| In this day and age, with economic uncertainty | | | | firewood delivered you want the delivery truck to |
| and rising energy costs, many people are looking | | | | be able to get as close to your woodshed as |
| to alternatives for their heat. This has caused a | | | | possible. This will make the stacking job easier on |
| resurgence in the use of woodstoves and | | | | you or the delivery man. The woodshed should |
| outdoor wood furnaces. The new wood heating | | | | also be close to where the wood will be burned. |
| appliances are more efficient and clean burning | | | | Often a compromise has to be reached. I prefer |
| than ever. It is imperative, however, that properly | | | | to err on the side of having the wood closer to |
| seasoned hardwoods be used as fuel in order to | | | | where it will be used. It may be harder to stack, |
| achieve the highest efficiency and bang for your | | | | but this happens once a year and not all year long. |
| buck. | | | | While having a woodshed in itself will help to |
| Depending on how seasoned your wood is when | | | | prevent critters from moving into your wood pile, |
| you purchase it, it may be necessary to let it | | | | don't place the woodshed too close to your house |
| continue to let it dry before burning it. The best | | | | as animals and insects are always a possibility. |
| wood will be dried for over a year. Drying wood is | | | | Building a floor or putting down gravel can help |
| not as simple as throwing a tarp over a heap of | | | | keep unwanted guests out of the woodpile. |
| logs. Wood should be split-stacked and left to dry | | | | Digging through a solid floor or several inches of |
| in a covered but open space. Covering wood with | | | | stone is always a deterrent. |
| a tarp to "keep the rain off" is a very bad idea. It | | | | Once you decide on the location and design, take |
| keeps the water in the wood from evaporating | | | | your materials list to several suppliers. Do not just |
| and causes the wood to dry very slowly. A | | | | rely on the box stores. Often you can build a |
| woodshed is the best option. These usually consist | | | | relationship with your rep at an independent |
| of a roof and three sides. This allows plenty of | | | | supplier. They are usually more knowledgeable |
| airflow but keeps off the rain. | | | | than box store employees and will be happy to |
| If you are planning on using wood as your heating | | | | answer questions or help out if you hit a snag |
| source, you are probably handy and would | | | | during your project. Have a good set of |
| consider building your own woodshed. Make this | | | | woodshed plans and spend some time planning |
| process easier with a set of plans and some | | | | before you start your project. You will save time, |
| preliminary planning. Decide where to position your | | | | money, and a lot of headache during the |
| shed based on ease of access. When having | | | | construction process and for years to come. |