Guest Blog Posts by Molly Erin McCabe

As kitchen trends continue to offer us some of the best products and finishes that we have seen in the last few decades, let’s talk about the movement away from traditional Oak and Maple cabinets to woods that are more natural and brown in tones. Reclaimed wood and the farmhouse trend are still strong in design, and one wood species that work well with these trends is Knotty Alder.

Knotty Alder is one of the rustic species we offer at Dura Supreme Cabinetry. 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. Knots will vary in size and distribution and will include tight, sound knots as well as rustic, open, and split knots. Some knots may have open cracks that allow light to show through.

Alder may have some areas of burled wood which will appear darker when stained. Over time and with exposure to sunlight, Alder will actually become a shade lighter (mellowing) in color as the wood ages. One thing to note; it is the softest of the hardwoods, so you will want to consider the use it will get over time.