Why Choose Alder?
A soft, relatively low-strength, straight-grained, even-textured wood. Works well with hand and machine tools, but sharp cutting edges need to be maintained to prevent tearing the grain. The wood is rarely wider than 6 due to the small size of the trees.| Thickness | 8/4, S2S is 1-13/16" thick |
| Width | 4" to 6" possible |
| Length* |
6' to 10' possible
See shipping restrictions |
| Grade | Superior |
| Sold By |
Board Feet
Show explanation |
$8.49 /Board Feet
Pick Up In Store
About Lumber Sizes & Shipping Length Restrictions
4" to 6" Widths
Price shown is for a random selection of widths within this range. You can request specific widths or add a straight edge rip in the order form.
6' to 10' Lengths
This is the range of lengths that we might have in stock. The length you receive depends on how much you order.
We always try to ship the longest lengths possible.
8' and longer can be shipped truck freight, but this method is usually economical only for shipments that are at least 450 lbs (approx 100-150 board feet depending on the wood).
1-13/16" Thickness
Also known as 8/4, S2S. Surfaced 2 sides (S2S) from rough sawn lumber. You should be able to yield approximately 1-3/4" thickness after you flatten, plane, shape or sand your project parts to fit your project.
Learn more in our blog: "What Does 4/4 Mean in Lumber?"
How Lumber Ordering Works
Decide how much you need in Board Feet. Best way to get help with this is to use our Project Planner worksheet
Consider how much extra you want for arranging grain or color, fixing mistakes, testing cut set ups or finishes.
Choose your size requirements, if you have any, in the order form.
2.33
lbs /Bd. Ft.Wood Texture
Ease of Finishing
Pale Yellow to Reddish Brown.
A relatively small tree, reaching about 50ft in height and producing a trunk in diameter up to 15".
Alder, Oregon alder, Pacific coast alder, Red alder, Western alder
Rustic furniture, entry doors, moldings, turning, carving, toys, plywood, veneer, cabinets, musical instruments.
Lumber 101: What to Know About Hardwood Lumber
Random WidthsYou will cut and/or glue to create the sizes you need
Surfaced Smooth S2SWe buy rough sawn lumber and have it surfaced 2 sides (S2S) so you're ready to work
Kiln DriedWe stock kiln dried lumber and store it in a protected warehouse
83%+ ClearUnless stated otherwise, we stock Select & Better graded lumber that's at least 83% clear one side
- Pick a wood you like
- Decide how much you need
- Give us your specs (if you have any)
This is the unit of measurement for hardwood lumber when it's bought/sold in random widths and random lengths.
Board footage is a measurement of volume, and it's abbreviated Bd. Ft.
One board foot is equal to 144 cubic inches.
It's a fraction that refers to rough (RGH) sawn thickness of lumber, and it tells you approximately how many quarters of an inch make up the thickness.
Surfaced lumber is thinner because it started out as rough sawn but it's been planed smooth. Planing removes thickness.
| Rough Sawn (RGH) | Surfaced (S2S) | |
| 4/4 | ~1" | 13/16" |
| 5/4 | ~1-1/4" | 1-1/16" |
| 6/4 | ~1-1/2" | 1-5/16" |
| 8/4 | ~2" | 1-13/16" |
| 12/4 | ~3" | 2-13/16" |
Unless otherwise specified, our lumber is "Surfaced 2 Sides" or S2S for short.
Check out our blog for the full explanation.
Lumber ComparedVarious lumber thickness as compared to one another
If you can cut your own pieces to size, here's how we can help:
- Enter requirements into the order form where it says, "Minimum Size Request"
- Tell us what you want to acheive or make
- You will receive wood that can yeild what you need. (You will create the final size)
- We may need to contact you for clarification
You will cut and/or join your material to create the finished sizes you need. We'll pick out wood that will give you enough to do that. For this reason, the final amount of footage you receive in your order will be slightly different, and your final billed charge will be different.
If you want to only buy pieces of an exact size, that will be sold differently. Please contact us for a custom quote.
Hardwood grades explained
- See our FAQs
- Email our friendly crew! [email protected]
- Call us Toll Free 800-423-2450
The Joys of Building with Great Woods
Understanding hardwood lumber starts right here with these wacky fractions.
If you're expecting perfect clear lumber 100% of the time, you're in for a surprise. Here's a summary of the hardwood lumber grades and what to expect from them.
Board feet isn't your everyday kind of math, but these three simple steps make it easy to figure out your project.
Here's a handy (and free) Excel worksheet that helps you estimate the lumber needs for your project.
Are woods poisonous? Hazardous to use in cutting boards or baby cribs? Find out here.
Wood is like a sponge, and it's always in a state of absorbing or releasing moisture to stay equalized with its environment. The problem with that is it also swells and shrinks. Here's what you need to know to protect your project.
