An aesthetically pleasing façade is a building’s calling card—shaping its first impression and helping it blend seamlessly into, or stand out from, the surrounding landscape. While investors today can choose from a variety of cladding materials, one solution that deserves special attention is charred wood cladding boards. They combine exceptional durability, distinctive character, and natural beauty in a way that few other materials can match.
Shou Sugi Ban timber, with its elegant textures and striking tones, lends façades a true sense of uniqueness—one reason why it is increasingly chosen by those looking to add refinement and individuality to their homes.
But is Shou Sugi Ban cladding the right solution for your project?
In the rest of this article, we’ll take a closer look at this extraordinary material, exploring its possibilities and highlighting the compelling arguments for using it on your façade.
What are the characteristics of charred wood using the Shou Sugi Ban method?
The Shou Sugi Ban technique of wood charring originated in Japan, where over the centuries it has become nothing short of legendary. Its heyday came in the 18th century, when it spread across the entire Land of the Cherry Blossom and quickly gained recognition as both a practical and aesthetic solution. Before long, designers and builders beyond Japan also saw its potential, adopting and adapting the method in their own countries. Over time, Shou Sugi Ban continued to evolve, inspiring new and more advanced technological processes.
A prime example of this evolution is the proprietary method developed by Atelier TwentyOne. Building on tradition while embracing innovation, our process produces wood that combines striking aesthetic qualities with outstanding technical performance. At the heart of this achievement is a specially engineered carbonisation furnace, designed to create an evenly charred surface that enhances both durability and character—transforming every board into a material that is as unique as it is enduring.
What makes the wood fired by our upgraded Shou Sugi Ban method so special?
- Incredible durability and resistance to the elements – One of the greatest advantages of fire-tempered wood is its resilience, which makes it particularly attractive to builders considering it for façades. Shou Sugi Ban timber is highly resistant to fire and waterlogging, as well as to rot, pests, fungi, and mould. Thanks to these qualities, cladding boards produced with this method can achieve an impressive lifespan of more than 80 years, maintaining their condition for decades.
- One-of-a-kind aesthetics – The natural, noble appearance of wood is elevated through the charring process. The final look can be tailored by adjusting the degree and duration of charring, varying the brushing technique, or applying carefully selected oils and varnishes. This flexibility allows each project to achieve a truly distinctive finish.
- Ecological qualities – Charred wood is a fully environmentally friendly material. At Atelier TwentyOne, we put strong emphasis on sustainability, sourcing timber exclusively from sustainably managed forests. Our proprietary process avoids harmful chemicals entirely, ensuring that the production of Shou Sugi Ban boards remains safe for both the environment and building occupants.
Firewood façade – is it a good solution?
Are you dreaming of a beautiful yet durable façade and wondering whether charring façade boards can guarantee you the desired effect? We don’t have the slightest doubt! The use of charred wood on the exterior wall of a building is supported by the many advantages of this solution, including:
- excellent durability, robustness and low impregnation requirements,
- an absolutely unique, eye-catching aesthetic,
- a wide selection of shades, finishes and wood species from which we make our cladding boards.
In order to decide whether a fired wood façade is a worthy concept, let us analyse its most significant advantages.
Charred wood façade – a beautiful solution for years to come
Investors planning the façade of a building pay particular attention to ensuring that it is durable and resistant to the adverse effects of weather and other harmful factors. In this respect, charred wood cladding boards set themselves apart from much of the competition, offering impressive durability and maintaining a beautiful appearance for many years. What Gives Shou Sugi Ban Wood Its Remarkable Properties?
Charring the wood imparts qualities to this noble raw material that are particularly important in the context of outdoor applications. Shou Sugi Ban wood is highly resistant to moisture and decay, so it is not attacked by pests, which are a serious problem in uncharred material. The fire-tempered cladding boards we offer are also distinguished by their high resistance to, among other things:
- the effects of fire,
- waterlogging,
- UV radiation,
- temperature changes,
- mould and fungal invasion.
These unique properties of Shou Sugi Ban wood translate into the material’s characteristic low impregnation requirements. The maintenance frequency of a tan wood façade depends largely on the aesthetic effect the investor wants to achieve. If he wants his façade boards to retain their vivid colour for as long as possible, he needs to ensure that a recoat is applied every 4 or 5 years. If, on the other hand, he wants his wooden façade to please the eye of the beholder with a noble patina, it is sufficient to reapply the oils periodically every 10 to 15 years.
At Atelier TwentyOne, we recommend periodic coating with a suitable topcoat to ensure the wood’s full potential is realised. We provide tailored professional support, offering finishing oils specifically matched to the chosen solution. By following our guidance, a Shou Sugi Ban façade can achieve remarkable longevity lasting more than 80 years while retaining both its beauty and functionality.
Charred cladding boards – a proven way to create a unique building design
The excellent durability of a charred wood façade is undoubtedly a key consideration, but the unmistakable aesthetics of this solution play an equally important role. It allows the building to stand out from the surrounding landscape or blend harmoniously into it. The exposed, noble nature of the wood has an almost hypnotic power, and the exterior walls of a building covered with it often become a stylistic reference point for the design of other buildings in the area.
It is worth noting that dark and black charred façade boards are very much in demand among investors who are enthusiasts of the minimalist trend. They perfectly emphasise the stylish simplicity of modernist architecture. However, it is important to note that a charred wood façade can look great not only on modern buildings, but also on those whose design refers, for example, to classic patterns or rustic countryside.
Ability to choose the perfect material for your project
In the context of the charred cladding boards we offer, it is worth noting that our partners have a very wide range of finishes and shades at their disposal and can choose from several selected wood species, such as:
Our products are made from timber sourced from sustainably farmed forests, so that when you invest in them you can be sure that you are not only reaching for an aesthetically pleasing and sustainable solution, but also an ecological one.
Shou Sugi Ban wood – what other uses does it have?
The remarkable aesthetics of Shou Sugi Ban wood, combined with its typically impressive durability and resistance to the negative impact of various factors, make it an extremely versatile material. This is reflected in Atelier TwentyOne’s range of products, which includes not only tan cladding boards, but also many other noteworthy products. Amongst these, investors who are interested in, for example, the following will find the right solution for themselves:
- charred wood furniture,
- charred boards for the terrace,
- charred wood for interiors,
- charred wood fencing.
Do you think charred facade boards would be a great complement to your project? Or do you dream of a stylish terrace made from solid, fine Shou Sugi Ban wood? Whatever your design plans are for charred wood, working with Atelier TwentyOne will make them a reality. Feel free to contact us!
Are you interested in this entry? If so, we warmly invite you to read the other articles published on our website:
- What should Shou Sugi Ban charred wood be finished with?,
- Charring wood instead of waterproofing – Is it worth it?
- The history and advantages of Shou Sugi Ban,
- Shou Sugi Ban: choosing the right wood for a timeless finish?