Alder has long been prized in Scandinavian sauna culture for its fine, even grain and gentle warmth. Its moderate density strikes an ideal balance — absorbing heat steadily without becoming uncomfortably hot to the touch. Virtually knot-free in premium grades, Alder presents a clean, refined aesthetic that suits both traditional and contemporary sauna interiors. Its subtle reddish-amber tone deepens beautifully with age, lending a rich character that improves with every session.

Alder’s low shrinkage and excellent dimensional stability make it exceptionally resistant to warping and cracking under the repeated thermal stress of sauna use. It machines and finishes cleanly, allowing for precise joinery and smooth surfaces that feel refined underfoot and against bare skin. For clients seeking a wood that blends Old World sauna tradition with modern elegance, Alder is an enduring choice.

Species Overview
Janka Hardness: 590 lbf | Grain: Straight, Fine
Avg Dried Weight: 28 lbs/ft³ | Odor: Mild, Neutral
Color: Light Reddish-Brown | Resin Content: Non-Resinous

Red Alder is the most commercially significant hardwood on the Pacific Coast of North America, prized by craftsmen and builders alike for its workability, consistency, and quiet visual elegance. Though classified as a hardwood, it is relatively light in weight, giving it excellent thermal properties and making it comfortable to handle in large-format installations.

Its fine, even texture and straight grain make Alder one of the most predictable woods to machine, sand, and finish. It accepts stains, oils, and clear coats with exceptional uniformity — a rare quality that makes it ideal for interiors where a consistent appearance across large surfaces is essential. The wood’s natural reddish-amber tone adds warmth without overpowering a space.

Alder is virtually pitch-free and produces no significant odor when heated, making it fully compatible with sauna environments. Its dimensional stability and resistance to shrinkage under thermal cycling make it a reliable long-term choice for benches, wall cladding, and decorative millwork.

Available Materials
STS A – 1X4 | T&G Nickel Gap – Wall Profile
Alder’s warm reddish-amber tone and virtually knot-free surface make the 1×4 nickel gap panel a favorite for premium residential saunas and boutique spa installations. The shadow-line reveal enhances the wood’s subtle grain movement without distracting from its quiet elegance.

• Nominal size: 1×4 | Actual size: 0.59″ x 3.54″ x 94.49″
• Face width: 3½» with ½» gap reveal | Profile: T&G / nickel gap
• Typical use: Walls and ceilings | Installation: Blind nail or clip

STS A – 1X4 DUAL | T&G Nickel Gap – Wall Profile
The dual-face Alder panel is the specification of choice for open sauna designs and feature partition walls where both faces of the paneling are on display. The consistent, finished appearance on both sides reflects the craftsmanship expected in luxury wellness environments.

• Nominal size: 1×4 | Actual size: 0.59″ x 3.54″ x 94.49″
• Face width: 3½» with ½» gap reveal | Profile: T&G / nickel gap
• Typical use: Walls, ceilings, partition walls | Installation: Blind nail or clip

S4S A – 2X4 (*) | Bench Profile
Alder’s smooth, fine-grain surface machines to an exceptionally clean finish, producing a bench board that feels polished and refined underfoot and against bare skin. Its moderate density and low resin content make it comfortable and safe at sauna temperatures.

• Nominal size: 2×4 | Actual size: 1.10″ x 3.54″ x 94.49″
• Profile: S4S / smooth four sides
• Typical use: Benches and platforms | Installation: Face nail or screw

S4S A – 2X6 (*) | Bench Profile
The 2×6 Alder bench board showcases the species’ amber grain at its most dramatic. Wide, continuous boards with minimal seaming give luxury sauna benches a furniture-grade quality that elevates the entire installation.

• Nominal size: 2×6 | Actual size: 1.10″ x 4.72″ x 94.49″
• Profile: S4S / smooth four sides
• Typical use: Benches and platforms | Installation: Face nail or screw