Some firewood storage methods are better than others. It is important to know how to store firewood because firewood can cause many problems if it isn’t stored correctly, and firewood also needs to be kept dry for it to last long periods. In this blog post, we will discuss the best ways that you can store your firewood!
When storing firewood, keep in mind that it should be kept dry. To ensure that it remains dry from moisture beneath, position it at least a few inches above the ground. You may also keep it inside to speed up the process of drying out.
For more information on how to utilize the most of your firewood, have a look at our comprehensive guide:
What is the Best Method of Firewood Storage Outside?
Many individuals do not have space or the inclination to keep their excess firewood inside their house.
Before you begin stacking your wood, there are a few things you should be aware of.
Keep a Safe Distance
The very first step is to make sure your wood is never close to another structure, especially the outside of your home. According to experts, there should be a minimum of a five-foot distance between a pile of firewood and any other structure.
Firewood should not be placed near other structures, as this can be a severe safety hazard. It would burn down the adjacent structure if it were to catch fire.
Keep an Eye on for Pests
If termites infest your firewood, they may quickly spread to the foundations of your other structures.
A little space between the firewood and your structure might assist you in preventing termite damage without costing hundreds of dollars in structural damage.
Keep Your Firewood Dry
Another primary reason for keeping a space between the structures and your firewood is proper air circulation. You should leave both the front and back of the pile open so that air may freely circulate it.
If you have to store your firewood outside, it should never be placed right on the ground. You may put it on a concrete slab, asphalt, or a tarp, but never on the ground directly.
Firewood should not be placed on the ground because it will absorb moisture from the soil, making it both wet and useless. When you’re ready to use your logs, wood might adhere to the earth and create chunks due to dampness.
If you live in an area prone to a lot of rain, storing your wood outside may make it more difficult for the wood to dry.
Tarping your firewood completely to keep the rain out may be tempting, but you could be doing more harm than good. Air circulation is reduced when firewood is tarped.
If you cover your firewood, make sure the tarp only covers the top of the pile and leave the sides open for ventilation.
How High Up the Ground is it Safe to Store Firewood?
You should be aware of some regulations if you store your firewood outside on the ground.
Most experts advise keeping firewood at least a few inches off the ground to allow optimum air circulation. This enables pieces at the bottom of the pile to dry out.
If you don’t have two to three inches of space on the ground to firewood storage, you should think about the surface that it is set on.
You can keep this on asphalt, concrete slab, or even a tarp as long if it maintains a five-foot distance from other buildings in your yard or around your home.
How do You Dry Firewood Faster?
Unfortunately, the drying out of firewood is a time-consuming and laborious process.
The drying process of wood is lengthy. There are not many methods to speed it up. Some woods, such as oak, may take up to one full year to dry out thoroughly.
There are few alternatives for those who want their firewood to dry fast. Here are some tips that may help.
Firewood should be cut in the spring or early summer so that it has time to dry out before being used in winter. When you schedule your winter, you have six to nine months where the wood can truly dry out before bringing it into your fireplace.
Another option is to reduce the wood into smaller pieces that will readily fit into your fireplace. When the wood has more surface area, it dries faster.
Furthermore, it will be considerably more convenient for you to utilize it this way. You won’t have to reach for the ax to trim a little more off.
Consider where you’ll be storing the firewood after it’s cut. The best location to keep it is somewhere with lots of ventilation.
Allow the wood to dry in direct sunshine to draw out the dampness. Placing it indoors, whether in your living room or a shed, almost doubles the time it takes for the wood to dry.
If you have the space, stack all of your firewood in a single row a few inches off the ground in a sunny location.
The larger surface area exposed to air circulation and sunshine maximizes its efficiency. If you have a covered location, such as a carport, this might be an excellent place to sit so that it does not get wet with the weather.
Should a Tarp be Used to Cover Firewood?
Many people think that covering their firewood with a tarp will protect it from the elements.
Finally, remember that your firewood is exposed to more moisture each time it rains and has a harder time drying out. However, tarping your wood may cause more problems for your air circulation.
When it comes to tarping firewood, you should only do so if you intend to protect just the top. The stack’s sides should be left open at all times for air to flow around the cut ends freely. This is where the moisture goes; therefore, you want to make sure they have plenty of room.
A tarp can help protect the wood somewhat, but covering the entire pile traps moisture indefinitely.
3 Ways to Firewood Storage
1) If you want to keep your firewood dry while also allowing air circulation, one of the greatest things you can do is cover it with a roof.
Triangular roofs are constructed from simple wood and take little time to install. You could even build them out of salvaged wood pallets.
The good news is that they provide airflow on the sides of the wood and sunlight.
2) These basic structures are ideal for your yard. Just make sure you don’t put them too close to the fence line.
It can result in termite infestation or simply wood rot, which must be handled with great care.
3) This could be the perfect built-in model for you!
Storing your dry firewood inside is a smart choice because it eliminates the need to go outside in inclement weather to get your fire going.
You can stay as warm and comfortable as feasible until your fireplace is lit correctly.
This built-in fireplace mantel is great for keeping your old and dried firewood. This tiny area can accommodate a lot of split logs. It has a practical purpose as well as an antique look to any living room!
How to Install a One in Your Home
Choose a tall and thin option with detachable shelves.
Place one on either side of the fireplace, then stack firewood inside. While it may not be flush with the wall, having one on each side will help to balance out the space.
If you already have a lovely outdoor patio, consider how you may integrate your firewood storage into it conceptually. If you have a firepit, consider keeping your firewood beneath built-in seats that border the firepit.
This not only makes it much easier for you to add another log to the burning pile, but it also helps it dry out more quickly.
Should Firewood Cover During the Summer?
Never cover a full firewood stack since it will never dry out this way. If at all possible, prop it up a few inches of the ground in a single layer.
To ensure that air can freely enter every direction around the firewood, it should be kept at least 5 feet away from other structures.
If you cover it, you’ll be sealing the moisture content that it has now.
Is it Safe to Keep Firewood Near Your House?
It is not safe to keep firewood too close to your house.
Many professionals advise keeping at least a five-foot distance between your firewood and the exterior of your house. There are several reasons for this advice. The first is about the firewood itself. You should provide it with plenty of area for airflow.
If you stack it up against the side of your home, it won’t have enough space to breathe, which will make it harder for it to dry out.
Stacking the wood too near to your house may be dangerous. If the pile were to catch fire, it would be directly related to your home.
Another safety precaution has to do with the structural soundness of your home. Firewood stacked outside your house is like an open invitation to termites, who will swarm to it like bees around a honeypot.
Is Firewood Dry in the Winter?
It’s a good idea for homeowners to split their firewood during the summer and spring because firewood will dry out quickly.
What about firewood that is cut in the winter? Is it still possible for it to dry if the temperature is chilly?
The good news is that even in the coldest weather, wood will dry over time. The drawback is that it will take longer to dry out. Do not expect to gather firewood and burn it after a few weeks.
It’s also important to remember that you’ll need to stack your firewood correctly, allow for air circulation, and expose it to sunlight for the best results. If you reside in an area with a lot of snow during the winter season, getting your wood dry could be difficult.
It’s a good idea to keep it under a tarp (not covering the sides) or beneath a roof.
Conclusion: Storage of Firewood Indoors and Outdoors
You must consider a variety of factors when storing your firewood. It would be best if you thought about how close it is to other essential structures in your yard, how high off the ground it is, and whether or not you should tarp it. There are many creative storage ideas accessible, so don’t be afraid to spend some time researching which ones might suit you best, your yard and your home.
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