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Charred Wood Designs
Shou sugi ban is a centuries-old Japanese practice that involves first charring the wood, cooling it down, cleaning it by brushing and washing, and then finishing the wood with oil. The traditional method requires bundling three planks and lighting the interior, however, we use a blow torch.
Japanese Wood Burning
Shou Sugi Ban means “burnt cedar board” and it is a centuries-old Japanese technique for preserving wood with fire by speeding up the weathering process making the wood naturally weatherproof and insect-resistant. Originally used on exterior siding, shou sugi ban is becoming much more popular in interior applications due to its deep, rich hue.
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A propane blow torch is applied to the wood following the direction of the grain using a motion similar to spraying paint. The wood should be burned until a leathery skin is formed. A stiff plastic bristle brush is then used to vigorously brush the charred wood to remove all loose pieces and reveal the finish. The wood is sprayed with an air compressor to remove any fine dust particles, then sealed as the final step.
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