From façades to furniture: the many uses of Shou Sugi Ban

The unmistakable qualities of wood treated with the Shou Sugi Ban technique make it suitable for a remarkably wide range of applications. Charred boards can be used both indoors and outdoors, lending any project a sense of unique character and timeless elegance. Yet it’s not just about aesthetics—this traditional Japanese method also endows the timber with exceptional durability, weather resistance, and natural protection against pests.

For those who value the blend of functionality, bold design, and sustainability, fire-tempered wood is an ideal choice. Explore the most popular applications of Shou Sugi Ban and discover how this extraordinary material can help bring your design vision to life.

Shou Sugi Ban – a Japanese technique that has conquered the world

Imagine being stopped in a street poll and asked: which country is famous both for its deep respect for tradition and for its cutting-edge innovation? Chances are, Japan would be one of the first that comes to mind. The Land of the Cherry Blossom, today associated with electronics, automobiles, and world-class cuisine, has also left a remarkable legacy in construction and interior design.

One concept that stands out is Shou Sugi Ban—the traditional Japanese art of wood charring. Originating in the 18th century, this method spread across Japan before gaining popularity abroad, embraced by Canadians, Scandinavians, the French, and even Poles. Over time, the legendary technique became the foundation for further technological refinements.

A prime example is the proprietary method developed by Atelier TwentyOne, a modern evolution of Shou Sugi Ban. Using a specially designed carbonisation furnace, we achieve an evenly charred surface that not only enhances the natural beauty of the wood but also elevates its technical performance. The result: timber that excels in both aesthetics and durability, perfectly suited for contemporary architecture and design.

The Distinctive Traits of Shou Sugi Ban Wood

In order to better understand the phenomenon of Shou Sugi Ban, and to see the root causes of its diverse range of applications, it is worth taking a closer look at the characteristics of this material. What is it above all that makes Shou Sugi Ban fired wood so popular with designers and builders?

Unique aesthetics – one of the key aspects determining the popularity of firewood is its elegant, noble appearance. The raw material treated in this way attracts attention with emphasised, natural qualities, such as the original grain pattern. Importantly, the Shou Sugi Ban process can produce wood of different shades, depending on a number of factors, including the degree and time of charring, the strength of brushing or the type of oil or glaze used.
Exceptional durability and strength – from a functional perspective, a very important advantage of Shou Sugi Ban wood is its physical properties. Amongst other things, they are characterised by a high resistance to fire and waterlogging, as well as, for example, to decay or the negative impact of pests, fungi or mould. In the context of firewood, an impressive service life is also often mentioned, which can even reach over 80 years.
Eco-friendly nature of the material – an argument for choosing Shou Sugi Ban wood for various types of projects is that it is an environmentally friendly raw material. We also take care of this aspect at Atelier TwentyOne, using only wood sourced from sustainably farmed forests to create our products. It is also worth emphasising that the charring method we have developed is ecological and we do not use chemicals that have a harmful effect on the environment.

What are the most significant uses of wood fired by the Shou Sugi Ban method?

Many are surprised to discover just how versatile charred wood produced with the Shou Sugi Ban method can be. Its applications extend far beyond traditional façades and include, among others:

Let’s take a closer look at how firewood is used in each of the above cases.

Charred façade boards: a guarantee of distinctive architecture

Builders looking to create façades that are both eye-catching and impressive are increasingly turning to charred wood cladding boards. So, what are the benefits of applying Shou Sugi Ban timber to a building’s exterior walls?

Protection for the Façade

Thanks to its durability and resilience, fire-tempered wood offers a natural shield against many external factors. It helps protect façades from the degrading effects of UV radiation, fluctuating temperatures, and moisture—ensuring the building’s surface maintains both strength and stability over time.

