How to Stack and Store Firewood Properly for the Heating Season

Preparing for wood-burning season involves more than having a fireplace or wood stove ready to use. The quality and condition of your firewood can make a noticeable difference in how easily fires start, how consistently they burn, and how much smoke they produce.

Whether you heat primarily with wood or simply enjoy occasional fires, properly seasoned and stored firewood is worth planning for before cold weather arrives. Wood needs time, airflow, and protection from ground moisture and excessive rain. A pile of freshly cut logs covered tightly with a tarp may look prepared, but it can actually hold moisture in rather than allowing the wood to continue drying.

This guide explains how firewood quantities are measured, what seasoned firewood means, where to locate a woodpile, how to stack firewood for airflow and stability, and what to avoid when storing your supply.

What Is a Cord of Firewood?

If you are buying a larger quantity of firewood, understanding the terminology can help you compare what different sellers are offering.

A standard full cord of firewood occupies 128 cubic feet when the pieces are ranked and stacked. The familiar example is a stack measuring 4 feet high, 4 feet deep, and 8 feet long.

The term face cord is less precise. A face cord generally describes a single row of firewood 4 feet high and 8 feet long, but its actual volume depends on the length of the individual pieces. A row of 16-inch logs, for example, has a different volume than a row made from longer pieces.

For that reason, do not rely only on terms such as "face cord," "rick," or "truckload" when comparing firewood prices. Ask the seller for the actual dimensions of the stacked quantity and the approximate length of the split pieces.

Do Not Estimate a Cord by the Number of Pieces

There is no reliable number of individual logs in a cord. Piece count changes dramatically depending on log diameter, splitting size, length, species, and how tightly the wood is stacked.

When buying firewood, volume and piece length are much more useful measurements than an advertised number of logs.

What Does Seasoned Firewood Mean?

Seasoned firewood is wood that has been allowed to lose enough moisture to burn effectively. Freshly cut or "green" wood contains considerably more moisture and requires drying time before it becomes suitable fuel.

A practical way to determine whether wood is ready to burn is to use a firewood moisture meter rather than relying only on appearance or the amount of time the wood has been stacked. Properly seasoned firewood is commonly targeted at a moisture content below 20%.

Drying time varies. Species, split size, climate, humidity, sunlight, airflow, when the tree was cut, and how the pile is arranged all influence seasoning. Six months may be sufficient under favorable conditions for some wood, while dense hardwood or wood stored in damp or shaded conditions can require substantially longer.

Split Firewood Before Seasoning It

Split wood exposes more surface area to moving air and generally dries more effectively than large unsplit rounds. If you process your own firewood, splitting it before stacking gives moisture a better opportunity to escape.

It is also helpful to cut and split wood to dimensions appropriate for your particular appliance. Follow the fireplace, insert, or wood stove manufacturer's recommendations for acceptable fuel size rather than assuming every firebox can accommodate the same logs.

Where Should You Store Firewood?

A good outdoor storage location balances three things: airflow, weather protection, and convenient access.

Choose an open area where moving air can reach the pile. Some sun exposure can also help, although unrestricted airflow is particularly important for continued drying.

Avoid stacking firewood directly against your home's siding or foundation. Woodpiles can hold moisture and provide sheltered spaces for insects and other small pests. Keeping the pile separated from the building also allows air to circulate around more of the stack.

If possible, choose an area where rainwater drains away rather than collecting beneath the pile.

Keep Firewood Off the Ground

Direct ground contact allows the bottom layer of firewood to absorb moisture and reduces airflow underneath the stack. Elevating the wood helps address both problems.

A purpose-built firewood rack is one option, but it is not the only solution. Depending on the location and condition of the materials, homeowners may use:

• A manufactured firewood rack
• Sound wooden pallets suitable for outdoor use
• Pressure-treated runners or other appropriate outdoor supports
• A properly constructed woodshed with an elevated floor

The important point is to provide a firm, stable base that keeps the firewood above damp soil while allowing air movement.

If repurposing pallets, inspect them carefully. Avoid badly deteriorated, contaminated, or structurally questionable pallets, and remember that pallet dimensions and construction vary rather than following one universal size.

How to Stack Firewood for Airflow and Stability

A good woodpile does not need to look like it belongs in an architectural magazine, but it should remain stable while allowing air to circulate around the pieces.

Start with a level, sturdy base. Place the individual pieces so they rest securely against one another without packing the pile unnecessarily tight. Small air spaces between pieces help moisture escape.

Build Stable Ends

One traditional method is to cross-stack the ends of the pile. Alternate the direction of the logs in successive layers to create interlocking end columns.

Another option is to use a properly designed rack or securely installed end supports. Whichever method you choose, periodically inspect the pile for leaning or shifting.

A tall, narrow, unstable stack can become a tipping hazard. Do not build a woodpile higher simply to save ground space. Choose a height that remains stable for the support system, log dimensions, terrain, and storage arrangement you are using.

Should You Cover a Firewood Pile?

Yes, but covering the pile correctly matters.

