When it comes to home design and furnishings, styles and trends tend to come and go. In the end, the trendy fads may pass while the more established and reliant styles remain popular. The same can be said for stairs and stair parts and the woods that they are made from. One of the most classic wood species that has stood the test of time is the Alder. When it comes to domestic hardwoods, the Alder is extremely popular and is actually the most prosperous hardwood in the Pacific Northwest. If you are thinking about choosing this particular hardwood for your stair needs, here are some things you should consider.
The Alder is also known as the Red Alder or Western Red Alder and it grows primarily on the west coast of North America, especially in the Pacific Northwest. The color of the wood is brown with a reddish tint lessening up to a light tan. After the wood is exposed to air and begins to age, the color will continue to change over time and become a deeper and darker red. Because it comes from the same family, Alder wood is also very similar to Birch, although it is slightly redder in hue.
Red Alder has to be quickly adapted into lumber because of its resilience and it is usually dried soon after it is cut to ensure it accepts stains evenly. One of the main reasons why Alder is so popular is because it is so easy to work with. This is why it works well for stair parts, it can be so easily manipulated by hand or machine. Sanding, gluing, and staining are also a breeze with Alder.
Another huge reason for the popularity is that it is readily available. Alder is the most common hardwood that is harvested in the Pacific Northwest. Because of this, Alder is often used in home design. Purchasing coordinating furniture and accent pieces is typically easy, because Adler is widely used for home products.
For those of you looking for a timeless wood to redesign your house with or renovate your current staircase, Alder is a great, solid wood that will suit your needs.