Is Alder Wood A Hardwood

Although it is classified as a hardwood it is one of the softest hardwood.

Is alder wood a hardwood.

Extensive information on domestic exotic hardwoods. If you re in the market for new cabinets there s a good chance you ve heard about alder wood. Alder is often used as a face frame material on birch plywood cabinets. Owing to its malleable texture the wood is commonly known as a semi hardwood.

Alder is a common wood used in cabinet making. Harder woods create good solid long lasting joinery in furniture. Straight grained with fine texture but without luster. Alder s resemblance to birch hardwood at half the price makes it an acceptable substitution.

As a hardwood alder is used in making furniture cabinets and other woodworking products. So a janka rating is an average of numerous tests performed on all directions and numerous pieces. Identified as a popular finish hardwood alder wood is one of the softest hardwoods on the market after of course pine and poplar wood. Generally speaking the harder the wood the easier it is to finish and polish.

Red alder is almost white when freshly cut but quickly changes on exposure to air to light brown with a yellow or reddish tinge. Distribution principally the pacific northwest where it is the most abundant commercial hardwood. Alnus alder is a north american hardwood usually found in the pacific northwest generally between california and alaska. Heartwood is formed only in trees of advanced age and there is no visible boundary between sap and heartwood.

It is interesting to note that this light brown wood with striking grain patterns came into limelight as a more affordable alternative to cherry wood and that s exactly how. While there are many species of alder throughout the world the most commonly used in woodworking today is the red alder in the flooring industry hardwood harvested in north america is referred to as domestic which is less expensive than the imported. General description alder a relative of birch is almost white when freshly cut but quickly changes with exposure to air becoming light brown with a yellow or reddish tinge. Alder is appreciated for its tone that is claimed to be tight and evenly balanced especially when compared to mahogany and has been adopted by many electric guitar manufacturers.

It can be a great option for cabinets too but there are several factors to consider before making a decision about. The wood is fairly straight grained with a uniform texture. Lighter than some of its wood counterparts this hardwood member of the birch family has been used to make gorgeous renditions of everything from guitars to dining room tables.