Fir would be beautiful. We have fir posts on our porches and used T&G cypress on our porch ceilings and our foyer ceiling. With a clear coat it has the same color tone, just a bit lighter than the fir. Price could be better or worse than fir depending on your location.

To muddy the waters, I'm planning a similar ceiling ... but I'm going with white ceilings and beams in a wood tone to match the floor (which will be a light oak). I definitely think the wood tones should match, but a whole ceiling of wood-tone would be "too m much" for what I'm planning.

We used cypress for our ceiling and beams

suzyqtexas- how did you finish your cypress ceiling? Getting ready to install 5" tongue and groove cypress on our family room vaulted ceiling in our NC beach house. Did you stain it, clear coat it? Thx.

So...will your ceiling and door and window trim be stained or painted? It makes a difference in choices of wood...

We stained it, Cypress has red tones, so tried to tone it down somewhat but stick with the natural color. Will try to post a picture tonight.

vbnagle we have knotty cypress t&g in our western NC house. Entry is finished with a water based clear coat,, no stain.

Porches ceilings are also knotty t&g cypress but finished with Penafin (petroleum product) no stain but the Penafin does have sclor in it that inhibits UV damage. We wanted the protection from wood eating insects outside.

suzyqtexas - Would love to see a picture and stain color you used if you have time! It is my understanding that it does have a reddish color. I've also heard it will turn gray over time if not stained. I want a 'natural' look but not fond of red (or yellow for that matter) tints.

DLM2000-member-gardenweb- Thanks SO much for the pictures you sent. I'm way too visual and they really help tremendously! I love the way it looks in your house and on the porch but prefer the look of it inside. I get the need to treat it outside though.

We'll be using #2 cypress (with small knots) on the vaulted ceiling in our family room and also in our dining area. We too will have white painted beams and trim. I want to keep the wood as natural as possible but don't really want the 'reddish' tint cypress can have. Yours does not read red to me. Our floors will be a 5" LVT wood-look (great for sand & water) but I need to figure out what to do with ceiling first so I can blend the flooring. Thanks for your post!

Cypress Ceiling 10 years old

Thanks so much susyqtexas for posting the pictures! The cypress is beautiful!