Knotty Alder?

Hey, has anyone else seen a trend for Knotty Alder cabinets and mill work?

I lease space in a commercial cabinet shop and a lot of wht I am seeing them build lately is out of Knotty Alder. When I saw the raw case work I wasn't all that impressed but when the came bqack from the finish shop with just a clear coat I really like what I see.

The raw wood looks kind a tanish but when it's clear coated it has some darker brown tendencies along with some yellowish Pine sorta qualities.

I think I might have to build some pieces from this stuff and try some darkened/glazed/antiqued finishes to see what I can get.

Anyone know how this stuff is to work with. The guys in the cabinet shop just buy the doors and molding and mostly just build boxes so they can't tell me much.

Reply to
SonomaProducts.com
Loading thread data ...

I've been working on a job for a customer finishing out his knotty alder doors for his new house. He bought them at our local building supplier about 3 years ago and is now close to being done with his house. I've stained them and will start spraying them tomorrow, first with sealer then with lacquer. Just the stain ( a mix of 2 Minwax colors ) has really brought out the beauty of the wood. I can forsee a beautiful patina on them in a couple of years if not sooner. They already have a nice glow. I puttied the cracks in the knots, then sanded with 120 grit before staining.

I don't know how much of a "trend" there is for knotty alder but here in the Great Northwest, alder is considered a weed and is readily available for a decent price. I can imagine alder cabinets would look awesome.

Will

Reply to
NorthIdahoWWer

it's been the rage here in the southwest for at least 5 years. that's about all you see in custom homes.

regards, charlie cave creek, az

Reply to
Charles Spitzer

the wood's pretty soft.

Reply to
bridger

I like alder, although it is a little soft for table tops. I haven't used any knotty stuff. And I hope there's no "trend", because I like the current pricing :-).

I'm currently drawing up the plans for an entertainment center of alder with flame birch panels in the doors. And yes, that violates the "too soft for tabletops", but in a house with one retired couple, the entertainment center shouldn't take much of a beating :-).

Reply to
Larry Blanchard

Thanks all. I've been working with the cheapest Pine I can find and having some real fun with it so I think the Alder will be a nice diversion.

Reply to
SonomaProducts.com

HomeOwnersHub website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.