Do-it-yourself fireplace logger made of wood and metal

The presence of a fireplace or stove in the house involves organizing a place to store firewood both on the street and next to this heating structure. Moreover, the device for storing fuel most often has not only a functional, but also a decorative purpose. Very often it can become a real decoration for both a room and a yard.

Firewood holders for fireplaces and stoves

Firewood holders for fireplaces and stoves can be made of different materials and have different configurations. These factors directly depend on the choice of homeowners and the general design style of the room in which the stove is located.

Where to locate the firewood storage

Our ancestors built a warehouse for firewood next to the wall of the house, under a canopy, not far from the front door.
This was done not only because it was the fastest way to get to the woodpile. An important factor was the constant heating (and, accordingly, drying) of the wood with the heat of the wall of the heated house. The heat influx was very small, but stable, which made it possible to stack the firewood more densely without fear of molding. Naturally, the firewood was stored along the blank wall of the house. Firstly, it did not spoil the overall appearance of the site, and secondly, the storage did not block the light.

What’s interesting: firewood stacked along the wall additionally serves as a heat-insulating layer for the home.

In modern realities, when there are windows in almost all walls, firewood can also be laid around window openings. It looks peculiar, but there is a certain meaning in it. In this case, the roof overhang should be significantly increased, and large stones laid along the wall are used as a kind of “foundation” - firewood is piled on them.

If we’re not talking about a woodpile, but about building a full-fledged woodshed with our own hands, then they recommend placing it:

• near the back wall of the house or in a part of the site invisible from the street;
• at a distance of at least two meters from sources of open flame and sparks. For example, if there is a specially equipped place for cooking over a fire or coals, the woodcutter should be away from it. You cannot set up a welder’s or metal cutter’s workplace next to a woodpile;
• at some distance from beds, flower beds and other plantings. Since the woodshed, as a rule, is quite large, it also provides a lot of shade, which is not always beneficial. However, shade-loving plants can be planted in its shade;
• away from water sources and places where it is splashed.

In addition, it is not recommended to place the woodshed, even the most spectacular in appearance, in the center of the site - after all, it should not be the main decorative element.

Wood shed

The easiest woodshed to make is made from timber and boards. In terms of its design, it looks like a small shed with a pitched roof, but with “slitty” walls.

The construction algorithm is as follows:

1. Site preparation. They select a place on the site, remove vegetation, carry out markings, and determine where to install the pillars for the foundation.
2. Installation of a columnar foundation. Remove a layer of fertile soil at the site where the pillars are laid. The bottom of the pits is compacted, a sand and gravel cushion is filled in, pillars made of building blocks are installed and leveled. If the soils are wet, then folded pieces of roofing felt are placed under the blocks.
3. Installation of the lower trim. Sheets of roofing material folded in half are laid on the blocks, on top of which a lower frame made of timber with a cross-section of 100x100 mm is laid. For proper installation of the strapping, use the simplest type of corner connection of the beams - into the wood floor. For greater reliability, each beam can be secured to the blocks using anchors.
4. Installation of racks. The racks can be made from timber 100x100 mm or 100x50 mm. The front and rear pillars are made in different lengths. For an extension, the front pillars are made shorter than the rear ones; for a detached building, vice versa. The racks are aligned vertically, each is fixed with a pair of temporary jibs, then attached to the lower frame using metal corners and screws.
5. Installation of the top trim. First, grooves “into the floor of the tree” are pre-selected on the ground on each beam of the top trim. As for the lower crown, a beam with a section of 100x100 mm is used here. First, the strapping elements are fixed to posts of the same height - for this, a temporary fastening in the form of a perforated metal strip is used. Then the transverse elements of the strapping are fixed. Check the angles and levels, adjust if necessary, and finally secure the top trim to the racks with corners and self-tapping screws. Remove the jibs and temporary fastenings.
6. Installation of additional racks. These are stiffeners that take part of the load from the roof. They are also necessary for attaching the fence, and, if necessary, for installing the door. Typically, the spacing of elements should be at least 500-600 mm, but in each case it depends on the length of the fence board. For additional racks, use a beam with a cross section of 100x50mm. Fastening to the harness is carried out with metal corners and screws.
7. Installation of a pitched roof. First, the rafters are installed - the load-bearing elements of the roof. To do this, use a beam with a cross section of 100x50 mm. The length of the rafters should provide the required roof overhang (one way for an extension, two sides for a free-standing structure). Typically, such an element is installed on an edge so that the roof does not sag under its own weight and snow. But if the woodshed is narrow, in one or two stacks with a total width of 1 meter, then the timber can be laid flat. Then the roof sheathing is installed. The type of sheathing (solid or row) depends on the type of roofing materials. For a metal roof, roll waterproofing must be laid on the sheathing. The simplest type is roofing felt, rubemast or similar materials made of fiberglass impregnated with bitumen. For slate or ondulin, there is no need to install waterproofing.
8. Laying the floor. Usually this is a classic wooden floor on joists, but with gaps between the floorboards (they are necessary for ventilation and drying of firewood). If the woodshed is narrow and there is no need to walk inside it, then the boards are laid across and attached directly to the beam of the lower frame. For a “full-fledged” barn, it is necessary to lay logs, the pitch of which is chosen depending on the thickness of the board.
9. Installation of fencing. For cladding, use a regular edged board 20 mm thick. As an alternative, you can use ready-made panels from used pallets (Euro pallets).
10. Treatment. All wooden structures outdoors, including the woodshed, must be treated with an antiseptic. And in order for a firewood shed to last a long time, it needs to be painted.

Beautiful examples in the interior

The design of the fireplace area can become an expression of the excellent taste of the owners if the combination of textures and shades of materials fits perfectly with each other. Stone, wood and metal are combined into a single impressive ensemble. The grand panel on the entire wall is lined with stone, the fireplace bench is entirely stone, and the firebox is made of metal. Two identical metal firewood boxes filled with fuel are located symmetrically on both sides of the firebox. The shade of wood emphasizes stone and metal, natural materials form a single composition.

For a living room in a classic elegant style, a good solution would be to decorate the fireplace with tiles and marble, and it is better to decorate the fireplace grate and additional accessories with decorative forged elements. The firewood rack, stand and fireplace maintenance kit, grate, are made in the same style. Guests will be delighted and enjoy relaxing by this beautiful and warm fireplace. The flame is visible through the grille and transparent screen, additionally reflecting from the back wall of the firebox, lined with fire-resistant tiles.