Protecting the top of the stack from rain and snow can help keep seasoned firewood dry. However, wrapping the entire stack tightly in plastic or tarps can restrict airflow and trap moisture.

A woodshed with an overhanging roof is an excellent arrangement when available because it combines overhead weather protection with open sides. For a simple outdoor pile, a securely positioned top cover can accomplish much the same basic goal while leaving the sides exposed to moving air.

Make sure any tarp or cover is secured so wind cannot pull it loose.

Common Firewood Storage Mistakes

• Stacking freshly cut wood and expecting it to burn well immediately. Green wood requires seasoning time.
• Placing firewood directly on soil. Ground contact encourages moisture retention in the bottom of the pile.
• Wrapping the entire stack tightly. A waterproof cover is not very helpful if it prevents moisture already inside the wood from escaping.
• Stacking firewood directly against the house. The pile can shelter insects and other pests and may trap moisture beside the building.
• Assuming every "face cord" is the same quantity. Always ask about piece length and stacked dimensions.
• Judging dryness only by appearance. A moisture meter provides much more useful information.
• Building an unstable pile. Firewood can shift over time, particularly as pieces dry and change slightly in size.
• Bringing an entire season's supply indoors. Store the bulk of the firewood outdoors and bring in manageable amounts as needed.

How to Check Firewood Moisture

A basic firewood moisture meter can take much of the guesswork out of determining whether your wood is seasoned.

For the most meaningful reading, follow the instructions supplied with your particular meter. Moisture can differ between the outside surface and the interior of a split piece, so measurement technique matters.

If your wood repeatedly tests above the desired moisture range, give it additional drying time and inspect the storage arrangement. Restricted airflow, ground contact, excessive shade, or a cover wrapped around the entire pile can all interfere with drying.

Does the Species of Firewood Matter?

Different wood species vary in density, burning characteristics, and seasoning time. Dense hardwoods are popular for longer-burning fires once properly seasoned, while smaller pieces and some less-dense woods can be useful when establishing a fire.

However, species alone does not determine whether firewood is good fuel. Proper moisture content is extremely important. Dry wood of an appropriate species is generally more useful than desirable hardwood that is still excessively wet.

For a deeper discussion of firewood selection, see our guide to choosing the best wood to burn in a fireplace or wood stove.

Firewood and Your Fireplace or Wood Stove

Proper firewood storage is only one part of preparing for the heating season. Your fireplace, wood stove, doors, gaskets, chimney or venting system, and viewing glass should also be inspected and maintained according to the appliance manufacturer's instructions and applicable professional service recommendations.

If the viewing glass is damaged, cracked, or otherwise requires replacement, the correct replacement material depends on the appliance and application. Do not automatically substitute ordinary window glass or assume that all fireplace and stove glass is interchangeable.

Fast Replacement Glass provides educational resources covering stove and fireplace glass, how to measure replacement fireplace glass, and replacement glass buying considerations.

Firewood Storage FAQs

How dry should firewood be before I burn it?

A commonly recommended target is less than 20% moisture. A firewood moisture meter provides a better indication than judging the wood only by its color, weight, or age.

How long does firewood take to season?

There is no single drying time that applies to every stack. Species, log thickness, climate, humidity, airflow, sunlight, and storage method all affect seasoning. Six months can be a useful minimum planning period in some conditions, but some hardwoods and storage environments require significantly longer.

What is the difference between a cord and a face cord?

A full cord is a stacked volume of 128 cubic feet. A face cord generally describes a stack 4 feet high and 8 feet long that is one piece deep, so its actual volume depends on the length of those pieces. Ask for the dimensions before purchasing.

Can I stack firewood directly on the ground?

It is better to elevate it. Keeping the bottom row above soil helps reduce contact with ground moisture and improves air circulation.

Should I completely cover firewood with a tarp?

Generally, protect the top while keeping the sides open enough for airflow. Completely enclosing wood can trap moisture and slow the seasoning process.

Can I stack firewood against my house?

Keeping the main woodpile separated from the house is preferable. Firewood can provide shelter for insects and other pests, and separation improves access and airflow around the pile.

Should I store firewood inside my home?

Keep the bulk of the supply outside in an appropriate storage area. Bring smaller quantities indoors as needed rather than creating a large indoor woodpile where insects that arrived with the firewood may emerge.

Do hardwoods always make better firewood?

Dense hardwoods have useful heating characteristics when properly seasoned, but moisture condition matters greatly. Wet hardwood can be frustrating to ignite and burn compared with properly seasoned fuel.

Prepare Your Firewood Before Cold Weather Arrives

A dependable woodpile starts long before the first cold evening. Split the wood appropriately, give it sufficient seasoning time, elevate it above damp ground, provide plenty of airflow, protect the top from precipitation, and keep the stack stable.

Perhaps most importantly, do not assume wood is ready simply because it has been sitting outside for several months. Checking moisture provides a much better answer.

Once your fuel supply is ready, take time to prepare the rest of your wood-burning system as well. Inspect your appliance according to its manufacturer's instructions and address damaged components before regular heating-season use begins.