Of all the cladding choices available today, including the modern facade materials, it’s a real testament that the classic charred wood is a re-surging cladding craze. This cladding trend is not without good reason: charred wood has many unique and excellent features that make it a smart option as a construction material. Let’s delve into some of its benefits, and why you may want to consider it for your next cladding project.
What Is Charred Wood?
Also known as Yakisugi or Shou Sugi Ban, charred wood refers to a traditional Japanese wood preservation method developed in the 18th century. Yaki means “to heat with fire,” while Sugi refers to cypress wood. The Japanese adopted this technology to protect their homes against harsh climatic conditions, as well as fungi and bacteria attacks. Through this ancient technique, timber is burned in controlled conditions to change its molecular structure. Afterward, the charred wood is then treated with natural oils, creating an extra protective layer while drawing out the grain.
The entire process is very detailed and beautiful, creating a visually appealing pattern and tints on the wood. Although the Japanese originally used cypress wood for the Yakisugi technique, modern manufacturers are now incorporating other wood varieties such as cedar and pine wood.
Benefits of Charred Wood
Burnt wood has several advantages that contribute to its continual rising popularity. The main advantage of using Shou Sugi Ban is durability. When timber is carefully burned, the softer outer tissues dissipate, leaving behind a resilient carbon film that makes charred timber ideal for cladding.
Charred wood has an excellent weatherproof performance. Rain, heat, snow, and even insects pose no threat to Shou Sugi Ban as they would untreated lumber. Additionally, charred wood can often go decades without requiring any maintenance, making it an obvious winner when it comes to resiliency and cost-savings. Another benefit of charred wood is its appearance. Even putting aside charred wood’s durability, many homeowners prefer Yakisugi purely for its beauty.
Shou Sugi Ban gives the wood a lovely natural colour and texture. In-fact most people choose not to paint or stain charred timber for precisely this reason. Another bonus to this natural technique is the subsequent cost savings you will make thanks to eliminating wood stains and paint. The authentic appearance of charred wood is very pleasing to behold, requiring no additional modifications. Each look is inherently unique as it is dependent on the grain and timber used.
A Great Fit for Your Next Siding Project
Whether for your home or office space, charred wood cladding is an excellent choice that will serve you for many years to come. Degmeda.eu is a leader in the Shou Sugi Ban industry, offering a fine selection of timber varieties such as pine, spruce, larch, cedar, and Accoya. At Degmeda, we provide a full range of products and services for all of your wood charring needs, such as cladding, flooring, decking, and fencing. We also offer wood charring services for interested clients. For more information, visit our website today.