Alder has straight and even-textured wood grain with indistinct boundaries between the heartwood and the sapwood with light brown and reddish undertones. Alder has a stable staining surface.
Is Alder Wood Good for Cabinets?
High-traffic kitchen? Live in an area with large seasonal temperature changes? Alder wood is known for its durability and a resistance to warping and cracking.
Trying to match your cabinet finish with existing cabinetry or decor in an adjoining room? Alder wood is also known for an ability to take a large variety of stains very well, making it an ideal material to blend with the rest of your home
What Finishes Work Well with Alder?
Alder wood can be finished with cabinet paints and glazes, but the true beauty of alder wood is brought out when stains are used. Go natural with a clear finish to show off the warmth and smoothness of alder's grain. Give it a dramatically rustic feel with darker stains that call out the naturally-occurring knots and pin holes. Choose a light stain with a darker glaze to make a statement. Choosing alder wood for your kitchen cabinets opens up a wide range of finish options to make your remodel reflect your style.
Are Alder Wood Kitchen Cabinets More Expensive Compared to Other Wood Cabinets?
With all of the versatility and durability that alder has to offer, it must be costly. Right? Actually, alder wood kitchen cabinets are considered to be one of the more affordable hardwood options. It's a budget-friendly cabinet wood that gives you finish versatility combined with durability - an ideal combination.
Rustic Alder Kitchen Cabinets
Rustic alder kitchen cabinets have a more dramatic grain and may contain a variety of pin holes, open and closed knots of various sizes and colors, small cracks, worm holes, worm tracks, bird pecks, mineral streaks and grain variations. Some knots may have holes up to approximately ¾-inch in diameter through the panel. The holes created by open knots can pass completely through the cabinet door. The larger holes remain unfilled in order to contribute to the desired rustic look.
