Farmhouse Fixer find Shou Sugi Ban Barn Doors a Delight

On “Farmhouse Fixer,” Jonathan Knight and Kristina Crestin renovate older homes so they feel fresh and modern. In many cases, that even means adding daring designs and colors.

In the episode “Barn Burner,” the design duo drive to Candia, NH, to help Kris and Ben work on their 1820s home. They want to convert the main floor into a primary suite, with a new bathroom, walk-in closet, bar, and bedroom. Knight is also building a unique barn for Kris and Ben, which Ben makes even more unique.

“What are you doing?” asks Knight as he comes across Ben taking a blow torch to some wooden planks and searing them black.

“Shou sugi ban,” answers Ben. “These are going to be the barn doors. Instead of staining them every year or painting them, we’re going to seal them by burning them. It shrinks the cells on the outside of the wood, so bugs don’t get in and water doesn’t penetrate.”

Knight is enthralled. These dark shou sugi ban doors look great against the white barn.

“Then we’re going to put an alligator crust on them, like charcoal,” Ben explains. “We’re going to scrub it off, and then we’re going to coat it with oil.”

Everyone agrees that the black doors against the white barn exterior look fantastic.

“This is the first time that we’ve had a homeowner actually take the lead,” Knight says. “Big props to you! That’s so admirable. That just really makes this place so much more special.”

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