Alder and maple sit on every lumber rack waiting for smart makers like you.
You feel the choice the moment you tap each board.
Alder answers with a mellow thud that hints at easy work.
Maple rings sharp which signals strength.
Both woods smell sweet under the planer.
Both shape projects in very different ways.
Why this guide helps you
You plan a cabinet or a table or maybe a full kitchen.
You want solid facts.
You want clear tips that speed the build.
You need insight so your money and time land well.
This guide walks through every key factor.
It uses plain talk and quick lists.
It stays at a tenth grade level so anyone can follow.
Primary keyword appears across the page for search strength.
The tone stays friendly and direct.
Quick answer
- Pick alder for painted pieces warm stains gentle curves and tight budgets.
- Pick hard maple for heavy wear crisp lines food work and bright finishes.
- Pick soft maple when you need the maple look with less weight and less cost.
- Mix them when you want strength on top and savings in hidden parts.
What the wood really is
Alder basics
Alder grows in many coastal forests in the Pacific Northwest.
The trees mature fast which makes supply steady.
Color sits in a light brown range with a soft red blush.
Grain shows fine lines with few streaks.
Density sits in the medium group.
Maple basics
Two common species fill most shops.
Soft maple comes from several eastern trees.
Hard maple comes from the sugar maple tree.
Color starts creamy then moves to pale tan with dark mineral lines at times.
Grain looks tight and even with fancy figure in rare boards.
Hardness and durability
Numbers help plan abuse.
Red alder shows a Janka value near six hundred ninety pound force.
Soft maple climbs near nine hundred fifty pound force.
Hard maple leaps to around one thousand four hundred fifty pound force.
Home use effect
Alder dents under chair legs and toy cars.
Soft maple resists dents in rail doors and frame faces.
Hard maple shrugs off daily hits on tables floors and bench tops.
Workability in the shop
Alder feel
Alder cuts like butter when you keep blades clean.
Hand planes glide with very light effort.
Router bits leave crisp edges.
Tear out stays low when you read the grain.
Glue bonds fast and strong.
Screws drive smooth with pilot holes.
Maple feel
Maple asks for sharp edges every time.
Dull tools burn the surface fast.
Slow steady feed works best.
Fresh saw blades give clean lines.
Hand planes need a keen edge and a skew stroke.
Pilot every screw and wax threads for safety.
Finishing
Finish makes or breaks the final look.
Alder accepts pigment with grace when you seal first.
It mimics cherry walnut or mahogany with ease.
Paint glides across the calm grain.
Maple resists pigment because of closed pores.
Dyes add color deep in the fibers.
Then a glaze adds depth on sealed wood.
Clear film keeps maple bright and clean.
Two proven finish paths
- Alder walnut tone uses light shellac then gel stain then clear water varnish.
- Maple mid brown uses water dye then shellac then light brown glaze then clear coat.
Color and figure
Alder offers a quiet face that suits paint or calm rooms.
You see small pin knots at times yet grain stays even.
Maple can stay plain or explode with curl quilt or birdseye.
Figure boards ask for clear film so chatoyance shines.
Stability and movement
Both species stay calm indoors when humidity stays steady.
Alder and maple move more across the grain than along.
Follow good practice to keep panels flat.
- Store boards in the build room for several days.
- Mill in two stages with a night between cuts.
- Leave room for panel float.
- Seal every face for balanced moisture flow.
Joinery and screw bite
Alder grips screws well after a correct pilot hole.
It splits near edges if you skip that step.
Coarse thread screws work fine.
Maple grips screws like a vise.
Cheap screws snap so use good hardware.
Pilot holes near root size avoid splits.
Pilot hole sizes that work
- Number six screw uses three over thirty two inch pilot in both woods.
- Number eight screw uses seven over sixty four inch pilot in both woods.
- Number ten screw uses one over eight inch pilot in both woods.
Glue and joint styles
Yellow glue bonds faces and edges on both species.
End grain drinks glue so give a sizing coat first.
Mortise and tenon joints stay strong in each wood.
Pocket screws hold when you clamp well.
Dowels and dominoes seat tight with fresh glue.
Cost and availability
Prices shift by region and grade.
Alder usually costs less per board foot than maple.
Soft maple sits between alder and hard maple.
Hard maple costs more.
Figure raises cost fast.
Clear alder also raises cost because demand stays high.
