Buildings Made Of Previously Charred Lumber Reduce House Fire Risk [Pics]
The ancient Japanese tradition of Shou Sugi Ban burns wood as a strategy to preserve it and keep away insects and rot.
The ancient Japanese technique of Shou Sugi Ban (‘Yakisugi’) preserves wood by charring it. This makes it less susceptible to fire and helps keep away insects and rot.
The process involves charring the wood, cooling it, cleaning it, and finishing it with a natural oil. It is becoming more widely available for domestic use and presents new opportunities in design to create attractive buildings that are safer.
Burning timber provides a beautiful and long lasting product. Delta Millworks of Texas are the premier supplier of Shou Sugi Ban in the U.S. and the UK company Shou Sugi Ban uses the traditional technique to offer uniqueness to each individual project.
The manufacturing process is detailed, accurate and dangerous, creating anything from a highly burnt fragile look to a sleek and contemporary finish. Click through to see some examples of the ancient technique: