I am considering using CYPRESS wood plank flooring for a restaurant. 
I need to know if this wood is suitable for use in high traffic areas.
 What is it's hardness as compared to other wood flooring.  Will it
"scar" or dent easily?  What are the other properties of cypress wood
flooring (does it warp, etc..) Thank you.

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Request for Question Clarification by thx1138-ga on 10 Oct 2002 13:29 PDT

Hello curiogeorges,

Could you tell us which species of Cypress you are considering? ie.
Australian, Southern Cypress etc......

Thank you

THX1138

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Clarification of Question by curiogeorges-ga on 10 Oct 2002 14:39 PDT

Southern.

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Clarification of Question by curiogeorges-ga on 10 Oct 2002 14:42 PDT

OR Australian...both.

Curiousgeorges-ga,

According to an outfit called Husky Flooring (
http://www.huskyfloors.com/cypress.html ), Australian Cyprus is pretty
hard: "Hardness (Janka): 1375; 6% harder than Northern Red Oak."

It machines well, sands satisfactorily, and wears well.  However, it
is brittle and posesses "Some respiratory allergic potential" which
you should be aware of.

I'm not absolutely positive, but pretty sure, that this is the same
wood; if so, here's the USDA Forest Service's page on its properties:
http://www2.fpl.fs.fed.us/TechSheets/Chudnoff/SEAsian&Oceanic/htmlDocs%20seasian/Callitrisglauca

I hope this helps.  If you are looking for more information, don't
hesitate to request a clarification.

-Haversian

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Request for Answer Clarification by curiogeorges-ga on 11 Oct 2002 13:22 PDT

I have not heard from anyone, so I have found the answer.

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Clarification of Answer by haversian-ga on 11 Oct 2002 18:35 PDT

Excuse me?  I'm not sure I understand you.  Who have you not heard
from?

As thk1138 and I both discovered, Australian cyprus should be a very
good flooring material.

Hello curiogeorges,

Thanks for the clarification.  I had to break off my research for a
while and your question then got answered by haversian-ga.  However,
please find below my research results.

-----------------------------------------------------------
Southern Cypress (Taxodium distichum):

"Cypress.
Taxodium distichum.
Other Names: Bald cypress, Red cypress, Yellow cypress, Southern
cypress.

Main Uses:
Exterior: siding, shutters, shingles, trim, fence posts. 
Interior: paneling, moulding, millwork, cabinetry, flooring,
furniture.

 Mechanical and Design Properties of Cypress and Western Red Cedar  


                                             Cypress  Westen Red Cedar


 
Specific Gravity (>12% moisture content)         .46       .32  
 
Density (lbs/ft3)                               31.4       22.4  
 
Static Bending - 12% mc       
Modulus of Rupture (lbf/in2)                   10,600      7,500  
Modulus of Elasticity 1.44  1.11  
Work to Maximum Load (in-lbf/in3)                 8.2       5.8  

Impact Bending - 12% mc       
Height of drop causing complete failure (in)       24       17  
 
Compression Parallel to Grain - 12% mc       
Maximum crushing strength (lbf/in2)              6,360      4,560  

Compression Perpendicular to Grain - 12% mc       
Fiber stress at proportional limit (lbf/in2)        730      460  
 
Tension Perpendicular to Grain - 12% mc       
Maximum tensile strength (lbf/in2)                  270       220  

Shear Parallel to Grain - 12% mc       
Maximum shearing strength (lbf/in2)                 1000      990  

Side Hardness (lbf)       
(load required to embed a 0.444 ball 
to half its diameter)                                510      350  
 
Flame Spread Rating                              145-150      70"  
http://www.cypressinfo.org/about/basics.htm

“Cypress is a naturally decay-resistant wood and its uses reflect
that. It is a popular choice for building construction, posts, beams,
decks, docking, porch flooring, greenhouses, siding and stadium
seats."
http://www.iswonline.com/wwp/wom/cypress.shtml

"While softer than heart pine and red oak, it is hard enough for
flooring. Its hardness is about the same as American Cherry and
Chestnut."
http://www.woodcellar.com/cypress_flooring.html

"It is an ideal choice for house construction, docks, beams, decks,
flooring, paneling and siding."
http://www.floridacypress.com/About%20Cypress.htm




------------------------------------------------------------------

Australian Cypress:


Botanical Name: Callitrus, glauca  
Lumber Name: Australian Cypress, Cypress Pine 
Grows In: Queensland & New South Wales, Australia

Description:
With a wide range of cream/straw/honey brown tones and filled with
darker character knots, Australian Cypress is the ideal flooring
choice wherever a warm, rustic country look is desired. Growing slowly
in a semi-arid area in Australia, provides this specie with a unique
property as the only commercial softwood harder than red oak. It is
the superior "softwood" for both residential and commercial use.


"Janka Hardness is a test which measures the pounds of force it takes
to drive a .44" diameter steel ball 1/2 its depth into wood.  These
numbers are taken from various publications but principally are from
the U.S. Forest Products lab.  The higher the number the harder the
species."
http://www.wflooring.com/australiancypress/TechnicalInfo/species_hardness.htm

Australian Cypress is 110% as hard as red oak  (1375 on the Janka
scale vs. 1260 for red oak )

Where to Use:
 
Australian Cypress may be used both residentially as well as
commercially, where it is very popular in restaurants, ski lodges,
retail stores.
http://www.wflooring.com/australiancypress/Products/species_info.htm

I hope this additional information helps.

Best Regards

THX1138

Sorry about that - I didn't mean to step on anyone's toes.