Indoor & Outdoor Firewood Storage Ideas

What is the most efficient method of storing firewood outside?

It is common for individuals to lack the room or the inclination to store their excess firewood within their homes.

It might be an eyesore or take up too much space, which prevents them from engaging in other activities. It doesn’t matter what your rationale is for storing firewood outside; there is a proper and improper manner to do it.

 

 

 

There are a few of things you should be aware of before you begin piling your wood.

Maintain a Safe Distance: First and foremost, your wood should never be placed too near to another building, especially the outside of your house. According to experts, you should maintain a minimum five-foot gap between your pile of firewood and any other building or structure.

 

 

 

 

A big safety issue arises when firewood is stored too near to another building. Moreover, if it were to catch fire, it would cause the next building to collapse as well.

Although this is a concern, it is not the only one associated with keeping firewood too near to your home or shed.

 

 

 

 

Keep an eye out for pests: If your firewood gets infected with termites, the termites may readily spread to the foundation of your other structure.

Even a tiny gap between a pile of firewood and your home’s structure may assist you to manage a possible termite infestation without causing thousands of dollars in structural damage to your home.

 

 

 

Maintain Proper Air Circulation Around Your Firewood: Another important reason for maintaining space between buildings and your firewood is to ensure that it receives enough air circulation. You should leave both the front and the rear of the pile open to allow air to circulate all around it as much as possible.

Using this method helps to accelerate the drying process, however if the wood has already dried, it may not be required to use this method. Dry wood may be kept in a shed or similar structure for safekeeping.

 

 

 

 

If you have to store your firewood outside, you should never place it directly on the ground to prevent it from rotting. Never set it directly on the ground; instead, use a concrete slab, asphalt, or tarp to protect it from the elements.

The act of laying firewood on top of dirt enables it to absorb moisture from the surrounding soil, resulting in it being both wet and worthless. It is possible for wood to adhere to the ground as you are picking up your logs, and bits of wood may be left behind when you are ready to utilize them.

 

 

 

You should avoid storing your wood outside if you live in a region that receives an excessive amount of rain, since this will make it more difficult for the wood to dry out.

You may be tempted to speed up the drying process by totally tarping your wood to keep the rain out, but you may really be slowing things down instead of helping them. Tarping your firewood entirely eliminates air movement, which might aid in the drying out of the wood.

When you absolutely must cover your firewood, make sure that the tarp only covers the top of the pile and that the sides are left free to allow for ventilation.

 

 

 

 

 

Firewood should be stored at a height of at least three feet above the ground.

If you have to store your firewood on the ground outdoors, there are other rules to follow that you should be aware of as well.

The majority of people suggest that firewood be stacked at least a few inches above the ground in order to allow for adequate air circulation. This guarantees that the bits in the very bottom of the container have a chance to dry out.

 

 

 

You run the danger of their absorbing moisture instead if you don’t provide them with this room. Firewood that is laid directly on the soil has the potential to absorb water from the soil. This might result in moist wood that is very hard to burn or possibly wood rot if left untreated.

When you go to pick up your logs, it is possible that chunks of wood may be left behind, resulting in a cluttered mound.

 

 

 

 

It is possible that you will not have the capacity to store your firewood two to three inches above the ground, in which case you should examine the surface that it will be placed on.

It should be acceptable to keep it on a concrete slab, asphalt, or even a tarp as long as it is kept at least five feet away from any other buildings in your yard or around your home.

 

 

 

 

 

What is the best way to dry firewood more quickly?

It is unfortunate that the process of drying firewood is both time-consuming and labor-intensive.

There are just a few things you can do to make this procedure go faster. Certain varieties of wood, such as oak, may need more than a year to dry out completely to the point where they may be burned safely inside, so plan ahead.

There are few alternatives available for individuals who want their firewood to dry as rapidly as possible, but the following recommendations may be of assistance.

