Your installation guide is for the weatherboard profile and timber species not the shou sugi ban finish. It is important to note that councils consider Shou Sugi Ban as a finish to your weatherboard like an oil stain. It is the feed stock or timber cladding that the council is concerned with. When you are supplied timber from one of The Blackwood Project's Mills we supply you with their Installation details and Branz or Codemark. This is a document verifying the timber species and weatherboard profile as suitable for timber cladding and durable for Australian conditions.

When using a traditional full charred finish, you must embrace an admirable cultural thinking of the Japanese, where they embrace the evolutionary changes of nature. In a word, Wabisabi. This is the Japanese acceptance of the changes of nature and the love of its impermanence and imperfections. Read more on Wabisabi on this website.

In terms of expected years in service for charred timber, the proof is found in the 1000s of old buildings clad in Shou Sugi Ban all over Japan. Many examples can be seen that have over 40-year-old charred timber cladding and are still strong and weather tight. Shou sugi ban will improve naturally durable timber cladding. As to how long depends on the timber type, and local weather patterns. The charred finish is designed to slowly erode away, but you can expect the charred surface to last many years. Subtle visible erosion is expected around 4-5 years but 20 years is our estimated lifetime of the char subject to local conditions. This can extended with reapplication of our char oil. The service life of the timber cladding will differ based on the durability rating of the timber species and the correct installation of the building. The carbon layer of the burnt timber slowly erodes outdoors under the influence of wind, rain and hail.

Yes we can provide you with the appropriate weatherboard installation guide for your project. The installation of charred timber cladding does not actually require an installation guide, but the timber profile and the timber species are what the installation guide are needed for. These are available for downloading.

Yes, the traditional full charred finish has a much lower maintenance cycle due to its UV protective qualities and with some selected timbers you never need reapply oil. The charred timber becomes more bug resistant, hydrophobic and is given UV protection. The charred timber cladding arrives to your project with a 4-sided factory oil coating. After installation, you will need to apply a second coat of oil, and for some timbers this can be the last time you oil stain cladding. We advise a reapplication every 5 years for full char to add strength to the char layer. For charred and brushed finish every 3-5 years to keep the colour looking fresh. Low Maintenance should not be confused with stain colour fading. With our brushed finished colour fade will happen due to UV breaking down the colour pigments in the Oil stain. To be maintenance free comes down to the timber selection which we can provide you with advice for this decision.

Yes. We have a shou sugi ban order form on the website in which you can receive samples of all the charred timber finishes. https://www.blackwoodproject.sydney/ordersamples

Yes. Our contemporary shou sugi ban is a double brushed finish (Pikapika) was developed specifically for this purpose. It is a highly textural finished product that has been double brushed to remove all the char from only the softer early growth while leaving the black on the hard late growth. This finish leaves a distressed look to the timber and shows the beauty of the textured undulating surface but additionally the stunning contrast of the black late growth rings against the light colour of your choosing.

We are the only specialist charring company suppling Australia and the product is made in New Zealand. We are located in Putaruru Waikato. All our charred timber cladding is produced from our local factory. In addition, all our feed stock is supplied from local New Zealand plantation forests and local timber mills. Our natural timber char oil is made by a local New Zealand manufacturer and tested to meet the harsh demands of our southern hemisphere climate.

Yes a light charred board is possible. However, we do not recommend this for an exterior use as the char will fade very quickly. You also do not get the full protective characteristics of the shou sugi ban process when the char layer is less than 1.2mm.

12 weeks from the time of order. The acquisition of the timber will be the main factor in the timeframe needed to get your charred timber cladding. At the time of writing this (November 2024) our timber mill's offer 6 weeks lead time. The charring process time takes 2 weeks from time of the timber arriving. Then we allow 2 weeks for delivery to Australia. Its best to inquire directly with us for accurate timeframes.

No it will not leave marks, as the char is a very clean material. Charcoal is used in toothpaste to remove stains and very little char comes away from the timber due to the factory oil coat we provide. The first couple of rainy days will wash any residual loose char from the installation process away. It is important to note that Char or charcoal does not stain most surfaces, it's a natural product that is used in a wide range of health products. It simply washes away.

In short, all of them. Shiplap is the most popular weatherboard profile in today's market followed closely by Bevelback and Rusticated. There are few profiles we do not char, please ask us about this.