DIY
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Why Charred Lumber Is the Upgrade Your Next Project Needs
If you’re thinking of building a deck, or even just installing some shelves, but you’re having a hard time choosing a finish for your wood, charred lumber might be right for you. Charring adds color to lumber, making it darker and more visually novel while retaining some of the best features of natural wood—but it can also make timber more durable and water resistant. Here’s what you need to know about charred lumber before starting your next woodworking project. A quick history of charred lumber The technique for charring lumber comes from Japan, and was popular in the Edo period as a way of preserving wood, especially for exterior siding.…
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PaperWall replicates Shou Sugi Ban for WallPaper
PaperWall, the newest addition to the Elton Group collection, is a wood fibre based paper surface that replicates the patterning, grain and texture of timber and other materials with impressive realism. PaperWall: A wallpaper that replicates the patterning, grain and texture of timber and other materials with unrivaled realism. Among the finishes are a wide range of oak looks – from pale oak to charcoal oak – a Shou Sugi Ban finish, corten steel and concrete. The innovative surface is achieved through a combination of high-definition printing and precision embossing, the alignment between natural grain and texture creating a surface almost indistinguishable from the real thing. PaperWall is sourced from well-managed,…
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Shou Sugi Ban Industrial Chic Bathroom
Susie Davis calls the style of her powder room “Charles Dickens Meets Jack the Ripper.” It exudes an Industrial Revolution era vibe with a factory chic aesthetic. Lamenting that “vanities are stupid expensive,” she convinced her husband to help her build one. She found the plans online and they went to work. Davis, who claims that she used to be far more extroverted but now desires nothing more than to retreat to her garage — her girl cave — and watch DIY videos, found exactly the treatment she wanted in one such screening: Shou Sugi Ban. This Japanese technique of charring wood essentially encases the wood in a layer of carbon…
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DIY Tips for Shou Sugi Ban
How should DIYers approach the Shou Sugi Ban process for the best results? For a durable burnt wood finish that will last 50 years or more, follow these Shou Sugi Ban application tips: Apply on softwoods only. As a result of its porous nature, cedar—Japanese cedar in particular—readily chars to the depth needed for a protective and appealing burnt wood finish. However, other softwoods, including pine and fir, are also good candidates. Avoid hardwoods, such as teak or walnut, which are denser and don’t char as readily. Skip the sanding. Because burning the wood surface removes any existing rough patches, there’s no need for sanding the wood before scorching it. If, however,…
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The Appeal of a Burnt Wood Finish
This Old House’s Bob Vila addresses the hottest trend in design—which is also an ancient Japanese technique— and offers his list of surprising benefits for siding, furniture, and more. Whether you’re ready to build a new wood deck, furniture, or wood wall paneling—or aim to spruce up existing ones—you’ll ultimately want both beauty and longevity. While chemical preservatives can be applied to untreated wood to prolong its life, and stain or paint can enhance visual appeal, these time-consuming treatments must be undertaken separately. Home improvement guru, Bob Vila, wonders why not consider shou sugi ban (pronounced shoh shoo-gee bahn), a much-buzzed-about technique that allows any DIYer comfortable with using a blowtorch to fortify and beautify…
