How to Create a Shou Sugi Ban Feature Wall Like The Block

Shou Sugi Ban, also known as Yakisugi, or burnt timber cladding, is a traditional Japanese style of wood preservation. It involves charring wood with fire to create a textural surface that is both beautiful in style and its features benefits include being weatherproof, fire and mould resistant and offering protection against insect infestation. The process results in a black carbon layer on the timber boards which protects the material and reduces its maintenance requirements.

It has become an increasingly popular for both exterior and interior cladding and design solutions.  The Block’s Kylie and Brad used it to create a beautiful, high-end feature wall in their Bathroom DIY Project challenge, and the judges loved it!  

Note that while the product’s moisture barrier ability makes it suitable for a bathroom interior feature wall it is not recommended for use in an area where it will get wet.  

This is how Kylie and Brad did it but remember to call in an expert to ensure the application is suitable for your situation and the right materials are used. Your local Mitre 10 can help with this.

To achieve their look, Kylie and Brad measured their space, selected a 70x21mm Shou Sugi Ban profile and opted to run the timbers vertically on their feature wall. 

1. Brad prepared the wall space by installing timber battens using 70mm x 35mm pine at 450mm centres and covered it with a ply layer to affix the Shou Sugi Ban timber lengths.
2. He then measured and cut each board to size and applied adhesive to the back using Selleys ProTrade – a multipurpose, high strength polyurethane adhesive and joint sealant.
3. Starting in the top corner, Brad worked across the wall and using his power drill, screwed the boards to the battens using stainless steel cladding screws.
4. By screwing into the tongue of the board, the overlap of the next board covers the screw head, ensuring a clean and seamless finish.  
5. Brad then applied a top-coat of Intergrain Industrial Solid timber stain, in Charred black, for a final seal.
6. Scotty and Shelley loved it!