Finnforest’s Kerto S LVL has been used to build the dummy sails for a Surrey windmill.
The material was specified for the sails at Wray Common Windmill for strength, lightness and durability reasons.
David Bentley-Tate, project manager of the windmill’s restoration, said specification of Kerto LVL meant long-term maintenance would be less of an issue compared with solid timber.
“Half the weight and twice or more in strength was a major selling point against a traditionally constructed, solid timber replica set of sweeps,” he said.
“The risks of imperfections found in softwood beams of the size required would invariably mean an ongoing programme of regular rotation, thus rendering the sails useless.”
Mr Bentley-Tate said high, gusting winds had also caused fractures in solid construction.
Wray Common Windmill was built in 1824 but ceased to be operational following an accident in 1895. It was used for various functions until vacated and became almost derelict in 1996.
Local restaurateur Paul Baker bought the building in 2004 and has spent the past three years renovating it, with the new sails marking the project’s completion.
