Here we share our guide to alder wood cabinets including all key information.
Alder wood is more supple than some other hardwoods. It can still withstand years of use, but it might be more prone to dents or scratches.
When deciding which species of wood to use for your cabinet doors, you should keep these facts in mind.
Table of Contents
What is Alder Wood?
Alder wood came into popularity as a cheap alternative to Cherry wood, which is how it earned the nickname “poor man?s cherry.” Alder’s reputation has increased in the modern era, and as a result, demand for it has grown, driving up the cost.
Due to the interesting qualities of alder wood, many owners will request that it be used specifically in the construction of their cabinets. However, because it requires particular finishing methods and is frequently more expensive than other woods more frequently used for cabinet construction, cabinet builders typically do not advise using alder wood.
Alder wood is a popular choice for cabinet projects due to its appealing appearance.
Is Alder a Good Wood for Cabinets Doors?
Alder wood offers a variety of finish options and an appealing appearance from a design standpoint. Alder wood is more affordable and sustainable than some other hardwoods due to its plentiful supply.
This species of wood is used to make a variety of cabinet door designs, from rustic to modern, because it has such a pleasing overall appearance. If you like what alder wood has to offer, you can likely find it in a style that perfectly matches the look of your kitchen, bathroom, or home office.
What Are Alder Wood Cabinets?
Alder wood, though a member of the birch family and a hardwood, is one of the softest of all hardwoods. Alder wood, which is also referred to as semi-hardwood, is strong, non-porous, and straight, closed-grained, making it a good option for cabinet doors.
The tones of alder wood range from reddish brown to pale yellow, and some of the most popular alders have natural knotty imperfections that give the cabinet doors a rustic appeal.
Alder wood is softer than some other kinds of hardwood, so it might be more prone to dents or scratches. Since there is a plentiful supply of alder wood, it is more accessible and sustainable than some other hardwoods. It gained popularity as a substitute for cherry wood. It has a nice appearance and a range of finishes and designs, from rustic to modern.
The alder is a tree that fixes nitrogen and has the unusual ability to pull nitrogen from the atmosphere. The ability of the alder tree to absorb that nutrient as nodules on its roots allows it to both meet its own nutritional needs and capture it for infusion into the soil, increasing soil fertility.
Alder trees have the ability to regrow from their stumps, roots, or trunks, making them a very sustainable type of wood.
Read More: Bamboo Kitchen Cabinets
Characteristics of Alder Wood Cabinets
The biggest of the alder species, red alder wood is native to the west coast of North America. Even though it is regarded as a hard wood, it is one of the softer hardwoods and is occasionally referred to as a semi-hardwood. R
egardless, alder is still considered to be very durable and therefore is a good choice for cabinet doors. Alder wood has a smooth appearance because of its uniform texture and straight grain.
There are many different grades of milled alder, from clear, which has almost no flaws, to premium frame, which has every flaw present in nature, including knots. The natural beauty and rustic effects that these flaws add to the doors make knotty alder doors some of the most popular doors ever made.
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