5 Advantages of Using Charred Wood Sidings

Charred wood siding and the fencing technique dates back to ancient Japan, and was also known as “shou sugi ban”. This product makes for a unique wooden siding exterior for houses. The Japanese originally did it to make the wood they use for their homes fire-retardant.

Burning the wood makes it harder to reignite, as well as rot, blocks UV-radiation and remains insect repellent. The wood is fed through a molder where custom profiles are created for siding. Then the wood is taken to a burn station, where various levels of char are being applied depending on the burn finish that is currently being produced. It can be left at that or the wood may be brushed and sealed with a clear stain.

Let’s dig deeper into the upsides of wood charring used in fencing and siding:

Cost efficiency

Using charred wood may be less costly because it accelerates the construction time, since it doesn’t require painting after installation. This reduces the cost needed for a traditional painting job, as well as making your project progress faster, which means less upfront costs.

Durability

Burning the wood creates a layer of protective char that protects the wood from many commonly known damaging factors. People who have worked with and understand charred wood at http://charredwood.com/ claim that “The layer of char protects the wood from UV and weathering. This means that the wood will not fade or peel.” This is important to note, especially if you want a surface or material that will stand the test of time. It also helps deter termites and insects which seem to hate the layer of char.

Maintenance

The durability of charred wood and its weatherproof characteristics, allows for less recurrent maintenance costs. The wood might not need to be refinished for 10-15 years since it doesn’t peel of fade over time. Also, the char layer can last up to a 100 years without maintenance. If charred wood is used for interior projects, where the wood wouldn’t be touched or exposed to different environmental factors, it may not require maintenance at all.

Aesthetics

As mentioned above, the wood goes to a burn and brush station. You can get a variety of different colors and looks depending on your preferred taste. The colors obtained depend on how deep the wood is being burned and brushed.

Environment friendly

Wood charring is a non-toxic method to protect the wood. It serves the environment since it already deters insects, which means less chemical-repellents are being used. Also, it is considered safe, and natural, since no chemicals are being used in the process of preserving the wood, which helps cut down environmental emissions that are toxic to you and the environment. Homeowner’s are in a never-ending struggle to find the best for their homes, possibly with less costs. Charring wood sidings, or shou sugi ban process seems like the most cost-efficient solution for homeowners. The process causes the cells of the wood to shrink, thus making it less permeable to the most common damaging factors, over time

The char layer protects wood from the weather, UV-radiation, insects, and even fire. This means that it requires minimal maintenance, which helps reduce the overall incurring costs in the long run.