Sustainability
Alder grows fast which supports steady harvest cycles.
Many mills manage alder within mixed tree stands.
Maple grows across wide zones and needs longer cycles especially hard maple.
Buy from yards that follow clear grading and responsible kiln practice.
Tool setup tips
- Use a high tooth saw blade for maple for clean cuts with no burn.
- Keep blades free of pitch buildup.
- Spiral cutter heads in planers shine on maple and still leave alder smooth.
- Raise router speed a touch when profiling alder to keep edges crisp.
- Take very light passes on maple to stop tear and burn.
- Swap sanding pads often because maple clogs quickly.
Project matchmaker
Paint grade furniture
- Alder frames doors and end panels serve well.
- Soft maple drawer boxes glide smooth.
- Hard maple tops keep edges sharp and resist chips.
Natural finish furniture
- Alder suits case sides and face frames with brown stain.
- Soft maple lifts lighter tones on beds and desks.
- Hard maple earns its keep on heavy use tops and slim chair legs.
Kitchen cabinets
- Alder painted shaker doors feel smooth.
- Soft maple stands out in clear coated kitchens.
- Hard maple frames and drawer boxes handle daily use.
- Maple plywood fills boxes with solid maple edges.
Tables
- Alder serves coffee tables in quiet rooms.
- Hard maple owns dining tables and island tops.
- Soft maple accents live edge sofa tables.
Cutting boards and kitchen ware
Hard maple wins without debate because grain stays tight and food safe with simple oil.
Doors and trim
- Alder handles painted or rustic interior doors.
- Soft maple brightens clear finish trim.
- Hard maple takes the beating on stair treads and hand rails.
Blend for budget gains
Smart builders mix species to balance cost and performance.
- Place hard maple on a tabletop then use alder for aprons and legs with rich stain.
- Face frames in soft maple can sit next to alder door panels for a warm look.
- Drawer boxes in hard maple slide inside alder cabinet cases painted in any tone.
- Maple plywood boxes wear alder edges under paint.
Stain match across species
- Aim for tone harmony rather than perfect color match.
- Use dye on maple for base shade.
- Use gel stain on alder for depth.
- Seal thin layers between color steps.
- Finish both species with the same sheen for unity.
Common errors and quick fixes
Flooded stain on raw alder
Sand light with three twenty grit then seal with shellac then glaze with gel.
Maple stain looks blotchy
Sand back then start with a water dye then seal then glaze.
Burn marks on maple cuts
Clean the blade then slow the feed then take two passes.
Dent in alder panel
Lay a damp cloth on the dent then steam with a hot iron then let dry then sand light.
Rough feel after first coat
Scuff sand with three twenty grit then wipe dust then add a light coat.
Buying guide at the yard
- Carry a moisture meter and aim for eight to ten percent.
- Sight down each board for twist and cup.
- Check maple for sticker stain.
- Note pin knots and worm tracks on alder if those spoil your plan.
- Pull color matched sets for doors.
- Buy one extra board for grain match or mishaps.
Grades and what they mean
- Alder select and better looks clean with few knots.
- Knotty alder brings character for rustic builds.
- Soft maple number one common gives value and plenty of clear inches.
- Hard maple select and better suits clear finish show parts.
Plywood options
Maple faced plywood arrives in many cores.
Pick stable core for cabinet sides and shelves.
Alder faced sheets appear in some markets.
Edge maple ply with solid maple or alder under paint.
Light sanding saves the thin face layer.
Health and safety
Wear a dust mask during sanding because fine dust fills the air.
Use collection at every machine.
Gloves keep dye off skin until seal coat dries.
Store oil soaked rags in a metal can with tight lid.
Personal case study
I built two nightstands for the guest room last year.
Design showed tapered legs and single drawers.
I chose alder for the cases and legs.
I chose hard maple for drawer boxes and tops.
I wanted a walnut tone on alder and a warm brown on maple tops.
Alder accepted gel stain over a shellac wash with ease.
Maple fought pigment on the first try so I switched to a water dye then glaze.
Tops came alive with depth.
Alder and maple did not match exactly yet they sang in harmony.
Guests still praise the pair.
Finish cheat sheets
Alder painted shaker door
- Sand to one eighty grit.
- Apply a high build primer.
- Sand to two twenty grit.
- Spray two thin coats of enamel paint.
