There is a timeless elegance to buildings finished with charred timber cladding. It delivers a strong architectural aesthetic, that sits perfectly in urban or rural settings.
This traditional Japanese charring technique, called yakisugi has been used on many large projects. It is a strong feature of the nature-inspired Olympic Stadium in Tokyo, host of the postponed 2020 Games. It delivered a modern look to the ‘floating’ Willowbrook Pavillion at Eton College and charred timbers were used on the interior design at The Ivy in Spinningfields.
The dark timbers are also a way to make a statement on private residential projects.
Supplying Charred Timbers to Architects and Building Developers
For over a decade, Exterior Solutions Ltd has developed a reputation as a reliable supplier to leading architectural practices across the UK. From new builds and garden offices to barn conversions and extensions, we have worked with architects and building developers to provide quality materials for impressive builds.
With an on-site workshop, we maintain control over quality at all steps of the process. We can also produce bespoke finishes for some architectural projects, a beautiful example was a peacock-inspired larch coloured cladding for a build in Jersey.
Accoya Timber Cladding on Refurbished House
Our Shou Sugi Ban® charred timber range has been the material of choice for many private residential extensions and renovations.
These include Award winners, such as a property in Warwick Park, Tunbridge Wells. Designed by Material Architects, with Saxon Construction Services Ltd as the main contractor, this was a staggering transformation. An existing 1960’s chalet bungalow was redesigned into a modern two-storey home with a double-height entrance hall and a revised internal layout. The entire building was clad in dark Accoya Shou Sugi Ban® to provide a stylish and consistent finish.
In the 2019 Royal Tunbridge Wells Civic Society Awards, the Warwick Park property won the ‘Refurbished House’ category. These awards recognise architecture that fits its setting and contributes to the well-being of the town.
Timber Clad Extensions to Existing Properties
A search on the Architects Journal Buildings Library gives examples of several home extensions which opted for Exterior Solutions Ltd as the supplier of charred timber cladding.
These include the renovation of a London brick house by HUT Architecture and Arcadia Building Contractors in Leytonstone. In this design, a connection between the interior and exterior has been created. The use of charred timber on interior features, as well as the exterior cladding, is one of many ways in which this has been executed.
There are also details of an extension to a 17th Century cottage. Located in a Cotswold conservation area and an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the development of this property needed to be sensitive to its surroundings. George King Architects and Chappell & Dix Contractors created a modular charred timber clad extension which met both the client’s and planning department requirements.
Another property in a conservation area was High Contrast House in Birmingham. In this instance, Intervention Architecture and Wow Developments extended a traditional Victorian semi-detach property. Clad in dark Shou Sugi Ban®, with black aluminium windows and a black zinc roof, the extension provided a modern connection between the original building and a mature garden.
Trusted Suppliers of Timber Cladding
Whether for small residential builds or large commercial projects, Exterior Solutions Ltd is a trusted supplier of charred timber cladding. Our Shou Sugi Ban® range offers a range of colours and textures, from the popular dark Accoya to coloured Larch and deep-grained Douglas Fir. If our timbers provide the finish that your client is looking for, order samples and request a quote online or call us for more details on 01494 711800.