If you have a favorite finish es for cherry the same finish es will likely look great on alder.
Finishing alder doors.
Get you knotty alder doors and knotty alder jambs pre finished stained and sealed to any stain color of your choice by finishing professionals that use the latest green zero voc uv based coatings for the smoothest furniture grade interior wood door finish available today.
At the link below i described the steps i used to finish a tv armoire that had alder doors poplar trim and birch ply panels.
The best way to finish a knotty alder exterior door to preserve color.
It can be stained to resemble most popular wood finishes but it is a notoriously difficult wood to stain as it often results in uneven coloring without proper preparation.
Pre finishing saves time and money.
The wood you see beneath a clear finish determines whether your door s look will be rustic or refined.
With its subtle grain soft cherry like hue and decorative knots knotty alder is a preferred choice for exterior doors.
Doors made with stable woods are less affected by humidity so they re better at holding up to the elements.