Catawba Hardwoods offers Shou Sugi Ban, a traditional Japanese wood-burning technique that naturally enhances resistance to insects, rot, and moisture without chemicals. Available in Cypress or Western Red Cedar with custom char levels and finishes.
Shou Sugi Ban is a Japanese technique to burn the faces of boards used for siding. While this charred wood looks beautiful, there are other reasons to go through this much trouble. The first is to protect it from insects, such as Carpenter Bees, or beetles. Burning the wood creates a shield on the surface of ash that insects do not like, driving them away to chase a lower hanging fruit- like the neighbor’s wood that has not been treated. The second reason is rotting. Burning the wood changes the molecular structure of the wood, thus killing the cells to help prevent rot. The third reason is fire resistance. That’s right, fire resistance! Charring the wood makes it harder to catch fire from a spark. Not to oversell this aspect, it is not fireproof.
However, the reason it has become popular here in the USA is that this is a natural process with no chemicals necessary. This categorizes it as a green product, making it appealing to many architects and owners as a renewable resource with no chemicals.
The unique look of Shou Sugi Ban makes it a great choice for siding or interior wall paneling. We offer Shou Sugi Ban in Cypress or Western Red Cedar in a rare, medium, or well-done char. In addition, we offer wire brushing after we have burned the wood. It can then be coated with any finish. Our standard is a clear oil finish, but we can offer any color by Sherwin Williams.
