How to Build a Firewood Storage Shed? 9 Steps

Nothing keeps the home warm like a fireplace, and that’s why a lot of homes have it. Although there are electric fireplaces, they don’t produce the crackles and smell of burning wood. That’s why many homes still use traditional fireplaces.

Of course, this article is not about fireplaces, but about firewood. Some people store their wood indoors to prevent it from getting wet. This is not the best because wood plays host to beetles, bugs, carpenter ants, termites, and even roaches.

You don’t want any of the mentioned pests to gain access to your house. Termites and carpenter ants could bite anyone in your household, and they could also bite your pet. So, it is not a good idea to store firewood indoors.

We understand that you might not want to store wood outside because you don’t want it to get wet. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. We’re suggesting that you should store your firewood in an outdoor storage shed.

Why You Should Store Firewood in a Shed?

Here are some of the reasons why you should store firewood in a shed.

1. To prevent termite infestation

As mentioned earlier, firewood attracts termites and carpenter ants. The problem with a termite infestation is that they’ll start eating up your firewood from inside. By the time you find out, most of the wood may have been eaten.

When you store them in a shed, termites may not have easy access to the firewood.

2. To protect the wood from harsh weather conditions

Firewood performs best when it is dry. Wet wood leads to incomplete combustion, and that’s why it produces a lot of smoke. To keep your firewood dry, it is better to store them in an elevated and enclosed shed.

3. First-in-first-out usage pattern

It is good to use the first batch of firewood first. That means you should adopt a first-in-first-out pattern. You may not be able to achieve this if your logs of firewood are not well arranged in a shed.

4. Proper monitoring

When you stack up against your firewood on the floor, you may not know when it is getting reduced. But when you arrange them in a shed, it will be obvious when you’re running out of wood.

How to Build a Firewood Storage Shed? 9 Easy Steps

Here are the steps to follow when you want to build a firewood storage shed.

Step 1 – Determine the spot where you want to build the firewood storage shed. Also, it is important to also determine the size of the shed. This will help you get the right measurements. To determine the size, you need to consider the quantities of firewood you want to store in the shed.

Step 2 – Build the side panels. Cut out the side panels according to your measurements, file them and get them ready.

Step 3 – Set the footings and raise the walls.  This is where the shed will stand.

Step 4 – Cut out the floor panel. Remember the floor is going to be elevated, so you need to create its resting point on the four legs of the shed.

Step 5 – Add joists and beams to make the framework of the shed. The frame is what the side panels will be connected to. Don’t forget to check the accuracy of your work.

Step 6 – Fix the side panels, and nail them to the frame one after the other.

Step 7 – Fix the back panel and nail it too.

Step 8 – The next step is to cut out the door or doors. You can fix a single but wide door, but we think it is better to have two doors that open to the sides. This will make it easier for you to put things inside the shed. You may also want to put a lock on the doors of the shed for security.

Step 9 – Fix the roof. You may want to cover the shed with a waterproof iron sheet. This will prevent water from soaking the shed.

That’s it. You can now begin to store your logs of firewood in your shed.

Precautions

There are several precautions to take. First of all, you must use dry wood to build the shed. If the wood is not dry enough, it may begin to rot or warp in a few years. Of course, dry high-quality wood costs much more than low-quality wood, but it will be a more cost-effective option in the long run.

Determine the quantities of firewood you want to store before you come up with the size. You don’t want to build a shed that is too small and cannot contain as much firewood as you’ll love to store.

If you’re new in the do-it-yourself world, you may need to seek attention or hire an expert. Also, take care of all the tools properly. Once you’re done with any powerful tool, switch it off and unplug it.

Be extra careful with the saw. Don’t place your hand close to the saw. A little mistake could turn into a disaster.

How big should a firewood shed be?

This depends on your preference and how much firewood you intend to store in the shed. Of course, it is fun to enjoy nights of warmth, sitting by your fireplace. That’s why you should never run short of firewood. People always have tons of firewood in store.

The commonest sizes of firewood sheds are:

  • 6 by 12 feet
  • 8 by 12 feet

Both sizes are big enough to store the amount of firewood that you’ll need for several months. Also, for proper airflow, firewood sheds are not covered and insulated like other types of shed. Rather, firewood sheds are open, cage-like structures.

Another factor to consider while building your firewood shed is the usage format. You need to use up your firewood in a first-in-first-out basis. This means the oldest firewood in the shed must always go into the fireplace first.

Is it cheaper to build your own storage shed?

Yes, it is likely to be cheaper to build your storage shed than buying a ready-built one. You only need some metal sheet for the roof and some wood for the body and base. However, you may also factor the time required to construct it into the equation. After all, time is money.

On the other hand, if you have never built anything like this, it is better to purchase a storage shed or hire a professional woodworker to help you out. You don’t want to spend several hours to build a shed that cannot be used. The time and the materials bought will be a waste.

Can you dry firewood in a shed?

Yes, you can dry your firewood in a shed. This is because firewood sheds are not covered. They are built like an open cage and they enjoy good airflow. With this kind of shed, you can dry your firewood for as long as you like. However, you must raise the base of the shed to at least 6 inches high to prevent termite infestation.

How to Build a Firewood Storage Shed

Final Word

As mentioned earlier, it is better to store your firewood outdoors because it attracts termites, bugs, carpenter ants, and roaches. And when you store it outside, it should be in an elevated shed where it will be safe. Don’t burn wet wood in your fireplace as it will produce a lot of harmful smoke.

Finally, buy high-quality treated wood for the project. When you do, the shed will last for many years. On the other hand, if you purchase cheap low-quality wood to save cost, you’re likely to repeat the whole project after a few years. This is because low quality wood does not last.

June Brandt
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