Firewood Storage Shed

All the advantages of a firewood storage shed and how to construct one. 


For those serious about their fireplaces, there is no denying the usefulness of a firewood storage shed in seasoning and storing wood. Many people consider them indispensable in particularly wet or cold climes. Fortunately, these storage sheds are relatively simple, inexpensive and often constructed by the DIY crowd.

Reasons for a firewood storage shed
Wood must be stored properly to prevent various problems and if one wants to get a clean, proper burn when it is placed on the fire. Not having a roof over the wood makes drying and preserving wood a lot more difficult. Since simply throwing a tarp over it can trap moisture and cause other difficulties, there is no real substitute for a shed.

Regardless of the reasons for investing in one, building a good firewood storage shed is a form of home improvement that can add value to any property.

Choosing a location
To cut down on the time and effort spent on hauling wood, most people want firewood storage sheds close to their houses, and some houses even have attached sheds. On the other hand, since even properly stored firewood can sometimes attract pests, it may be a good idea to keep the shed at least a little distance from the house, but not so far away that bringing it inside will be too much of a hassle. For those situations where the shed will be a longer distance from the house, putting it in a location that it is accessible by cart can make things a lot easier.

Firewood storage shed plans
Everything starts with having a plan. If building the shed oneself, there are a lot of free and paid plans that can find online. There should be different design options, good construction instructions and a materials list to make purchasing the supplies easier. On an aesthetic level, make sure the shed will blend in with the house. On a practical level, check to be sure the shed will store the size of wood used and in a way that will allow it to dry. Remember that every shed needs some kind of floor to keep the wood off the ground and must not be built in a low area where water pools. Some added features might include separate compartments to store different types of wood or compartments to separate regular logs from kindling.

Airflow and seasoning
Sheds come in all forms from the simple mono-pitch shed that keeps the rain off to more complete structures. Most sheds have at least one open side to allow airflow and proper seasoning. Remember, the open side must always face away from the direction the wind and weather usually comes from (the prevailing wind). Furthermore, the roof should also be slanted to keep the rain off. Since wood dries from the cut end, the shed must allow the wood to be stacked with a cut end facing outwards.

Pricing
Costs will vary greatly with the type of shed and how it is built. Compare different suppliers to get a good, competitive price. Those who decide to do it themselves and go with more basic designs can obviously keep costs down. Moreover, keep in mind that a storage shed does not require new materials. Scrap wood, pallets and the like can be good sources of materials for those looking to save money.

While a firewood storage shed is not a requirement for those who want to get full use out of their fireplaces, having one helps ensure that wood on the fireplace log rack will be ready to give the best burn possible. Those who can invest in a shed will find the whole process of drying and storing wood a lot easier.