Edensaw Woods is the leading supplier in Seattle-Tacoma Washington for
high-quality alder domestic wood, catering to local home construction, furniture-making, woodworking, and renovation projects. Explore our extensive collection of alder domestic woods, and get guidance from our knowledgeable staff who will gladly assist you in selecting the supplies you need for your specific project.
Alder is a popular hardwood native to North America, particularly the Pacific Northwest. While technically a hardwood (from a deciduous tree), it is relatively soft in density, often compared to cherry or pine in weight. Alder wood is characterized by its light brown color with a subtle, straight grain and minimal figure. It is highly valued for its exceptional workability - it cuts, sands, and shapes cleanly - making it a favorite among both novice and experienced woodworkers. Its reasonable price and ability to mimic more expensive hardwoods (like cherry or mahogany, when stained) make it suitable for a wide range of tasks.
Key Uses and Characteristics of Alder Wood
- Stain Grade: Alder is one of the best domestic woods for accepting stain evenly. It has few natural oils or resins, allowing it to take on the appearance of walnut, cherry, or maple, making it a highly versatile and cost-effective option for cabinetry and furniture.
- Workability: Alder's relatively soft texture enables precise detailing, clean routing, and minimal tool wear. It is easy to join, glue, and finish.
- Common Applications: It is a standard choice for kitchen cabinets, closet systems, bedroom furniture, and interior trim where a smooth, uniform appearance is desired.
- Janka Hardness: Alder has a Janka hardness rating of approximately $\mathbf{590 \text{ lbf}}$, classifying it as a soft hardwood. While durable for furniture, it is not recommended for high-traffic flooring.
Alder is frequently selected as a high-quality substitute for more expensive hardwoods:
- Cherry Alternative: Alder's subtle grain, clear face, and natural reddish-brown tones (which become more pronounced when finished) make it an ideal stand-in for Cherry. It offers a similar elegant aesthetic at a significantly lower cost per board foot, making it a favorite for large kitchen installations.
- Finishing Uniformity: Unlike some woods, Alder absorbs stain evenly, which is crucial for achieving a uniform color when using multiple boards on a large project. Its tendency toward minimal sapwood also contributes to a cleaner final product.
To maximize the appearance and longevity of your Alder project:
- Clear Coat: When left unstained and finished with a clear coat, Alder lightens slightly, maintaining its pale, subtle look. This works well for modern or Scandinavian-inspired designs.
- Staining: Use a pre-stain wood conditioner before applying dark stains to help minimize blotchiness, though Alder generally takes stain better than woods like Maple.
- Interior Use: While durable for indoor furniture, Alder lacks the natural decay resistance of woods like Cedar or Oak. It should be used exclusively for interior applications to prevent moisture damage and rot.
If you're looking for a reliable alder hardwood supplier, Edensaw is a well-known supplier of
domestic alder wood in Port Townsend and Tacoma, Washington. As your local domestic & exotic supplier and local rough sawn & surfaced lumber supplier,
Edensaw Woods (
Edensaw.com) offers a wide selection of top-quality
domestic wood and lumber essential for cabinet, marine, and construction projects across the Pacific Northwest region. From our locations in Port Townsend-Tacoma, Washington, USA, we provide professionals and hobbyists in Seattle-Port Townsend-Tacoma with premium local rough sawn and surfaced lumber. Browse popular varieties, including
alder,
ash,
basswood,
beech, and
birch. Our specialty lumber selection also features beautiful hardwoods like
cherry,
hickory, and
walnut, alongside reliable softwoods like
fir and aromatic
tennessee cedar. We stock various maple options, including
maple (eastern) and
maple (western), plus oak selections like
red oak,
red oak riftsawn-quartersawn, classic
white oak, and premium
white oak riftsawn-quartersawn, among many more choices. Learn about our wide array of
products and
services by reaching out via
contact us.
