SSB Charred Brushed Stained Black - KOBE

Charred Timber Cladding Black UK – Nordic Spruce Brushed Stained | KOBE

KOBE is Nordic Spruce charred timber cladding in a black brushed stained finish — one of the most widely specified black exterior cladding finishes in the UK. Produced using the Shou Sugi Ban technique, the boards are charred to create a protective carbonised surface layer, wire-brushed to remove loose carbon and bring the surface to a refined, smooth finish, then sealed with a black stain for a consistent, deep black tone across every board in the run.

The three-step process — char, brush, stain — is what defines the brushed stained finishes in our range and separates them from both untreated timber and the more raw charred products. The charring modifies the spruce surface at a cellular level, reducing moisture absorption and improving weather resistance. The wire-brushing removes the loose, friable carbon layer and reveals the harder grain structure beneath — a surface with subtle texture and grip rather than a flat painted appearance. The black stain then locks in the colour and provides UV stability, giving the cladding a consistent, controlled finish that performs reliably through UK winters and summers alike.

Nordic Spruce is an excellent base species for the brushed stained process. Its relatively even grain and consistent density across the board width take the charring uniformly, producing reliable colour and texture from board to board — important for large unbroken elevations where tonal variation would be immediately visible. On a feature wall or a small residential extension a little variation adds character; across a 20-metre commercial façade, consistency is what the specification demands, and KOBE delivers it.

Charred wood cladding using the Shou Sugi Ban technique has moved firmly into mainstream UK architecture over the last decade, driven by its combination of striking visual impact, genuine durability, and low maintenance compared to painted softwood. KOBE sits at the accessible, refined end of the charred cladding spectrum — a finish that reads clearly as black timber cladding without the raw drama of a deep char, suited to contemporary extensions, garden rooms, and commercial façades where a clean, architectural black exterior is the brief.

Why Specify KOBE for Black Exterior Cladding

The most common alternative to charred timber cladding for a black exterior is painted or stained untreated softwood. The difference in long-term performance is significant. Painted softwood requires retreatment every 3–5 years as the paint film breaks down, allowing moisture ingress, surface cracking, and eventual board failure. KOBE's charred and stained surface is not a film sitting on top of the timber — the charring modifies the timber itself, and the stain penetrates rather than coats. The result is a cladding system that performs year after year with minimal intervention, and that weathers gracefully rather than peeling.

KOBE is also increasingly specified over other black cladding materials — fibre cement, composite, and metal panels — by architects and clients who want the warmth, sustainability, and natural variation of real timber on the building envelope. The wire-brushed grain texture catches light differently at different times of day, giving the elevation a life that manufactured panel systems cannot replicate.

Profiles and Dimensions

KOBE is available across the full range of cladding profiles in both 20mm and 21mm thickness, widths of 90mm, 120mm, and 140mm, and lengths from 2000mm to 6000mm. All profiles are available: Batten PAR, Half Lap, Shadow Gap, Shadow Gap V Joint, Tongue and Groove V Joint, Tongue and Groove V Joint Extra, Tongue and Groove V Joint Secret Fix, Rainscreen, and Rainscreen TIGA. For secret fix installation the Tongue and Groove V Joint Secret Fix profile provides a concealed fixing system with no visible fixings on the face. The Rainscreen TIGA profile is compatible with the TIGA hidden clip fixing system. Bespoke sizes and profiles can be made to order. Download the full profile schedule (PDF) for cross-section drawings and connection details.

Installation Guidelines

Install KOBE charred timber cladding as part of a ventilated rainscreen façade system with a minimum 25mm clear cavity, breathable membrane behind, and minimum 150mm ground clearance. Use stainless steel A2 or A4 fixings throughout — zinc-plated or galvanised fixings will corrode over time in contact with the charred surface and cause staining that cannot be removed. Fix boards at every batten crossing with pre-drilled fixings to prevent splitting. Maintain consistent shadow gap or board joint detailing as per the selected profile. Seal all cut ends with a compatible exterior end-grain sealer before installation. At all abutments, reveals, sills, and coping details ensure adequate drainage and ventilation to prevent moisture trapping.

For fire performance specifications, KOBE can be supplied with fire-retardant treatment to achieve improved European reaction-to-fire classifications, subject to full wall build-up assessment and regulatory approval by a suitably qualified fire engineer.

Comparing KOBE Within the Range

KOBE is one of three black charred finishes in our range, each with a distinct character. BEPPU is the same brushed stained black process on Siberian Larch — more grain depth and tonal variation, the premium choice where material character is part of the specification. NAGANO retains the char texture without brushing, giving a more tactile, relief surface with a black stain over the top. NAGASAKI is deep charred Siberian Larch with no stain — the most raw and textured finish in the range. KOBE is the refined, consistent, large-elevation choice.

Frequently Asked Questions