 

 

 

 

In order to allow your wood the largest amount of time to dry out before you plan on using it this winter, it is recommended that you chop your wood in the spring or early summer. When you prepare for winter, you allow yourself six to nine months for the wood to dry completely before attempting to bring it inside to use in your fireplace or stove.

Another useful tip is to start by chopping the wood into tiny pieces that will fit more easily into your fireplace to make it easier to burn. When the wood has a larger surface area, it will dry more quickly.

 

 

 

 

Additionally, when you go to utilize it, it will be far more convenient for you. It is possible to resist bringing out the ax in order to cut it down a little more.

Consider the location where you will be keeping the firewood very carefully. Outside, where it will have lots of air circulation, is the greatest location for it to be kept.

The sun should be shining on it so that the warmth may assist in drawing out the moisture. It is possible to almost double the length of time it takes for the wood to dry if it is kept inside, such as in your living room or a shed.

 

 

 

 

If you have the available room, stack all of your firewood in a single row a few inches above the ground in a sunny location if possible.

This ensures that it has the most amount of surface area exposed to air movement and warming sunlight as possible. You might put it in a covered location, such as a carport, if you have one, so that it doesn’t get wet from the rain and other weather conditions.

However, although firewood may dry in a pile, it will take far longer than if the wood were spread out in this manner.

 

 

 

Is it necessary to cover firewood with a tarp?

Many individuals are under the impression that they need cover their firewood with a tarp in order to keep it protected from the weather.

After all, each time it rains, your firewood is exposed to extra moisture, making it more likely that it will have a more difficult time drying out as a result. Unfortunately, tarping your firewood may cause further problems with air circulation in your home.

 

 

 

 

Unless you want to cover just the top of your firewood, you should avoid tarping it. The sides of the stack should be left open at all times to allow natural air movement around the cut ends of the logs to take place. They need as much room as possible since here is where the moisture content is pulled out.

A tarp may provide some protection for the wood, but covering the whole pile will only serve to keep moisture in for an endless period of time.

One of the most effective things you can do to help protect your firewood from the weather while yet allowing for air circulation is to put a roof over it. This is one of the most creative ways to store firewood.

 

 

 

These triangular-shaped roofs are constructed of basic wood and require little effort to assemble. They are also inexpensive to purchase. You could even construct them from wood salvaged from old pallets.

The good news is that they allow for air circulation on the edges of the wood and even allow for sunlight to pass through them when open.

 

 

 

 

 

These basic buildings will make an excellent addition to your garden landscape. Make sure, however, that you do not construct them immediately along the fence’s perimeter.

This might result in firewood that does not dry out correctly once it has been cut. It might also pose a significant safety danger to the people around your fence.

It may result in a termite infestation or even simply basic wood decay, all of which need careful attention.

 

 

 

 

This innovative built-in model could be just what you’re looking for!

When it comes to storing your dry firewood, keeping it inside is a great alternative since it eliminates the need to go outdoors in bad weather only to get your fire going.

While you wait for that raging fire in your fireplace to be stoked, you may keep yourself as warm and comfy as possible.

 

 

 

 

Having a built-in that extends from floor to ceiling is ideal for keeping your old and already-dry firewood. This little compartment allows for the storage of a large number of split logs. It fulfills a functional purpose while also adding a touch of rustic beauty to any living space!

 

 

 

 

How to Install One in Your Residence!

It is possible to get a similar appearance using a bookshelf if you do not know how to build built-in firewood storage into your house.

Purchase a tall and thin alternative with detachable shelves to maximize your storage space.

Place one on each side of the fireplace, and then stack the logs in the center. While it may not be flush with the wall, having one on each side of the room will assist to create a more balanced environment.

 

 

 

 

If you already have a lovely outdoor sitting area, you may want to think about how you might be able to incorporate firewood storage into it in a unique way. If you have a campfire, you may want to try putting your firewood behind built-in seating that surrounds the firepit to save space.

