Charred to life.
We craft durable, beautiful, and natural charred wood for facades, interiors, terraces, and saunas.
Hiil is a Finnish company specialising in wood surface charring.
We enhance wood properties by charring it with real fire and protecting it with special linseed oil, giving the wood natural, durable protection and a distinctive surface.
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Pioneers in circular economy and ecology
Our charred wood is a cost-effective way to reduce the carbon footprint of construction and increase the circular economy rate. We use wood industry side streams and char wood energy-efficiently, waste-free, and without toxins.
About us
7 good reasons to choose Hiil and charred wood
To produce charred wood, we use natural ingredients: wood, fire, water, and special linseed oil. Tinted products contain a small amount of colour pigments.
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The charred surface forms a natural barrier against moisture, UV radiation, and weather changes. Charred surfaces can be used in freezing conditions as well as in hot saunas.
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Wood captures carbon during growth. Surface charring barely releases this carbon, instead locking it into a durable wood surface. Our patentable charring technology relies almost entirely on the wood's own energy, allowing us to manufacture with very low emissions.
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For our panel products, we utilise wood industry side streams – timber that would otherwise go unused in construction. Additionally, all side streams from our own production (e.g. biochar and quality deviations) can be used in biochar production, soil improvement, or ultimately as energy.
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Our charring process produces thousands of times more energy than it consumes in electricity. We use the surplus energy in our manufacturing process and factory heating. When needed, excess energy can also be directed to the district heating network.
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We trust our product quality. All Hiil products carry a 10-year warranty when properly installed and maintained.
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Our charred wood products are installation-ready and are installed using the same principles as other cladding, panelling, or decking products. The user only needs to oil cut surfaces and fasten the product. Panels or boards are fixed with nails or screws, either from the surface or through the tongue. Deck maintenance is recommended after 5 years. For exterior cladding, the maintenance interval is decades.
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Our most popular surfaces
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Hiili (Carbon)
Hiili is the bold, black classic of the Hiil range. Shaped by fire, its deeply textured grain symbolises transformation and resilience.
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Kelo (Snagwood)
Kelo captures the calm, grey-brown tones of weathered standing deadwood, evoking the aesthetic of the northern wilderness.
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Noki (Soot)
Noki is a deep, dark burnt brown shade that channels the strength and ruggedness of northern nature.
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Kaarna (Bark)
Kaarna reflects the warm brown hues of a rugged surface. The shade evokes the heart of the forest and the beauty of nature.
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Kuura (Frost)
Kuura is a light, natural shade where the texture of charred wood truly comes into its own — the lightest tone in the Hetki collection.
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Korppi (Raven)
Korppi combines the rugged texture of a charred surface with the mystical beauty of a glossy blue tint. Interior use only.
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Examples of charred wood use
Charred wood works beautifully for both interior and exterior surfaces. It has been used in exterior cladding, interior walls and ceilings, saunas, terraces, and outdoor furniture alike.
Halo Igloos Resort – Northern lights and charred wood
Halo Igloos is a glass igloo resort in Rovaniemi where Hiil Kiertopuu products bring an ecological dimension both outdoors and indoors.
TRIB3 Helsinki Sture, charred wood building the atmosphere
TRIB3 Sture boutique fitness studio with charred wood – Hiili and Korppi at reception, Kuura in the Pilates room. A shared, community-led atmosphere and a clear material language.
Kuusijärvi saunas – exterior cladding and decks in charred wood
Public smoke saunas and service buildings at Kuusijärvi – charred cladding and Noki decks connect the new to an old ritual.
Latest articles
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CircuWood™ – from waste wood to lasting value
CircuWood™ products are manufactured from side streams of the sawmill, planing and construction industries.
Shou sugi ban?
Shou sugi ban, yakisugi, charred wood – different names for the same tradition. We explore their meanings and why we chose the term charred wood.
Wood charring
Charring the wood surface by burning is an age-old way to protect wood. Hiil has updated the method for today: energy-efficient and waste-free.
Order a Sample Box
Are you a construction professional, designer or architect? If you want to see and feel our products in person, order a sample box using the form below.
We ask consumer customers to visit our dealers , where you can find sample surfaces and materials.