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Early in my woodworking career, I lived by the maxim that I would never artificially color the wood I was using.

A simple strategy for a showroom-quality finish.

The Japanese call it shou sugi ban. It translates to “burned cypress plank,” and is a traditional approach to treating home siding in Japan. Charring the surface of the wood creates a beautiful black finish that protects not only against rot, but also insects, who evidently hate the taste. It may seem counterintuitive, but this shallow, quick burning of the wood makes it fire resistant as well. 

Pore filler is messy and adds extra steps to your finishing schedule, but filling and sealing the surface provide a look that’s almost impossible to achieve with finish alone. Compared side by side with the “natural” look, it’s easy to see why showroom-quality tabletops, high-style furniture, even well-crafted boxes receive the extra care of filling.

Tips & tricks to improve your finishes.