You may have seen the use of dark external Shou Sugi Ban siding in Japanese architecture in modern and centuries old buildings. This effect is not simply done for aesthetic reasons, it is created by the charring of timbers to increase the stability and durability of the wood. Outstanding stability is something we at Accoya immediately identify with.

The history of Shou Sugi Ban

Shou Sugi Ban, which is also known as “Yakisugi”, is a traditional form of wood preservation which originated in Japan in the 18th Century. Its geographical origins are believed to be in the Sendai region where this unusual and highly attractive charring technique was created to strengthen and protect wood. For such a simple, old and traditional method, it performs incredibly well by today’s standards and used extensively worldwide.

The benefits of Shou Sugi Ban

Burnt wood siding not only looks stylish and contemporary, blackened timber also provides many tangible and important benefits over untreated wood.

• Stability – one of the key benefits of employing the Shou Sugi Ban technique to timber is the increased strength and stability it brings. Burnt wood siding is resistant to twisting, distorting and warping. This makes it an excellent long-term exterior siding material.
• Protection – Japanese burnt wood siding is highly resistant to temperature and moisture. The process of Shou Sugi Ban creates a naturally waterproof surface that is almost impossible to reignite. This dramatically extends the lifespan of the burnt wood siding.
• Preservation – during the charring process, the pores in the timber shrink which reduces their ability to retain water and decay. Pests such as insects and termites feed on mold, but being waterproof, charred wood takes away the food they thrive on.
• Sustainability – Shou Sugi Ban siding is environmentally friendly as it doesn’t contain any chemicals or treatments that are hazardous to the environment.
• Low-maintenance – Shou Sugi Ban burnt wood siding has a prolonged life and needs very little maintenance, especially if the timbers that receive the treatment are Accoya wood which already carry a 50-year guarantee.
• Aesthetics – blackened timber is a highly contemporary look that is proving increasingly popular particularly for exterior timber siding. Its charcoal black tones or contrasts perfectly with almost any colour palette whilst it also emphasizes the natural textural pattern and grain of the wood, Accoya wood in particular.

Woods suitable for Shou Sugi Ban siding

Not all woods are ideal for Shou Sugi Ban treatment. Those that will make good burnt wood siding include Accoya, cedar, pine, spruce and larch timbers. One of the advantages of using charred Accoya wood is that it creates a highly refined and defined pattern in comparison to other wood species.

The traditional Shou Sugi Ban firing process

There are several steps involved in the centuries-old process of creating Japanese burnt wood siding.

First the wood is dried to reduce the moisture content of the wood. This ensures that the wood burns more evenly. Next the surface of the wood needs to be made flat by planing and sanding its surfaces.

To create a very high even temperature and consistent deep charring, one side of the wood is burnt by tying three planks together to effectively form a tall chimney and then lighting a fire below it. The type of wood dictates how long and how intensely the blackened timber is burnt for. The skill to Shou Sugi Ban is in achieving the correct balance of surface protection and retaining structural integrity.

Finally, the charred wood planks are separated and cooled quickly. To finish, the charring can be brushed away using a wire brush before an oil or water-based stain is applied. If used indoors, to an additional fix layer is applied.

Modern uses for Shou Sugi Ban siding

Architects and interior designers worldwide use Japanese burnt wood siding to great effect in various applications both inside and outside of the buildings and homes they create.

In Sweden, architect Abelardo Gonzalez created a new build family home with an entire façade of Shou Sugi Ban burnt wood siding, including across the roof.

An award-winning symbolic memorial monument in Edmonton, Canada, designed by Shape Architecture Inc. and PECHET Studio, is protected from Alberta’s long severe winters by Shou Sugi Ban siding.

Delta Millworks used charred wood to panel the interior walls in the living room of a contemporary residential home based in San Franscisco to dramatic effect.

In Park City, Utah, a modern three-story Passivhaus designed and built by Klima Architecture. Highly sustainable and energy efficient, the house’s exterior is wrapped in Shou Sugi Ban siding to fit with the eco-conscious theme.

LaRue Architects revamped a 1880s townhouse in Austin, Texas into a modern hillside home. The stairwell features burnt wood siding with a custom grey finish.

In the Netherlands, the owners of a beautiful private residence chose a striking facade of Shou Sugi Ban blackened timber for their garage and contrasted it with a natural wood garage door.

The last word on Shou Sugi Ban

If you are looking for an unusual, dramatic and contemporary siding material that offers excellent protection, is sustainable and easy to maintain, you should consider Shou Sugi Ban Japanese burnt wood siding. Accoya offers a range of highly durable, stable and beautiful charred timber siding which you can explore at your leisure.