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Maintenance-free facade cladding
Are you an architect, (construction) company or private individual looking for maintenance-free facade cladding? With our Zwarthout | Shou Sugi Ban, you choose a durable and low-maintenance facade cladding with a beautiful luxurious look. Get to know the entire Zwarthout | Shou Sugi Ban collection and request a sample box.
Does the carbon layer always stay the same?
This depends on the type, but in principle the carbon layer of our burnt wood weathers under the influence of wind, rain and hail. The lifespan of the carbon layer depends on the orientation of the facade and the location of the building. The black carbon layer of our burnt wood ages over the years and then acquires a beautiful patina (weathering), such as a light sheen, or a craquelé surface, for example. The natural aging and weathering over time does not detract from the visual appeal, on the contrary, it contributes to it! This fits within the Japanese philosophy of life of Wabi Sabi.
On the product data sheets of our products (downloadable on the product page), you can see how the wood ages.
In the non-fixed variants of our charred wood, the carbon layer remains vulnerable. Small pieces can break off on impact.
How long does the wood last?
The service life of the wood depends on the durability class of the wood species and the detailing of the building. Our wood species have a durability class 1, 2 or 3.
Durability class 1: 25 years and more
Durability class 2: 15 to 25 years
Durability class 3: 10 to 15 years
The carbon layer of the burnt wood weathers outdoors in the long run under the influence of wind, rain and hail. The lifespan of the carbon layer depends on the orientation of the facade and the location of the building.
Please contact us for more information.
When used indoors, the wood lasts as long as untreated wood, i.e. many decades. Moreover, this wood is fixed, making it less vulnerable.
Does the wood give off?
Unfixed wood gives off after charring. For indoor use we always fix the charred wood. The charred layer becomes a bit more matt in appearance and will stain less. For the exterior we often advise not to fix the wood. This ensures that the charred wood retains a beautiful, natural shine and is also more durable than when the wood is fixed.
In the course of time the release of the wood will decrease and for a number of variants this will eventually stop. Most burned types of wood, also for exterior use, can also be fixed if desired. We will be happy to advise you about this.
How do I maintain the wood?
Unfixed planks with a carbon layer require low maintenance.
Wooden cladding: maintenance-free and unique!
The advantage of maintenance-free facade cladding is obviously that you don’t need to do any maintenance. And that is exactly what you can expect from our black burned wood. Our fire masters burn the planks according to the Japanese burning technique Shou Sugi Ban. Burning the wood in our oven gives it a fire-retardant layer and black colour. Moisture and insects also don’t stand a chance.
With our unique burnt wood, you combine aesthetics and function in an excellent way.
The black colour is created by the fire in our furnace. So no chemicals such as paint are involved.
Durable maintenance-free cladding
Because Shou Sugi Ban fired wood is so low-maintenance, it is also a durable choice. You will enjoy it for a long time! But there are even more reasons to choose this maintenance-free cladding.
Each wooden plank can be cut to size and burnt to fit your entire design. For example, you can choose a combination of different widhts, vertical or horizontal cladding, In addition, a great advantage of our black-fired wood is that it absorbs CO2. Moreover, at Zwarthout l Shou Sugi Ban, we use certified timbers from demonstrably sustainably managed forests, and plant trees back every year!
Maintenance-free facade: is black and stays black
Burned wood as facade cladding retain their black colour through burning. Especially the charred products with the scaled structure. And the special thing about these charred variants is that all the different wood species have a different texture and sheen. Some have a silver sheen and small scales, while others have an oily sheen and large scales. Although the colour always remains black, the texture and sheen create a clear difference between the wood types.
Advice on maintenance-free facade cladding
At Zwarthout l Shou Sugi Ban, we will be happy to advise you personally on the maintenance of our Shou Sugi Ban cladding. If you choose our charred variants, then you are choosing a maintenance-free facade. Burned and brushed wood deserves periodic maintenance every three to five years to keep it in the best possible condition. We can tell you more about maintenance for each type of wood chosen.
Assembly of maintenance-free facade cladding
Besides being happy to offer the most beautiful and unique maintenance-free facade cladding, our Mounting Service team can also assembly the wood for you. Our specialists will visit you for installation or give you sound advice on the approach. This way, you can enjoy a beautiful facade for as long as possible.
Order maintenance-free facade cladding
Does our maintenance-free facade cladding appeal to you, or do you work as an architect or construction company and want to present our exclusive types of wood to clients? Choose the functionality, durability and beauty of Zwarthout | Shou Sugi Ban black burned wood.
Request our sample box to experience our collection or contact us for personal advice and a customised quotation.
FAQ
Latest reviews
The “Paradox.” Burning wood to protect it.
It sounds contradictory — but it’s brilliant.
At ORGA, we’re big fans of biobased materials that truly prove their worth. Take our collaboration with Zwarthout | Shou Sugi Ban, for example. By charring wood using the centuries-old Shou Sugi Ban technique, a natural protective layer is created — without the need for paint or chemicals.
The result is a façade with character, built to last for generations. In the three recent projects, we’ve seen how it creates a robust, timeless appearance, while simultaneously contributing to refined, high-quality architecture.
Less maintenance, and a building that only becomes more beautiful with age.
That, to us, is what truly future-proof design looks like.
“We recently replaced the potted decked timber on our farmhouse in the Beemster region with Shodoshima semi-gloss from Zwarthout l Shou Sugi Ban. With special planks 25 cm wide, it looks great on a farmhouse. A very beautiful product and great service from Zwarthout l Shou Sugi Ban!”
”We chose Yoroi for several reasons. First of all, we like the Japanese classical technique used for burning the bamboo. Due to the burning technique Shou Sugi Ban, Yoroi has a fire class B and is maintenance-free. Finally, the black charred bamboo is a regrowable material and aesthetically matches our design perfectly.”
”As a gardener, it is an honour to work with such beautiful traditional products.
The delivery times are also great and you get friendly service.”
