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Wood type for cabinets?????

12 years ago

I can't decide on a wood type. I like the rustic look of alder. My cabinet maker keeps trying to talk me into cherry or maple. He said cherry is the most expensive of the three, followed by maple, then alder. He said alder is too soft and will dent. If I like the rustic look, wouldn't that be ok? Anyways, he said he can do a rustic cherry - does anyone have that and have pictures?

Featured Answer

mamadadapaige

12 years ago

jk,
Linked below is a 2008 thread regarding just your concerns and questions.

What type of stain do you think you will use? For me, this would determine which wood I chose as the different options you are considering will take stains differently.

Just my personal opinion but I think the medium tones look better on Cherry - Maple looks kind of blotchy. Cherry takes a stain better - to my eye, the grain has a better look than Maple.

I work at a cabinet shop ... we had someone come in on a very tight budget who chose Alder with a Java stain to keep their costs down. The cabinets were gorgeous (can't attest to how well they will hold up but at least there is a warranty)

Here is a link that might be useful: Alder / Cherry link

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Comments (11)

User
12 years ago
Look at hickory. It's harder than either alder or cherry and usually about the same price as maple. It's beautifully rustic, but there will be no concerns with it denting. Alder will dent if you look at it hard---which is fine if you want a well worn look of patina rapidly. Cherry is also a beautiful wood, but there's no point for most people in paying for the cherry upcharge for rustic cherry when it's actually culls from the "regular" cherry line and you can get 95% of the look with hickory.
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boxerpups
12 years ago
Alder is a great option.

Alder

And here are a few pictures of Cherry that make me think
of a rustic look.

Cherry

Cherry with a walnut stain

NOt sure what kind of wood this is but I think using
the right trim, edges, door style can create a very
rustic kitchen.
dekeoboe
12 years ago
Not rustic, but our cabinets are alder and cherry. Pardon the install picture.
jkoebnick
Original Author
12 years ago
Dekeobe, are your cabinets cherry with alder trim? Or how did you use the two woods?
cribbs
12 years ago
Dekeobe's cabinets are alder with a cherry panel. The cherry panel will darken with age and the alder will not so it will give a beautiful two tone affect. Nice to see the pictures online since we just installed the cabinets yesterday for her.

As to alder, I love it and use it a lot...and have done a good amount of rustic alder. Works and takes stain great and is a good alternative to cherry.

Travis Alfrey
Aberdeen, NC
scrapbookheaven
12 years ago
You might want to look at walnut cabinets. It was the same price for us as alder...walnut clear coated vs alder stained and darker edges. The shop time for the alder equaled out the more expensive walnut wood. And the walnut is a much harder wood.
colorfast
12 years ago
Alder is a less expensive wood in the Pacific Northwest and years ago wasn't even used much. We have some bookcases in alder that have been stained to a cherry finish. They look great. The doors on the bottom two shelves also look great.

But, bookshelves don't take the abuse that kitchen cabs do. I considered alder for my kitchen cabinetry, but my husband would be disturbed by the dents. Since we were trying to lighten up the room, I went with a natural red birch.

Staining maple does not always work out. I know that pre-treating is involved. I suspect the larger cabinet shops occasionally have a door that still comes out too blotchy that they just throw out.

There are also a number of websites for woodworkers worth perusing.
PRO
The Hall Design Group
12 years ago
Being a kitchen designer with over 27 years experience I have seemed to have done it all. The wood selection should depend on the style of kitchen you are trying to accomplish. Cherry is a terrific wood and will give you more of a formal appearance. I happen to love Alder and some of my best projects used this wood . Alder will give you a more informal look and it takes the stain nicely. With both of these woods you have the option of going knotty. So if you want a more rustic feel and don't want to chance Alder then try knotty cherry. My vote is for Alder if you are after an informal look. Good luck

Here is a link that might be useful: Hall design
User
12 years ago
I second the recommendation for hickory. It's much harder than alder or cherry and takes stain beautifully. It haw long been the standard for those wanting a rustic looking kitchen.

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jkoebnick
Original Author
12 years ago
Are those cabinets really hickory stained dark? We were wondering what that would look like. I love that! How does hickory compare in price to maple or alder or cherry?

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