The best firewood storage plan keeps wood raised off the ground, protects it from rain and snow overhead, and leaves the sides open for airflow. For most households, that means an open-sided shed or a raised pallet-and-cover setup sized to the actual stacked volume—not an enclosed garden shed or a rack labeled with an imprecise capacity.
A full cord is 128 cubic feet, but whether a particular rack holds one depends on the stack’s length, height, and depth. Plan for at least six months of seasoning, then check a freshly split piece with a wood moisture meter; the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says wood burns best below 20% moisture content.
Quick comparison of practical firewood storage plans
| Plan | Suitable use | What the source describes | Key consideration |
|---|---|---|---|
| EPA one-cord shed | A household planning to store about one cord | EPA’s October 2024 resource includes a materials list, schematics, and photos | Follow the plan rather than assuming unverified dimensions |
| Raised pallet-and-cover setup | Renters, first-time burners, or households needing a simple storage option | EPA’s options include bases made with pallets, pavers or blocks, supported ends, and a tarp, plywood, or metal-panel top | Check stability and local requirements for the site and structure |
| Repeated open storage bays | More than one cord or separate wood batches | A planning approach using repeatable, accessible open bays | Size each bay from its actual stack dimensions; this is not an engineered specification |
There is no universally best shed. Choose a plan that suits your supply, keeps the stack stable and dry, and allows air to move around the wood. EPA’s storage plans are useful references, but they do not replace local review of permits, setbacks, foundations, or wind and snow loads.
How to size storage by cord capacity
Use the volume of the neatly stacked wood, not the shed’s outside footprint:
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- Stacked cubic feet = inside stack length × stack height × stack depth.
- Cords = stacked cubic feet ÷ 128.
A neatly stacked volume 8 feet long, 4 feet high, and 4 feet deep equals 128 cubic feet, or one cord. A rack that is 8 feet long does not automatically hold a cord: for 16-inch firewood, the stack depth is about 16 inches, not 4 feet. Allow practical room for loading, irregular stacking, and the roof framing, but do not count that clearance as firewood capacity.
Avoid treating terms such as “rack,” “pile,” or “face cord” as exact capacity labels unless the stack’s length, height, and depth are also stated. The National Institute of Standards and Technology’s cord definition is a more dependable comparison point.
Plan features that help wood dry
- Raise the wood: Keep the bottom course off soil and out of pooled water. EPA’s storage options use materials such as pavers, bricks, cinder blocks, pallets, or treated landscape timbers for a base.
- Cover the top: Use a roof or cover that sheds rain and snow. EPA’s 2024 storage flyer calls for roof overhang and a slope that prevents water from collecting.
- Leave the sides open: EPA warns that covering the sides can trap moisture. A short screen may suit a particular exposed site, but do not seal the stack in.
- Choose a dry, sunny, breezy site: Penn State Extension advises against initially stacking freshly split wood against a building, where drying conditions may be reduced.
- Restrain the ends: EPA’s simple plans use supported pallet ends, 2×4 ends, or metal T-posts. Its flyer describes tying the tops of 2×4 or T-post ends together with rope or wire for added stability. Follow the selected plan and account for your ground conditions.
Treated lumber may be suitable for a shed base or structure where the plan specifies it. Do not burn treated lumber: EPA lists pressure-treated wood among materials that should not be burned.
Practical plans to consider
Best all-around reference: EPA’s one-cord shed plan
EPA’s October 2024 Build a Firewood Storage Shed resource provides a materials list, schematics, and photos for a shed designed to hold about one cord. Use the plan as written rather than relying on dimensions reconstructed from an unverified summary. Before building, confirm local requirements that could affect the foundation, anchoring, setbacks, and loads.
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Best low-commitment option: raised pallet-and-cover storage
EPA’s 4 Easy-to-Build Structures to Store Firewood describes several storage concepts, including a full-cord option using cinder blocks and pallets for the base, upright pallet ends supported with treated 2×4s, and a tarp roof. Other options use a pallet on pavers or bricks with supported ends and a treated plywood roof, or bases made from treated landscape timbers and cinder blocks with a tarp or galvanized metal roof panel. Some use 2×4 ends; another uses metal T-posts.
