The Times Australia
The Times Australia

.

Shou Sugi Ban vs Painted Timber Cladding: Which Lasts Longer?

  • Written by The Times


Australia’s unforgiving climate challenges any exterior finish. Cyclonic rains, salty air, and some of the world’s highest UV indices, all undoubtedly punish timber facades, and you can't let that happen, right?

That's when you are faced with the question: whether to choose the conventional paint system or to go with the dramatic, charred character created by the Japanese technique called Shou Sugi Ban.

Both guard the boards, yet each does so in a different way. This article explains how the two finishes work and then weigh up their performance under Australian conditions, covering lifespan, upkeep, ageing, environmental impact and project suitability. Let’s dive in.

What is Shou Sugi Ban Timber Cladding?

Shou Sugi Ban originated in 18th-century coastal Japan, where cedar boards were bundled and lightly torched. Today, purpose-built kilns achieve the same effect with precise control over burn depth and evenness. The heat removes nutrient-rich hemicellulose, leaving behind a thin, graphite-like carbon layer that repels moisture, insects and ultraviolet light. 

Many local mills now char durable hardwoods such as spotted gum or ironbark, and some profiles carry BAL-29 (Bushfire Attack Level) compliance, with higher ratings under assessment. Once installed, the char gradually wears before fresh wood is exposed, giving service life estimates of 80-150 years when detailing and occasional oiling are sound. This definitely makes shou sugi ban timber cladding a smart choice. 

What is Painted Timber Cladding?

Painted cladding relies on a primer plus two/three coats of acrylic or alkyl resin loaded with pigments. The film seals the grain until the binder loses flexibility; then chalking, cracking and peeling expose bare timber.

In temperate Aussie suburbs, a quality exterior acrylic might reach its first major repaint after seven to ten years. Along surf-spray belts or in regions with extreme UV, repaint intervals shrink to as little as three to five years, and each cycle involves washing, scraping, sanding and spot-priming before a fresh topcoat can go on.

Shou Sugi Ban or Painted Timber Cladding - Which Way to Go?

Lifespan and Weather Resistance

A well-charred board lasts as long as the structure. Historic examples in Japan still perform after eight or nine decades, and accelerated-weathering trials confirm structural integrity for well over a century. The carbon layer acts as a sacrificial skin: as it powders away, sound char lies beneath. 

Painted boards, by contrast, survive only as long as their coating remains intact. Once micro-cracks let moisture under the film the timber swells, hastening failure. On exposed facades this tipping point can arrive within five years.

Maintenance Demands

Shou Sugi Ban

  • Light wash with a soft brush when dust or pollen builds.
  • An optional wipe of exterior oil every three to five years (a little earlier in tropical zones) restores the depth of colour and binds loose soot.
  • No sanding, stripping or priming needed.

Painted timber

  • Annual wash-down to remove salt and mould.
  • Spot-prime cracks as soon as they appear; full scrape, sand and repaint roughly every decade, sooner on harsh sites.
  • Labour dominates cost because preparation often exceeds half the total hours.

How the Look Ages Over Time

Shou sugi ban timber cladding starts out deep night-black, then slowly mellows toward charcoal and, eventually, warm silver. Designers often embrace this wabi-sabi patina; if you prefer a consistent ebony tone, a quick coat of pigmented exterior oil returns the richness without masking the texture.

Paint offers any colour under the sun on day one, perfect for heritage schemes or corporate palettes. Yet that uniformity depends on film integrity. As UV breaks the binder, pigments chalk and touch-ups rarely blend, so entire elevations are usually recoated to keep the look even.

Environmental Footprint

Charring uses heat alone - no solvents, fungicides or heavy-metal preservatives. Because the char layer erodes slowly, recoats are infrequent, lowering embodied carbon and leaving nothing to peel into landfill. Modern paint formulations have reduced VOCs, yet every repaint consumes fresh resin, pigments, packaging and scaffold time, while the old film typically heads to waste.

Consider What's the Ideal Project Fit

Charred timber excels where long service life and low intervention are priorities like coastal pavilions, rural retreats and multi-storey facades that are hard to access. 

