With the current wet weather battering the world regardless of the season, keeping your firewood in a well-covered and protected area is more important than ever. The Firewood Company discovers how to keep your firewood dry all season round with some tips for storing wood.
Worldwide we have seen deluges of rain and storms. For those who like to prepare early for the winter season, this has seen many firewood enthusiasts scrambling to keep their wood dry even during the warmer months. Making the dream firewood shed is now more of a necessity rather than a luxury.
Where Should I Put My Firewood Shed?
This should be the very first stop in the woodshed building process. You want it to be close enough to the main house for ease of use but far enough away to prevent pests from having easy access to your home. Also, the woodshed should not lean against your home for fire safety reasons. Approximately 10 metres away from your home is a good place.
Find a relatively dry spot with good access to the sun during the winter months and the wind. Ensuring the land is flat is also a benefit. The wind is essential, as this will allow you to season your wood and give your shed that much-needed breeze and ventilation during the warmer and cooler months.
How Big Should My Woodshed Be?
When considering the size of your woodshed, be realistic for your needs. You also need to allow some space at the back of the shed to enable necessary airflow during all seasons. Stacking a few inches off the back wall is recommended – and remember the general rule of thumb – your wood stack should allow mice to run efficiently between the wood. This way, you will ensure that your wood will have the needed airflow to continue to dry and prevent mould or any other issues from forming.
Your woodshed should be tall enough for you to walk inside comfortably. The deeper the woodshed, the taller it will need to be. There are a massive array of designs for the budding builder online, or you can opt to purchase a specially designed woodshed.
Remember that your woodshed must have access to the wind and sun – so the placement of your shed should depend on this.
When stacking your firewood pop the bark face-side down until it is 100% seasoned. This will allow the moisture in the wood to evaporate quickly inside your woodshed. For dry wood, stack bark-side up. This will help your wood stay dry during downpours.
Should The Woodshed Be Open or Closed?
This will depend on your situation and the needs of your woodshed. For example, if you want to season your wood, it is best if your woodshed is open. However, if pests and persistent rain is a problem having a door that you can open and close will work, but it’s vital to ensure you allow the wood good ventilation, so you will need to leave the door open regularly.
Having a floor can also be a significant advantage – particularly for storing softwoods that are likely to absorb any moisture from the ground causing the wood to rot. Keeping your wood on pallets can work wonderfully in this situation. Alternatively, consider gravelling the floor of your shed.
The best woodsheds are those that can allow airflow from back to front. Wooden slated, open options are perfect for those wanting to season wood or ensure their wood is dry all year round. Woodsheds do not need to be complex buildings – a simple shed can work wonders for keeping your wood dry and out of the weather.
The Best Woodshed Design Ideas
Designing and building your own woodshed is relatively easy. However, if you are not handy swinging a hammer, there are plenty of pre-fabricated options on the market - remember the airflow importance, as some garden shed designs will not allow for this.
Wood Pallet Woodsheds- If you are handy with the hammer and want a good weekend project, you can easily design your woodshed even on the tightest of budgets. Pallet plans look fantastic, and you can often source the palettes for free! Allowing you to easily construct a design with a roof, sides, back, and floor. Perfect for airflow, protecting against the weather, and the hip pocket.
A-Frame Woodsheds – These are great for wood storage as the design allows rain and snow to easily fall from the roof and protect your firewood collection. Plus, they are super easy to build.
Lean-To Woodshed Designs – these are great for storing wood. Remember not to lean this on your home to prevent pests and other safety storage problems. If you have another building – think of an existing garden shed, fence, etc. – you can utilise one wall and save time in construction.
Barn Style Woodshed – these can make a stunning focal point in your backyard or property. They look sensational and will stand the test of time for many years to come. Allowing you to become the star of storing and seasoning wood.
Get creative! Have an old shed – or does a family or friend have an old shed they no longer use? This could be an old pony stable, a chicken house, or a child’s wooden playhouse. You can easily convert an old shed into a highly functional woodshed.
With some planning and creativity, you can build the perfect shed to ensure your firewood is kept dry and rot-free all year long – no matter what mother nature throws your way.
Happy Building!