Architectural timber shaped by flame, texture and grain.
Materials with a previous life and a character shaped by time.
Explore Reclaimed Wood →
Experience the material.
Compare timber, texture and finish before specifying your project.
KAEN / LARCH
The preserved carbon surface at its fullest. The charred crust of the larch is kept intact and sealed with protective oil, producing a sculptural, crocodile-skin black that changes completely with the angle of the light.
Surface character
KAEN is not brushed, so nothing has been taken away: the surface you see is the burn itself, cracked into fine plates by the heat and stabilised in place. Depth varies board to board, which is the point.
Direct sun makes the plates glint and the façade reads almost metallic; on a grey Dutch afternoon it flattens to a matte, absolute black. No other surface in the range moves this much.
It is the strongest possible pairing with glass, corten, cast concrete and wild planting, and it is generally used outdoors - indoors it needs a large plane and plenty of light to be legible.
Gallery
Technical overview
| Attribute | Specification |
|---|---|
| Timber | Larch |
| Surface family | KAEN |
| Thickness | 21 mm |
| Widths | 95 / 120 / 145 mm |
| Lengths | 3,000 mm, 4,000 mm, 5,000 mm, 6,000 mm |
| Surface texture | Preserved carbon crust, unbrushed |
| Installation | Vertical or horizontal |
| Protective finish | Protective oil; pigmented on KIME surfaces |
| Maintenance | Rinse gently with clean water; avoid abrasive cleaning of the carbon layer and re-oil when the surface looks dry. |
| Lead time | Typically 4-8 weeks for project quantities |
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.
Applications
Completed projects
Explore selected projects created with Larch across different BAUWN finishes.
Utrecht province, Netherlands
Larch · KAEN Carbon
View Project →Utrecht province, Netherlands
Larch · KAEN Carbon
View Project →
Norfolk, United Kingdom
Larch · KAEN Carbon and KIME Black
View Project →
East Sussex, United Kingdom
Larch · KAEN Carbon
View Project →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.
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 finishes on this timber