During the Christmas holidays, a country village house and the surrounding forest turn into a fairy-tale kingdom. Having played enough snowballs, children and adults sit down with hot tea by the fireplace and indulge in friendly communication and relaxation. The atmosphere of comfort and closeness to nature is created by wicker baskets filled with firewood, wood chips and pine cones. The baskets are specially aged and assembled into a picturesque still life in the fireplace corner. Wicker chairs are in harmony with the firewood, and decorative elements with a Christmas theme add completeness to the interior.

An absolutely cold and minimalist interior - with a full-length window and a feeling of open space, made in icy tones. The dark blue wall, finished with textured plaster, was conceived by the designer as an ideal backdrop for the fireplace, the flames of which look sunny and hot. A vertical niche filled with firewood creates a warm accent, enlivening the wall and giving it a lived-in look.

To learn how to make a firewood rack with your own hands, see the following video.

Firewood for a bath: what is the difference?

It would seem that it will also stand on the street - how does this design differ from an ordinary firewood box? Let's figure it out.

Unlike traditional storage, the sauna structure is always smaller and is built next to the entrance to the steam room.

Building some kind of massive barn is completely pointless. You simply build a local shed and put in it the amount of firewood needed for 2-3 fires. A wall canopy is the simplest and most affordable way of arrangement.

The approximate number of logs is at the level of human height, but the length can be different and directly depends on the length of the bathhouse itself.

To mark the corners, thick bars or metal rods are driven into the ground. The sides are filled with slats and boards. You can also secure the chain link. Sometimes even two corners are enough - the rest will be replaced by a wall.

Once the walls are ready, you can begin building the floors. In this case, it is also better to make the roof pitched to ensure uniform drainage of water after rain. We lay construction pallets on the bottom or assemble lathing. Our firewood will be placed on it!

Proper storage of firewood is the key to your safety, a good indicator of housekeeping and decoration of your home or site. Firewood racks look especially great in homes. They create comfort, are able to emphasize the individuality of the interior, and ensure order and cleanliness.

Varieties and characteristics

Woodsheds can be of different designs:

• open, made of wood in the form of a canopy;
• frame made of bars;
• from old barrels;
• from pallets;
• made of timber, metal, boards, plywood or PVC sheets.

In urgent cases, owners of personal plots cast a concrete platform or lay reinforced concrete slabs. This work is not cheap, but such wood burners are reliable and of good quality. The most common option is adding gravel; this is quite enough if you place a woodpile of firewood on sheets of roofing material. The site is also most often fenced with a border made of reinforced concrete blocks or timber impregnated with primer or antiseptic. The beginning of work begins with the development of a plan diagram of the future facility and calculation of the materials that will be required.

A wood shed usually has three walls and a roof. You can make a woodshed-shed in the form of a gazebo. The design has a claim to originality; it can be decorated by attaching decorative details. The roof is made at an angle of at least 20 degrees so that moisture flows freely onto the ground. This design will reliably protect the firewood. Good ventilation ensures that moisture in the form of condensation does not accumulate on the wood. Such a facility can be built next to the main house or erected behind the bathhouse.

The advantage of such small woodsheds is also that there is no need to cast a strip foundation; it is enough to install two pillars in the corners of the site. The material for such supports can be:

• corners "6";
• wooden logs;
• profile pipes 150 mm;
• timber

The walls can be made of boards 20 mm thick. Between the vertical fastenings from the inside, diagonal and transverse fastenings should be made. During the cold season, snow will accumulate on the roof, therefore, the load on the roof and vertical supports will increase. It will be necessary to strengthen them with spacers and fastenings. Also, a rigid frame from corners should be made under the roof. This element will also provide additional rigidity, connecting all elements into a single support unit. You can make such a structure in a couple of days, but the woodshed can last for decades. You only need to periodically carry out small preventive maintenance.

Among modern materials for building a woodshed, polycarbonate is popular. Its sheets are durable, do not corrode, do not deform due to changes in temperature and humidity, reliably protecting the material from precipitation. Sheathing the walls with polycarbonate is not a bad idea. The weight of such a structure will be minimal, the walls will be strong and the fuel will not rot due to changes in temperature and humidity. For better ventilation, gaps of 2-4 cm in size are often left between the sheets. Some homeowners decorate such woodsheds with forged fragments. The most important thing in creating such structures is to create a structure with high-quality natural ventilation.

Professional builders recommend building a woodshed on the north side of the house. The reasons for this are:

• no direct sunlight;
• the northern side is traditionally cold and the woodshed can be an additional “heat” zone.”

An important point when creating a roof is that it should protrude by 25 centimeters, no less, so that moisture, when drained, does not fall on the firewood. The roof is made using the following materials:

• slate;
• roofing felt;
• metallic profile;
• polycarbonate

Woodsheds are also built on a pile foundation, which is not inferior in strength to a strip foundation. Its advantages:

• making a pile foundation is much easier;
• no shrinkage time required;
• its cost is four times lower.

You can buy any piles in a store or make it yourself. Alloy tubes (piles are usually made from them) are easily screwed into the ground, their service life exceeds 50 years. Between the piles it is necessary to make a “cushion” of gravel, lay the gaps with timber or concrete blocks of 20x20 cm, make transverse fastenings, then sheathe the walls with sheets of polycarbonate or flat slate.

Before constructing a facility, the groundwater level should be studied. If the site is located in a lowland, then groundwater may approach the surface. In this case, you should make a “pillow” of gravel 20-25 cm high. The tools that will be needed in this case:

• Boer;
• Bulgarian;
• pliers;
• hammer;
• small sledgehammer;
• drill;
• screwdriver

Many people make various additional structures on the roof of the woodshed:

• terrace;
• flowerbed;
• a small greenhouse.

When creating a woodshed, it is important to correctly arrange the logs, which at the same time can become a decorative element. Forged cast iron products go well with wood

Construction stages

1 You have a question: “How to build a woodshed from wood at the dacha with your own hands?” We need to know the amount of firewood that we will place in it. If you only need firewood to barbecue or light a fireplace in cool weather for the season, then you will need a small firewood shed of 1.5-2m3.

This can be a free-standing structure or randomly folded blocks. If they are needed for a bathhouse, for frying barbecue, and for heating the house, then it is worth building a woodpile with your own hands, taking into account the consumption of firewood for 2-2 years. It takes from 2.5 to 6 cubic meters of firewood per year to heat a house. Only after a year does the firewood dry out well enough and produce good heat when burning.

