Maple lumber collection
Clean, pale domestic alternative for furniture and utility builds.
View optionRed Alder Wood Guide
Wood species guide · Domestic hardwood species
Red Alder is best understood by how it looks, how it works, and where it should be used. This guide explains the practical buying details before sending you to the right Kingma products.
Scientific nameAlnus rubra
Janka hardness590 lbf
Average dried weight28.0 lb/ft³
Best fitVeneer
Overview
Why choose Red Alder?
Red Alder is a domestic hardwood species associated with Coastal western North America. It is useful when the project calls for veneer, plywood, furniture, cabinetry, millwork, pallets, musical instruments (electric guitar bodies), and chip/pulp wood
For SEO and customer usefulness, this page separates the science from the buying decision: appearance, working behaviour, durability, project fit, and then the right Kingma shopping path.
Scientific nameAlnus rubra
DistributionCoastal western North America
ShrinkageRadial: 4.4%, Tangential: 7.3%, Volumetric: 12.6%, T/R Ratio: 1.7 More images | Identification
DurabilityRed alder is rated non-durable to perishable regarding decay resistance, and freshly cut logs should be quickly converted into lumber and dried to prevent staining or decay in the wood.
Red Alder colour, grain, and figure
Expect red alder tends to be a light tan to reddish brown; color darkens and reddens with age. There is no visible distinction between heartwood and sapwood.
In practical selection, the grain and texture are best treated this way: grain is generally straight, with a moderately fine, uniform texture.
Working notes
In the shop, red alder is very easy to work with both hand and machine tools; it sands especially easy. The wood is rather soft, however, and care must be taken to avoid denting it in some applications.
Although severe reactions are quite uncommon, alder in the Alnus genus has been reported to cause eye, skin, and respiratory irritation.
Red Alder should be sold by project fit: colour, workability, durability, and the format the customer actually needs.
Best uses for Red Alder
Best projects
Veneer, plywood, furniture, cabinetry, millwork, pallets, musical instruments (electric guitar bodies), and chip/pulp wood
Use caution
Avoid specifying it by name alone; confirm board size, moisture, colour, figure, and the project environment before buying.
Finish strategy
Test finishes on offcuts first, especially when colour, blotching, outdoor exposure, or grain filling matters.
Buying note
Choose boards, slabs, plywood, blanks, or posts based on the project rather than species name alone.
Shop path
Buying Red Alder from Kingma
Start with the direct species match when Kingma sells it. If stock rotates, use the closest live collection or a clearly explained alternative.
Live edge slabs
Use when the customer cares more about slab format and visual impact than this exact species.
View optionSimilar woods and alternatives
If Kingma does not have an exact match online, use the buying links below as practical alternatives only when the colour, grain, hardness, or project environment makes sense.
Red Alder FAQ
What is Red Alder best used for?
Red Alder is best considered for veneer, plywood, furniture, cabinetry, millwork, pallets, musical instruments (electric guitar bodies), and chip/pulp wood. Match it to the exact board format, colour, hardness, and finish plan before buying.
Is Red Alder beginner friendly?
It depends on density, grain direction, and tooling. Test cuts on offcuts first, and choose Maple, Cherry, Walnut, or Poplar when easier machining is the priority.
Does Kingma sell Red Alder?
Use the buying section on this page. If an exact product is not listed, the linked alternatives are included only when they make practical sense for colour, grain, or project use.