At Pentarch Forest Products, we believe beautiful timber deserves an equally thoughtful finish. That’s why we’re proud to shine a light on Duncan and the team at Natural House Company – quiet pioneers who have been putting “timber with a conscience” into practice for nearly three decades.
For almost 30 years, Duncan has travelled to remote villages in Indonesia and Vietnam, building long-term relationships with communities that sustainably harvest tree resins, waxes and plant oils. Those journeys, and the people behind them, sit at the heart of every Natural House product. It’s slow, patient work – the opposite of mass-produced, petrochemical coatings – and it shows in the depth, durability and character of the finishes.
Natural House Company was founded with a simple idea: to create high- performance, plant-based timber oils formulated specifically for New Zealand conditions. Their interior and exterior oils blend plant oils, tree resins and natural waxes to harden timber from within, creating surfaces that are hard-wearing yet breathable, helping support healthier homes. These finishes now appear in some of the most beautiful homes in the country – from character villas to contemporary architect-designed spaces.
For Pentarch, the connection is natural. Our yakisugi (charred Japanese cedar) is chosen by architects, builders and homeowners who care about sustainability, longevity and low-tox materials. Pairing Sugi with Natural House oils means the timber story stays honest from forest to finish: renewable wood, thoughtfully processed, protected with plant-based chemistry rather than heavy solvents.
We’re excited to be working alongside Duncan and the Natural House Company, and to introduce more of our clients to his remarkable products and the communities they support.
If you’re planning a project with Sugi, talk to us about specifying Natural House finishes. Together, we can create warm, resilient, genuinely natural homes – where every surface tells a story of care and sustainability.
