Band sawn finish
Traditional Band sawn timber makes a man made tool mark the prominent feature of a timber board.
Why this is important comes down to the reason for buying a premium cladding like timber. The decision is often because we like a natural cladding that brings warmth and colour while blending into its natural surroundings.
The unique feature of timber, that no other cladding substrate can offer, is the grain. We enjoy the natural lines as they move around knots and they show the time each board took to grow. The desirability of this finish can be seen with the number of man made plastic flooring options that try to emulate the natural look of timber. Additionally, there are numerous concrete and fibre cement options that come with imitation wood grain patterns to try and introduce the desirability that only comes from timber.
So why do we pay for timber, and then request man made marks be placed on the boards? The predominate reason is that this is all we are offered, there is smooth dressed timber most timber is sold with a band sawn face. A band sawn finish distracts from the timbers natural beauty by making the saw blade marks the key feature of the cladding.
When your timber is first shou sugi ban charred and then double brushed, the timber grain is deeply highlighted. All man made tool markings are burnt away and after brushing, the harder winter growth rings retain the blackened look and ridge up. While the softer summer growth rings become valleys and return to a natural timber tone. Not only does this finish highlight the feature we love in timber, the process makes the weatherbaord textural, almost a 3 dimensional surface. The charred and brushed timber grain allows the weatherboard to catch the light and transition through the day, changing with the light.
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