Shou Sugi Ban

 Burning wood, particularly using the Japanese method of Shou Sugi Ban, preserves it by creating a durable, charred outer layer that resists pests, water, rot, and UV rays. The process involves charring the wood's surface, then cleaning off the loose ash to reveal the underlying texture. Applying oil afterward provides even greater longevity. From AI summary on Google.

The porch of the new house will be timber frame and we went to see the lumber being prepared in this manner.

We visited Steve, in his wood working barn, to see how it is done.

 

He uses a lot of wood reclaimed 

from old structures.

Not a lot of machinery involved,

mostly done by hand.

He bought out one of the pieces of wood he is using for Mark and Emma's place and started to burn it using a propane torch.

It was a fascinating process

and Emma, Mark and I all took a turn.

Once the whole thing is charred, it is

brushed with a steal brush to 

bring out the grain.

The final step is brushing it with a mixture of the ash (saved from the brushing) and linseed oil.

Recently Mark sent a picture of it installed. All point together with wooden dowels.