Striking Aesthetics

Protection for the façade – thanks to its durability and resilience, fire-tempered wood offers a natural shield against many external factors. It helps protect façades from the degrading effects of UV radiation, fluctuating temperatures, and moisture ensuring the building’s surface maintains both strength and stability over time.
Striking aesthetics – beyond its practical advantages, charred cladding delivers undeniable visual impact. The proprietary carbonisation process developed by Atelier TwentyOne accentuates the natural grain of the wood, enriching its texture and colour. The result is a façade with remarkable elegance, originality, and a character that makes any building stand out.

It’s worth noting that dark, charcoal, and black façade boards have become especially popular among architects and designers working with minimalist concepts—a trend we explored in more detail in a previous article.

Tan wood for interiors – a way to give an original finish to a room

Are you planning the design of rooms in your home and looking for a solution that will give your interiors a timeless feel? Then the possibilities provided by tan wood for interiors will certainly appeal to you. The wide range of colours and finishes of Shou Sugi Ban’s tan wood planks is important in this context , allowing you to match the material to the designer’s intention. Do you want to give your interior design a distinctive ‘claw’? Look out for a dark, charred wood that will bring an unmistakable flair to your room’s décor. Or are you looking for something more subtle? A lighter shade of wood should fit the bill and give your interior an elegant, sophisticated feel.

Charred fencing – robustness and style

A well-designed fence should do more than just protect privacy. It should also play a decorative role either blending harmoniously with its surroundings or, conversely, standing out with bold, unconventional style. Achieving this balance is difficult with a standard fence. That’s why, if you’re looking for a solution that is both functional and aesthetically striking, charred wood from Atelier TwentyOne is the ideal choice.

Shou Sugi Ban fencing combines exceptional durability with timeless elegance. Resistant to the harsh effects of weather, pests, and time, it retains its form and beauty for years. At the same time, its distinctive texture and deep tones turn a simple boundary into a statement of design.

At Atelier TwentyOne, we manufacture charred wood fencing in our own factory, ensuring both quality and a perfectly uniform finish. By working with us, you can be certain of a unique fence—crafted to meet your expectations and designed to elevate the character of your property.

The Noble Beauty of Charred Decking

Charred planks have become a sought-after material for decking projects, and it’s easy to see why. Just like Shou Sugi Ban fences or façades, our decking boards are defined by three key qualities:

Durability and robustness
Remarkable aesthetics
Impressive longevity

But the advantages of Atelier TwentyOne charred decking go even further. One standout benefit is its ease of installation—the specially profiled boards are designed to make terrace construction quick and efficient. Each plank is also protected with carefully selected finishing oils, ensuring lasting durability and consistently beautiful appearance.

The result is a decking solution that performs as well as it looks, standing up to the demands of both private residences and commercial projects. With Shou Sugi Ban decking, your outdoor space becomes not just functional, but a showcase of elegance and craftsmanship.

From flame to form: the beauty of charred wood furniture

Another area of expertise at Atelier TwentyOne is the creation of unique furniture crafted from solid and charred wood. Thanks to the exceptional properties of fire-treated timber, our pieces combine striking aesthetics with remarkable longevity resulting in furniture that is as enduring as it is beautiful.

Among the items we produce are:

Bed headboards
Tables
Chairs
Stools
Cabinets

Equally important, we specialise in bespoke, made-to-measure designs, tailored precisely to the client’s vision. Whether for residential interiors or commercial spaces, our charred and solid wood furniture offers a distinctive blend of craftsmanship, functionality, and timeless character.

What types of wood do we use at Atelier TwentyOne?

The growing interest in our charred wood solutions stems not only from their wide range of applications but also from the uncompromising quality of the raw materials we use. Our clients can choose from a carefully curated selection of premium timber species, including:

Thinking about using high-quality charred wood for your next project? We’ll be happy to provide details and expert guidance. Just get in touch with us.

If, on the other hand, you’d like to dive deeper into the world of Shou Sugi Ban, we invite you to explore more of our articles here on the website, where we share insights into the technique, its applications, and its unique benefits.