What is Alder Wood?
Alder is a soft, light, and straight-grained hardwood. It is the softest wood in the hardwood group. Alder wood is not as hard and strong as other hardwoods, but it is popular because it has an attractive appearance, close grain, and uniform color.
Alder wood is not durable, nor is it water and weather-resistant. It is sensitive to rot and insects. Therefore, despite being a hardwood species, it is not recommended for outdoor use.
| # | Alder Wood |
| Scientific Name: | Alnus. |
| Tree height (Red Alder) : | 30 m (98.42 ft). |
| Uses: | Boats, sluice gates, and water pipes. |
| Wood color: | Light tan to reddish-brown color. |
| Availability: | Easily available in the local market. |
| Workability: | Great workability. |
Alder Wood Uses
Alder Wood is most commonly used for furniture, cabinetry, plywood, moldings, and millwork. It can be used for all projects that are not exposed to moisture for a long time.
Alder wood is used to make the entire body of the guitar. Because it has a low density and medium weight, which creates a clear tone, it’s easy to curve into the desired shape.
Wood is known for its great flavor, so it is widely used for smoking meat such as pork, salmon, and other meats.
Alder’s bark contains anti-inflammatory salicin. Native Americans used red alder bark (Alnus rubra) as medicine for insect bites and skin irritations. It is very effective.
Appearance
Alder wood is light brown with reddish undertones. When freshly cut, it appears almost white but rapidly transitions upon exposure to air. Alder boasts a straight and even textured grain, making it a favored choice for various woodworking projects.
Alder Wood Advantages and Disadvantages
Advantages
1. Appearance
Alder wood has an attractive reddish brown appearance, uniform texture, and straight grain pattern, which gives excellent results after finishing.
2. Inexpensive
Alder wood is an inexpensive species as compared to other hardwoods. It is available at $2 to $4 per board (4X4 thickness) per foot. However, the price also depends on the quality and thickness of the wood.
3. Versatility
Alder is an extremely versatile hardwood. It is used for both interior and exterior applications. Due to its natural properties, it is also used in building construction and durable plywood.
4. Easy to Work
All species of alder are fairly easy to work with hand and machine tools. Its density and weight are moderate. So, it is an excellent choice for turning, surfacing, drilling, boring, carving, and molding. Due to its close grain, it holds nails and screws very well and is not required for pre-drilling.
Alder wood can be stained and painted; it accepts paint well and It gives excellent results after finishing.
5. Availability
Alder is not a rare species, so it is widely available on the market. Trees grow fast, so the demand for their wood can be easily met. Alder is a sustainable hardwood, that’s why it is used a lot.
Disadvantages
1. Not rot-resistant
Alder does not have naturally rot-resistant properties, and it tends to rot due to prolonged exposure to moisture and weather. Alder wood is not suitable for outdoor use.
2. Not very durable
Alder wood is counted as hardwood, but it is not durable enough. It is rated as non-durable hardwood. Generally, alder requires more care than other hardwoods.
3. Prone to damage
Alder is a soft hardwood. So it is prone to damage, scratch, and denting. So, if you are going to use alder for flooring, then regular care is required.
Is Alder Wood Good for Kitchen Cabinets?
Yes, Alder Wood is good for kitchen cabinets for many reasons, as it is moderately durable and can withstand the rigors of daily use in a kitchen environment.
Alder wood has a straight grain pattern and texture, giving kitchen cabinets a uniform appearance. Another reason is that alder wood readily accepts stains and finishes, allowing a wide range of color options to match different kitchen decor styles.
What Wood Is Similar to Alder?
Alder is a softwood, and one wood that is similar to alder is birch. Birch shares some characteristics with alder, such as light color and smooth texture. Additionally, birch is also relatively affordable and easy to work with, making it a popular choice for furniture and cabinetry.
Is Alder Wood Good for Outdoor Applications?
Alder wood is generally not recommended for outdoor applications. It is not naturally resistant to moisture, insects, or decay. It may degrade quickly when exposed to outdoor conditions, leading to rot, warping, and deterioration over time.
Alder Wood for Smoking
Alder has a subtle flavor and natural sweetness. Wood is well known for smoking salmon, but it is also a great choice for pork, poultry, game birds, and light meats.
Alder is not considered good for lamb, beef, veggies, and cheese. For lamb smoke, cherry and apple wood are good, Hickory is good for beef, and Mesquite is a good choice for oak and cheese.
Types of Alder Wood
Alder (Alnus) is a common name for about 30 to 35 species of flowering plants or trees. All species have almost similar characteristics and habits. Alders are mainly found along watercourses and moist areas of the Northern Hemisphere.
Here are some popular types of alder wood.
1. Red Alder (Alnus rubra)
Red alder is native to Coastal western North America. It is also known as western red alder. The wood color can be a light tan to reddish brown, which becomes darker over time. Generally, it has a straight grain with a fine, uniform texture.
Red alder is easy to work with both hand and machine tools. But it is not rot-resistant or weather-resistant.
