A centuries-old Japanese technique uses charred wood to help protect house exteriors; five US homes bring the finish to modern architecture

A centuries-old Japanese technique is giving modern American homes a distinctive look through dark, charred-wood exteriors. Known as shou sugi ban, the method involves charring timber used for house siding, giving it a distinctive appearance while helping protect it from external elements.According to the Realtor, five US homes with dark exteriors are using this traditional finish. The properties range from a coastal retreat and a bayfront home to a waterfront estate in New York and mountain homes in Colorado and Wyoming.How the Japanese timber-charring technique protects exterior wallsThe Japanese technique involves using a torch to burn the timber until its surface turns black. Once the wood has cooled, it is brushed to reveal the grain and treated with natural oil. The process creates a textured, dark finish that contrasts with the lighter materials in contemporary homes.Charring also helps make the façade fire-resistant, insect-proof, and virtually weatherproof. The technique has become popular in coastal and mountain markets exposed to harsh weather and fire hazards. Its appeal lies in both its distinctive appearance and the protective properties of the charred wood.From ocean and mountain views to bayfront settings, these homes feature scenic outlooksIn Manzanita, Oregon, a four-bedroom home at 496 Sea View Drive is listed for $1,535,000. The split-level property has wide-plank white oak floors, expansive windows, and sliding glass doors overlooking the mountains and ocean. Its upper level includes a living room with a fireplace and a kitchen with a breakfast bar opening onto an outdoor deck.The property also features two primary suites, a lower-level entertainment room, and an eight-person hot tub. Selected furnishings curated by a designer are included in the sale, according to the listing. In Petoskey, Michigan, a residence at 914 Country Lane is listed for $1.5 million. Its open-plan layout, oversized windows, black wood fireplace wall, and wraparound deck face the bay.A $3.195 million Seneca Lake home features a glass-floored sunroom over the waterThe five-bedroom home at 4924 Basswood Road in Dundee, New York, is listed for $3.195 million. Built in 2022, the 5,740-square-foot residence occupies 13.69 acres overlooking Seneca Lake. It features a wheelchair-accessible main floor, a guest suite with a separate kitchen, reclaimed hardwood floors, smart lighting, cathedral ceilings, exposed beams, and three fireplaces. A glass-floored sunroom is described in the listing as cantilevered over the water. The outdoor features include three waterfalls, a three-car garage, two boat docks, a covered automatic boat lift, and 311 feet of private shoreline. A tram provides access to the beach. In Wilson, Wyoming, a $6.725 million compound sits at 6635 Highway 22, on 1.04 acres as per the Realtor. It is built with naturally fire-resistant Australian Yellow Balau, and has a three-bedroom main house and a one-bedroom guesthouse above a two-car garage.A $38.5 million Aspen home offers views of four mountain landmarksThe fifth property was at 724 North Hayden Road in Aspen, Colorado, and was listed for $38.5 million. The recently built 5,417-square-foot residence overlooks Ajax Mountain, Red Mountain, Ruthie's Lift, and Highland Bowl. Its rustic-contemporary design appears to emerge from the mountainside.Interior details include steel-framed windows, fractured black flagstone floors, reclaimed oak walls, and custom tinted plaster resembling Aspen bark. Features include a granite wood-burning fireplace, glass walls opening onto terraces, a floating steel-plate staircase, and a media room. The main suite has a rooftop deck with a fire feature. The property spans 10.65 acres beside the Congo Trail.Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available information. The Times of India has not independently verified the property details, listing prices, architectural features, claims about the protective properties of charred wood, or the condition of the homes.You use AI every day. Now get your AI Quotient. Take the AIQ test.