Burnt Cedar Clad Garden Room
Published: 23 August 2025
Reading Time: 2 minutes 40 seconds
In recent years, there has been a rise in garden rooms finished in charred timber cladding. Some garden room companies describe this as charred cladding, a style inspired by the traditional Japanese technique of Shou Sugi Ban. Black garden rooms have long been a popular choice with buyers seeking a bold, contemporary finish that contrasts beautifully with the natural greens and textures of the garden.
There are several ways to achieve this aesthetic. Some companies choose to paint or stain a durable timber cladding black, while others opt for composite wood or cement board claddings manufactured in dark shades. Millboard, for example, offer a finish called Burnt Cedar. Having seen it close up, it’s impressive how the moulded surface captures the brushed grain of charred timber, giving the look of authentic Shou Sugi Ban with the low-maintenance benefits of a composite product.
What is Shou Sugi Ban?
Shou Sugi Ban is a traditional Japanese method of preserving wood by charring the surface. The video clip above shows how the technique works, albeit on a different softwood to Western Red Cedar. A flame is applied to the timber, enhancing the grain while creating a layer of char that is later brushed back. The result is a rich, textured finish with added durability. Western Red Cedar, already prized in garden room design for its natural resilience, becomes even more robust when charred. Other timbers, such as Siberian Larch or Thermowood, are also commonly used for charred cladding options in garden room design.
Modern Garden Rooms Example
We recently spotted a striking example of burnt cedar cladding by Modern Garden Rooms on Instagram. The 4m x 3m building is part of their Canopy Range. Its corner glazing configuration combines a three-pane set of bi-fold doors with a large full-height picture window. The width of this window is greater than we typically see in such arrangements, and it makes quite an impression, flooding the interior with natural light and strengthening the indoor-outdoor connection that garden room buyers love.
The burnt cedar cladding has been applied with skill, showing even colouration across the walls. The black-framed doors and windows complement the cladding perfectly, creating a seamless, contemporary look. As with all Canopy Range buildings, a roof canopy detail extends across the front elevation, fitted with exterior-grade LED downlights that will wash light down the façade once evening falls.
From the photos, you can see the garden room has been built tight to the boundary fence. This is possible under Permitted Development rules for buildings no taller than 2.5m. To make this practical, the rear wall has been finished in a maintenance-free corrugated cladding, a sensible choice for a surface that will be difficult to access once installed.
Four Configurable Ranges
Modern Garden Rooms offer four distinct ranges, each of which can be configured to your requirements using their online 3D configurator. This tool allows you to adjust sizes, layouts, and finishes while seeing both the design and price update in real time. For those who prefer to view completed buildings, they also have a show site in Leeds, where you can explore furnished examples in person.
Learn More
If you’d like to explore burnt cedar cladding for your own garden room, get in touch with Modern Garden Rooms. You can browse their ranges on www.moderngardenrooms.com, call their friendly team on 01423 603 026, or drop them an email at hello@moderngardenrooms.com to start planning your design.
