Description
# Ashland
## Lunawood Shou Sugi Ban | Wabi-Sabi Index: 2
**Dramatic Dark Elegance with Superior Stability**
Ashland embodies bold sophistication with technological advancement in our Shou Sugi Ban collection. Crafted from thermally modified knotty-grade Nordic spruce with a rich black stain, Ashland offers exceptional dimensional stability and dramatic visual impact. With a level 2 on our Wabi-Sabi Index, Ashland provides striking contemporary aesthetics that maintain their distinctive character with minimal change through seasons of exposure.
### Features & Benefits
– **Deep Black Finish**: Rich, sophisticated coloration that creates striking architectural presence
– **Exceptional Stability**: Thermal modification process significantly reduces the wood’s tendency to warp, cup, or check
– **Knotty Character**: A-grade Nordic spruce provides authentic character with carefully selected knots
– **Resilient Beauty**: Rated at level 2 on our Wabi-Sabi Index, Ashland maintains its appearance with minimal change
– **Premium Performance**: The Lunawood thermal process creates Class 1 durability without chemicals
– **Minimal Movement**: Drastically reduced expansion and contraction compared to conventional wood
### Applications
Ashland’s dramatic appearance and exceptional stability make it ideal for a variety of applications:
– Contemporary residential exteriors
– Modern commercial facades
– Luxury retail environments
– Architectural accent elements
– Statement walls and feature areas
– Projects where bold contrast and natural materials intersect
### The Ashland Process
Our Ashland product begins with select knotty-grade Nordic spruce that undergoes thermal modification—a sophisticated process that uses heat and steam to permanently alter the wood’s cellular structure. This enhances durability and stability without chemicals. The boards then experience our meticulous Shou Sugi Ban treatment—a centuries-old Japanese technique of preserving wood through controlled charring.
After precise charring, the surface is carefully brushed to reveal the enhanced grain pattern beneath. The wood then receives our specialized black stain, creating a sophisticated finish that provides dramatic visual impact while highlighting the natural character of the wood. The combination of thermal modification and traditional Shou Sugi Ban creates a product with unparalleled performance and contemporary appeal.
### Wabi-Sabi Philosophy
As a Level 2 product on our Wabi-Sabi Index, Ashland embodies the concept of restrained drama—beauty that commands attention while maintaining its essential character over time. The contrast between the deep black finish and the natural texture of the wood creates a visual dialogue between contemporary design and natural materials.
Ashland reminds us that stability and visual impact are not mutually exclusive. Its thermal modification ensures exceptional dimensional stability, while the rich black finish and carefully selected knots create distinctive character that endures through changing conditions. Like traditional Japanese lacquerware, which maintains its dramatic beauty through generations of use, Ashland represents a commitment to enduring elegance.
### Sustainability
By utilizing thermally modified wood—enhanced through heat rather than chemicals—Ashland represents our commitment to sustainable building practices. The Lunawood process creates exceptional durability without toxic treatments, while the enhanced stability means less waste from warping or cracking. Additionally, the Nordic spruce comes from responsibly managed forests, ensuring environmental stewardship throughout the supply chain.
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*Each Ashland board carries unique characteristics inherent to natural wood and our handcrafted process. Sample images are representative, and actual products may show natural variation in knot patterns and finish.*
**Starting Price: $19.00/sf, $7.92/LF** (based on 1×6 shiplap)