 

 

 

The fact that you can easily put another log on the burning pile makes it much more handy for you, but it also enables the wood to be spread out and dry more quickly.

As an added advantage, the seat of the bench may be constructed of solid wood, which can aid in protecting the firewood from some of the elements such as rain and other moisture.

It is the most effective method of encouraging your firewood to dry out more quickly.

 

 

 

 

 

Is it necessary to cover firewood during the summer?

Firewood should never be completely covered since it will not be able to dry out in this manner. In this case, raising it a few inches from the ground in a single layer is the best course of action to take, if at all feasible.

It should be maintained at least five feet away from other buildings in order to guarantee that air can readily travel in all directions around the firewood at all times.

By covering it, you would be preventing the moisture content that it currently has from escaping.

 

 

 

 

Is it permissible to keep firewood in close proximity to your home?

It is not acceptable to keep firewood in close proximity to your home.

Many authorities recommend that you maintain a minimum five-foot gap between your firewood and the exterior of your house while using it. There are a variety of justifications for making this advice. The first has to do with the actual firewood that is being used. You want to give it as much space as possible to allow for air circulation.

The fact that you are piling it up against the side of your house will prevent it from getting the air it sorely needs to dry out.

 

 

 

 

However, it is more vital than merely drying out your firewood to ensure that it is safe to use. Stacking the wood too near to your house might be a safety issue for you and your family. If the pile were to catch fire, it would have a straight line of sight to your residence.

Another reason to get your house inspected is to ensure that its structural integrity is intact. Keeping a pile of firewood near your home is like to giving hungry termites an open invitation to dine.

 

 

 

 

If there is no space between your firewood and your house, you may be begging them to transport their materials to your residence without asking any questions. This might result in thousands of dollars in property damage to your house if not addressed.

Is it true that firewood dries out over the winter months?
It is most beneficial for homeowners to split their firewood throughout the spring and summer months since firewood may dry out quickly during these months.

What about firewood that is harvested during the winter months, on the other hand? Is it still possible to dry out even if the weather is chilly?

 

 

 

 

 

Fortunately, even in the most extreme temperatures and subarctic conditions, wood will continue to dry. The drawback is that it will just dry out at a much slower rate. Do not anticipate to be able to walk outdoors and cut firewood that you will be able to burn in a matter of weeks.

If you can bring the moisture content down to a level where it can be burned by late spring, that will be a significant accomplishment.

 

 

 

 

Keep in mind that, in order to get the greatest results, you must stack your firewood appropriately, allow for air circulation, and expose it to sunshine. If you reside in a region that receives a significant amount of precipitation during the winter months, drying your wood may prove to be a challenging task.

You may want to think about keeping it with a tarp on top (but not covering the sides) or below some form of roof.

 

 

 

 

Do you stack your firewood with the bark facing up or down?

When storing wood outside, you would not assume that the way the wood is kept makes much of a difference. However, this is not the case.

The bark of the tree seems to be moving up or down. Although it seems to be a stupid question, the answer might have significant ramifications for how well your wood will dry.

In order to store split wood outdoors, it must be stored with the bark side facing up, as seen in the photo. Split wood is often rounded on the side that contains the bark and has sharp right angles on the other side of the split wood split.

 

 

 

 

Because the wood is stacked with the bark side down, water is able to collect in this rounded curve, much like a water trough. This may cause the drying process to be slowed, and in certain cases, can even result in wood rot.

Always keep your firewood with the bark facing up so that the water may flow straight off of it instead of down the chimney.

 

 

 

 

 

Conclusion: Keeping Firewood both inside and outside is important.

Properly storing your firewood needs extensive preparation and meticulous attention to detail. The proximity of the building to other significant structures in your yard, the height of the structure above the ground, and even whether or not you should tarp it are all things to think about. There are many different types of creative storage options available, so be sure to take some time to explore which ones could be the best match for you, your yard, and your house.