Does knotty alder stain well?

Alder is a medium-density hardwood that is often used with furniture, trim, doors and finer finishing. It can be stained to resemble most popular wood finishes, but it is a notoriously difficult wood to stain, as it often results in uneven coloring without proper preparation.

What stain is best for alder wood?

What is a good stain for Alder? Dark walnut tone Water-base dyes are the best for alder wood. They add dark rich lustrous colors easily without leaving any blotch marks.

What color is knotty alder?

reddish-brown
Knotty Alder is a smooth hardwood with a straight grain pattern and coloring similar to Cherry, ranging from a light honey color to a reddish-brown hue. Because of the prevalence of knots, it is appreciated for its rustic, informal appearance.

What does alder wood look like stained?

Alder is known as poor man’s cherry. It takes finishes almost exactly the same as cherry and the same range of colors works well on it. It also looks good with “mahogany” and “walnut” colors (which don’t look right on cherry, in my opinion) and takes paint as well as poplar, if not better!

What is the difference between alder and knotty alder?

Grades we characterize as Knotty Alder have a lot of character, meaning knots and more irregular grain patterns. The knots range from tight to open and split patterns. The effect is more rustic and informal than the select grades of Alder where the grain is straighter and there are no visible knots.

Is alder cheaper than oak?

Soft woods, such as pine, often are 10 to 20 percent less costly than hardwoods, such as white oak. Alder is a popular choice in some new home developments because it is about 10 percent less costly than many harder woods. Alder has reddish brown to pale yellow tones with a soft, straight grain.

What undertone is knotty alder?

It is characterized by light brown and reddish undertones. It has a straight and even-textured wood grain with indistinct boundaries between the heartwood and the sapwood. Clear Alder accepts stain evenly, often making it indistinguishable from Cherry in appearance.

How do you stain alder wood?

Interior Staining – Alder Wood – Method

1. Sand the wood with the grain using 220 sandpaper.
2. Stain – One coat with a wiping stain and remove within 5 minutes.
3. Dry 24 hours.
4. Apply a waterborn sealer – up to 3 very light coats (spray – small tip – low pressure).
5. Apply waterborne lacquer or polycrylic top coats (2-3).

Does alder darken over time?

Alder is still a beautiful hardwood and it is by no means a cheap or low quality material. In fact because alder does not darken significantly over time, it can be a more desirable choice for those who love the lighter red tones and the less prominent grain pattern.