, but keeps the logs from twisting to the sides.
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