This is the Japanese Shou Sugi Ban Technique for wood preservation and waterproofing. Johnson Construction has performed many projects using the Shou Sugi Ban method by hand, onsite.

Shou Sugi Ban or Yakisugi is a traditional Japanese method of wood preservation. Yaki means to heat with fire, and sugi is cypress. It is also referred to in the West as burnt timber cladding  Shou Sugi Ban which uses the same kanji characters but a different pronunciation. The ban character means “plank.”

By slightly charring the surface of the wood without combusting the whole piece, the wood becomes water-proof through the carbonisation and is thus more durable. It also protects against insects.