Japanese Cedar Siding

A great addition to any conifer or evergreen collection.

Japanese cedar siding.

The essential idea is to burn the surface of wood to a varying degree of char. The wood is burned until the surface is charred and then coated with natural oil. A very interesting variety of japanese cedar with very dense compact green foliage. Not only that but japanese cedar is kiln dried which helps stabilize the wood as well as limit split boards and end checks.

However the pickets are thinner and less sturdy than western red cedar and have a tendency to split or break during installation. Our exterior charred siding products deliver superior performance and distinctive beauty. Traditionally this practice is used with japanese cedar in order to weatherproof it. The japanese invented this technique centuries ago calling it shou sugi ban or yakisugi.

Originating in 18th century japan shou sugi ban is a particularly striking method of preserving wood by charring it with fire. Japanese cedar a newer product on the market in the us that shows promise as being a quality lower cost alternative to western red cedar. Cedar is naturally resistant to damage from uv and weather insects rot decay and fire due to its high tannin content the compound that makes it red. It is often called japanese cedar and is utilized primarily for construction lumber due to high rigidity and quick drying.

The final product is also known as yakisugi yaki means to cook burn and sugi is the japanese name for cedar but shou sugi ban seems to have won as the most commonly used term in english and it is sometimes simply known as a carbonized wood finish. Takes on a slight coppery bronze color during the winter months. We specialize in the hachiko variety used specifically for siding in western japan. November 3 2017 while shou sugi ban 焼杉板 originated in japan in the 18th century primarily as way to treat cedar siding to make it weatherproof the technique which involves charring a wood.

Cedar siding is a very traditional north american cladding and it stands out for its beauty and timeless appeal. Used for centuries in japanese construction work and exterior architecture japanese cedar is exceedingly durable. Cryptomeria japonica is sugi in japanese and is a monotypic genus in the cypress family indigenous to japan. Charred wood siding and fencing are the products of an ancient japanese technique that makes a unique beautiful and durable exterior wood product.