Some finishes transform wood completely. Charred wood is the perfect example of this. Using the Japanese Shou Sugi Ban technique, we give wood a deep black colour, a pronounced texture and a very distinctive character. The result is striking, refined and fully tailored to the design of your project.
Shou Sugi Ban, also known as Yakisugi, has its origins in Japan. There, wood was once charred in a controlled way to make it more resistant to fire, insects and fungi. Today, this technique still lives on, both in traditional architecture and in modern designs.
What once arose out of functionality has since grown into a finish with a pronounced aesthetic value. The deep black tones, visible wood grain and unique markings make every board something special.
In our workshop, we char the surface of the wood in a controlled way, creating a charred layer that gives the material extra appeal and protection. We mainly apply this technique to thermo ash, Accoya and douglas fir. Other sustainable wood varieties, such as thermo pine, bamboo and oak, can also be charred on request.
No two boards are identical. Each wood variety reacts differently to the fire and reveals its own structure. As a result, the final appearance ranges from subtly toasted to deep and intense black. Brushing is also possible, before or after charring, to bring out the relief even more. Finally, we apply a fixing finish to ensure that the charred layer no longer rubs off and the wood remains low-maintenance. We recommend charred oak and charred douglas fir exclusively for interior applications.
The controlled surface charring creates a charred layer that helps protect the wood while giving it a very distinctive appearance. The material gains more depth, more texture and a finish that continues to evolve beautifully over time.
Charred wood is better resistant to UV radiation, fungi and insects. The charred layer also plays a role in terms of fire behaviour: wood that has already been charred at the surface catches fire less quickly again.
Charred wood feels just as at home in an interior as on a façade. Outdoors, it comes into its own particularly beautifully in cladding, gates and fences. Indoors, it provides characterful accents in wall panelling or other architectural details.
Curious to see what this looks like in practice? In our projects you can see how black ash wood and black oak give each project a very distinctive appearance.
No two charred wood boards are identical. Each wood variety reacts differently to the fire and reveals its own structure. That makes every project unique.
The appearance of charred wood remains unique, but sometimes an alternative is a better fit for the budget or the application. Anyone wishing to approach the look without actually charring can opt for brushing combined with a black oil — more budget-friendly and easier to repair in case of damage.
Our Ignite cladding board in thermo pine has been developed as an alternative without a real charred layer. Very low-maintenance: after 5 to 7 years a coat of water-based black paint suffices. Attractively priced and suitable for both indoor and outdoor use.
Anyone wanting the genuine Shou Sugi Ban technique but staying within a more limited budget can opt for HOTwood softwood that is brushed and further finished before or after charring. This solution is only suitable for indoor applications. Feel free to ask us for a quote made to measure.
Not sure which type of charring best suits your wood variety and project? We're happy to think along with you and advise you on the right degree and application. Get in touch and we'll discuss the possibilities together.
