Essentials: Yakisugi
Yakisugi (焼杉) is a traditional Japanese method of wood preservation by slightly charring the surface of the wood to increase durability. In the West, it is also called Shou Sugi Ban (焼杉板).
The technique of burning the surface of the wood improves the weather resistance performance, prevents decay, rot, and insect infestation, and makes the wood more resistant to fire than a non-heat-treated plank. It is often said that this authentic traditional Japanese heat treatment process is a gift from mother nature rather than a scientific construction method or technique.
It was originally used for traditional Japanese architecture (exterior siding and fences) - however evolution in Japanese housing styles and construction methods have seen a number of different uses come to the forefront.
In recent years, the use of Yakisugi for exterior and interior cladding has attracted attention not only from Japanese architects but also from overseas for residential and commercial projects due to the weather resistance performance and unique design of the product.
Reese Madison & Company is thrilled to announce an exclusive partnership and distribution agreement with Japan Yakisugi to bring this de facto, timeless and trendsetting wood product into North America as landed inventory for the building, architecture, and design industries. This über-chic and ultra-premium, truly Authentic Yakisugi is produced in a 75 year old sawmill in Japan – located just outside of Hiroshima, specializing in the production of charred cedar cladding – using old growth Sugi (Japanese Cedar) timbers, harvested from Japan Yakisugi’s own sustainably managed forest.
