Alder

Alder (Alnus glutinosa) is a versatile and often overlooked native British hardwood with a fine, even grain and a warm, light reddish-brown colour. Lightweight yet surprisingly strong, Alder is one of the easiest hardwoods to work, making it a popular choice for furniture makers, woodturners, carvers and hobby woodworkers.

Its smooth texture and consistent grain make it ideal for projects where a clean, uniform appearance is required. Alder machines, sands and finishes extremely well, making it suitable for furniture, cabinetry, shelving, carving, turned work and musical instrument projects.

At The Wood Room, we supply carefully selected Alder hardwood planks in practical sizes for real woodworking projects. Each board is individually photographed and measured, allowing you to choose the exact piece of timber for your next project.

Key Characteristics

Colour: Pale cream to light reddish-brown, developing a warmer tone as it is exposed to air and light.

Grain: Fine, straight and even, with a smooth consistent texture.

Hardness: Softer than many hardwoods, making it lightweight, easy to handle and simple to machine.

Workability: Excellent — Alder cuts, planes, routes, sands, carves and turns very well.

Finishing: Takes oils, waxes, lacquers and stains well, making it a versatile choice for many finishes.

Common Uses

Alder is a popular choice for:

  • Furniture making
  • Cabinetry and shelving
  • Interior joinery
  • Woodturning projects
  • Carving
  • Decorative boxes
  • Guitar bodies and musical instruments
  • General woodworking projects

Browse our current Alder hardwood planks below. If you are looking for a particular size or thickness, please get in touch — we are always happy to help.

Alder