Solid alder doors: pros and cons

When making repairs in an apartment or house, we always try to do it in the best possible way. We select the most suitable and highest quality finishing materials. We study the options for interior decoration. We try to select the best quality furniture that meets our requirements for appearance and design. Not in the last place during the renovation is the question of the choice of doors. Further in the article, we will consider the features of alder products, options for their operation and methods of caring for such products.

Having paid enough attention to the choice of doors and having studied their assortment, everyone can choose models for themselves that correspond to personal needs and wealth.

In recent years, door models made of PVC and metal have been actively gaining popularity. Sometimes, in order to make door structures made of artificial materials look natural, manufacturers use natural veneer as an external lining.

However, products made entirely from natural materials are also popular and in high demand. Thanks to modern production technologies, which make it possible to strengthen and improve the quality of wooden structures, wood models are often almost in no way inferior to artificial doors.

Doors are made of such types of wood as oak, ash, alder, hornbeam, maple, walnut, pine. Each type of wood has different properties and characteristics. Undoubtedly, a conscientious manufacturer seeks to improve these properties. It must be understood that walnut can never be compared to oak in terms of strength. And, for example, maple will not be able to have the moisture resistance of alder or hornbeam.

Depending on the rarity of the wood species, its properties, the complexity of its processing, the cost of the finished product varies quite widely. From budget models available to low-income buyers to products at very high, almost royal prices.

The most expensive are oak and hornbeam models. These are very durable types of wood, and products made from them are difficult to process. Entrance doors are often made from oak. They are very solid and reliable, the external design gives the product a rich look.

The cheapest are pine and walnut doors. These materials are well suited for interior doors. They are lightweight, do not require specific complex care. The production technology allows us to make them quite durable and beautiful to look at.

Doors from solid alder are of the middle price category. Depending on the thickness of the leaf, alder doors can be both entrance and interior doors. The products do not have too much weight, they look beautiful and elegant, thanks to the peculiarities of the wood fiber of this species.

To begin with, let's turn to the process of manufacturing door structures made of wood, in particular, from solid alder. As mentioned above, the quality of the finished product depends on the quality of wood processing and the manufacturer's compliance with work standards.

Wood doors can be made in two ways. The first option is to process a solid piece of wood. The second option is just an array of woody species. Solid wood is made of wood plates glued together.This design of the product is much more durable than made from a solid wood sheet.

The first stage is the preparation of the material. Much attention is paid to the original quality of the wood, which depends on the age of the tree and growing conditions. The tree dries well. Wood plates are treated with special compounds that increase the anti-corrosion properties of the product. The finished door goes through the process of grinding and coating with several layers of varnish.

When choosing doors from alder or other species, pay attention to the manufacturer. At the moment, Belarus is the leader in quality and assortment. There are also many Russian manufacturers who have positive feedback on their products.

Like many natural or artificial doors, solid alder doors have both advantages and disadvantages. First, about the advantages of door designs made of alder wood:

• High strength and moisture resistance. This tree species often grows in swampy areas, but it does not rot and decay. Most of the piles on the streets of Venice were made of alder and remained strong for many years, despite constant contact with water. Doors made of solid alder do not warp, do not dry out, they perfectly tolerate temperature and humidity changes. They are not exposed to direct sunlight. Thanks to this, insulated models with a thicker canvas may well serve as entrance doors.
• Nice and stylish appearance. Alder wood looks very beautiful even without finishing. This breed has elongated fibers that can change color throughout its length. This quality makes the wood panel look like marble. The noble red tint of the door leaf makes such a product a real interior decoration. If stained glass is included in the decoration of an alder door, the product will acquire a gothic austere style.

• Alder wood, like any natural material, very environmentally friendly... Alder, among other things, has been known since ancient times for its healing properties and positive calming energy. Alder doors will bring a pleasant coziness and warm atmosphere to the house.
• Durability of the door leaf. Subject to the rules of operation and the absence of strong damaging effects, alder products can last more than thirty years and please more than one generation in your family. Doors made of natural linen can be easily repaired and restored in case of damage.

I must admit that against the background of the obvious merits and pluses of this material, its disadvantages are very insignificant. However, it would be wrong not to mention them at all. The negative sides of alder doors include:

• Alder canvas several capricious in leaving. It does not tolerate abrasive substances. The door leaf should be cleaned with a soft damp cloth or with the use of gentle compounds. This rule will have to be remembered and followed during the operation of the product. Otherwise, you can cause significant damage to the appearance of the wood panel.
• The second weak point of alder is its instability to constant or very prolonged high temperatures. It was mentioned above that this material tolerates temperature extremes, but constant presence near a hot radiator or other device that gives a strong heat flow is destructive for an alder door.

At the end of the article, we will pay attention to the rules for caring for doors made of solid alder:

• Before installing the door leaf, it must be kept indoors for about two days. So the tree will adapt to the peculiarities of the temperature and humidity of the room. After that, you can carry out the canopy of the structure.
• Do not install alder doors next to a heating system or other appliances that constantly emit a lot of heat.
• It is advisable to process the door leaf with a special polish at least once a year. This will prevent the formation of cracks and help stop the development of existing micro-damage to the surface.

• Use a soft damp cloth or dry wipes to clean the door. Never allow natural material to come into contact with abrasive or chemical cleaning agents.
• Once every 3-4 years, it is necessary to treat the wood panel with special compounds to protect against insects. These formulations can be purchased at furniture or household goods stores.
• To preserve the beautiful appearance of the varnish surface and prevent its tarnishing, it is necessary to wipe the door leaf with a weak solution of alcohol once a month. The most optimal solution for use is a ten percent alcohol solution.
• After cleaning the surface of the product with a damp cloth, wipe the surface thoroughly with a dry cloth. This will reduce the amount of dust settling on the varnished surface, thereby preventing clouding.

For an overview of an interior door made of solid alder, see the following video.