This makes it an excellent alternative to black or dark gray wood stain or paint. Shou sugi ban can range in color from subtle charcoal-gray to dramatic jet black depending on the original color of the wood, the degree of scorching, and how much char you brush off. So there’s less chance of shou sugi ban-treated wood catching fire, an important asset for pieces like patio tables used in close proximity to a grill or fireplace. As charring vaporizes the softer cellulose layer of wood, it leaves behind the harder lignin layer, which requires a higher temperature flame and longer flame exposure time to burn. With shou sugi ban, there’s no need for chemical commercial wood preservatives. Without cellulose, wood becomes inhospitable to pests, preventing fungal- and insect-related structural damage. Fire-treating wood breaks down its cellulose, which contains nutrients such as sugar that bacteria and insects thrive on. Shou sugi ban serves as an eco-friendly fungicide and pesticide for wooden siding, decking, fencing, and patio furniture. This ability to waterproof wood is particularly useful for structures in moisture-prone spaces, such as garden benches or poolside lounge chairs. The charring process leaves behind a two- or three-millimeter layer of char on the surface that shields underlying wood from water and water vapor, keeping it from eroding or absorbing moisture and swelling, warping, or rotting. Here’s how the shou sugi ban treatment enhances wood: What are the benefits of a burnt wood finish? While DIYers can create the finish simply by wielding a blowtorch, pre-made shou sugi ban-treated woodworks abound, from coffee tables (available on Amazon) to decorative signs (also available on Amazon).Ī post shared by Elizabeth & Scott Mathieson on at 2:53pm PDT It is prized not only for the protective qualities it confers on wood, but also the striking burnt wood finish it renders, which is versatile enough for both rustic and modern homes. In recent years, shou sugi ban has been used on other softwood species in addition cedar for interior and exterior applications, both on wooden boards used in the construction of large surfaces, such as siding, decks, and wall paneling, and on smaller pre-built woodworks, such as tables, chairs, and dressers. Japanese cedar, called sugi, was the traditional wood species used because it was thought to produce the most pronounced charred effect. Though examples of shou sugi ban were seen as early as 700 A.D., the technique generally dates back to 18th-century Japan, where it was primarily applied to wooden boards used in exterior siding to weatherproof them and thereby prolong their life. The process fortifies the wood (more on how below) and provides a matte black finish with elegant silver streaks, resembling obsidian rock. Literally translating to “burnt cedar board” in English, shou sugi ban traditionally involves scorching wooden boards with a torch or controlled fire, cooling the wood, softening the char with a wire brush, removing dust, and, if desired, topping the wood with natural oil. Shou sugi ban is the term commonly used in the West for yakisugi, an ancient Japanese technique for preserving wood with fire. Photo: What is shou sugi ban, and how is it used?
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