Charred and brushed wood immediately stands out for its distinctive character. The tangible texture and visible grain make every plank unique. At Zwarthout | Shou Sugi Ban, brushed wood is first treated with fire. Only then do we brush the surface. This creates charred brushed wood: a façade material that brings together aesthetics, craftsmanship, and durability. In this blog, you can read how we apply this technique and why it is such a powerful choice for façade cladding.
Brushed wood from Zwarthout | Shou Sugi Ban is wood that is carefully brushed after charring. This removes the softer parts of the surface while leaving the harder grain intact. The result is a tactile texture that brings the wood to life. For both the charring and brushing processes, we use our own machines in our workshop in Lunteren. Our master burners always ensure an optimal result.
Charred brushed wood emphasizes the wood grain in a unique way. During brushing, the softer parts of the wood are removed, making the grain stand out more strongly. This technique highlights the natural beauty of the wood. The surface remains rough and robust, yet feels refined at the same time. Variations in sheen, structure, and texture add depth to the façade cladding. This makes brushed wood particularly suitable for façade applications that stand out through calmness and sophistication. Charring gives the wood a natural and durable black color without the use of paint or lacquer.
At Zwarthout | Shou Sugi Ban, we take brushed wood to the next level by combining it with our unique Shou Sugi Ban charring technique. In the traditional, centuries-old Japanese method, wooden planks are placed in a triangular shape and charred from the inside.
The drawback of this traditional charring method is that it is difficult to achieve an even and deeply charred layer—two factors that determine the quality of charred wood. In addition, this process releases a large amount of unburned flue gases.
Zwarthout | Shou Sugi Ban has developed a unique kiln that refines the traditional technique and significantly improves quality. Through an extremely controlled charring process, a uniform and deep char layer is created. Moreover, the kiln uses the released wood gases, resulting in zero emissions.
After charring, the wood is brushed to remove the carbonized layer and further enhance the texture. This results in charred brushed wood: a façade material with a unique texture and minimal maintenance requirements.
Brushing not only makes the surface more visually appealing, but also more functional. Dirt and moisture have even less grip on the smooth, hard grain. By choosing charred wood as façade cladding, you opt for a low-maintenance solution. The carbonized layer created by charring acts as a natural protective layer against rot, fungi, insects, UV radiation, and weather conditions. The façade retains its color and appearance without fading.
The wood we use comes exclusively from sustainably managed forests. The range of wood species we use is FSC and/or PEFC certified, meeting the highest standards. Our production takes place in Lunteren, where we treat every plank with care. Choosing charred brushed wood from Zwarthout | Shou Sugi Ban is therefore a sustainable choice that also represents craftsmanship and a unique appearance.
We only use wood species that respond well to the charring process and whose grain structure emerges beautifully after brushing.
The wood species, the degree of charring, and the intensity of brushing together determine the final texture.
Charred brushed wood has a visible grain and a tactile texture, while unbrushed wood retains a smooth, carbonized surface layer.
Yes, this material is also suitable for interior use. Its unique texture and appearance give interiors a warm and distinctive atmosphere.
We have put together two Zwarthout | Shou Sugi Ban sample boxes: one for interior design applications and one for façade cladding.
That way, you can experience the attention, care and love we pour into each piece of wood yourself. And, of course, the beauty and exclusive looks the various textures have to offer.
