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Anti-stain chemical
A chemical that is applied to timber to prevent or retard chemical or fungal stain development.
American Red Alder | Alnus rubra
American Red Alder is a hardwood timber that is light brown in colour with a reddish tinge, making it a popular substitute for cherry in furniture and other interior applications.
American Red Alder grows on the west coast of the USA and is the most common commercial hardwood in that region. This attractive timber is used for furniture, interior mouldings, doors and turning and carving.
Other Names: Red Alder, Western Red Alder, Western Alder, Oregon Alder, Pacific Coast Alder
Overview
American Red Alder is the most common hardwood in the Pacific Northwest of the USA, and it the largest of the American alders. It is a fast-growing species and has nitrogen-fixing nodules on its roots that are formed as a result of a beneficial relationship with a species of bacteria. The distribution of Red Alder extends from southeast Alaska to central coastal California. While the species predominantly grows within 200 km of the Pacific coast, there is a small inland extension of Red Alder across northern Washington into northernmost Idaho.
American Red Alder timber is almost white when freshly cut but rapidly changes to a light brown colour with a red or yellow tinge when it is exposed to air. Heartwood is formed only in very old trees and there is no visible boundary between heartwood and sapwood. The timber is of medium density and low bending strength, making it unsuitable for structural applications. However, it machines, polishes and turns well, making it an ideal timber for furniture, cabinetry and other interior applications.
American Red Alder timber is available as both rough and dimension stock; veneer production is limited. While American Red Alder is readily available in the regions where it grows in the USA, its international availability is mixed. The American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC) is working to increase the export of the timber into markets such as Australia.
Properties
Shrinkage
| Very Low | Low | Medium | High | Very High | |
Tangential: |
|||||
| 7.3 | |||||
| Radial: | 4 - 5 | ||||
| Unit Movement: |
10.1 % |
Strength Group
| Very High | High | Reasonably High | Medium High | Medium | Reasonably Low | Low | Very Low | |
| Unseasoned: | S1 | S2 | S3 | S4 | S5 | S6 | S7 | |
| Seasoned: | SD1 | SD2 | SD3 | SD4 | SD5 | SD6 | SD7 | SD8 |
Stress Grade
| Structural No. 1 |
Structural No. 2 |
Structural No. 3 |
Structural No. 4 |
Structural No. 5 |
|
| Unseasoned: | |||||
| Seasoned: |
Density per Standard
| Unseasoned: | 0 kg/m3 |
|---|---|
| Seasoned: | 449 kg/m3 |
Joint Group
| Very High | High | Reasonably High | Medium | Low | Very Low | |
| Unseasoned: | J1 | J2 | J3 | J4 | J5 | J6 |
| Seasoned: | JD1 | JD2 | JD3 | JD4 | JD5 | JD6 |
Colour
| White, yellow, pale straw to light brown | Pink to pink brown | Light to dark red | Brown, chocolate, mottled or streaky | |
Mechanical Properties
| Modulus of Rupture - Seasoned: |
67.571 |
|---|---|
| Modulus of Elasticity - Seasoned: |
9.515 |
| Maximum Crushing Strength - Seasoned: |
40.129 |
| Toughness - Seasoned: |
Low - up to 15 Nm |
| Hardness - Unseasoned: |
2.624 |
Durability
| Low | Moderate | Reasonably High | High | |
| (0 - 5 yrs) | (5 - 15 yrs) | (15 - 25 yrs) | (more than 25 yrs) | |
| In-Ground: |
||||
| (0 - 7 yrs) | (7 - 15 yrs) | (15 - 40 yrs) | (More than 40 yrs) | |
| Above ground: |
||||
| (0 - 20 yrs, usually < 5) | (21 - 40 yrs) | (41 - 64 yrs) | (More than 60 yrs) | |
| Marine Borer Resistance: |
Fire Properties
| 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | |
| EFH Ignitibility: |
| 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | |
| EFH Spread-of-Flame Index: |
|||||||||||
| EFH Smoke-Developed Index: |
| 1 - non-combustible | 2 - reasonably non-combustible | 3 - slightly combustible | 4 - combustible | |
| Fire Properties Group Number: |
| Bushfire Resistance: |
Not tested |
|---|
Description
| Botanical Name: | Alnus rubra |
|---|---|
| Preferred Common Name: | American Red Alder |
| Other Names: | Red Alder, Western Red Alder, Western Alder, Oregon Alder, Pacific Coast Alder |
| Photographer Name: | Copyright AHEC |
| Species Type: | Hardwood |
Appearance
American Red Alder timber is a moderately dense, reasonably straight grained and uniformly textured timber. When cut it is almost white in colour but changes rapidly to a light brown with a reddish or yellow tinge when exposed to air. Red Alder timber can be sanded, painted or stained to produce a highly attractive finish.
Common Applications
American Red Alder is most commonly used for furniture, cabinets, interior mouldings, doors and joinery. Due to its excellent turning and carving properties, Red Alder is used for novelties and kitchen utensils. It is also used in plywood and fibre-based products, such as tissues and writing paper.
Common Form
Sawn
Workability
American Red Alder machines well and is an excellent timber for turning and polishing. It also nails, screws and glues well, making it ideal for furniture production. Red Alder readily accepts paint and stains. Note that the grading rules are unique to this hardwood. The grades are: Superior (Select & Better), Cabinet (No.1 Common) and Frame (No.2 Common). When specifying Red Alder, it is recommended that you work closely with the supplier to determine the best grade for the intended application.
Origin of Timber
North America
Availability - Further Information
American Red Alder is reasonably available in the regions of the Pacific Northwest USA where it grows. It is available in some international markets but limited in others. Check with local suppliers or the American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC) for availability of the timber in your area.
Source of Timber
Native Forest
Applications
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Flooring
Whether for structural or finished flooring applications, timber offers durability, versatility and adaptability. The warmth, strength and natural beauty of timber flooring has proved enduringly popular in a wide variety of interior settings.
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Interior Rails and Balustrades
With its natural beauty and inherent strength, timber is a popular material choice in internal balustrade construction. Commonly built from treated softwoods and durable hardwoods, interior balustrades and handrails are typically finished with a clear lacquer to generate the most natural result.
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Interior Stairs
Timber should be the material of choice for designers seeking internal staircases of strength, beauty and durability. The construction procedure described here applies to most general type stairs of either conventional or contemporary construction.
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Internal Paneling
Timber paneling creates interiors as warm as they are stylish. Commonly utilising an MDF or plywood substrate, internal timber paneling is natural and versatile and comes as either solid natural timber panels or as sheets of engineered wood products
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Timber Joinery Products
Timber joinery products offer a classic, unique and stylish touch to any interior design.
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Timber Mouldings
Mouldings are extremely versatile and durable, enhancing the aesthetics of any interior and functioning as the icing on the cake for designs with a focus on beauty and splendour.
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