Love the charred look of Shou Sugi Ban but hate the high-cost, mess, and the shipping carbon footprint? Discover how to achieve that iconic, high-contrast back siding aesthetic with a cleaner, U.S.-made alternative that’s tougher, more sustainable, and built for American climates.
Arbor Wood Burned and Brushed thermally modified pine with a black oil finish truly makes the wood siding stand out on this brick industrial style building
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The architectural world and their clients are captivated by the deep, textured aesthetic of charred wood siding. Known traditionally as Shou Sugi Ban (or Yakisugi), this Japanese method of preserving wood through fire creates a striking, high contrast look that gives the surface an “alligator skin" carbon layer.
However, sourcing authentic Japanese cedar and navigating the logistics of international shipping can be complex and costly. If you are looking for that iconic charred aesthetic with a modern feel, there is a simpler, more sustainable, less costly, U.S.-made alternative available from our Arbor Wood wood siding collection.
What is Traditional Shou Sugi Ban?
While the West knows it as Shou Sugi Ban, the Japanese name is Yakisugi. The characters for “Yakisugi”, meaning burnt cedar/cypress, were mistranslated when it was introduced outside of Japan and "Shou Sugi Ban" entered the global lexicon.
Why did they start this finishing tradition? The found the charred surface significantly improved the wood’s resistance to UV, water, rot, and insects. It can also increase the resistance to warping and movement.
Traditional Shou Sugi Ban "alligator skin" charred surface
To understand the look, it helps to know the original Yakisugi treatment. According to traditional Japanese standards, authentic Shou Sugi Ban involves:
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The Species: Traditionally uses Sugi (Japanese Cedar/Cypress), a softwood native to Japan.
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The Process: Planks are heat-treated with live flames to create a charred surface.
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The Maintenance: Historically, left to weather for decades into a patina called wabi-sabi, which is defined as natural materials and textured surfaces with imperfections or a distressed look.
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The Installation: Authentic charred wood can be messy during installation; the soot can transfer to hands and tools until it is properly cleaned or sealed.
The American Alternative: Arbor Wood Burned Pine
While traditional Shou Sugi Ban is beautiful, many North American projects require a more accessible and eco-friendly solution. Arbor Wood Burned Pine offers the same dramatic visual appeal but utilizes a superior, domestic technology: Thermal Modification.
Burned pine with black oil finish. Strong, thermally modified pine cladding in a Shou Sugi Ban style.
"We utilize our thermally modified southern yellow pine as the basis of this product and char the surface of the wood under live flame. After cooling the wood, we lock the charred surface in with a black oil to ensure lasting beauty and performance. "
- Arbor Wood Co.
By starting with sustainably harvested U.S. Southern Yellow Pine and subjecting it to high heat and steam (the ThermoWood® process), to create a high-performance siding that is structurally "supercharged" before the charring even begins.
This video provides a close-up look at the burned, brushed, and brown oil finish, demonstrating the unique texture and grain of thermally modified pine siding.
See it for yourself. Request samples now and compare.
Why Choose Burned & Brushed Pine Over Traditional Charred Wood?
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Lower Carbon Footprint: Sourced and manufactured right here in the U.S., this siding avoids the "timber miles" associated with overseas shipping.
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Cost-Effective: Traditional Shou Sugi Ban in America requires importing of Japanese Cedar, logistically expensive and environmentally a high carbon footprint. By choosing Arbor Wood, you are making the smart choice for a U.S. harvested and thermally modified, creating a sustainable siding material that that is much more budget-friendly and fulfills your design vision.
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Increased Stability: The patented thermal modification process reduces expansion and contraction by up to 60%. This means your siding stays flat and true, making it ideal for tight-tolerance profiles like Nickel Gap or used in wood rainscreen siding, like with Climate Shield Wood Rainscreen System.
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Chemical-Free & Non-Toxic: Unlike pressure-treated woods, no chemicals are used. The process relies strictly on heat and steam to cook out the sugars that attract rot and insects.
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Cleaner Installation: Arbor Wood’s Burned and Brushed technique chars the wood under live flame, then wire-brushes the surface to remove loose soot. It is then locked in with a factory-applied oil finish, resulting in a cleaner, easier product for your crew to handle and the homeowner to maintain.
A closer look at Burned pine with black oil finish siding, vertically installed.
How to Get the Look: Finish Options
Arbor Wood finishes are versatile. You don't have to settle for just "burnt black." You have several finish choices to match your unique design vision.
Arbor Wood BRNSH Burned Pine with Oil finish. Our American take on Shou Sugi Ban, this choice offers the "alligator skin" charred finish but sealed with an oil finish for a cleaner siding material.
Arbor Wood BRNSH collection in Burnt, Brushed with Black Oil finish: It provides a deep, bold, black aesthetic while highlighting the textured, rustic grain of the Southern Yellow Pine, keeping that classic wabi sabi look.
Arbor Wood BRNSH burned and brushed pine cladding with Brown Oil finish: A sophisticated alternative that offers a rich, chocolatey tone. It retains the charred character but feels warmer and more organic.
A closer look at the deepened grain color and the gorgeous texture of thermally modified Southern Yellow Pine when installed. This finish has been burned and then brushed to reveal the grain patterns and deepened color, finished with brown oil for a lighter, rustic look.
Seeing is believing. Order your samples today.
Or, price your project:
Performance That Lasts
Whether you are an architect specifying for a high-end commercial project or a homeowner looking for a unique exterior, Arbor Wood provides the rare combination of high-end beauty and incredible durability. Because the wood is thermally modified at the cellular level, it acts as a natural insulator and stays significantly cooler under foot and to the touch than composite alternatives.
Have a project in mind? Contact us about the Mataverde+ Arbor Wood Burned Pine collection to see how this American-made alternative can elevate your next project.
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