The 4 Advantages of Charred Wood Siding
Charred Wood
Charred Wood, also known as shou sugi ban, is the new trend in exterior siding. A Japanese tradition for thousands of years, it now inspires creators and builders here in Canada. Espace-Bois is now a charred wood reference in Quebec for architects, designers and entrepreneurs.
“Sometimes, true wisdom is acknowledging the wisdom of our precursors.”
SHOU SUGI BAN
This wood preservation technique originated in Japan, where charring wood dates to time immemorial. In fact, shou sugi ban confers properties which extends the service life of exterior siding. Name it charred wood or shou sugi ban, this technique is well worth promoting – it is sustainable, ecological and quite frankly, it is splendid.
CEDAR
Espace-Bois is a pioneer in Quebec. Our company operates in the field of interior and exterior wood siding. We prioritize Cedar for several reasons. According to QWEB (Québec Wood Export), European tests examined Cedar and gave it Rating #1 for its natural durability (EN 350-2), meaning that it is “very sustainable” indeed, due to its fungal resistance. To date, no other softwood has obtained this rating. Cedar is not only an ideal choice, but also a local alternative: it grows on the Atlantic and Pacific Coast. Cedar is widely known and used in construction because of its rot-proof and weather-resistant properties. Espace-Bois therefore opts for this native softwood which, when exposed to flames and charred, produces a vast array of colours.
THE 4 ADVANTAGES OF CHARRED WOOD SIDING
Charred wood has very sought-after characteristics:
Durability – In fact, the phenols and thuyaplicins naturally present in Cedar repel insects, prevents fungal implantation and even water infiltration. These properties even improve over time and more so in the case of exterior siding made of charred Cedar.
Stability – Unlike other softwoods, Cedar is very stable, which means that it is less likely than other species to twist, crack or warp. The final product’s shape will remain intact for decades.
Thermal Conductivity – The Cedar’s porosity, once well dried and charred, encapsulates microbubbles. The air trapped inside adds to the overall insulation of a building by increasing its R Factor.
Fire-Retardant- Last but not least, the fire-retardant of charred wood – the fact that it is fire-retardant might be an unexpected property. Who would have thought that burnt wood has a higher resistance to fire than bare wood? True indeed. Another characteristic which makes charred wood the best of finishing solutions.
AN ECOLOGICAL SIDING
As we all know, consumers are increasingly concerned about the provenance of the goods they buy, and the construction industry is no exception. In fact, noble and sustainably products on the market are in vogue in our day. bois brûlé is a good example of an ecofriendly product based on its 80-year durability. No need to argue that wood is an organic, biodegradable and sustainable raw material. There is a but – the process of harvesting food, charring it and turning it into a siding material adds up to a higher price. But do we really take into account the environmental cost of all cheap materials derived from petroleum, such as vinyl, which end up at the dump after just 30 years of service?
It is not just a trend – designers, architects and entrepreneurs are incrementally conscious of the pressing necessity to opt for “responsible” building solutions. By the same token, clients are also more and more demanding in this regard, learn more about the provenance and durability of different materials.
If you are looking for an ecofriendly siding for your home, the Japanese shou sugi ban technique is an excellent option. Your charred wood interior and exterior sidings will maintain their properties which, history shows, will last longer than you.
HUES AND SHADES
Espace-Bois – Bois-Brûlé division – uses the Japanese shou sugi ban charring technique because of the many qualities mentioned above, but also because of the in-depth look of the finished product. In fact, based on the degree of intensity, the charred wood process confers properties while highlighting shades of black, wood knots and grain, emphasizing textures that form bold or sober patterns.
The beauty of working with charred wood is that the product allows us to bring out its shades and hues while the intensity of the charring process itself is easily controlled. This is how we obtain colours and textures that complement the designed interior decor – be it Zen, modern, chalet-chic and so forth!
Charred wood is a smart choice when it comes to interior and exterior finishes, being an alternative to products that are harmful to the environment and boasting an astonishingly vast array of siding colours. Order a sample box and get inspired! Discover our vast choice of hues and shades right here: Sample box
Written by Gabrielle Filteau-Chiba & Claudia Tessier