Wet firewood (recently prepared) burns poorly, produces a lot of smoke and produces almost no heat.

2 Choosing a place on the site for firewood

Take seriously the issue of choosing a place for a woodshed. Consider whether you are ready to build it stationary or a portable option will do.

If you plan to heat a house or bathhouse, then it would be reasonable to locate it near them or make an adjacent canopy. The approach to the woodpile should be convenient; it is advisable to lay paths to it. The place itself should be dry and shaded. It is better to pave the base of the woodpile, pour a concrete blind area, or, alternatively, use wooden pallets so that the firewood does not have contact with the ground.

3 Let’s start building a wood firewood shed with our own hands

The simplest option:

1 Take two three-meter boards 250mm wide for the base

2 Cut a two-meter board into 25 cm pieces, take 4 pieces for the base

3 For vertical racks, cut 4 boards of 1.5 m each

4 We twist the boards for vertical posts and short boards together, then screw three-meter boards to them

5 We fix the remaining 25 cm of boards in vertical boards in the middle and on top.

6 It is advisable to treat the structure with an antiseptic or paint it so that it does not deteriorate under the influence of precipitation.

7 Making a canopy

If you have a free-standing woodpile and it is not possible to make a stationary canopy, use any covering material (roofing felt, polycarbonate, slate sheet, etc.)

For a woodshed built with your own hands, you can make a pitched roof.

The main function of a canopy is protection. It protects against natural phenomena and also provides ventilation for wooden chocks. It is necessary so that the logs dry out and are not exposed to putrefactive fungi.

Cover the canopy with sheets of metal profiles, colored or galvanized, slate, polycarbonate, brick, etc.

Video description:

Outdoor firewood rack for a summer residence

If the size of the barn allows, wooden logs are placed inside. The advantages of such placement are as follows:

firewood is not exposed to atmospheric conditions;

aesthetic, they are not scattered on the site;

there is no need to build additional outbuildings;

firewood can be stored for a long time without changing its characteristics;

they are hidden from prying eyes and unscrupulous neighbors.

DIY firewood shed

If the size of the barn does not allow you to place wooden logs inside, make an extension to the barn from the outside.

Advantages:

-saving space and materials;

-convenience, all buildings are nearby, no need to go far;

- additional thermal insulation of the adjacent room.

1 Install the extension on a flat surface. It’s good if the blind area is already made of concrete, brick, tiles or asphalt.

2 Make a base from bricks, concrete blocks or wooden pallets. The base is necessary for ventilating the firewood.

3 The frame can be made of metal pipes or wooden blocks. Metal pipes can be used round, profile or channel. If you plan to use the woodpile for a long time, assemble a solid structure by digging the woodpile posts into the ground to a depth of 0.5 m

4 If you use metal pipes as racks, then make the walls of the woodpile from welded mesh by screwing or welding it.

5 If you use wooden beams as racks, then the walls can be covered on one, two or three sides, depending on the design of the building. Suitable materials include slats, boards and other materials.

The main thing to remember is that the structure must be ventilated.

There is one drawback. Insects and wood pests come with the delivered firewood. Therefore, it is worth protecting the wall of the shed adjacent to the woodpile. It can be treated with special protective agents or a sheet of metal nailed to the wall.

DIY woodshed

As mentioned above, the woodpile can be stationary or portable.

They can be both inside the house and outside.

Stationary outdoor firewood sheds are often built separately. They can be in the form of a closed firewood shed or in the form of a very simple canopy. Such a woodshed can be placed far from the house and other outbuildings for fire safety purposes.

When building it, you need to fill the foundation in compliance with all the rules. Dig a ditch around the perimeter of the woodshed under construction to a depth of soil freezing of up to 1 m. We fill in layers of sand and crushed stone and compact each layer thoroughly. We pour the concrete foundation.

You don't have to fill the foundation. To do this, remove the top layer of soil, cover it with sand and compact it well. Place a base of stone tiles on the sand, on which wooden beams should be laid.

Next we install the frame. We sew up the walls. Walls can be made of logs, boards, wooden planks, metal pickets, polycarbonate. The main condition is that the firewood shed must be well ventilated.

We cover the roof with any available building material.

Drawing of a woodcutter with dimensions

Types of firewood for private houses and cottages

A wood log for a fireplace or other heating unit can be made from a variety of materials, but most use metal or lumber. Also, some home craftsmen use barrels, concrete rings for building wells and other items available on a country plot to create firewood.

The choice of material and available items depends on the place where the device for storing logs is supposed to be placed - inside the building or outside.

Firewood racks can be divided into 4 categories:

• stationary;
• portable;
• for premises;
• for the street.

Regardless of the choice of manufacturing material, it must solve a number of problems, including:

• ensuring the circulation of air masses between logs;
• reliable protection of firewood from precipitation;
• ensuring convenient operation.

An outdoor firewood shed is similar in appearance to an ordinary shed. But its walls should not be tightly closed to ensure high-quality ventilation. The floor of the building must be raised above the ground so that the wood does not become damp. For the home, it is better to use designs that have graceful shapes.

You can build an openwork forged firewood rack for a fireplace - a stove that is small in size. It is usually assigned an aesthetic function and only a few stacks of firewood are placed in it. Depending on your desire, this stand can be made mobile or stationary. To make forged firewood, hot or cold forging is used.

Also, the indoor product must match the interior of the room, be stable, safe and easy to use. At the same time, a forged firewood logger for a fireplace can have an original, intricate design. If desired, it can be rearranged to any convenient place in the room.

An outdoor log storage facility should have a completely different appearance. When stocking up on firewood for the cold period of the year, it is necessary to ensure that the fuel is preserved until the onset of spring.

When constructing such a structure, you must adhere to certain rules:

1. There should be at least 10–15 centimeters of distance between the ground and the surface on which the firewood will lie. If this is not followed, the bottom layer of logs may become saturated with moisture.
2. When you plan to store a substantial supply of fuel, it is desirable that the structure have several floors, which will make it easier to maintain order in the building, ensure natural air circulation and thereby create an optimal level of humidity.
3. It is necessary to build a canopy at a slight slope and then precipitation will freely leave the roofing and condensation will not collect.
4. When constructing a structure for a significant supply of solid fuel, care must be taken to provide a strong foundation. Otherwise, under the weight of the firewood, the floor of the building may sag, and then the moisture coming from the soil will certainly spoil the lower layers of wood. To strengthen the firewood, strong beams are screwed into the soil.

