Do you have pickets burned on both sides for fencing and louver application?

Yes. Our Gendai and Pika-Pika S4S profiles are heat-treated on both faces and can be machine-coated with oil on both faces. For S3S board installation where the back side is exposed, the back of the boards can be stained with any dark color to blend in with the burned faces. For structural elements (e.g., fence rails, posts), standard framing lumber can be used to support visible cladding of sugi or yakisugi “shou sugi ban” plank products.

Can your siding be used for board and batten designs?

Yes—we do offer stock for batten and louver applications. Please see our product profiles for current availability. Alternately, our plank products can also be ripped using a table saw into the desired width for various styles—such as board-and-batten or board-and-board. Touch up oil is provided with each lumber order and can be used to stain any ripped edges prior to installation. For layout suggestions, please contact the Nakamoto Forestry sales team to receive a copy of our installation manual.

Can yakisugi “shou sugi ban” be used on soffit and roof deck applications?

Our wood products are frequently used in soffits or cosmetic roof decks. Pika-Pika and Joko clear grade Sugi (whether unoiled or with a transparent oil finish) are both commonly chosen for this purpose. This gallery showcases work from an architect renowned for this aesthetic in Japan.

Can yakisugi “shou sugi ban” be used on fascia applications?

For fascia installations, we recommend either using our 5/4″ x 8″ S3S profile, or a structural subfascia under our 1×6” or 1×8” S3S profiles. Please plan on recoating the yakisugi surfaces with fresh oil every few years.

Can yakisugi “shou sugi ban” be used as a roofing material?

While occasionally seen in Scandinavian design, we do not recommend using wood plank products for roofing or other horizontal applications. Thin plank wood materials are prone to checking, twisting, and premature aging due to natural expansion and contraction. Roofing applications require shorter-length shakes or shingles that allow for longitudinal expansion and contraction. If yakisugi is used on a roof or other horizontal application, plan on recoating yearly and eventually replacing the wood after several years.

How high should siding be off of the ground?

Please contact the Nakamoto Forestry sales team to receive a copy of our installation manual and refer to “Section 7.3 Clearances” for specific guidance. Here are some basic considerations: The general best practice is to maintain a clearance of at least 8 inches from grade to prevent water entry and wood rot. Calfire testing indicates that embers can accumulate in corners on horizontal surfaces adjacent to walls up to 5 inches. Therefore, it is advisable to keep all combustible materials at least 6 inches away from adjacent horizontal surfaces. Water splashing can lead to quicker fading at the bottoms of walls. The impact of mud depends on the type of material at grade (e.g., river pebbles, sod, decking). A 12-inch clearance from grade will minimize most mud splashing, but if the roof is not guttered, mud can splash up 3-4 feet from grade.

Exterior Siding, Fencing & Louvers

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Gendai® Alkyd Natural

Exterior, Interior

Our Gendai® yakisugi “shou sugi ban” products receive a single brushing to remove some of the delicate soot layer–leaving a smooth, consistent, and dark surface. We then apply two coats of our plant-derived architectural grade alkyd oil prefinish prior to shipment. This combination is suitable for both exterior siding and interior paneling installations. Available burned on both faces (S4S) for fencing or louver applications.

For premium clear grade and clear vertical grain pricing, please contact Sales

SKUs

SKU	Grade	Profile
GA2322	Select	1 x 6 x 12 Shiplap Select
GD2322	Premium Clear	1 x 6 x 12 Shiplap Premium Clear
GB2322	Select	1 x 6 x 12 S3S Square Edge
GC2322	Select	1 x 6 x 12 S4S Square Edge
GE2322	Select	1 x 8 x 12 Shiplap
GF2322	Select	1 x 8 x 12 S3S Square Edge
GG2322	Clear Vertical Grain	1 x 2 x 12 S3S Square Edge
GH2322	Premium Clear	5/4 x 2-1/2 x 12 S3S Square Edge
GI2322	Premium Clear	5/4 x 2-1/2 x 12 S4S Square Edge
GJ2322	Premium Clear	5/4 x 5 x 12 S3S Square Edge
GK2322	Premium Clear	5/4 x 5 x 12 S4S Square Edge
GL2322	Select	5/4 x 8 x 12 S3S Square Edge

Considerations

Great color longevity for a natural coating.
Designed to gradually fade from dark to medium brown, then to tan and gray over several years.
Cannot be returned to the factory color, however it can be recoated with pigmented stains any time in future.
Use a minimum amount of touch up oil and immediately wipe off residue to prevent glossy spots.
Soot residue, caking, and blemishing (especially along board edges) are all common with this product.
Keep siding slip-sheeted until installation to prevent blocking between boards as well as abrasion blemishes.

Patina scale

Patina Scale: 4

The Patina Scale has been developed by Nakamoto Forestry to approximate how its products will weather over time—from 0 (“less patina/more color longevity”) to 10 (“less color longevity/more patina”). However, every product weathers at a different rate due to local conditions, and the Patina Scale is intended as general guidance only, and is solely for informational purposes. Nakamoto Forestry makes no guarantees, representations, or warranties, express or implied, regarding the appearance or color longevity of its products after installation.

Dimensions

*Dimensional shrinkage after manufacture is possible due to being a solid-sawn wood product.

1 x 6 x 12 Shiplap

1 x 6 x 12 S3S & S4S Square Edge

1 x 8 x 12 Shiplap

1 x 8 x 12 S3S Square Edge

1 x 2 x 12 S3S Square Edge

5/4 x 2-1/2 x 12 S3S & S4S Square Edge

5/4 x 5 x 12 S3S & S4S Square Edge

5/4 x 8 x 12 S3S Square Edge

Finish details

Alkyd Natural

Our semi-solid alkyd oil stains provide a permeable yet protective coating that adds color, while still allowing some of the wood’s natural texture to show through. These durable, water-based stains resist moisture and UV radiation. They offer a great option for those who prefer color consistency over a changing natural patina. Delivered ready to install..

Prefinish Options

2 coats face; Coated on face and back only

Prefinish Color

Natural

Pressure-Treated Fire Retardant

Not Available

Field Cuts

Coat all field cuts and rips with touch up oil

Installation details

For installation instructions

Installation manual available upon request, please contact us for assistance.

Overage

Please add a healthy overage ranging 15–25%, as shipping additional material can be expensive.

Fastening (Exterior)

Two ring or screw-shank headed face nails or screws per furring strip within 1” of each edge.

Substrate (Exterior)

Rigid furring maximum 16” on-center.

Fastening (Interior)

Tube adhesive and pin nails

Substrate (Interior)

Per design specifications

Installation Layout

Vertical or horizontal, all profiles.

For more detailed installation and maintenance guidance, our installation manual is available upon request. Please contact our sales team to get a copy.

Species

Cryptomeria japonica, a monotypic genus in the cedar family native to Japan. The Japanese name is "sugi", as in yakisugi and "shou sugi ban". In English it is colloquially called Japanese cedar.

Certifications

Fire Resistance

ASTM E-84 Class B

Sustainability

PEFC chain of custody certified PEFC/29-44-03

Resource downloads

Download Rendering Field

Download Product Specs

CSI Guide Specifications

Policies, Terms & Conditions

Exterior, Interior

Gendai® Alkyd Natural