Local suppliers such as Mortlock Timber feature pre-oiled, tongue-and-groove Shou Sugi Ban boards that slot neatly into conventional corner trims, streamlining installation and simplifying future oiling. Painted cladding remains a cost-effective option when the budget is tight or a bespoke colour scheme is critical, provided you accept the ongoing maintenance cycle. It also suits sheltered elevations where film breakdown slows and scaffold access is straightforward.

Still Not Sure What Works for Your Project? Consult with a Professional Near You!

Each finish has its place, but their life-cycle profiles differ sharply. Shou sugi ban timber cladding delivers extraordinary durability, minimal upkeep and a patina that rewards time; painted systems offer colour freedom at a lower upfront cost but lock you into regular recoats.

Now, if these distinctions still feel blurred, or your project combines bushfire rating, coastal exposure and a bold palette, it's always wise to speak with a timber-cladding professional. An experienced designer or supplier can assess orientation, species, fixings and coatings to ensure your facade looks good and performs for decades to come.

Also Read: What is Shou Sugi Ban? Exploring the Ancient Art of Charred Timber Cladding

Times Magazine

Headless CMS in Digital Twins and 3D Product Experiences

Image by freepik As the metaverse becomes more advanced and accessible, it's clear that multiple sectors will use digital twins and 3D product experiences to visualize, connect, and streamline efforts better. A digital twin is a virtual replica of ...

The Decline of Hyper-Casual: How Mid-Core Mobile Games Took Over in 2025

In recent years, the mobile gaming landscape has undergone a significant transformation, with mid-core mobile games emerging as the dominant force in app stores by 2025. This shift is underpinned by changing user habits and evolving monetization tr...

Understanding ITIL 4 and PRINCE2 Project Management Synergy

Key Highlights ITIL 4 focuses on IT service management, emphasising continual improvement and value creation through modern digital transformation approaches. PRINCE2 project management supports systematic planning and execution of projects wit...

What AI Adoption Means for the Future of Workplace Risk Management

Image by freepik As industrial operations become more complex and fast-paced, the risks faced by workers and employers alike continue to grow. Traditional safety models—reliant on manual oversight, reactive investigations, and standardised checklist...

From Beach Bops to Alpine Anthems: Your Sonos Survival Guide for a Long Weekend Escape

Alright, fellow adventurers and relaxation enthusiasts! So, you've packed your bags, charged your devices, and mentally prepared for that glorious King's Birthday long weekend. But hold on, are you really ready? Because a true long weekend warrior kn...

Effective Commercial Pest Control Solutions for a Safer Workplace

Keeping a workplace clean, safe, and free from pests is essential for maintaining productivity, protecting employee health, and upholding a company's reputation. Pests pose health risks, can cause structural damage, and can lead to serious legal an...

The Times Features

Tricia Paoluccio designer to the stars

The Case for Nuturing Creativity in the Classroom, and in our Lives I am an actress and an artist who has had the privilege of sharing my work across many countries, touring my ...

Duke of Dural to Get Rooftop Bar as New Owners Invest in Venue Upgrade

The Duke of Dural, in Sydney’s north-west, is set for a major uplift under new ownership, following its acquisition by hospitality group Good Beer Company this week. Led by resp...

Prefab’s Second Life: Why Australia’s Backyard Boom Needs a Circular Makeover

The humble granny flat is being reimagined not just as a fix for housing shortages, but as a cornerstone of circular, factory-built architecture. But are our systems ready to s...

Melbourne’s Burglary Boom: Break-Ins Surge Nearly 25%

Victorian homeowners are being warned to act now, as rising break-ins and falling arrest rates paint a worrying picture for suburban safety. Melbourne residents are facing an ...

Exploring the Curriculum at a Modern Junior School in Melbourne

Key Highlights The curriculum at junior schools emphasises whole-person development, catering to children’s physical, emotional, and intellectual needs. It ensures early year...

Distressed by all the bad news? Here’s how to stay informed but still look after yourself

If you’re feeling like the news is particularly bad at the moment, you’re not alone. But many of us can’t look away – and don’t want to. Engaging with news can help us make ...