What could be nicer in the cold season than making yourself comfortable at home in front of the crackling fire? Whether reading a book, watching your favorite films and series or simply relaxing with a glass of wine in your hand, thecozy warmth of a fireplaceis a real pleasure. Most fireplace owners know that storing firewood correctly is the be-all and end-all for heating with wood. But what is the best way to store firewood? Where is the best place for the logs and what do you have to consider when stacking them? You can find the answers to these questions as well as many tips and practical ideas for storing firewood in the garden in the article.
That's why you have to store firewood outside
The question of where to stack your firewood is just as important as the question of how to stack it. Many still think that the best way to get firewood is in onedecorative stack next to the fireplacestored. However, this is not a good place to store firewood for one important reason: If you carry the logs into the house, there will most likely be some uninvited guests. If you don't want spiders, mice, ants, termites, or other pests crawling around your home, consider storing the wood outside. The best way to store firewood is in an orderly pile in the garden, preferably with a cover. This ensures good air circulation so that the logs can dry well.
Tips for storing firewood in the garden
If you have a wood stove or an open fire at home and use one for heating, you should have a good supply of firewood. So you first have to calculate approximately how much wood you actually need in order to determine the size of the storage area. Another role is played by whether you cut the firewood yourself or buy oven-ready (dry) firewood every year. Dry wood can be used straight away for heating, although fresh wood must first be stored to dry.
How dry does firewood have to be?
Since fresh wood has a water content of around 50 percent, it must be dried before being used as firewood. The optimal moisture content of firewood is 15-20 percent and it takes at least two years for fresh wood to reach these values. In order for the wood to begin to dry, it is chopped and split into logs, leaving some of the bark intact.
Dry firewood burns faster, is easier to light and provides better heat than wood with more moisture. Damp wood, on the other hand, can cause your house to become dangerously smokey and is harmful to the environment. In addition, the efficiency of wood is much worse if there is a large amount of residual moisture in it.
Tip: To ensure that the firewood does not lose its calorific value, it may not be stored for longer than four years, depending on the type of wood and the weather.
Where to store firewood?
The best place to store firewood is in a wood storage facility or an open woodshed in the garden. You can also stack your wood in an open barn or simply under a shelter. The selected location must meet the following requirements for storing firewood in the garden:
- You should always have firewood in one placedry and airy placeStorage – outdoor areas that are covered and have a certain distance from the house wall and floor are ideal.
- The place musteasily accessiblebe, both from the house and for the delivery of the wood - when choosing the location, keep in mind that you can reach the wood storage quickly and easily every day during the winter months. Remote parts of the garden are therefore unsuitable.
- If the place for storing firewood is not near the entrance to the house, there should be at least onepaved garden pathFor example, with step plates that make access easier.
- This should be especially true when there are large stocks of woodStorage location easily accessible- so think about how you will transport the logs to the storage area. The best location is close to the garage entrance so that the firewood can get to the wood storage area more easily.
- Place your wood storagenot near doors and windowsto prevent insects from having direct access to the house.
Important: Never store fresh wood in a closed garage or basement where optimal air circulation is not possible. This leads to poor aging and is a possible nesting place for pests.
How to stack the wood correctly
In order for your wood to dry well and have optimal calorific value, you need to stack it. In this way, fungus and mold formation can also be avoided. If the logs are not stacked well, the wood in the middle of the stack will rot rather than dry because it will not be properly ventilated.
If you have already found the right location, you now have to build your wood pile. If the firewood is not completely dry, stack it bark side down so that moisture can continue to evaporate easily from the wood. Once the wood is dry enough, you can stack it bark-side up to naturally protect it from rain and snow.
There are a few hereTips for the right oneStacking wood:
- Stack logs that are roughly the same size.
- Use lengthwise logs at the beginning and end of the stack for stability.
- Stack already split firewood.
- Build the woodpile so that it slopes slightly inward to prevent the wood from falling apart.
- Do not build the wood pile too high so that you can always easily reach the logs.
To protect your firewood from snow and rain, you can use a firewood cover. Be sure to leave the front and back of the stack completely open to allow proper ventilation of the logs.
Beautiful and practical ideas for storing firewood in the garden
Well, if you already know how to properly store firewood outside, you should find the right option for storing it in your garden. There are many options to choose from - from decorative outdoor shelves to a beautiful homemade wood stack.
Firewood is stored on the wall of the house
You can easily store the firewood on the wall of the house. This means the logs are always ready to hand. However, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. On the one hand, there must be some space between the wood and the house wall so that the air can circulate well. On the other hand, the direction also plays a role. The south side of the house is recommended for storing firewood, as it is best protected from wind and rain and at the same time offers a few hours of sunshine per day. If the entrance to the house is on the north side, it is better to stack the firewood at the back of the house.
Outdoor shelves for storing firewood in the garden
Perhaps the simplest and most visually appealing way to store firewood outside is with firewood racks. These are simple structures made of wood or metal that have a shelter and a roof. These are perfect for the terrace and are also a visual eye-catcher.
Firewood shelves with dividers
If you choose a shelf with compartments, then there is no risk of the wood stack collapsing when you remove wood for the fireplace. You can also use it to organize the firewood logs by age, giving you a better overview of your wood supplies.
Firewood storage in the garden with wood storage at the garden house
A lumber yard or woodshed provides covered protection from rain. The wood store has an open front, so in heavy rain it would be recommended to cover the front with a tarp to keep the wood dry. You should also look for a storage solution with a pent roof, as this prevents rainwater from accumulating, which is a problem with woodsheds and firewood storage facilities with a flat roof.
Always keep the back of the wood storage area slightly away from the wall of the house so that air can circulate well around the logs. Also avoid placing the wood storage directly on grass or soil.
Make optimal use of niches for storing firewood
You can also store your firewood in niches built into house walls. The same applies in this case: Do not stack the logs too close to the back, but leave some space between the wall and the wood.
Store firewood outside for the garden fireplace
If you only need the firewood for a garden fireplace, then a wood storage facility in the immediate vicinity would be the best solution. However, it must be covered to protect the wood from the weather. If you are currently planning,to build a garden fireplace, you can provide it with additional shelves and compartments, which you can then use as storage space for firewood.
Stack firewood decoratively as a privacy screen
The firewood can be wonderfully incorporated into the garden design. You can stack the logs decoratively and, for example, create a beautiful onePrivacy wall for the seating areabuild. Wooden storage is also well suited as an element for property demarcation, but needs to be replenished regularly to look good and ensure good privacy.
Firewood storage as a visual highlight in the garden
The natural look of wood is a beautiful visual element that gives your outdoor area a very special touch. The shelf with decoratively stacked firewood is a real eye-catcher in the garden that also serves a practical purpose.