Alder stained console
- Sand to one eighty grit.
- Seal with light shellac cut.
- Wipe gel stain to target tone.
- Seal again with shellac.
- Top with three light coats of water varnish.
Maple clear dresser
- Sand to one eighty grit.
- Apply medium brown dye.
- Seal with thin shellac.
- Add a toner coat if color needs lift.
- Top with two coats of lacquer or water varnish.
Maple painted vanity
- Sand to one eighty grit.
- Fill small mineral lines with tinted filler.
- Prime with strong bonding primer.
- Sand to two twenty grit.
- Spray two thin enamel coats.
Quick project recipes
Entry bench that fights boots
Hard maple top sits at one and one quarter inch thick.
Alder base joins with mortise and tenon joints then hides under paint.
Clear oil on the top renews with ease.
Floating shelves with hidden steel
Soft maple faces wrap maple ply cores.
Clear satin finish keeps the modern vibe.
Built in media wall
Alder frames and doors hide under paint for a calm face.
Maple ply boxes join with solid maple frames for strength.
Soft close hardware screws into maple for firm bite.
Frequent questions
Is alder or maple better
Alder wins when paint and budget lead the plan.
Maple wins when strength and clear finish matter more.
You can mix them for the best of both.
Disadvantages of alder wood
Alder dents easier and shows blotches if stain floods the grain.
Clear alder costs more than knotty stock.
It carries little dramatic figure for show parts.
Which wood costs more
Maple often costs more especially hard maple.
Soft maple cost stays closer to alder in many zones.
Figure drives prices higher.
Which wood is harder
Maple stands harder by a clear margin.
Soft maple sits near nine fifty on Janka.
Hard maple rises above fourteen hundred.
Alder remains near six ninety.
How to stain maple without blotches
Start with a water dye then seal then glaze lightly.
Avoid flooding pigment on bare maple.
How to avoid blotches on alder
Use pre stain conditioner or a thin shellac wash then wipe a gel stain.
Can alder serve a dining table
Yes in a calm home yet dents will appear over time.
Hard maple suits a busy dining room table better.
Does maple move much with seasons
Maple moves like any hardwood so plan panel float and seal every face.
Best screws for maple
Quality wood screws with waxed threads drive clean after a full pilot hole.
Threaded inserts with machine screws suit knock down parts.
Can you paint maple
Yes when you prime well and sand smooth between coats.
Maple offers a fine face that shows paint beauty.
Cut list and plan tips
- Draw a full cut map before buying lumber.
- Group parts by grain for smooth glue lines.
- Keep rails straight by pulling stock without twist.
- Save clean maple for drawer sides.
- Match door parts from boards with close color.
Small shop workflow
Pick wood by use and finish first.
Cut finish samples from offcuts before the main work.
Mill boards in two stages to relax stress.
Build one door to test every finish step.
Write notes then follow that plan on the full run.
Harmony guide for two tone builds
Warm browns blend alder and maple better than cool browns.
Use a red brown on alder then a brown dye with red hint on maple.
Seal between steps and keep sheen matched.
Room by room picks
Kitchen
Maple boxes and drawers hold strong.
Alder painted doors give a smooth face.
Hard maple tops work in busy zones.
Maple butcher block prepped with oil helps food prep.
Living room
Alder cases stained warm look cozy.
Maple shelves hold clear coat for bright contrast.
Maple frames on built ins keep lines crisp.
Bedroom
Soft maple frames beds with light satin glow.
Alder nightstands accept soft walnut tone.
Maple dovetailed drawers slide like silk.
Bath
Maple carcasses and drawers resist dents.
Alder painted doors bring color.
Water varnish keeps moisture out.
Care and repair
Wipe spills fast on both woods.
Place felt pads under chairs on alder floors.
Oil maple cutting boards often.
Steam small dents out of alder with damp cloth.
Use gentle soap on finished surfaces.
Your build checklist
- Decide alder vs maple based on use look and budget.
- Choose boards for color and grain before the first cut.
- Mill in two stages with rest time.
- Test finish on scrap from the same batch.
- Pilot every screw and size glue on end grain.
- Seal every surface.
- Add felt pads and bumpers at install.
I love both woods for different reasons.
Alder invites new makers with friendly cuts and rich stains.
Maple rewards patience with strength and clear bright beauty.
Use this guide and your next project will stand strong look great and serve long.