Alder for kitchen cabinets ?

**SawSucker** · 08-06-2012, 07:59 AM

On and off I work for a painter that I've known since high school. He usually works on new homes painting, staining and laquering. Last year we worked in a new home that had custom knotty Alder kitchen cabinets and trim through out the house. I was not impressed at all with it, I've seen better boards on pallets. Now I see that a few other home builders are puting it in their more then average homes too. I guess people can sell anything if they label it as custom.

**deepsplinter** · 08-09-2012, 05:17 AM

Originally Posted by SawSucker

I guess people can sell anything if they label it as custom.

Oh yeah...."CUSTOM"

I recently had a lady want me to build her a 6' vanity. I told her she could buy a 6' vanity anywhere....cheaper. No, she wanted me to make it.

She wanted it made from cherry....stained dark red (mahogany). I told her I could get that same look out of poplar...cheaper. No, she wanted cherry.

She just wants to tell people she has "a custom made cherry vanity" (even if it's custom made by a weekend hacker like me)

**SawSucker** · 08-09-2012, 11:01 AM

Deep, if you do it, I hope you make it worth your time.

**deepsplinter** · 08-09-2012, 12:35 PM

Oh it's a done deal...and I did.

Money was no object for these people.

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Here's another little do-dad she wanted.....just to hold FIVE towels.

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Isn't it a shame to do that to cherry? It's almost paint. But the customer gets what the customer wants.

**SawSucker** · 08-09-2012, 12:51 PM

Very nicely done, and I'm glad to hear that you didn't get taken advantage of. I agree with the finish, some woods are better without stain, and just a few coats of clear coat. Oak floors is another good example in my opinion. But like you say, gotta give the customers what they want.

**Glen** · 08-14-2012, 09:14 PM

Correct this old yankee if I'm wrong, but
I thought Alder was the western counterpart of poplar.
A cheap furniture\cabinet interior wood - good for stretchers N' nailers and such.
I've been in AZ quite a bit and have seen Alder cabinets.
Not so much to my liking but not terrible either.
Maybe it's the knotty aspect that made what you saw unattractive.
I find knotty pine to be cheap looking and it was once popular out here.
Not so much anymore thankfully - hate ducking them pesky loose knots.

-G-