Charring is a natural means of creating a more durable wood surface through improved fire, rot and insect resistance. The charring process known as Shou Sugu Ban was developed in Japan and traditionally applied on japanese cedar. The technique has also been tested on other outdoor woods including western red cedar, southern cypress, black walnut, red and white oak and reclaimed hemlock.
Uses
The charred wood is typically used for outdoor purposes such as cladding, fences and shed walls. Contemporary designers are also applying the technique to create indoor furniture and decorative items. The beauty of charring is that you create not only a protective layer to the original wood but an interesting texture and emphasise the grain of the wood.
Potential Uses
We wonder whether charring could be used more frequently to improve outdoor furniture to extend their lifeline (and thereby avoid wastage) as well as avoid use of plastics or metal.
Processes
First the wood is burned with a blow torch (we wonder whether a solar concentrator could be used) for seconds to minutes depending on the thickness of the wood. This is followed by cleaning the charred wood with water and a brush to remove charcoal dust. The wood is then left to dry. It can be used without a finish or an oil applied to it for additional protection and luster.