Knotty Alder Vs Birch Cabinets

If you re in the market for new cabinets there s a good chance you ve heard about alder wood.

Knotty alder vs birch cabinets.

If you want the look of alder but much harder consider knotty beech which has a janka rating of 1300 versus 590 for alder. Alder s resemblance to birch hardwood at half the price makes it an acceptable substitution. While there are a variety of cabinet wood types to choose from and each one has its own list of pros and cons the main differences between cabinet wood types are price and aesthetic appearance. Knotty alder the color is a very uniform light brown with a reddish tinge and a fairly straight grained uniform texture.

Aside from considerations of cost and the desirability of a rustic look this is the main factor in choosing cherry over alder for one s cabinetry. The truth is that while alder has a janka rating of 590 and eastern white pine is 380 practically speaking there is not much difference in the durability of the two woods. From a design perspective alder wood has an attractive look and a variety of finish options. Is alder a good wood for cabinets doors.

If the possibility of denting is less of a concern then alder is a great cost effective option. Not all alder wood boards have knots but this is a selection favorite of carpenters trying to create a rustic aesthetic. The best wood for cabinetry is widely considered either red oak poplar maple mahogany or plywood. In general birch panels were more popular than red alder among wood products producers table 2 with birch panels being preferred about 57 of the time.

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. Knotty alder doors are some of the most popular doors made because of the natural beauty and rustic affects these defects add to the doors. Everyone wants to know that the home improvements they re making are durable and add real value to the property. For this reason birch cabinets are among the most affordable of all cabinets.

Clear alder and knotty alder wood is relatively soft and light in weight. Alder can dent or mar easily and is less resistant to impact damage than say cherry. The wood inherently contains pin knots open and closed knots of various sizes checking and mineral streaks which are typical and not considered defects this adds to the beauty of the finished products knots may be in. Knotty alder wood is used to describe alder boards that have numerous visible knots.

Alder wood is a popular choice for kitchen cabinets because it is strong and affordable but making the choice to. It can be a great option for cabinets too but there are several factors to consider before making a decision about.