Outdoor Cypress Wood Care

Natural Defense

• The cypress tree has many natural resistances to common outdoor pests. The tree secretes an oil known as cypressine that helps to naturally preserve the wood. This oil resists insect attacks, water damage, mildew, rot cracking and drying in the sun and even normal weathering. Although cypress wood is technically a soft wood, it is durable enough for outdoor applications. The wood will not splinter when hammered, and resists cracking and warping due to weather conditions. This is due to the flexible, yet strong, natural characteristics of the wood.

Washing

• Even though cypress wood is durable and naturally resistant to damage, there are still some care measures that will help maintain the wood for many years. Once or twice a year, wash the wood with water and a wood cleaning product. Pressure washing the wood will help to remove signs of weathering on older wood.

Staining

• Outdoors cypress wood will fade to a gray or silver color, which some people may find undesirable, if it does not receive staining or sealing. Cypress wood takes well to stains of any color due to its compact grain and medium density. A medium density for wood is the ideal staining condition because the wood is not soft enough to cause a blotchy stain, but the wood is still soft enough to absorb the stain. Adding a stain to cypress wood will keep it looking new for years.

Painting

• One other way to care for cypress wood is to paint it. Paint is a form of sealant because it blocks the surface of the wood from coming into contact with outside elements such as rain and wind. Cypress wood absorbs paint well, and painting is an easy way to protect the wood from mold and rot.

Sealing

• A varnish or urethane seal applied over the cypress wood will keep it protected from even the harshest weather conditions. Another way to protect the wood is to use a deck seal or protector applied over the wood once a year. These seals lock out damaging problems such as insects and mold.