You can weld a small firewood rack using corners and install it tightly to the wall of the house. Thanks to this, there is no need to close the back wall of the structure. The top of such a building is covered with a roof that protects it from precipitation.

A simple solution would be to build a frame with a roof made of wooden beams. But this option has a significant drawback, which is the absence of a back wall, as a result of which all the firewood can be flooded with water in rainy weather.

Therefore, it is advisable to use a metal shield made from a profile to protect the structure. Polycarbonate is considered a good solution for covering such a firewood box. Through such a coating material, sunlight will begin to freely penetrate into it, and the firewood will always be well dried.

To mount this structure, first of all, you need to determine its location and prepare a reliable foundation by filling the soil with gravel and compacting it. After this, the rings will not be able to budge. A multi-level design will look even more attractive.

A budget option for arranging a firewood shed is a structure made from ordinary barrels. To do this, take one barrel, lay it on its side and securely fix it with wooden slats. From several barrels you can make a multi-level structure for storing firewood.

Material of manufacture

When assembling a firewood box, the material is selected taking into account its location, size, and decorativeness. Usually metal or wood is used. If there are old barrels lying around in the yard, or concrete rings left over from sewer construction, they can also be adapted for firewood storage. However, such woodpiles can only be installed outdoors.

The most common types of firewood are:

1. Most often, they build a wooden firewood rack for a fireplace with their own hands, since the material is accessible and easy to process.
   The disadvantage is the short service life. However, if you approach the matter skillfully, a beautiful structure will become a real decorative element. In addition, a wooden firewood rack fits into any corner of the yard or interior of the room. A wooden woodpile is easy to make . Tip! By treating wood with protective impregnations and staining, it will be possible to extend the life of the firewood box and maintain its attractive appearance.
2. Metal woodpiles are especially durable. They fit perfectly into the interior of the room if the fireplace is decorated with forged elements. The only drawback is that the metal firewood holder is heavy. In the mobile version, this is not the best material. If the structure is being built large for outdoor installation, it must be painted. Without protection, metal is susceptible to corrosion. The metal woodpile is reliable, but its manufacture will require welding experience

A separate type is wicker firewood. In terms of material, it is closer to wooden structures, but the manufacturing technology itself is different. Woodpiles are woven from vines. They are usually small in size and are in demand when delivering firewood to the fireplace for 1-2 loads.

Wicker woodpiles are used when carrying small amounts of firewood

Tips for choosing

Before choosing a firewood box, you should find a convenient place for it and decide on the volume of firewood that will be in it.

Volume

For a summer cottage, you will need few logs, therefore, the woodshed will be small. A small amount of material will make the structure more expensive, with beautiful decor.

Location

The choice of woodcutter design depends on where it will have to be located. When looking for a suitable location, you need to consider the following important points.

Firewood will be delivered by vehicle, and after unloading it will be placed in the woodshed. If you do not want to drag logs manually across the entire site, the place for storing them should coincide with the unloading location. Large woodsheds cast a shadow; this should be taken into account and the structure should not be placed near the garden. On a small plot, the woodpile will have to be attached to the house. When starting construction, it is better to immediately find a flat area than to level it. A firewood shed built in a low-lying area will be subject to flooding during rainy seasons. Small woodpiles are installed in the recreation area at a fire-safe distance from the grill or stove. It is better to hide a firewood rack made from scrap materials from prying eyes behind the house, but beautiful products, forged or stone, can be installed in a visible place. Outdoor woodpiles, even small ones, are strikingly different from indoor ones. The second ones are installed indoors near the stove or fireplace

It is important for them to match the interior design.

Design

Knowing the volume and location, you can proceed to choosing a design. Any of them must have a roof and floor. The floor is raised from the ground a short distance. Walls can be erected from one to four (optional)

It is important that they are not blind, have gaps for air movement, but at the same time protect the structure from bad weather conditions. Sometimes woodpiles look like gazebos

For large quantities of firewood, long sectional structures are built.

Creating a Foundation

First you need to decide on what the foundation will be created on. Foundation columns are created using concrete, ordinary bricks, and stones. The base is installed on these columns, after which it is aligned to a certain level. The depth of the foundation is usually 30-60 centimeters.

Do-it-yourself woodcutter

Sometimes logs are placed under the base, which have a height of 10-15 centimeters from the place where the soil is laid. Such a system prevents the occurrence of dampness in the room. Wooden boards are placed on top of the joists, which are placed in the correct row.

Metal woodpiles

In order for the structure to maintain its quality for many years and not become covered with fungi, its base is impregnated with special compounds. Joists and wooden boards are also coated with special chemical compounds that have fire-fighting properties.

Additional accessories

Let's consider useful additional things that will help when operating fireplaces and stoves.

Types of firewood

Depending on the original design of the fireplace, a firewood rack can be installed. Some products initially already have a technological niche for storing logs, but in its absence, you have to store the firewood either simply on the floor or near the fireplace. Freestanding firewood boxes can be of several types: stand, box or basket.

If you have the materials, time and desire, you can easily make such an element with your own hands, and use the main directions of the interior of the room where the fireplace is installed as decor. Forged accessories for the fireplace are in demand; they resemble products of past centuries, adding a special character to the design.

The firewood box is located in the immediate distance from an open fire and does not come into contact with the flame, so there are no special requirements regarding manufacturing materials for it.

Ignition accessories

Most specialty stores stock fireplace matches and lighters for biological analogues. The main difference between such matches and ordinary products is their length, and it reaches 20 centimeters, which will not allow you to burn your hands. Accessories can be packaged in boxes with interesting designs or original glasses.

Manufacturers offer kits consisting of special rolled paper for ignition and matches. To store paper, it is better to purchase a holder that will allow you to easily unwind the desired piece and ignite the flame.

Flame protection

If you have an open firebox, it is necessary to install protective equipment for fireplaces, represented by screens and grilles. These accessories are made exclusively from materials that are resistant to open flames and high temperatures. Most often, people prefer products made of tempered glass, with a metal frame, or without a frame at all.

Some interiors are more suitable for grilles, which also perform a protective function. They are made of durable steel and decorated with forged elements.

Depending on preferences and design, you can create a screen of any size and shape: flat, convex, round, square, oval, double-leaf, etc. Metal products can be installed as close as possible to an open fire, but glass screens are best moved away from the firebox by about 30 centimeters.

