We’ve “hygged” everything from the lattee, to candles. Now, we’ve moved on to outside of our homes. Have we taken hygee to far?

No, not in my option. Pronounced “hoo-guh,” the word comes closet to the English word “cozy”. It is candles, nubby woolens, shearling slippers, woven textiles, pastries, blond wood, sheepskin rugs, lattes with milk-foam hearts, and a warm fireplace. Hygge can be used as a noun, adjective, verb, or compound noun, like hyggebukser, otherwise known as that shlubby pair of pants you would never wear in public but secretly treasure. Hygge can be found in a bakery and in the dry heat of a sauna in winter, surrounded by your naked neighbors. It’s wholesome and nourishing, like porridge; Danish doctors recommend “tea and hygge” as a cure for the common cold. It’s possible to hygge alone, wrapped in a flannel blanket with a cup of tea, but the true expression of hygge is joining with loved ones in a relaxed and intimate atmosphere. In “The Little Book of Hygge,” the best-selling of the current crop of books, Meik Wiking, the C.E.O. of a Copenhagen think tank called the Happiness Research Institute, shares a story about a Christmas Day spent with friends in a woodsy cabin. After a hike in the snow, the friends sat around the fireplace wearing sweaters and woolen socks, listening to the crackle of the fire, and enjoying mulled wine. 

Trends of late have been moving away from polished, sleek designs – from fashion to architecture and interior design. The acceptance of the imperfect and rise of hygge has made exterior wood cladding more popular. The weathered and natural look has gained such traction that homeowners everywhere are trying to add touches of wood-cladding to their homes. One popular reason is that when painted exteriors begin to fade, peel, and age, homes start to look forgotten and sad.

Wood cladding when done right and build character taking on a variety of unique hues. Designing a beautiful wood facade that stands the test of time and look better as it ages requires thoughtfulness, skill and sometimes technology. Additionally, wood claddings offer sustainability, durability, and wash of cozy.

One of the best parts of using wood cladding is how many different choices you have.

Important things to consider when choosing wood cladding

Where you live?

Where you live matters because you need to choose the type of wood that fits and will survive your environment. Not everyone considers bugs and pests when considering how to finish the exterior of their home, but they should. What you choose may attract housemates you never invited.

Homes and buildings need to match their surroundings to get the best look possible. That’s why beach houses look so good when left in a natural wood cladding state. The bare wood complements the sand and sky, making the homes look as though they’ve always belonged.

What you plan it use it for?

If you plan to clad your whole house in wood or just add a bit of design flare is an important part of the decision making. Covering your whole house with wood also means you need to make sure the wood you choose will keep your home watertight, no one wants leaks. If you’re looking to add style, depth, and dimension with detailed design elements, then you want something that won’t bend and warp over time.

Homes that use a hardwood cladding for the entire exterior tend to lap the boards to get a water-tight fit.

The Cool kid in Town

Shou sugi ban burnt wood exterior cladding is naturally made, very durable & originated as a Japanese wood finish for homes revealing the beauty of the natural preserved timber.

Benefits:

  • Durable and long-lasting: the life expectancy of Shou sugi ban is estimated at more than 80 years when properly maintained.
  • Life-cycle: Wood is a renewable resource and no chemicals are required for finishing. We would be remiss not to acknowledge the fact that fossil fuels are required for the burn process, but the ensuing lifespan makes that sacrifice negligible.
  • Aesthetics: You can get a variety of beautiful colours out of it depending on how deep you burn and how deep you brush, to further alter or enhance colours – and it can be stained as well.
  • Water resistance: The combination of carbonized wood and oil makes the board resistant to water and mould.
  • Fire resistance: Believe it or not, burning wood can give it flame retardant properties. Who knew?
  • Insect resistance: Termites and other problematic insects hate burnt wood.​

If the intended use is to have it outside and exposed to weather, it should be oiled about every 10-15 years,