History

Shou Sugi Ban is a traditional Japanese cedar wood siding that has been charred on one side. In Japan it is commonly used in combination with white stucco for wall surfaces, each region having a slightly different aesthetic. Some regions clad the entire structure with siding, some only wainscoting under a stucco upper wall, and some regions clad up to the shadow line below the roof overhang. It can be installed vertically or horizontally and will weather beautifully as the years go on.

As Japan has influenced international design over the past few centuries, the shou sugi ban style has been showcased in modern architecture as a black monolithic surface and has often been interpreted as a chic, high-design building material. In the Japanese home market however, it is still considered a basic type of wood siding, affordably priced and with improved longevity over untreated wood.