Types of Charred Timber Finishes

Explore Our Shou Sugi Ban Timber Finishes

Discover our collection of Shou Sugi Ban timber finishes, created for New Zealand homes, commercial buildings and architectural spaces. Our range combines the traditional Japanese art of charring wood with modern finishing techniques, producing distinctive timber surfaces with exceptional texture, depth and character.

From traditional black charred timber cladding to refined brushed finishes that reveal the natural grain, each option offers a different way to bring timber into your design. These are finishes intended to be noticed—not simply used as a background material.

Whether you are designing exterior timber cladding, an entranceway, a dramatic feature wall or a complete interior, our collection allows you to select the colour, texture and level of char that best suits your project.

What Is Shou Sugi Ban?

Shou Sugi Ban, also known as Yakisugi, is a traditional Japanese technique in which the surface of timber is carefully charred.

The charring process transforms the appearance of the wood, creating colours and textures that cannot be achieved through conventional staining or machine-sawn finishes alone. Depending on how the timber is processed, the surface may retain a deep black carbon layer or be brushed to reveal the raised grain beneath it.

This gives designers and homeowners a wide range of visual possibilities, from the matt, snakeskin-like texture of traditional full-char timber to contemporary brushed surfaces in natural timber tones, browns, greys and lighter colours.

Our approach respects the origins of Shou Sugi Ban while adapting the process for contemporary New Zealand architecture.

From Full-Char Timber to Brushed Wood Finishes

Not all Shou Sugi Ban timber looks the same. The appearance depends on the timber species, the level of charring, the brushing process and the final colour or coating selected.

Our range includes three broad styles of charred wood finish:

• Traditional full-char finishes: The carbon layer remains on the surface, creating deep black colour and a distinctive matt, textured appearance.

• Charred and brushed finishes: The loose surface char is carefully removed to reveal the timber grain, producing a refined finish with strong natural texture.

• Double-brushed and coloured finishes: Additional brushing creates a deeper embossed grain that can accept lighter colours, greys and contemporary architectural tones.

Each process produces its own relationship between light, shadow, colour and texture. This means the timber can appear subtly different as the light changes throughout the day.

Charred Timber Cladding With Real Depth and Texture

One of the most distinctive qualities of charred timber cladding is the way it responds to light.

When timber is charred and brushed, the softer sections of the wood grain are removed more quickly than the harder sections. This creates a naturally raised surface rather than a flat or artificially patterned finish.

Under sunlight, wall lighting or carefully positioned raking lights, this textured grain produces changing shadows and highlights. Dark finishes become richer and more dramatic, while lighter finishes reveal greater variation between the raised and recessed areas of the wood.

The result is timber cladding with genuine depth and individuality. Every board carries its own grain pattern, knots and natural variation, giving the finished wall an organic architectural quality.

Why Choose Shou Sugi Ban Timber?

Shou Sugi Ban offers more than a black timber appearance. It gives architects, builders and homeowners an opportunity to use natural timber as a defining element of the design.

Key benefits include:

• A distinctive alternative to conventional exterior timber cladding

• Rich natural grain, texture and colour variation

• Options ranging from traditional black char to contemporary brushed finishes

• Strong visual impact across both large and small surfaces

• Finishes suitable for modern, rustic and traditional architecture

• Coordinated options for exterior and interior applications

• Natural variation that makes every installation individual

• The ability to create contrast with concrete, stone, brick, steel and glass

Rather than hiding the natural characteristics of wood, the Shou Sugi Ban process highlights them.

Exterior Charred Wood Cladding

Charred wood cladding can give a home or commercial building a strong architectural identity. It can be used across an entire exterior or introduced selectively to define particular areas of the building.

Popular exterior applications include:

• Full exterior timber cladding

• Entranceways and front facades

• Gable ends

• Courtyards and sheltered outdoor areas

• Pool houses and entertainment spaces

• Soffits and covered ceilings

• Feature walls and architectural screening

• Garages, studios and secondary buildings

Dark charred timber can help a building sit naturally within a rural or landscaped environment, while brushed and coloured finishes can complement more contemporary architectural designs.

The appropriate timber species, profile and coating system should always be selected according to the location, exposure and performance requirements of the project.

Shou Sugi Ban for Interior Walls and Ceilings

Shou Sugi Ban is equally effective inside the home.

A charred or brushed timber surface introduces warmth and natural texture without relying on printed patterns or artificial materials. It can be used to anchor a room, frame an architectural feature or create a clear transition between different areas of the home.

Interior applications include:

• Timber feature walls

• Fireplace surrounds

• Living rooms and entrance halls

• Kitchen and dining areas

• Bedroom walls and bedheads

• Retail and hospitality interiors

• Reception areas and commercial spaces

• Ceilings, bulkheads and decorative panels

Deep black finishes can create contrast and drama, while brushed timber finishes provide a softer appearance that works well with neutral interiors, natural stone and polished concrete.

Choosing the Right Charred Timber Finish

The right finish depends on the effect you want to achieve.

Consider:

• Whether the timber will be used inside or outside

• Whether you prefer a full-char or brushed appearance

• The amount of natural grain you want to see

• The surrounding colours and building materials

• How natural and artificial light will fall across the surface

• Whether the timber will cover an entire building or create a focused feature

• The level of colour change and weathering you are comfortable with

• The maintenance requirements of the selected timber and coating

For a bold, traditional black exterior, a full-char finish may be the strongest choice. For a modern feature wall or refined facade, a charred and brushed finish may provide more visible grain and colour flexibility.

Viewing physical samples is important because photographs cannot fully reproduce the depth, texture and changing appearance of real charred timber.

Shou Sugi Ban Timber Cladding in New Zealand

At Shou Sugi Ban NZ, we create a range of charred, brushed and coloured timber finishes for residential and commercial projects throughout New Zealand.

Our collection includes traditional full-char timber as well as modern interpretations that bring additional colour and texture to the Shou Sugi Ban process. This allows architects, designers, builders and homeowners to choose a finish that supports the wider design rather than being restricted to a single blackened appearance.

Explore the finishes below to compare the different levels of char, brushing, texture and colour available.

When you are ready to discuss your project, book a timber-cladding consultation. We can help you compare the options and identify the Shou Sugi Ban cladding or charred timber finish best suited to your design.