As I understand it, YOUNG cypress doesnt last any longer that standard pine, its the older cypress that has the lasting power? Dont even remember where I read that, but I was also looking into cypress boxes. I have some that are about 4 years old. They were coated with two coats of urethane. They look rough and are splitting, but they are not rotting....
Let me mention this, if you have the ability to make your own box.....
It costs me about forty five dollars to build a hive, including frames, yes I make my own frames, without metal on the tele cover.
I make a medium ten frame box for the cost of a box store 1x8x8 which is about $4.29 at the current time.
Paint? I do, because I have access to old/left over/mismatched colors for free. BUT, I consider ALL parts of a hive to be disposable at that price. I spend the winter making new equipment and refurbishing used equipment. It keeps me busy and gives me something to do.
I have boxes that are left over from my mentor that I helped him assemble in 1978 that are still in service.. They dont look good, up close, but they still function. SO, for 5 dollars, you build a box and slap some cheap paint on it and it lasts 5 to 8 years. (maybe over 30 years if you keep them in good repair) At the end of that time, the corners where you pry the boxes apart are getting soft, maybe the bees have begun using that corner as an extra entrance? You take another 5 dollar box and swap the frames out the next time you do an inspection, and retire the old box..... Yes? No! You take it apart and use the good sides to refurbish another box for next year....
Now, if you have four or five hives, and desire to use Cedar, and clear coat them, with a cooper garden cover, and use curly maple for the bottom board.. I dont have ANY argument with that. I have seen some Astonishing hives in the past, and I do truly enjoy looking at them, but I couldnt afford to do that to 50+ hives....
Hives purchased at 200+ each x 50 = ten grand Hives built at 50 dollars each x 50 (electricity, glue etc) = 2500...
Keeping myself busy and being frugal has saved me better than 7500 dollars, and expanding to over 150 hives next year I expect to save even more...
I think Mr. Bush is the one that does not even paint anymore for much the same reason... hive components are easier and cheaper replaced, because they are inexpensive. Just something to consider!