The latest trend in eco-cladding; why Yakisugi wood is becoming a must for the eco-warrior homeowner
First of all… what exactly is Yakisugi?
Yakisugi is the traditional Japanese art of fire burning timber. Art, wait I thought this was a design and construction blog? It is. But really, what is anything in life without art. Design is where art and science come together in a practical way. Architecture as a whole has even simply been explained as simply- art that we live in. Back to Yakisugi. Yakisugi, also known as Shou Sugi Ban, is a traditional Japanese method which involves torching Japanese cedar. This process helps to make the structure more fire-resistant. It also helps ward off insects and rot, which help improve the lifespan of the house.
But why is Yakisugi is good for the environment?
We at OSA are committed to doing all that we can to make New Zealand’s design and construction industry a greener space. In so many ways New Zealand’s housing and construction standards are so far behind the rest of the developed world. Yet, I’m sure many of us have experienced the same interaction when abroad, which is “Oh, I’ve always wanted to go to New Zealand, I hear it’s so green and untouched”. New Zealand’s image is promising the world of this beautiful, natural, sustainable space- and we need to start delivering! This means in every component of our lives. Not just including, but largely contributed to by the construction and demolition industry. It is estimated that 40-50 % of NZ landfills are due to construction and demolition waste. That is why it is Oh so important that we as a nation are researching and implementing more sustainable practices into our housing and developments.
Yakisugi is definitely something to be considered if you are striving to create an ecofriendly home. There is a much smaller carbon output when compared to the high energy consumption that is required for more traditional kilns. The reason for this is because of the unique flash firing process that is used to treat the wood as opposed to the common process of thermally preparing and modifying timber. By using Yakisugi timber that is chemical-free and long-lasting it means that your home can be easily maintained for years to come.
Not convinced yet? Here is a bit of inspiration for your next building project…
And our personal favourite, due to the complimenting greenroof…
Yakisugi cladding and designs have been snowballing in popularity across the western world over the last decade. And there is more than one reason why. It is fire-resistant, eco-friendly, long-lasting, and a work of art.