Cleaning accessories

An essential tool for the fireplace is a scoop or brush. These accessories are essential for cleaning up ash and coals after the fire has gone out. If you do not clean it, the firebox will soon clog.

It is best to choose a brush that has natural hard bristles or a fairly thin wire. When using accessories with artificial bristles, there is a possibility that incompletely extinguished coals will simply ruin the accessory.

To select the ideal proportion, you should start from the formula: the length of the handle is at least 20 centimeters greater than the depth of the firebox.

Vacuum cleaners

There are now many vacuum cleaners available in stores, the main task of which is to remove soot and ash. It works exactly like a typical household appliance, but is made from special, heat-resistant materials. The design is also significantly different.

The maximum temperature that vacuum cleaners can withstand is 50°C, which makes it possible to clean even before the coals have completely cooled. The devices have high suction power, and their containers reach volumes of 20 liters.

What accessories the fireplace needs is up to the owner to decide. Every detail plays an important role in the selection process: quality of materials, product design, manufacturing company, etc. Therefore, before going to the store, you should answer these questions for yourself, then the purchase will definitely bring joy, and the accessories themselves will be used constantly and for their intended purpose.

Peculiarities

Decorative firewood - can be indoors or outdoors. Be an additional functional and decorative element in the interior or be an element of landscape design.

firewood holder - installed indoors or in open and closed gazebos with a fireplace. They are made portable or stationary, organically fitting into the overall interior. They are made from wood, metal, thick fabric and other materials.

Types of woodsheds

You cannot throw logs randomly into a woodpile. They should be folded correctly for better preservation.

Methods for stacking firewood:

1. Circular method
2. "Stack"
3. With stakes

Circular method

If you do not have a stationary woodshed, then you can stack the logs in the form of a barrel tower. It is necessary to drive a stake. It will serve as the basis of the structure being built.

Tie a fishing line or rope and draw a circle of a given diameter, depending on the amount of raw material. To prevent them from becoming damp and rotting, place tree bark or thick plastic film on the ground as a base.

Place the firewood on it in a circle carefully and tightly so that the structure is stable and does not sag. By laying firewood about 0.5 m high, you can fill the middle by stacking them in any order, but quite tightly. Continue laying in this way until the barrel tower is about 1.5 m high.

"Stack"

Stacking of logs is often used. This type of installation requires support. The wall of a house, bathhouse or other building is suitable as a support; firewood grate for a summer residence. When laying, strictly control the slope towards the support. If you are laying two rows, then place thinner logs on the support and thicker ones on the outside. Due to the difference in size, there will be a slope towards the support.

If your structure stands separately from the wall, then use a wooden beam as a support. The height should be small, otherwise, under the pressure of the firewood, the support beams may break and the structure will fall apart.

With stakes

If it is not possible to lay it otherwise, you can use stakes as a support. The stakes must be those that will not bend from the logs. Drive them into the ground from several sides, forming a frame.

When stacking firewood, line each row with branches. They will play a reinforcing role. Place the logs in a checkerboard pattern. The top must be covered with any covering material that does not allow water to pass through.

How to strengthen the frame

When stacking firewood at a great height, the entire system may become unstable over time. This can happen arbitrarily due to drying of the wood and changes in its geometry. The woodpile can “play” both in the longitudinal and transverse directions. That is why the frame must be securely fastened.

Lateral loads can be significant. To perceive it, the racks are immersed in the ground at least 50-80 cm. If these are metal pipes, they are hammered with a sledgehammer to the required depth. To protect the metal from corrosion, the bottom of the profile must be coated with mastic and dried.

Wooden supports are buried in holes, having previously been treated to prevent rotting. The easiest way is to use a special antiseptic impregnation. But if there are no special equipment at your dacha, you can use the old fashioned way:

• burn the bottom of the pillar at the stake;
• dip in liquid clay;
• install in the hole, fix and fill with the same clay.

This frame will last 5-8 years.

Purpose

The main purpose of a firewood box is to protect firewood from bad weather, such as snow or rain. If you make lattice walls, which is very desirable in this case, then the firewood will have enough air for timely ventilation. The size of the structure is not so significant; you can vary the size in accordance with your personal ideas about the woodcutter and needs.

Do not think that neatly stacked firewood near the house can be perfectly stored throughout the heating season. This type of storage can be dangerous for two reasons. Firstly, the area around the woodpile will very soon lose its attractiveness. And secondly, although the firewood will be dry inside, moisture will cause it to smoke and hiss in the fireplace. The problem can be solved by building a storage area for firewood or at least making a shed for it.

Design

Once upon a time in the villages there was no philosophizing about the construction of woodpiles - the simplest and most convenient construction from boards suited everyone. Today, for many, the dacha is not so much a garden as a place of relaxation, and the attitude towards it has become accordingly. A beautiful facade of a building, outbuildings in the form of log houses or aesthetic stone structures, landscape design of the territory - all this suggests a woodpile made of stone or log wood, convenient and effective. Entire projects are being developed to create such beauties. The photographs show the best of them.

The owner combined the fence with the firewood shed into a single building. The result is a beautiful, practical, ergonomic and environmentally perfect structure.

Storing firewood on site

As a rule, the main supply of firewood is stored on the site in a specially designated place. This is especially true for those who have stove heating and need to stock up on a large amount of firewood for the winter.

Street firewood

Beautifully stacked firewood can become a decorative element. However, it is not recommended to store firewood in the open air; you should make a shed.

Laying firewood in the form of a tree

Note: Ordinary street firewood sheds are a relatively small structure in the form of a barn or outbuilding. However, some owners make them into real works of art.

Woodshed on the site

Adviсe

In order for the fireplace to delight you with warmth, and the firewood to always be dry and at hand, you must follow the recommendations of manufacturers and specialists: properly care for the fireplace and store fuel for it. Before firewood is brought into the room, it is usually stored outside.

It is recommended to make an outdoor woodshed from wood, on a wooden base, under which a drainage cushion of sand and crushed stone is poured. This way you can reduce humidity and eliminate contact with the soil so that the lower layers do not begin to rot. A canopy is required to protect the firewood from rain and snow, because wood absorbs moisture well. Before installation, all fuel material must be thoroughly dried to avoid the formation of unwanted condensation. To prevent the wood from becoming rotten and rotten, there must be sufficient ventilation in the woodshed.

