I just milled my first tree trunk into red alder, and I'm looking to use these planks for a barn door on my steel building. What finishes can I apply like epoxy or varnish to protect it? Is there a particular oil I should use annually for maintenance?
2 Answers
Alder is pretty soft, so I wouldn't recommend making a barn door out of it. It tends to bleach out in direct sunlight. You might want to consider using cedar or redwood instead for more durability!
I've built plenty of alder doors, both for inside and outside! Just make sure to stain it first, then apply three coats of a water-based exterior polyurethane like Old Masters or General Finishes. Just keep the door dry, and it should last years before needing any touch-up!
True, but alder is still harder than some softwoods. If you don't mind the aging process, you could even go for a painted finish!