Materials with a previous life and a character shaped by time.
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Experience the material.
Compare timber, texture and finish before specifying your project.
SHOU SUGI BAN / JAPANESE CEDAR
Cryptomeria japonica is the timber the technique was developed for. Light, low in density and rich in natural oils, it chars faster and deeper than any European softwood we work with and holds the resulting carbon layer with almost no assistance.
The timber
Japanese cedar has a soft pink-brown heart, a straight grain and very wide, evenly spaced growth rings. Unburnt it looks almost plain; the character only arrives with the fire, when those wide rings separate into distinct bands of hard and soft wood.
Low density means the flame travels quickly and the carbon layer builds thick, with the deep alligatored pattern most people picture when they hear Shou Sugi Ban. Preserved as KAEN it is the most dramatic surface we make. Brushed as KIME the soft summer wood clears away easily and leaves a strong ribbed relief that takes colour with real depth.
Façades where texture is the architecture, gable ends, entrance volumes, garden pavilions, sauna exteriors and interior feature walls. Its light weight makes it comfortable to handle on tall elevations and on renovations with limited structural capacity.
Working with fire means working with the material the method was built around. Cedar shows what the process can do at its limit, and it gives our colour range - black, dark oak and sand grey - the most relief to sit in.
Technical overview
| Attribute | Specification |
|---|---|
| Widths | 145 mm (alternative widths on request) |
| Lengths | 3,600 mm, 4,200 mm |
| Installation | Vertical or horizontal |
| Protective finish | Protective oil; pigmented on KIME surfaces |
| Bespoke | Bespoke widths and profiles on request |
Availability may vary according to stock, profile and project quantity. Please contact BAUWN to confirm current availability.
Wood is a natural material. Grain, texture and colour can vary between boards, making every installation unique. Screen settings and lighting may also affect how colours appear.
Profiles
Recommended for exterior
Recommended profile for exterior cladding. The board is rebated into a Z section - the top of one edge and the underside of the other - so consecutive boards lap into each other and draw a fine, continuous shadow line across the façade.
Planed all round. A straightforward square-edged board for interior linings, joinery, furniture and detailing.
Tongue and groove for interior wall and ceiling linings. Available for interior applications or on request.
Finishes
KAEN / JAPANESE CEDAR
The deepest, most sculptural carbon crust we produce - the classic Shou Sugi Ban surface.
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KIME / JAPANESE CEDAR
Bold ribbed grain under a deep black - texture you read from the street.
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KIME / JAPANESE CEDAR
Cool-toned dark brown over the widest brushed grain in the range.
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KIME / JAPANESE CEDAR
Weathered-looking grey with the ribbed cedar texture fully visible.
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FAQ
Yes. This surface is produced for exterior cladding as well as interior use. We advise the Shadow Gap profile outdoors, installed on a ventilated batten cavity.
Shadow Gap. The Z-shaped half-lap rebate lets consecutive boards overlap while the timber moves, keeps the cavity behind ventilated, and gives the façade a controlled shadow line.
Both orientations are possible. The batten direction and the drainage detail change accordingly; we can supply the relevant detail with your quotation.
Yes. Every board is charred and finished individually, so grain, depth of texture and tone shift slightly across a delivery. That variation is intended.
Keep it clean and free of standing debris, and re-oil when the surface begins to look dry. Maintenance frequency depends on orientation and exposure; we give project-specific guidance with each delivery.
Yes. Samples are the fastest way to judge a surface. Order this finish on its own or as part of a curated box.
Bespoke widths, thicknesses and profiles are produced on request for project quantities. Send the drawing or specification with your quotation request.
Use the quotation form. Your species and finish are carried over automatically, so you only add quantity, profile and project details.
Other timber species
Dense, resinous and strongly figured, larch is the classic European timber for charred façades. It carries a heavy carbon crust, brushes back to a pro
View timber →
Accoya® is acetylated softwood: dimensionally stable, exceptionally durable and almost indifferent to moisture. Charred, it becomes the most technical
View timber →