It is better to stack firewood in the following order: place the largest and thickest logs at the bottom, gradually lay out smaller firewood, and place thin kindling on top for ignition. The wood chips can be placed on a separate shelf or in a specially designed sector of the woodpile. A canopy or terrace attached to the house will allow you to store fuel near the entrance for easy replenishment of the indoor firewood in bad weather.

Fire safety is a very important aspect of the operation of a fireplace, so a log burner with dry fuel should not be placed too close to an open flame or faulty wiring: the slightest spark can lead to a fire. But with knowledge and compliance with safety measures, these problems can be prevented. Under the fireplace and in front of the firebox there must be a platform made of non-combustible and fire-resistant material: metal, stone, concrete. A platform is also made under hanging and wall-mounted models. The wall behind the fireplace, located in the wall space, is also finished with heat-resistant, non-combustible materials. Special glass screens and doors, fireplace grates prevent sparks and embers from reaching the floor surface.

Another piece of advice on properly packing fuel for the winter: as you pull logs out of the woodshed, it is unacceptable for the woodpile to fall over or warp, and for the firewood to spill out of it. Large logs must first be chopped and wood chips prepared for ignition. Additional supports should be installed on the sides so that the rows of firewood do not subsequently fall apart and crumble. Stack stacking is possible, where logs are laid out row by row around a circumference. As a result, a stack of fuel is formed.

Special long-burning briquettes have been invented as fuel for the fireplace. They are sold in packaging and stored dry in a firewood rack.

Installation of a free-standing woodshed

The design of the product is similar. The difference is in two points - the canopy can be beveled in any direction, a foundation is required.

Please note that the diagram is similar to the previous one and can be used for a firewood shed adjacent to the house. Elements of longitudinal and transverse strapping have been added here

If desired, you can make the wall cladding continuous or sparse, including the front wall, and additionally hang the door.

The foundation in this scheme is shallow blocks or a shallow strip foundation.

The scheme with a gable canopy is also close to the previous one.

In this option, there is no sheathing as such - its role is played by crosspieces made of timber on the side walls of the woodshed. Instead of individual rafters, simple triangular trusses are used, and the role of the longitudinal strapping is performed by rafter beams at the top and timber flooring at the bottom

If trusses are used for a gable roof, they are assembled separately using a template and only then attached to the frame. Another difference between a design with a gable roof is that the ridge needs to be protected from leakage. For this purpose, additional elements are used, which can be purchased complete with roofing material.

Attaching the frame to the foundation

If the firewood shed is installed separately on a foundation made of concrete, brick or blocks, it is necessary to properly attach the wooden or metal frame to the foundation.

There are several options:

• mortgage with a U-shaped holder, used for monolithic bases. The mortgage is installed at the pouring stage, the frame is fastened after the base has reached its design strength;
• anchor bolts (dowels) on top of the waterproofing. To increase the service life of the support (crown) beam or board, lumber is impregnated with an antiseptic;
• studs to the foundation over the waterproofing.

The last two methods are applicable for both monolithic and block foundations. The first method is suitable for block bases to a limited extent, only when using a fastening profile with a supporting plane.

When using a foundation, there are two options for the installation sequence:

• first secure the racks to the foundation, then assemble the frame;
• fasten on the base of the post of the already assembled frame.

The first option is convenient for small point supports with already concreted embeds, since otherwise it is difficult to guarantee the correct placement of the posts. The second method is universal.

How to use?

With miniature wood burners everything is clear - put the logs in one row and use them. To properly maintain firewood in a large building, you need to know how to store it and the intricacies of using a woodpile.

• A large firewood shed is divided into sections so that the firewood does not lie too tightly and is well ventilated.
• The logs should be laid out so that the damp ones do not block access to dry firewood.
• The square building should be delimited in the center by a passage that abuts the opposite wall. This will make it easier to access the firewood and improve air circulation.
• In rectangular and extended structures, it is necessary to provide access to the firewood from both sides - this way they will be blown with air more intensively. Up to eight cubes of firewood can be stored in such woodpiles.
• If you don’t live in your dacha permanently and the property doesn’t have a bathhouse, you will need a small firewood rack, for a couple of cubes, no more.
• A heated house with a bathhouse will require an impressive supply of firewood. The woodpile will have to be built long, sectional. To prevent it from being wide, the dimensions are increased due to the height of up to two meters. The logs must be ventilated, so they are not placed right up to the ceiling, and the firewood box is easy for a person of average height to use.

A good firewood rack is practical, convenient, effective and fits organically into the surrounding space. And a poorly planned structure in the wrong location can become a constant source of irritation as soon as you have to go get firewood.

To learn how to make a firewood rack with your own hands, see the following video.

What are there

A sheet of metal will protect the walls from woodworms (wooden ones, of course)
. If you do not pay attention to the size, there are two types of sheds for firewood - attached to the wall of a building or standing separately. It is clear that it is easier and faster to install, but this is not always possible. Or rather, not with all buildings: it is dangerous to attach to wooden walls

And not only from a fire safety point of view. With the firewood comes a whole army of wood-boring beetles, which will happily take on your home. Therefore, it is better not to attach woodsheds to wooden buildings, even with wood treated with bioprotection, but if you really want to, then nail an iron sheet to the wall. As in the photo. It should be larger than the size of the woodcutter. Then all the bugs (most of them, for sure) will remain in the firewood.

Free-standing firewood sheds can be completely open - several pillars, a couple of lintels and a roof. The main thing is that the roof is large enough: it is advisable to make larger overhangs. And the rest will be completed by air and sun. They say that they dry no worse than in more closed structures. In regions with heavy snowfall, to prevent snow from getting inside for the winter, sheets of plywood are attached (attached) below. They are removed in the spring.

How are walls made?

More often, woodsheds are built with lattice or slotted walls. It is better if the boards are stuffed at some angle - like blinds. Then, even with oblique winds, little precipitation gets inside. But even if the boards are filled at some intervals, everything dries well.

Boards/slats are placed on the frame mostly horizontally, sometimes vertically; they also make lattices from thin planks or place them diagonally. In any case, there should be a lot of cracks for ventilation.

Vertically stuffed planks are rare. This is a woodshed with a pitched roof

Does the drying speed depend on the method of installing the planks? No comparisons have been made, so it’s difficult to say for sure. But one owner claims that if you lay the boards diagonally (he has 10 cm with a 2 cm gap), with each wall in a different direction, it dries faster and faster: in a month.

