Cypress, Australian

Australian Cypress is a perfect choice of wood flooring for customers who are looking for a light colored floor.

It is considered a softwood, dark knots occur throughout the wood naturally, and the wood does not darken drastically when exposed to light as some other species do.

Australian Cypress is the only one harder than Red Oak. It may also be referred to as Cypress Pine.

Fast Facts

Color: The sapwood is cream. The heartwood has a honey color and has dark knots in it. There is a large spectrum of colors available but keep in mind that colors may fade after a long time of use.

Grain: The grain is closed.

Variations within Species and Grades: There is a high degree of color variation within the species.

Hardness/Janka: Australian Cypress ranks at a 1375. This means that it makes it around 7% harder than traditional Red Oak.

Dimensional Stability: Though it has a dimensional stability rating higher than traditional Red Oak, many installations have shown significant movement. It is suggested to leave the wood in the room a bit longer than recommended to allow it to acclimate better.

Sawing/Machining: Australian Cypress is easy to work with.

Sanding: It is difficult to sand because it tends to clog up the paper because of the high amounts of resin.

Nailing: It is difficult to sand because it tends to clog up the paper because of the high amounts of resin. Screening the floor at least two times may be necessary.

Finishing: Many finishes will work for this floor, but the knots may cause some drying issues. Water based finishes will work best as oil based finishes may react with natural oils in the wood.

A Brief History of Australian Cypress

Australian Cypress is used in cabinetry, healing oils, and cosmetics.

Durability

When talking about Australian Cypress, this is a fairly durable species. It has a natural resistance to termites, which makes it a highly desirable choice for flooring, furniture, and cabinetry.

It is suitable for almost any climate or temperature.

Workability

Though workers should practice care when nailing the wood because of how easily it can split, it holds nails well.

It is excellent for sawing and machining, so building furniture and making floor boards is easier with Cypress than some other species. Natural oils in the wood make it necessary to use a water-based finish on site finished floors.

It is very important to remember finishing the floor right after the final sanding, because letting the floor acclimate too long will cause the finish to bubble and peel. This is a result of the natural oils in the wood.

The floor boards may crack. In this case you should replace the boards. It is recommended that you choose another species if the finish peeling and boards cracking may become a problem in the future.

Where to use

Australian Cypress can be used in residential and commercial settings.

Customers can be installed in almost any room, but it is not recommended for use in bathrooms, kitchens, or other areas where standing water may be present.

This wood is good enough to be used where termite damage is a concern.

Care and Maintenance

The finish of the floor determines how to properly care and maintain it. Clean regularly with a cloth mop, using rugs and mats by doorways and in high traffic areas.

We recommend you cleaning spills immediately. In addition to that, avoid wearing high heeled shoes on the floor.

Environmental Issues

Australia takes pride that they harvest the cypress with the utmost care, with complete concern for the environment.