Since Shou-sugi-ban seems to be popping up

again everywhere from born-again bungalows to “green building” projects (and in media from YouTube to Architectural Digest), I was curious if it’s as simple and successful as it sounds. Here’s what I learned.

Woods vary. Beyond durability, cedar (Western red or Eastern white) does indeed yield nice visual results because the springwood is very soft and the summerwood grain is hard and bold. Pine, Douglas fir, and hemlock are common alternate softwood choices; some commercial Shou-sugi-ban producers use larch, a durable conifer popular in boatbuilding. Of course, if it’s intriguing character you’re after, start with boards with an evident grain (typically flat-sawn), such as the “flame pattern.”

Burn as you go. Degree of charring is a matter of taste. A light browning comes quickly and is trendy for a contemporary look, but a deep black burn takes only seconds more with softwoods and can be halted by using a spray bottle of water.

Equipment is simple. A common DIY propane torch (perhaps with a flame spreader) is plenty for the average project. For large-scale charring, you’ll see used the big propane torches made for melting ice or killing weeds. Wire-brushing by hand is usually all that’s required; light sanding by hand or machine brings up the contrast. Don’t forget to wear protective gloves and eyewear, and have a fire extinguisher and bucket of water nearby.

Finish, or don’t. Colorful stains (blue, green) are popular today, but the traditional look is oil, a clear finish, or au naturel. What’s more, Arnold Gesell got it right. As he noted, even the least interesting wood takes on a beautiful, soft-brown, corrugated sheen. TOP

The author tries his hand at creating the burnt-wood aesthetic popular for woodwork in California bungalows. The wood is torched to the desired degree of burn. A wire brush removes some of the carbon and further enhances the grain. The final effect is a corrugated texture that leaves the wood grain in relief.