A charred timber fence, built like a façade.

A BAUWN fence is made from the same boards as our façades. The surface is created by fire - the timber is charred, then either preserved as a carbon crust or brushed back to reveal the grain - so the colour sits in the wood rather than on top of it. There is no paint film to peel and no annual repaint cycle.

Because a fence is exposed on both faces and stands close to the ground, we treat it as an architectural element: charred boards on a ventilated timber frame, with detailing borrowed from our timber collection and the workshop process behind it.

Read more about the technique in what Shou Sugi Ban is and how it is used today.

Only timber we supply for exterior applications is recommended for fencing:

• Larch - the workhorse of our exterior range, with a strong, expressive grain.
• Japanese Cedar - light, stable and calm in appearance.
• Accoya® - modified timber for the most demanding exposures and the widest boards.
• Reclaimed timber - boards with a previous life, for screens and feature panels.

Species selection follows the exposure, the height of the fence and the appearance you are after. We will confirm the suitable options for your project when we quote.

KAEN keeps the charred crust intact and oil-sealed - a deep, sculptural black that shifts with the angle of the light. KIME brushes the char back to expose the grain, producing quieter blacks, greys and warm browns.

On a fence, KAEN gives the strongest visual mass and works well as a backdrop to planting. KIME reads softer and shows the timber character at close range, which suits fences you walk past every day.

Charred timber is a natural material and it will move and change. KAEN surfaces are oil-sealed; re-oiling refreshes the depth of the black when it starts to open up. KIME surfaces weather more openly and can be left to grey or re-oiled to hold their tone.

Keep boards clear of standing soil and dense planting, allow the frame to drain and ventilate, and rinse off dust or pollen with water when needed. Individual boards can be replaced without dismantling a run.