About the size of the slots: they are made from 2 cm to 10 cm. But it also depends on the width of the board. If you leave the gaps very wide, snow will sweep in a lot. If there is little snow or you are not concerned about the amount of snow, you can fill the boards less often. It's also more economical.

Beautiful woodshed for the dacha

Not all woodsheds have doors (those with doors are also called “woodsheds”), as in the version in the photo. Often there is not even a front wall: this allows for more active ventilation. The front wall and doors are needed if stealing occurs in your area, but in general you can do without them.

Log location

Now a little about the structure of the woodshed. If it is small and everything fits in one row, then there are no special problems - everything is accessible. But if large volumes are loaded, it is better to divide the area into sectors into which batches of firewood will be loaded. Thus, previously imported and already dried out ones will not be covered by fresh ones.

It is better to divide the area into sections, so that you can go inside

If the woodshed is square, arrange the sections so that you can reach inside to remove the driest logs. To do this, a passage is left in the middle. In terms of depth, it should not be up to the wall, but it is advisable that only one, or maximum two, rows of logs separate you from the wall (and in general it depends on the volume) - this way they will all be accessible. It’s easier with rectangular ones: they are simply separated by non-sectors by a partition. For example, as in the photo.

This is a large shed for firewood - each section fits one car - about 4 cubic meters. The back wall is not solid; if you look closely, there are holes there.

And a little about height. You don’t need a large woodcutter for a (seasonal) dacha. All you need is one or two cubes for heating in the fall/spring, and even then only for the weekend. But if you have to heat a house, and even a bathhouse, you will have to build something solid. Then, regardless of the layout - long or square, the height is about 2 meters. With average height, you can load it almost to the ceiling. but there should be a ventilation gap at the top.

How to make it yourself

If you wish and have minimal skills, you can make a beautiful and stylish woodpile with your own hands. The main thing is that it is functional and in harmony with the interior of the room and the style of the fireplace.

To independently make a simple firewood box from plywood, you will not need complex equipment; construction skills will also be of no use here - even a beginner can cope with it. You can take a finished product project as a basis and make a similar one.

You just need to study the technology and prepare the following tools and materials:

• ruler and pencil (construction marker);
• hacksaw, jigsaw, jigsaw;
• fastening material, screws;
• hot water, spacious basin;
• plywood;
• drill or screwdriver;
• wooden slats, wooden handle.

First, you need to take a sheet of plywood and draw an ellipse measuring approximately 90x40 cm on it with a pencil. Then use a hacksaw or jigsaw to cut out the figure along the drawn contour, carefully and accurately repeating the line.

Initially, plywood does not have plasticity, so it will not be possible to bend it without breaking. Hot water will help give it the desired properties. The cut ellipse must be placed in a container with hot water for 1 hour. After this time, the plywood will swell and become more flexible. Then it can be smoothly bent. If after 1 hour of soaking the plywood does not become flexible, you can keep it in warm water for another 30 minutes.

Now you can slowly bend the sheet until you get the desired spherical shape. After this, you need to insert the wooden handle into the previously drilled holes. For immobility, it is fixed with a dowel. Next, two slats are used to make runners for the firewood so that it stands firmly on the floor. They are fastened with a screwdriver and self-tapping screws. All is ready! Now you can store firewood in a beautiful portable stand made by yourself.

A sheet of metal can be bent into a rectangular or semicircular shape and painted in the desired color. This is a very simple way to create a simple and stylish firewood stand.

Tin buckets used as carriers for logs are very popular. They can be decorated in various ways: aged or painted, depending on the effect you want to achieve.

A simple and elegant solution, easy to implement:

• take old shelves or put together new ones;
• cover them with varnish or paint;
• place on the wall - on both sides of the fireplace - symmetrically or randomly.

A classic interior or Empire style is characterized by the use of natural or artificial stone for facing fireplaces. The woodpile can be decorated in the same style.

To do this you need:

• make a mold for filling;
• mix concrete mortar with reinforcing fiber for strength;
• pour into mold;
• wait for it to dry;
• cover it with artificial stone or mosaic tiles, glue plaster bas-reliefs (it is better to use the same shades and elements as in the decoration of the stove).

Option one. Indoor firewood stand

To create a stand for firewood by the fireplace with your own hands, you can use plywood, in addition to which you will need the following materials and tools:

• construction marker;
• electric drill;
• jigsaw;
• plywood sheet;
• wooden slats - 2 pieces.

Construction work consists of several stages:

1. Using a marker, draw an ellipse measuring 90x40 centimeters on a plywood sheet.
2. According to the drawn outline, the base is cut out with a jigsaw.
3. They retreat 5 centimeters from both edges and drill both holes with a diameter of about 3 centimeters with a drill.
4. To give the base a spherical shape, it is necessary to achieve the elasticity of the material, which in this case is plywood. To do this, pour hot water into a large container, such as a bathtub, and place the cut base in it, leaving it for about one hour.
5. After waiting the required time, the plywood is given the desired shape. This should be done slowly and as carefully as possible to prevent damage. If the material does not lend itself well, it can be further immersed in heated water for about half an hour.
6. A wooden handle is inserted into the previously made holes, which is secured from the outside with a dowel. To prevent the firewood rack, which resembles a firewood basket for a fireplace or stove, from swinging on the floor like a cradle, it should be given a stable position using two slats. They are attached to the base using self-tapping screws.

This plywood design is simple in execution and easy to use. It moves easily and is placed in the right place.

You can make a stand out of wood, for which any wood will do. The only requirement for such a firewood box is to maintain a distance from open fire.

How to fold a round woodpile

You have probably seen firewood stacked in a cylindrical woodpile (or photo) many times. They look good, and, more importantly, the wood dries quickly in them.

Round woodpiles for drying firewood

Everything is very simple, but without knowing the secret it’s impossible to do it well. Below is a photo report that shows step by step how to fold a round log of chopped wood.

First, dig in and securely fasten a pole about 2 meters high. Place small diameter logs around. The distance to the center is twice the length of the firewood (if the firewood is 40 cm, the distance to the center is about 80 cm).

The first step of laying a round woodpile

Next, lay out the chopped firewood. One end of them rests on the laid out logs, the other lies on the ground. Lay it so that everything lies almost end to end along the inner edge (with small gaps). There will be gaps on the outside. It's not scary - the second row will fit in them.

Lay out the first row

Place the second row on top of the first. Trying to fill in the gaps as much as possible. We begin to stack the firewood tightly around the pole while standing.

