Sho Sugi Ban: A Modern Twist On A Traditional Technique

As skilled artisans, we strive to find solutions that are beautiful as well as efficient. One such solution is our variation on the traditional Japanese wood preservation technique called Shou Sugi Ban, which protects the wood against both the elements and insects while leaving a beautiful and unique surface behind. The technique can be applied to a variety of wood species, and stains can be incorporated or left black for a more traditional appearance.

Shou Sugi Ban is an ancient Japanese architectural technique that preserves wood by charring its surface with a hot flame. Shou Sugi Ban is also called Yakisugi and is traditionally performed on Japanese cedar wood known as Sugi. A hot flame was used to char the wood, then the wood was cooled, cleaned of soot and burnt debris, and the boards were then oiled. While you may consider fire to be the enemy of wood, only destroying it, Shou Sugi Ban actually enhances durability and is a natural way to preserve wood without chemicals, paints, or other treatments. As a current trend in modern carpentry, you can expect Shou Sugi Ban to be seen in both exterior and interior settings, even being used on furniture and decor. Even though it is an old method of treating wood, it is flexible enough to look stunning both in modern and rustic settings.

Fire applies a thin layer of carbon to the surface of wood boards when they are burned. That thin layer is what we describe as burned wood. This carbon layer protects the interior wood in very much the same way that stains or sealants would. Shou Sugi Ban is very low maintenance and naturally resistant to insect as well as moisture damage. Shou Sugi Ban is an environmentally friendly process that does not contribute to harmful pollution. As a result, there are no chemicals in this siding that could possibly leach into the environment and it is entirely safe for households with children. Shou Sugi Ban is a sustainable means of naturally protecting wood and greatly extends the lifespan of interior and exterior furniture.

The mix of materials within a design can be a challenge; knowing what will work together and what won't can prove to be challenging. Shou Sugi Ban wood is a material that makes this task simple, because it works with so many different building materials to help create virtually any design style. Using the traditional application creates a black appearance, but when lightly sanded, it produces a beautiful pattern of light and dark wood grains, which is further enhanced by adding colors to it.

Despite the fact that charring wood may sound simple, there are several different techniques involved in creating Shou Sugi Ban, which produces a variety of textures and tones. Perhaps, if you prefer something with character and grit, something to make a bold statement, you'd prefer a Shou Sugi Ban wood that's thickly charred and deep black in color. However, if you need something smoother with a cleaner finish, a Shou Sugi Ban brush would do the trick. Some series even lightly char and distress the wood to create a variety of tones within a single piece while keeping the superior performance characteristics and durability of the burning method. Despite the wide variety of Shou Sugi Ban options available, it is important to remember that not all wood burns the same. Woods with weaker grain patterns, to begin with, may look bland after burning, as the black char overpowers them. Because of this, wood such as Kebony is often more preferred than other wood types due to its bolder, grainy appearance after performing the Shou Sugi Ban burning technique.

Shou Sugi Ban is the ideal material for projects and designs that want to bring out the character of wood with a little more intrigue. Different charring methods accentuate the natural grain, so it makes a great complement to traditional wood and contrasts nicely with more modern materials such as metals and glass. The deep grain, highlighted by the Shou Sugi Ban technique is a simple way to create a one-of-a-kind look that is sure to make a lasting impression. Its superior performance characteristics make Shou Sugi Ban wood ideal for both interior and exterior applications, giving your design an extended life and a timeless appearance. The integration of colors which helps bring this classic technique into modern designs and its natural durability is making Shou Sugi Ban more and more common in building designs across the globe.