Selecting the ideal wood door for your home can be a detailed process. Aside from keeping the door’s design in mind, the wood species you choose to best compliment the front entrance of your home should enhance its appearance and value. When it comes to the most attractive prospects, put knotty pine and knotty alder at the top of your list! Both wood types are beautiful yet offer different looks and feelings to your home. Before you come to a final decision, let’s explore the differences between knotty pine and knotty alder in this article.

Knotty Pine

Knotty pine wood is some of the most stunning wood in the world. It’s a lightweight wood that contains a straight grain and has an even texture throughout, contributing to its rustic look. Knotty pine has various building, paneling, and furniture uses.

Traditional knotty pine usually comes in a light shade that ranges from a warm yellow to a light orange and takes to varnishing well.

Knotty pine design includes tiny, tight knots that stay in place; this makes the wood a stable and reliable option in interior doors. Mainly popular in the 1940s to the 1960s, knotty pine was used in the trimming and construction of kitchen cabinets; however, it lost its appeal in traditional homes. Despite its history, the wood species is making a strong comeback due to its affordability, especially in log cabins and cottages.

Knotty Alder

Knotty alder is the softest of the hardwoods. It is a rustic species that contains a straight grain pattern and coloring similar to cherry. Knotty alder wood can range from a light honey hue to a reddish-brown tinge.

The wood also contains evidence of imperfections from branches, otherwise known as knots. However, these markings are what make the wood a striking material to work with. The knots will vary in size and placement. They can be tight or open and split.

Alder becomes a shade lighter as it ages—especially when it’s exposed to sunlight. It’s an excellent choice for interior doors and also is a fantastic exterior door option to give a home a rustic feel.

While there are differences between knotty pine and knotty alder, you can’t go wrong with either option. Both wood species can complement any home as part of an exterior entryway or within the home’s exterior.

For more questions on rustic wood exterior doors, don’t hesitate to contact Nick’s Building Supply. We specialize in providing high-quality doors for many areas of your home and are glad to assist you in future renovation projects.