Average Dried Weight: 28.0 lbs/ft3 (450 kg/m3)
Janka Hardness: 590 lbf (2,620 N)
Crushing Strength: 5,820 lbf/in2 (40.1 MPa)
2. European Alder (Alnus glutinosa)
European alder is native to Western Europe. It is also known as black alder or common alder. The wood color can be a light tan to medium brown. Generally, it has a straight grain but can also be irregular. It has a fine, uniform texture.
European alder is easy to work with hand and machine tools. However, it is prone to rot and deterioration when it is exposed to moisture or weather.
Average Dried Weight: 33.3 lbs/ft3 (535 kg/m3)
Janka Hardness: 650 lbf (2,890 N)
Crushing Strength: 5,770 lbf/in2 (39.8 MPa)
3. Andean Alder (Alnus acuminata)
Andean alder is native to Central and South America. The wood color can be a tan to medium reddish brown. Generally, it has a straight grain with a fine, uniform texture.
Andean alder is very soft and easy to handle. But it is not suitable for outdoor use as it is prone to rot.
Average Dried Weight: 24.0 lbs/ft3 (385 kg/m3)
Janka Hardness: 430 lbf (1,910 N)
Crushing Strength: 4,210 lbf/in2 (29.0 MPa)
4. Nepalese alder (Alnus nepalensis)
Nepalese alder is native to Nepal, India, Pakistan, China, and mainland Southeast Asia. The wood color can be tan to reddish brown. It has a straight grain with a uniform and fine texture.
Nepalese alder is very soft. Therefore, there is a high risk of getting dents and scratches. It is easy to work with all types of tools.
Average Dried Weight: 31.3 lbs/ft3 (500 kg/m3)
Janka Hardness: 380 lbf (1,690 N)
Crushing Strength: 4,900 lbf/in2 (33.8 MPa).
Common Questions About Alder Wood
What Does Alder Wood Look Like?
The color of the Alder wood varies from tan to reddish brown, but the lumber is nearly white when it is freshly cut. It darkens rapidly over time. Generally, alder has straight grains but can also be irregular grains.
How Hard Is Alder Wood?
The density of alder wood is not very high; it is a soft hardwood species. There are many species of alder, and each species has a different hardness and weight.
Janka hardness and weight of some popular species of Alder are as follows.
| Alder’s Species | Janka Hardness | Average dry weight |
| Nepalese alder | 380 lbf (1,690 N) | 31.3 lbs/ft3 (500 kg/m3) |
| Andean alder | 430 lbf (1,910 N) | 24.0 lbs/ft3 (385 kg/m3) |
| Red alder | 590 lbf (2,620 N) | 28.0 lbs/ft3 (450 kg/m3) |
| Mexican alder | 640 lbf (2,830 N) | 27.5 lbs/ft3 (440 kg/m3) |
| European alder | 650 lbf (2,890 N) | 33.3 lbs/ft3 (535 kg/m3) |
| Grey alder | 770 lbf (3,410 N)* | 29.2 lbs/ft3 (465 kg/m3) |
Is Alder Wood Good for Furniture?
Alder wood is widely used for making furniture as it is a beautiful, affordable, and sustainable wood species. It gives amazing traditional and modern looks to the furniture. Alder wood is easy to finish. And being lightweight, it is easy to handle.
Can Alder Wood Be Painted?
Yes, Alder wood can be painted easily; it absorbs the paint evenly so that it gives a uniform and smooth result. But you should prepare the wood surface before applying paint.
For smooth and durable finishing, you should apply a double coat of primer. It seals the wood and creates a strong bond between paint and wood.
Can You Stain Alder Wood?
Staining alder wood is not easy because alder is prone to blotchy stains. The main reason for blotching is that different surface densities absorb stains differently.
For blotch-free staining, you need to follow some steps before staining. First of all, prepare the wood surface by sanding. Sanding the surface helps to open the pores of the wood so that the stain can be accepted evenly across the surface of the wood.
Before moving on to the staining process, you should apply a couple of coats of pre-stain wood conditioner because pre-stain conditioner helps wood absorb stains more evenly and create a smooth and even surface.
Is Alder Wood Good Firewood?
Alder wood has been used as firewood. It is a soft hardwood. However, it burns very fast and generates medium heat. The Alder produces 17.5 million BTUs per cord, which is not enough for high heat. Alder wood is not considered a very good choice as firewood.
According to experts, more than 20 million BTU per cord of value is considered good for firewood.
Alder wood may be a great budget-friendly option for firewood. It is a soft wood, so it is easy to use, split, and cut. Generally, the seasoning time of Alder wood is 6 to 8 months.
Where Does Alder Wood Come From?
Alder wood comes from the alder tree. Alder trees primarily grow in regions with ample moisture, typically near rivers, ponds, and lakes, where the soil conditions are conducive to alder tree growth.
It is a medium-sized tree that can grow up to 100 feet tall. Alder trees are found in many parts of the world, including Europe, North America, and Asia.
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