I'm hoping someone has some websites they can share. I need to compare cypress and pressure treated pine for exterior building material. Need to compare cost difference, lifespan, best qualities, what color they will be after aged, and do either cypress or pine require a color or stain treatment for protection? Thank you!

-- Marsha (CaprisMaa@aol.com), December 24, 2001

Answers

Response to Websites needed for Wood Material

Don't know of a website but cypress doesn't need to be painted the ultimate color will depend on climate, overhangs, amount of daily sunshine, etc. Cypress is a lot more expensive than treated lumber. Treated lumber should be left to dry for at least one year before you use it as it shrinks as it fully dries. Treated lumber doesn't have to be painted. It should be re-treated about once a year and NEVER power washed. As a rule treated lumber doesn't give a good finished look as it tends to shrink and warp quite a bit. I hope this helps you some.

DAVID

-- David Constantin (cajundavid@hotmail.com), December 24, 2001.

Response to Websites needed for Wood Material

There is no comparison, Cypress is far superior than pressure treated pine. If you have access to it than use it rather than coating your building with Arsonic.

-- OAK (StrugglingOak@aol.com), December 24, 2001.

I vote for cypress, too. We own a house built in 1912. Cypress used in various parts. When we did the remodel, we discovered it to be hard and almost new looking still.

We have a 'sinker log' mantle over the fire place. If those logs can stand 30 years at the bottom of a swamp in south Louisiana, then come up, get planed down and finished, and look like a million dollars, then cypress is the wood for me! Don't think pine would do that, pressure treated or not.

-- Rose (open_rose@hotmail.com), December 25, 2001.