Alder – What Is and Isn’t Acceptable in Cabinet Doors
What’s acceptable in Alder doors? Compare select, standard, builder, knotty and rustic grades before you make your decision.
If you’re reading this, you’ve likely just received a shipment of Alder cabinet doors, and something doesn’t look quite right. Maybe there are streaks where you expected clean grain, or knots that you didn’t think would be visible. You might be wondering: Is this normal for Alder? Should I reject this? Did I misunderstand what I ordered? When the quality doesn’t match your expectations or the supplier’s grading system is unclear, it creates delays, rework, and harms your reputation.
Our team has built Alder cabinet doors for over 20 years. We’ve seen how even its subtle wood characteristics, when misunderstood, can cause real problems on site. Alder is popular for both traditional and transitional kitchen designs, and when quality expectations aren’t aligned, it can compromise your results and your reputation.
By the end of this article, you’ll understand:
Your Options For Alder Cabinet Doors
Alder is a versatile hardwood featuring fine, straight grain and warm tones. It’s loved for its ability to stain well, especially when aiming for a custom, high-end finish. Most suppliers offer Alder doors in several of these grades:
- Select Grade: consistent and high-quality, best for light finishes
- Standard Grade: balances quality and price
- Builder Grade: cost-effective and commonly used with dark stains
- Knotty Grade: offers more of the natural characteristics of Alder
- Rustic Grade: showcases even more of the natural characteristics
However, there’s no universal standard across the industry. What one supplier calls select might barely meet another’s standard grade expectations. That’s why understanding what each grade includes and excludes is key.
Let’s look at what each grade means when ordering from Cutting Edge.
Expectations For Select Grade Alder Cabinet Doors
Select grade Alder is the top-tier option, ideal for clear lacquer, whitewash, or light stains that show off the natural grain and colour of the wood.
Select grade Alder doors have a face that is 100% clear of knots, sapwood, and mineral streaks. The back must be 90% clear of this character as well. As well, our team colour-matches the panels, stiles, and rails to ensure a uniform appearance. While slight variation may exist between plywood and solid wood components, it should be subtle. The grain must be smooth and evenly patterned, with no features that immediately stand out.
Any visible defect that draws attention is unacceptable, such as a knot, mineral mark, sharp colour shift, or grain inconsistency. These doors mimic the flawless appearance of synthetic surfaces, while providing the warmth of real wood.
Expectations For Standard Grade Alder Cabinet Doors
Standard grade Alder is the mid-range option, ideal for medium or dark stains that enhance natural variation. It offers a balance between price, beauty and practicality.
The face of the door must be clear of visible defects, and at least 75% of the back must also be clear. While we don’t hand-select for colour, any variation must transition smoothly. Small pin knots and fine mineral streaks may be present, if they blend in and don’t dominate the visual appearance. Worm tracking may also appear, provided it’s subtle.
However, larger or overly dark mineral streaks, bruises, burls, or worm holes are not permitted.
Expectations For Builder Grade Alder Cabinet Doors
Builder grade Alder is the most economical choice, used for projects with dark stains.
The face of the door must be at least 75% clear, with the back around 50% clear. Gradual shifts in tone are fine, but extreme contrasts are not. Up to 25% of the face can include minor pin knots, tight mineral streaks, worm tracking (without holes), and bruising if they’re well-distributed. Small burls are acceptable up to ¾” in width and length.
Open knots, splits, black mineral streaks, and concentrated flaws in one area of the door are not acceptable. Any feature that could weaken the door’s structure or overpower the finish is grounds for rejection.
Expectations For Knotty Grade Alder Cabinet Doors
Knotty grade Alder is a great fit for projects that embrace visual character without going fully rustic. It’s commonly used in mountain homes, lodge-style kitchens, or transitional spaces that celebrate the beauty of natural wood.
Knotty grade allows for sound, tight knots that are secure. Knots with small cracks or slight splits are permitted, as long as they don’t go through the door and are filled or glued from the back. The surrounding colour should transition smoothly around the knots. Colour variation is expected, but it should still be blended.
Knots can’t appear on inside or outside profiles, and they must not compromise the panel groove or door edge. Open knots, excessive cracks, or defects that weaken the structure are unacceptable. Machining issues, such as tear-out, gouges, or misalignments, are also never allowed.
Expectations For Rustic Grade Alder Cabinet Doors
Rustic grade Alder celebrates natural imperfection. It’s designed for homeowners and designers who want bold character, contrast, and a story in every door.
Rustic doors allow for a wide range of visual features: loose knots (as long as they aren’t at risk of falling out), small voids, mineral streaks, sapwood, and dramatic colour swings. Cracks and splits are permitted as long as they don’t affect the structural integrity of the door. This grade embraces variation, so no two doors will be alike.
Despite its forgiving nature, rustic grade still requires structural stability. Knots cannot be located on panel or door profiles. Cracks that compromise strength, machining flaws, or missing material that exposes joint construction are not acceptable.
How To Choose The Right Grade Of Alder Cabinet Doors
Depending on how you finish Alder and which grade you choose, it can look sleek and uniform or warm and full of character. These questions will help you match the right material to the job:
- Will the finish highlight the wood or hide it? If you’re applying a clear or light stain, go with select grade. It minimizes risk and ensures a clean, predictable appearance. However, standard or builder grade works well under darker finishes.
- Does your design style leave room for natural variation? Sleek, contemporary projects often need a consistent look (select grade). But in craftsman, rustic, or transitional kitchens, standard, knotty or rustic Alder might provide the perfect blend of quality and character.
- Will your client appreciate knots and streaks? Choose rustic or knotty grade if natural features will enhance the space. If they’d rather not see them at all, order standard or select grade Alder.
- Do you need to keep costs in check? Builder grade Alder offers excellent value, especially when the finish will mask imperfections. However, ensure your stain is dark enough to mask the colour variation and natural character.
Every project has different demands, and there’s no one-size-fits-all grade. The key is to match the wood’s natural traits with your finish, your client’s expectations, and your budget. When those pieces align, Alder can deliver beautiful results at every level.
What To Do If Your Supplier Doesn’t Offer Enough Clarity
Not every supplier offers a full range of Alder grades. Even fewer will take the time to explain what each one includes and what to expect when it arrives on site.
Before you approve a quote or place a large order, make sure you ask:
- What grading options do you offer for Alder?
- Can I see samples or reference photos of each grade?
- How do you blend colour and grain across a full door?
- What happens if a door doesn’t meet the described grade?
The answers to these questions can make or break a project. You may be working with the wrong partner if your supplier avoids them or doesn’t offer enough variety to meet your needs.
Next Step: Learn How To Price Out Alder Doors Online
Now that you know what each grade of Alder includes and excludes, you can confidently choose the right fit for your project. Whether you’re delivering a high-end kitchen with flawless finishes or a functional build where character is welcome, understanding these standards helps you stay on time and on budget.
At Cutting Edge, we’ve helped thousands of contractors across North America eliminate the guesswork when ordering cabinet doors. If you’ve ever been frustrated by unclear grades or inconsistent quality, you’re not alone, and you’re not stuck. Your next step is to learn how to price out your Alder cabinet doors online and get exactly what your project needs, the first time.
