The type of wood you choose for your cabinet doors makes all the difference. When choosing new doors, it is crucial that you find a material that looks great and will not wear down over time. From its design to its durability, alder wood offers several advantages that make it an excellent choice for your kitchen cabinet doors.
What You Need To Know About Alder Wood
From one of the most common trees in the Pacific Northwest, alder wood is a popular choice for cabinet doors. Alder is recognizable for its subtle, relatively straight grain pattern and reddish hue that ranges from light to dark, similar to cherry. Alder also features an even texture and a medium density.
Because alder is not as dense as some other woods, alder wood cabinets are much more customizable, more affordable, and easier to manipulate. The wood is great for machining different styles and holding an even stain. Altogether, these features make alder a perfect option for fresh cabinet doors.
Knotty alder cabinets provide an even more eye-popping option for your kitchen, demonstrating the charm of a natural, imperfect look. These doors allow for natural color and grain variations and contain natural knots for a more rustic charm.
Is Alder a Hardwood?
One of the easiest ways to understand the benefits of a type of wood is to determine if it is a hardwood or softwood. Hardwoods are dense and strong with more detailed grains. Meanwhile, softwoods are less dense and have simpler grain patterns, but they are also less expensive.
Alder is a hardwood, and, thanks to its hardwood properties, has a medium density and is more resistant to damage and wear. Alder wood is softer than some other hardwoods, but this makes it easier to shape and stain. Still, although it can stand up to years of wear and tear, it may be more vulnerable to scratches or dents than other hardwoods like oak or maple. When weighing options like maple vs alder, your choice will depend on your preferred grain pattern, density, and price.
Start Exploring Alder Wood Cabinet Doors
Between an eye-catching grain pattern and long-lasting strength, alder wood cabinets are an excellent choice. Once you commit to your choice of wood, you can start thinking about the styles and finish options for your doors. Fortunately, CabinetDoors.com has an extensive inventory of custom-made options to fit your needs.
With over 40 years of experience, we are committed to providing excellent customer service while offering quality, custom-built cabinet doors. Get started on your kitchen cabinet refresh by exploring all of our cabinet door styles. To learn more about your options, contact us at CabinetDoors.com for more information or call us at 800-342-1010 today!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Alder a Good Wood For Cabinets Doors?
From a design perspective, alder wood has an attractive look and a variety of finish options. The abundant supply of alder wood also makes it more affordable and sustainable than some other hardwoods. Since this wood species is so appealing overall, it’s used in a variety of cabinet door styles, from rustic to modern. If you like what alder wood has to offer, expect to find it in a style that perfectly complements the design of your kitchen, bathroom, or home office.
Does Alder Wood Stain Well?
Alder wood is a good candidate for staining if the surface of the wood is prepared properly. However, alder wood tends to stain unevenly, showing areas of light and dark. Some people consider this look blotchy, while others think it complements the natural features of the wood. If you’re looking for a rustic or farmhouse look or simply want to add a dynamic design element or your kitchen or bathroom, stained alder wood is a great option. If you are looking for a uniform appearance (in a modern kitchen, for example), staining may not be the best option.
What are the Alternatives to Alder Wood?
Most people choose alder wood because they like the light wood color and the rich natural look of the grain. Cherry and oak are popular for the same reasons, so consider these options as well. If you plan to paint the cabinet doors, think more about the functional properties of the wood — strength, durability, flexibility — and the price rather than the appearance.
What are the Characteristics of Alder Wood Cabinets?
Red Alder wood comes from the west coast of North America and is the largest of the alder species. Even though it is considered a hardwood it is one of the softest of all the hardwoods and is sometimes called a semi-hardwood. Regardless, alder is still considered to be very durable and therefore is a good choice for cabinet doors.
The grain is straight, and the texture is uniform, helping to give alder wood a smooth look. Milled alder has many different grades, which include clear with almost no defects to premium frame that has all the natural defects, including knots. Knotty alder doors are some of the most popular doors made because of the natural beauty and rustic effects these defects add to the doors.