Can you paint knotty alder cabinets?

Knotty alder is prized for it’s rustic charm and character, so it’s usually left with a natural finish, but the wood can be painted if it doesn’t suit your taste. Knots absorb paint more rapidly than the surrounding wood and resin from the knots can seep through the paint.

Does knotty alder darken with age?

Unlike cherry, though, alder doesn’t darken over time. In fact, if exposed to enough sun, it might lighten a little. So, if you want the reddish appearance of cherry but don’t want to worry about it getting darker with age, alder could be a good choice at a great price point.

Is alder wood good for painting?

In contrast to other species of hardwood, Alder’s smooth texture, lack of heartwood/ sapwood differentiation, and closed grain make it especially easy to paint and achieve a flawlessly consistent finished product.

Is there a difference between alder and knotty alder?

Alder varies from pale yellow to reddish brown and it accepts stains exceptionally well. It is also the lightest and least dense wood. Knotty Alder presents a more rustic look. When stained, alder blends well with walnut, mahogany and cherry.

Does knotty alder stain well?

Alder is a wood that doesn’t accept stains very well, resulting in blotchy color. Even though we’re going for a rustic or distressed appearance, a blotchy stain can still look downright ugly.

Is glazing cabinets out of style?

Distressed and glazed cabinet finishes are a fixture in many a country kitchen. While this style of cabinet rose in popularity over the last decade, it’s now falling out of fashion. When choosing finishes for a cabinet replacement or refacing, choose more modern looks, whether crisp paint colors or clean wood tones.

Is alder too soft for kitchen cabinets?

Even though it is considered a hard wood it is one of the softest of all the hardwoods and is sometimes called a semi-hardwood. Regardless, alder is still considered to be very durable and therefore is a good choice for cabinet doors.

How do you finish a knotty alder door?

How to Finish Knotty Alder Doors

  1. Step 1: Gather Materials.
  2. Step 2: Set Up the Workspace.
  3. Step 3: Remove Hardware.
  4. Step 4: Sand the Door.
  5. Step 5: Clean the Door.
  6. Step 6: Apply Varnish/Stain.
  7. Step 7: Repeat: Sand/Clean/Varnish.
  8. Knotty Alder Interior Doors.

Does knotty alder change color?

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. Over time and with exposure to sunlight, Alder will actually become a shade lighter (mellowing) in color as the wood ages.

What kind of wood is in Knotty Alder cabinets?

Designer Kim Hoegger chose a rustic Knotty Alder wood species with a dark patina stain for the lower base cabinets and kitchen island and contrasted it with a Classic White painted finish for the wall cabinetry above. This unique and eclectic design brings bright light and character to the home.

How are glazed kitchen cabinets supposed to look?

Our glazed kitchen cabinet features a raised rectangular panel in the middle. The warm brown color and the beautiful rustic accents of these cabinets make them look natural and untreated. The distressing gives the knotty alder wood character and age by using a faux finish glazing technique.

What kind of wood to use for kitchen cabinets?

Knotty Alder cabinets are a very popular wood choice. Knotty alder cabinets finish beautifully. Knotty alder does not evolve in color or darken when exposed to light or heat as other woods do, and takes stains and other finishes well.