Wood Species in Detail: Alder

Alder wood is a popular pick for woodworkers and craftsmen. It’s a cost-effective substitute for more expensive woods like maple, cherry, and walnut. Known for its gorgeous light brown coloring and versatile uses, alder wood will likely end up in one of your future projects. Here’s everything you need to know about this widely used wood type.

What Is Alder Wood?

Alder wood comes from Red Alder (Alnus rubra) trees that mostly grow throughout the Pacific Northwest. There are lots of Red Alder tree populations sprinkled around Washington, Oregon, and Western Canada.

Alder lumber production follows similar steps to other hardwoods. Alder trees must be processed from raw wood (timber) into actual hardwood lumber. This lumber is then dried to reduce its moisture content. After that, alder lumber undergoes a process called planing to smooth its surfaces.

Each piece of alder wood goes through inspection and grading after the planing phase. Once that’s complete, each piece can be stained or painted according to the customer’s wishes.

Characteristics of Alder

Thanks to its unique traits, alder wood has many diverse applications. For example, this wood is commonly used to make cabinets and paneling. So what sets alder apart from other hardwoods? Here are its primary characteristics.

Color

Alder wood is typically light brown. It can contain subtle reddish or yellowish tints, but they aren’t overwhelming to the eye. Aged alder wood usually darkens into a warmer, deeper shade of brown. Alder wood takes well to stains and finishes. This is important for woodworkers who receive different color requests from clients.

This wood species features mostly straight, uniform grain patterns. Some woodworkers prefer rustic alder for projects with a more rustic aesthetic. Rustic alder has twists and knots sprinkled throughout its surfaces. These elements add plenty of character.

Physical Properties

Alder wood ranks at 590 lbf on the Janka hardness scale. This means it’s harder than poplar wood but softer than woods like red oak, hickory, white oak, and the like. Alder lumber is on the softer end of the hardwood lumber scale, but it still offers considerable durability for most projects.

Mechanical Properties

Alder wood’s average dried weight maxes out at around 450 kg/m³. This means it ranks moderately in terms of heaviness. Alder is fairly easy to transport and work with because of this. Alder wood’s stiffness ranking is around 9,800 MPa (1.42 million psi). Its moderate flexibility makes this wood a good candidate for cabinetry and furniture, which both require some give in the wood.

Durability

Alder wood is best suited for indoor use, where it excels in providing strength and stability. Its fine grain and smooth texture contribute to its durability, making it an ideal choice for furniture, cabinetry, and interior millwork.

Workmanship

Thanks to alder’s flexibility, it’s easy to work with. While you should avoid scratches and dents, alder wood holds up well during the woodworking process. It easily sands down to a smooth surface and holds stains extremely well.

Advantages of Alder for Furniture

Furniture requires both durability and aesthetic appeal, making alder wood an excellent choice for various applications. Its unique properties make it particularly well-suited for cabinetry and furniture leg construction.

Workability

Alder is very workable, offering lots of flexibility and bending power. Its ease of sanding, gluing, and finishing makes it ideal for furniture-related projects.

Aesthetic Appeal

Staining and finishing alder wood is usually a breeze. The heartwood and sapwood are nearly identical in coloring, allowing you to use either type of lumber to get the job done. When finished, alder wood can look rich and dark like cherry wood. Alternatively, it can appear lighter, rustic, and aged like hickory. You have numerous color and style options when working with alder wood.

Environmental Benefits

This wood species is highly sustainable. Alder trees grow quickly and mature faster than other species. They grow in abundance throughout the Pacific Northwest and are even found on some other continents, like Africa and Asia. Alder trees are not threatened or endangered.

How Do You Properly Care For and Maintain Alder Furniture?

Maintaining your alder furniture comes down to two important things: preventing scratches and avoiding water damage. Use a soft, dry cloth to wipe down alder furniture either daily or weekly. This prevents dust and grime from building up and causing scratches and tarnishes.

When doing a deep clean of your alder furniture, avoid soaking wet rags. Instead, use a lightly dampened microfiber towel with water to wipe away any buildup. Then, dry the area as soon as you’re done. Avoid natural light exposure if you want your furniture to retain its original coloring. UV rays can lighten or darken the wood’s natural hues over time.

Osborne Wood: Build Something Beautiful With Alder

Alder is a wonderful choice for your woodworking projects. It performs exceptionally well in furniture, woodworking and cabinetry. At Osborne Wood, we have a wide selection of alder furniture parts available for purchase. We’re here to help you on your next alder woodworking adventure. Speak with a product specialist to get started today!

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