Shou Sugi Ban – Charred Wood Products
Shou sugi ban (or yakisugi) is a natural method for creating aesthetically pleasing and atmospheric construction materials. Wood charred using this technique is suitable for both exterior and interior surfaces across various applications. Outdoors, the products can be used in claddings, decks, fences, and noise barriers. Indoors, they find use in paneling, interior design, sauna benches, walls, and ceilings.
About Wood Charring
The concept of treating and protecting wood surfaces by burning originates from Japan, giving rise to the method’s name, yakisugi (also known as shou sugi ban). In Finnish, it can be referred to as puun pintahiillyttäminen or hiiltäminen.
Burning the surface of the wood removes sugars and organic matter from the surface and seals the pores of the wood. This treatment:
- Enhances the wood’s weather resistance
- Cleans the wood surface
- Offers a non-toxic way to protect the wood
- Does not weaken the structure from within the wood
- Does not produce soot when the wood surface is washed, brushed, or oiled after charring
Suitable Wood Types for Charring
Our product, charred Kiertopuu®️, is made from the by-products of sawmill, planing, and construction industries. Kiertopuu®️ products are Finnish spruce. You can read more about Kiertopuu®️ products here.
In addition to Kiertopuu, we offer charring services for other wood types upon request or as a service for businesses. The following wood types are suitable for surface charring: spruce, pine, oak, Douglas fir, larch, and also treated woods, such as thermally treated wood, Accoya, Sature, and Kivipuu.
Charred Wood Products
We manufacture surface-charred wood to specific measurements for each project.
In your order, you can choose the wood type, treatment (charring, washing, brushing), staining, and surface finishing.
Charred
A product left with a charred surface is the most resistant to weather and moisture stress. The wood surface is burned black by fire, creating a product with a rugged, charred appearance.
Washed
The charred surface is washed with a high-pressure washer, leaving a lively and natural dark brown surface. The surface highlights the difference between spring and summer wood, as well as knots.
Brushed
Brushing after washing softens and evens out the surface, making the product especially suitable for applications like deck planks or sauna benches.
Stained
Charred and brushed or washed surfaces can also be stained to achieve the desired color shade.
Charred Wood Standard Profiles and Dimensions
For exterior cladding, the most common thickness is 28mm, and for interior cladding, it’s 22mm.
Standard widths are 70, 90, 125, 145, 170, and 195mm.
Dimensioned timber and sawn wood can be charred in various sizes, ranging from battens to beams.
| EXAMPLE PRODUCT | STANDARD DIMENSIONS | PRODUCT / PLANED PROFILE |
| Exterior cladding | Thickness: 28 mm Width: 70, 95, 120, 145, 170, 195 mm | Charre, washed, brushed, stained / UTS, UTV, UTW, UYS, UYW, UTV |
| Interior cladding | Thickness: 22 mm Width: 70, 95, 120, 145, 170, 195 mm | Washed, brushed, stained (optionally charred) / STS, STV |
| Decking plank | Thickness: 28, 48 mm Width 48, 98, 120, 148, 173, 195 mm | Brushed recommended |
The charring process generally reduces the dimensions of the product by about 1-2 mm per charred side.
Installing and Working with Charred Wood
Charring only alters the wood’s surface to a depth of 2-4 mm. Apart from the surface, the products are essentially untreated timber. Charred timber can be sawn, drilled, and worked just like uncharred timber.
If products are ordered to specific dimensions, the ends will also receive charring and surface treatment. For other charred wood products, it’s recommended to surface-treat the cut edges with oil (optionally tinted black or brown).
However, when transporting and installing charred surface products, it’s important to be mindful of the surface’s sensitivity to avoid dents and scratches.
For panels wider than 120mm, it’s recommended to use surface fixing with black-headed stainless steel screws. Interior panels and narrower exterior cladding panels can be concealed fixed by nailing at the tongue and groove.
Request a Quote
Request a quote for Kiertopuu products or other surface-charred woods by filling out the form. You can also send the requested information by email to sales@hiil.fi.
Our staff will send back a quote, freight cost, and possible delivery time by return email or ask additional questions if needed to understand your requirements.