Continuation: lay out the second row, start filling the middle

We continue to stack the firewood in a circle and fill the middle

As soon as you notice that the outer edge of the firewood has begun to slope down, lay out a row in a circle that will raise it. Then you continue to stack the firewood in the same way: in a circle until half the height of the firewood (20 cm), then fill the middle. The second row in the middle is not just placed, but stuck into the cracks. Try to insert the pieces of wood tightly.

Continuation of the process View of the woodpile from above Laying the woodpile is completed

The same process can be repeated with more wood. Lay two or even three rows in a circle. The sizes of such firewood loggers can be enormous. The photo gallery shows an example of how to fold a large woodpile.

Since you have started arranging your site, perhaps you will find this article useful on how to make paths (from the same wood, for example) or benches.

Size and design

Dimensions are calculated strictly individually. They depend on the number of woodpiles that will be simultaneously stored in the building. Reserves must fully satisfy the need for this type of fuel at the site. For example, if only a fireplace is heated with wood, then a small, compact firewood rack, designed for two or three woodpiles 1-2 m wide, is sufficient. As for the design, the number of options is almost unlimited. Firewood boxes can have square, rectangular, round and semicircular shapes. Roofs are usually made with single slopes, but if the master decided to carefully work out the design of the building, to make it beautiful and unusual, then there are more complex options: gable, half-hipped, hipped, covered with tiles or ondulin. Of course, the process of building such a woodshed will take much longer. The buildings can be three-walled without doors or full-fledged barns that are completely closed.

Firewood cart

If you have a wood-burning fireplace, you most likely go through several steps: gather wood from the yard, put it in a wheelbarrow, and haul it into the house. You transfer the firewood from the wheelbarrow to the inner rack and from there throw it into the fireplace. This is very ineffective and constantly annoying. Therefore, half of the steps can be reduced by making a home firewood cart with your own hands. The version of the wood rack on wheels shown here contains design elements that make it presentable enough to place in the living room; therefore, the cart is used to transport firewood and store it next to the fireplace. The stand is made of a square profile and painted to resemble wood. Rolls great and makes the process of lighting the fireplace much easier.

The design of the firewood cart will depend on the wheels you plan to use. You will also need the following items:

• 5 x 3/4" 1.2m square tubes
• 1 x 1.2m inch square pipe
• 1 x block 5 x 5 cm, meter long
• 4 x 10 cm nails and several 5 cm nails

Tools:

• Hacksaw for metal
• Welding machine
• Angle grinder
• Sandpaper
• Hand saw for wood
• Metal plate
• Drill

Step 1: Cut the metal parts. When making this design, you will have to make a lot of corner cuts. Most angles are 45°, with the exception of the base of the two arcs, which are attached to a rectangular frame. I decided to assemble a basic rectangle and attach the wheels first before trying to figure out what angles I needed for the stands. Once you've decided on the wheels, draw a diagram to determine the angles between the floor (horizontal, like the top of the arch) and the frame (where the arches will be attached). Then cut the metal pieces according to the dimensions on your drawing.

Step 2: Welding and Grinding

Weld four 10 cm nails in the corners of the arch that will hold the wooden handles, as well as two nails in the rectangle near the wheels.

Step 3: Attach the Wheels

Weld two nuts on each side. Before welding, tighten the bolt so that the holes line up.

Step 4: Make Wooden Handles

Make several identical square handles. Their total length should match the width of the main rectangle (25 cm). Sand and varnish.

Step 5: Assembly

The order of assembly is very important:

Weld a rectangular frame; Weld arches and corner nails; At the same time and very carefully hammer the arches into the grooves. Better get someone to help you keep your feet up

Don't worry if the wood squares don't press all the way to the corners, this can be fixed later. Roll up the arches on the frame; Clamp the post upside down in a vise to set the top cross bar in place; Tighten the vice until the wooden rods are glued to the two arches, if the cross beam is too long, loosen the vice, saw and try again. Using a piece of wood and a hammer, tap gently so that the squares are pressed into the corners; Weld the cross member in place.

Step 7:Painting

Before you start cleaning and painting metal parts, you need to protect the wooden surfaces

I used newspaper and masking tape to cover the wood, being very careful to cover the gaps around the squares. Use fine sandpaper and then wipe off the dust with a damp cloth

Hang the frame from the ceiling if you can to reach all surfaces. For painting, the author used matte black paint to hide the welds.

Photo source www.instructables.com/id/Firewood-Dolly/

Fabric structures

Fabric carrier for firewood

Baskets can be made of fabric. A bag is the easiest option for those who are at least a little familiar with patterns and sewing. For its manufacture, any dense fabric is selected. It can be drape, wool or other material. Such a basket plays more of a carrying role, since holding a fabric structure near a fire is dangerous.

Despite the ready-made designs offered, it is better to do it yourself, giving the product exclusivity and using it as an additional accessory in the interior. To do this you will need a small piece of fabric in the shape of a rectangle. Depending on the density of the material, it can be used in one or more layers.

Foundation installation

The pouring rules are the same as those used when assembling a stationary heater. To begin with, you need to highlight the outline of the base and make a 100 millimeter indent from the fireplace itself. If the installation takes place in a room with parquet, the base for the stove is cut out.

Work algorithm:

• make a recess from 0.5 m to 0.7 meters;
• fill the bottom of the boiler 10 cm with sand, compacting it and spilling it with water;
• cover the sand with crushed stone and compact it thoroughly;
• from crushed stone, at a height of 5-7 cm, install a mesh of reinforcement;
• install formwork along the base (align the upper cut of the boards at the same level, which will ensure leveling of the foundation);
• mix sand, crushed stone and cement mortar (3:1:4), then pour a homogeneous mass into the base;
• compact the concrete, then level it using a rule, passing through parts of the formwork.

After pouring the foundation, you should wait a week for complete setting. Do not forget to separate the concrete from the installation with waterproofing, such as roofing felt.

Criteria for choosing a metal firewood box

When choosing a forged woodpile, you need to pay attention to how convenient it is in size and shape. She also shouldn’t be tall or swaying. Otherwise, it will be difficult to get firewood, which means that the likelihood of the product itself and its contents overturning will be high. And this will lead to injury.

There should be no holes in the roof to prevent water from getting inside. Metal firewood racks for outdoor use can have several tiers. This will allow you to place more firewood.

Woodpiles with legs or portable ones are good choices. Even if the structure is not moved, a slight elevation above the ground will protect the contents from dampness and rotting.

Multi-tiered outdoor woodpile