Because alder is abundant in the American Southwest, it is a relatively inexpensive building material, making its uniquely knotty grain both an affordable and tasteful choice. Read on for more information on the costs of installing and customizing a new alder entry door.
General Prices for Your Alder Door
New door prices tend to vary depending on the type of wood. Alder is the less expensive cousin of costly woods, such as cherry and walnut, and a basic, six-panel alder door will usually start around $200-$400. With installation costs included, a standard alder entry door is about $200-$700. An alder door constructed with reinforced insulation, glass insets, and other added features, however, can cost anywhere between $2,500 to $11,000 with installation.
For complete systems that include a pre-hung alder door in its frame, hinges, locksets, sidelights, and weatherstripping, homeowners can expect their total alder door price to range from $2,000 to $4,000.
Alder Door Added Features
While they are traditionally known for their rustic beauty, you can treat your alder entry door to fit any penchant or preference. Typically, contractors and manufacturers will work with homeowners to produce an alder door to match their unique tastes and to satisfy all of their needs. Commonly added features for alder doors include hand-carved accents, glass side panels, and other stylistic embellishments like adding distressed dents to the softer grain. Additionally, many manufacturers also offer options like draft-blocking thresholds and fire-proofing in order to to maximize home security.
Homeowners also have the option to install sidelights (window panels on either side of the door), or a transom (window panels above the door). Depending on the complexity, thickness, and amount of glass used, these upgrades can cost from $600 to $3,000, or more.
Energy Efficiency and Tax Credits
Generally speaking, alder doors are not as energy efficient as other entry door options. To counteract this inefficiency however, many manufacturers can offer a polyurethane insulation core for the door panels. This addition raises the R-value (i.e. thermal resistance) from R-2 for a standard alder entry door to about R-5 or higher. An insulation core can add about $100-$400 to your total cost – alder doors with added insulation typically start around $300 to $600.
Sustainable Sourced Alder Door
While there are no species of alder that are currently listed as at-risk or endangered, homeowners can purchase solid alder doors that are certified as sustainable by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). Although FSC-certified wood doors generally tend to be more expensive, prices may vary depending on the manufacturer.
Summary: An Affordable Choice for Many Different Kinds of Homes
Alder offers homeowners a rustic and highly customizable alternative to traditional wood species. To ensure a fully informed decision, homeowners should consult with a contractor first. Get started today with HomeAdvancement’s easy links to find an alder entry door for your home.
