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Message
Cypress siding house... Good or bad?
Posted on 11/14/14 at 5:40 pm
Posted on 11/14/14 at 5:40 pm
Currently looking at a house that has cypress siding kind of like this i guess
I know cypress is a good wood, but does this stuff last forever? I believe it was put on in 1985. Not sure if it has been properly cared for yet. Its not painted, but dont know if its sealed.
Any gotchas i need to be aware of? Can't find much info online
14
Posted on 11/14/14 at 5:52 pm to mctiger1985
Cypress used as siding is often left unpainted because it moves around so much. It swells and shrinks a lot with the amount of mosture its exposed to and the changes in temperature.
But its a very durable wood when it comes to rotting.
But its a very durable wood when it comes to rotting.
Posted on 11/14/14 at 5:52 pm to mctiger1985
I lived in one for 5 years that had been built in the 80's. No sealant. We just bleached it once a year. I loved the rustic look. Katrina got it.
Posted on 11/14/14 at 5:53 pm to mctiger1985
You will have to treat it yearly (with good shite) and it will still get worn. It will eventually need to be replaced.
Posted on 11/14/14 at 5:53 pm to mctiger1985
One of our houses when I was a kid had rough cut cypress siding. We never did anything to it, no sealant, paint or anything. It aged into a nice gray color like your picture after a year or two. It was still in perfect shape when we sold the house 10 years later. But the next owner painted it and imo, it looked like shite. 
I'm not aware of any gotchas. It was perfectly maintenance-free and (to me) looked really good in a rustic way.
I'm not aware of any gotchas. It was perfectly maintenance-free and (to me) looked really good in a rustic way.Posted on 11/14/14 at 5:57 pm to mctiger1985
I think a lot has to do with how old the wood actually is. If it's original and the house was built 50+ years ago you are probably good. Sealing it would be up to you, but I'd want input from people more knowledgable than me.
Posted on 11/14/14 at 6:00 pm to mctiger1985
I really like the look of it. I just cant find any info on lifespan, but hopefully the home inspector could see any problems if i make an offer. Thanks
Posted on 11/14/14 at 6:02 pm to mctiger1985
Pros: doesn't rot, bugs don't like it, lasts forever, doesn't need paint
Cons: expands and contracts, highly flammable
Cons: expands and contracts, highly flammable
Posted on 11/14/14 at 6:13 pm to mctiger1985
It is nice for the 1st 10 years then it is more trouble than it is worth. Our hunting camp is cypress.
Posted on 11/14/14 at 6:29 pm to mctiger1985
In my opinion, bad in Louisiana.
We've got cypress here on our condos, and it all has to be replaced after just eight years.
We've got cypress here on our condos, and it all has to be replaced after just eight years.
Posted on 11/14/14 at 6:33 pm to mctiger1985
Keep it under termite bond.
I have two cypress houses I manage for banks right now and both need to be condemned and tore down due to termites while the other houses around them seem to be fine.
I have two cypress houses I manage for banks right now and both need to be condemned and tore down due to termites while the other houses around them seem to be fine.
Posted on 11/14/14 at 6:34 pm to mctiger1985
If you seal it properly, it will last a long time. I have some friends who have cypress siding on their house - siding obtained from an old house built in the early 1800's. The house was rotten except for the cypress siding.
Posted on 11/14/14 at 6:39 pm to mctiger1985
I have two words for you...
carpenter
Bees
carpenter
Bees
Posted on 11/14/14 at 7:02 pm to Rex
quote:
We've got cypress here on our condos, and it all has to be replaced after just eight years.
Cypress wannabe is what you have. The new stuff is shite as you have found out.
Posted on 11/14/14 at 7:09 pm to QuietTiger
My camp was built in the 40's out of rough cut cypress. Never treated or painted or anything. Still good as new.
Posted on 11/14/14 at 7:11 pm to DownshiftAndFloorIt
quote:
My camp was built in the 40's out of rough cut cypress. Never treated or painted or anything. Still good as new.
I think the previous poster must be correct. There's something wrong about real cypress going bad after just eight years... especially when its' been weather sealed and everything. Cracking and warping pretty horribly.
Posted on 11/14/14 at 7:14 pm to mctiger1985
I hate cut cypress on anything. I don't buy cypress mulch. Hate to see the nice wetlands and cypress trees ruined.
Posted on 11/14/14 at 7:14 pm to Rex
Check with insurance company. Our premiums were higher by a lot on all wood condo even after replacing some but not most with hardy
Posted on 11/14/14 at 7:16 pm to DownshiftAndFloorIt
We have a 25 year old cypress sided lake house. The wood is still in good shape except where the carpenter bees made tunnels. Then the wood peckers chiseled out the wood along the tunnels to get to the carpenter bee larvae.
Google image of similar damage
Google image of similar damage
Posted on 11/14/14 at 7:17 pm to Breadcrumbs
Fortunately, of our 30 or so buildings here only the first five were cypress until we switched over to hardiplank.
What I learned here is that there's some variation in the quality of what is termed "cypress".
What I learned here is that there's some variation in the quality of what is termed "cypress".
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