From authentic yakisugi “shou sugi ban” siding to uncharred sugi and hinoki lumber, our Japanese wood products offer a full range of architectural and design applications. This guide walks you through the steps to choose the right product—whether for exterior siding, interior paneling, or specialty uses such as furniture and millwork.
We suggest starting with the following key considerations:
The first step is gathering a few important project details.
For every project, budget is a critical consideration. In terms of lifetime cost, yakisugi siding offers similar or better value than comparable alternatives. Yakisugi delivers long-term cost performance because in most cases it does not need to be re-finished to maintain its natural resistance to weather, rot, and fire. The average cost per square-foot of yakisugi is $10.70-15, depending on product specs. Specific lineal and square-foot pricing can be found on each product page.
With the basic project details nailed down, you’re now ready to look at some physical product samples. This is where aesthetic preferences start factoring in.
We offer three main yakisugi product families and two uncharred wood products, each distinguished by its own unique surface texture.
Traditional yakisugi left unbrushed, with a thick hydrophobic soot layer that enhances color, durability, and fire resistance.
Not sure which option is right for you? Learn more about choosing a yakisugi surface texture, or try our Product Selector for a guided way to narrow your search from our full catalog of wood products.
Quarter-sawn from old-growth-sized logs with tight growth rings, milled for a straight-grained, knot-free look. Ideal for refined interiors, paneling, and high-end exterior applications.
In addition to leaving wood natural (unfinished charred or uncharred), each surface type has a set of compatible factory finishes. These coatings influence both appearance and color durability, ranging from natural patina to long-term color stability.
This spectrum compares how finishes evolve visually—from those that embrace natural weathering to those that preserve factory-applied color the longest.
To ensure the correct surface and coating, review individual product pages for surface/finish combinations offered for your application. For more information, visit our knowledge topic on choosing an oil prefinish color.
The diagrams shown represent our most common siding profiles, but our full range includes additional dimensions, thicknesses, and edge treatments. Availability varies by product line. For example:
When choosing a profile, consider both your design goals and installation preferences. Both shiplap and square edge perform equally well, but we often recommend shiplap for its ease of use.
For detailed specifications and drawings of available profiles, please see the individual product pages or contact our team.
Learn more about choosing a profile
Our wood products are available in three grading options:
There is essentially no difference in siding performance between the grades; the choice is primarily aesthetic and budgetary. Availability depends on product and profile: Premium Clear Grade is offered in 6” shiplap for Sugi, Gendai®, and Pika-Pika®, and as moulder blanks for Hinoki. CVG is available only in Sugi.
Learn more about selecting a wood grade
The next consideration is determining which installation accessories your project requires. We carry a variety of rainscreen, aluminum trim, and fastener options that match the durability and aesthetics of our products, while simplifying maintenance.
Please note that our lumber products may be purchased without bundling any additional accessories.
The full catalog is available on our siding accessories page.
Use this guide to narrow your options and choose the products that best fit your project. Add items to the quote cart to request a quote or contact our team—we can help at any stage of the process.
Find everything you need to know about our products—from FAQs, to finish coating options, to manuals and technical documentation
Answer a few quick questions, and our experts will provide personalized recommendations tailored to your style, needs, and project requirements.
