Cypress is a great wood type for siding, but as with everything it is not perfect so there are a few things to be aware of.
Cypress siding looks great and definitely adds value to your home, but it is not the most durable siding material out there. As for cost it falls in the middle to high price range at $ , but being a natural wood product, it will require maintenance to keep it looking good. It will need to be oiled or sealed every 2 – 4 years.
But yeah, if you want a good old log cabin look, the cypress is a good choice for you.
Durability
One of the most durable woods sold these days is actually cypress. The durability of the cypress wood is one of the main reasons why this type of siding material is a great choice for siding your home. Cypress is also highly rotting and insect resistant. Compared to pine and cedar, for example, cypress doesn’t suffer from defects over time and it stands up to weathering quite well.
Endurance
From quality cypress siding you can expect endurance, durability, and long-lasting protection at the highest level for many years. When cared properly, which contains regular painting or staining, it can last for hundreds of years. There are many examples of very old houses and buildings that are literally falling apart but they still have good and usable cypress siding on them.
Disadvantages of cypress as a siding material
Cypress siding as many other things in life had both advantages and disadvantages. It’s better to know “both sides of the story” before you decide to choose this material for siding your home.
Cost issue
If you comparing to what you will get from cypress siding then all the money that you will spend on this type of wood is absolutely worth it. But when you have a limited budget or simply you want to protect your home, but you don’t want to spend a lot of money, then the cost of the cypress siding can be a real issue. Compared to other wood siding options cypress isn’t notably more expensive, but it is quite more expensive than a vinyl siding for example.
High maintenance requirements
Regular maintenance is a must for cypress siding to be in a good shape for a long time. Cypress has to be sealed occasionally to prevent warping. You can easily find yourself in a situation to replace certain sections of the siding that defames the whole “project” if you don’t follow recommended maintenance policies.
Fading problems
Like many other wood sidings, cypress will also experience some discoloration over time. This doesn’t have to be a huge issue if you stain or paint the wood on a regular basis. Even the fading can cause some sections of your siding to have an uneven look, you don’t have to be afraid that all of the wood will discolor at the same rate. However, in the end, you can choose to be like most of the homeowners that simply don’t mind the look too much and just enjoy the natural beauty of the wood that comes with the years.
Types of cypress siding
| Type | Sizes Available | Lengths Available |
|---|---|---|
| Cypress V-Groove Siding | 1 x 6, 1 x 8 | 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16' |
| Cypress Shiplap Siding | 1 x 6, 1 x 8 | Random Lengths 4'-16' |
| Cypress Drop Siding 105 | 1 x 6, 1 x 8 | 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16' |
| Rough Cut Cypress | 1 x 12 | 8, 10, 12, 16' |
| Cypress Bevel Siding | 1 x 8 | 8, 10, 12, 14, 16' |
| Cypress Large Bead FW-303 | 1 x 8 | 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16' |
Styles of cypress siding
The final touch that you want and weather resistance rate will help you to choose from several siding options that are available.
Beaded beveled
Beaded beveled siding is a good option if you want a style that stands out a bit more but still has that horizontal seams. Sharp angles at both ends of the pieces contribute to the angular look of beaded beveled siding. This style of siding will give you an attractive but yet slightly uneven look because they are designed to overlap one another end let water flows uninterrupted.
Channeled
Channeled siding has a variety of benefits. First of all this style of siding has a more weather-tight seal compared to other siding options due to the pieces are cut with very real grooves and they slide together with one another perfectly. Installation is easy because the channel design helps hold up the pieces as you go. So, if you want a nice thick siding that stands up very well to severe weather conditions and wind, then channeled siding is the right choice for you!
Board and batten
If you want vertical siding and a different look to your house, then your choice has to be board and batten style. This type of siding gives you a classy look for your home. There are many projects when homeowners mix board and batten at the top while the rest is horizontal siding, which provides you diversity in appearance.
Maintaining and protecting cypress siding
No matter how you decide to protect your siding you will have to do regular maintenance to keep it in good shape. The most common ways of cypress siding preservation are painting, oil preservation, and varnish protection.
Painting
Even painting is the least popular way to preserve cypress siding, there are some homeowners that paint their siding to keep it looking nice and fresh. If you choose to paint siding you must sand it down to the base every five to ten years before applying a new coating of paint. You will know that is the right time for a new painting when you notice that the paint is peeling and blistering.
Oil preservation
Oil coats should be applied on a yearly basis to provide good protection to the siding. The best way to apply an oil coat is by using a garden sprayer under pressure.
Varnish protection
Varnish is more durable than oil preservation, providing effective protection to the siding for over two to three years. Regular inspection of the siding will tell you when is the right time for a new layer of varnish. When you notice that your siding begins to look chalky it is time to be sanded down to the base and a new layer of varnish must be applied.
Finishes available for cypress siding
Maybe the simplest option for the finish is to paint the siding. There are plenty of colors available in the market so you can choose whatever color you like. Many professionals recommend 100% resin acrylic/latex paint. On the other hand, many homeowners prefer a clear or tinted finish that highlights the natural beauty of the cypress. The best choice for cypress is an oil-based finish formulated specifically to protect and seal wood siding. Oil-based products provide an attractive sheen, and they are more compatible with the natural preservative oils found in cypress wood. A semitransparent acrylic finish intended for exterior applications is also a good choice. Acrylic offers a faster drying time and long-lasting protection from sunlight and moisture.
FAQ's
Is cypress good for exterior siding?
Yes! Cypress is an ideal choice for the exterior siding of your house because it is naturally rot-resistant and stands up to weathering quite well.
How long will cypress wood last?
With regular and proper maintenance and preservation, cypress wood siding will last for many years. On average for above-ground installation is between 40-50 years and 25-30 years for the in-ground installation.
Which is better: cypress or cedar?
Old-growth cypress is rated as being very durable, more durable than cedar, but it’s hard to find and expensive. Younger cypress is rated as moderately durable. Cedar has a pleasant, aromatic scent while being worked, while freshly cut cypress has a somewhat sour odor.
Is cypress stronger than pine?
When it comes to bending strengths and other characteristics that describe how one wood is strong, cypress is definitely stronger than pine.