These are straightforward concepts for people who need a modest setup, but capacity still depends on the actual stack dimensions. Make sure the ends are stable and check local requirements before treating a temporary-looking setup as exempt from review.
Best planning approach for a larger supply: repeatable open bays
For more than one cord, consider repeating open bays instead of creating one deep, enclosed storage space. This is a planning approach, not an EPA-engineered design: separate bays can make it easier to keep batches identifiable, access the stacks, and expose more wood to airflow. Size each bay using the cord equation and obtain appropriate structural guidance for local conditions.
Seasoning workflow
- Cut and split the wood before stacking. EPA recommends splitting before storage.
- Stack it on a raised base in a sunny, windy location.
- Cover the top with a sloped, overhanging roof or cover; leave the sides open.
- Keep different years or batches identifiable, and use older wood first. Penn State Extension advises not mixing years when possible.
- Plan on at least six months of seasoning, but do not rely on a calendar alone. EPA’s 2024 flyer specifies at least six months for softwood and 12 months for hardwood; Penn State Extension says wood commonly takes 6–12 months to reach roughly 20% moisture.
- Before burning, split a representative piece and measure the newly exposed face. EPA recommends pushing the moisture-meter probes into the grain on that face and says wood burns best below 20% moisture content.
Drying time depends on the wood species, split size, starting moisture, sun, wind, rainfall, and local humidity. A wood moisture meter verifies the result; it does not speed up drying.
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- FIND HIDDEN WALL MOISTURE EARLY — Check suspicious drywall and building surfaces after a leak, water stain, or other moisture concern. Detect abnormal moisture before a small issue develops into more extensive damage and costly repairs
- CHECK BEFORE YOU REPAIR — Don't rely on a wall looking or feeling dry. Use the moisture meter to check questionable areas before painting, repairing, or covering the surface, helping you make decisions based on actual moisture readings.
- CHECK FIREWOOD BEFORE YOU BURN — Test firewood before placing it in your fireplace or wood stove. Knowing the moisture level of your firewood helps you choose wood that is ready for burning and avoid relying on appearance alone.
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- ONE TOOL FOR TWO IMPORTANT HOME CHECKS — Keep it ready for two practical jobs: checking walls for hidden moisture and checking firewood before burning. A simple way to make informed decisions before a moisture problem becomes expensive or wood goes into the fireplace.
Site, wildfire, and code considerations
Keep a firewood stack on a dry site with room for airflow and access. In wildfire-prone locations, firewood is combustible fuel. Oregon State University Extension advises moving woodpiles at least 30 feet from homes and other structures as part of defensible-space guidance. Treat that as risk-reduction advice, not a universal legal requirement; local fire authorities, insurers, HOAs, or state rules may differ.
Permit rules depend on the local government. The International Residential Code is a model code, not a nationwide permit exemption, and its 2024 provisions do not establish one exemption that applies to every firewood shed. Check with your local building department before buying materials, especially about setbacks, height, foundation type, permit thresholds, and wind or snow loads.
What not to burn
A storage shed preserves suitable firewood; it does not make unsuitable material safe. EPA says not to burn treated, painted, coated, glued, wet, rotten, diseased, or moldy wood. EPA also recommends buying and burning locally cut wood to reduce the risk of moving invasive forest pests.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Frequently Asked Questions
How many cubic feet are in a cord of firewood?
A full cord is 128 cubic feet of neatly stacked wood. A stack 8 feet long, 4 feet high, and 4 feet deep is a familiar example, but other dimensions can add up to the same volume.
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- Pin Type & Battery Operated: TopTes TS-630 moisture meter is a pin-type moisture meter and operates on batteries. With a high precision multi-material sensor, DON’T need calibration. It’ll support an accurate reading after inserting the stainless steel pins into the surface of the wood or building materials. It will auto shut off after 10 minutes of non-use to help save energy. A low-battery indicator will appear on the screen when the battery is running out
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Does an 8-foot rack hold a full cord?
Not necessarily. Capacity depends on stack length, height, and depth. For example, a stack of 16-inch logs has about 16 inches of depth, not the 4-foot depth in the familiar one-cord example.
How long should firewood season before burning?
Use six months as a minimum planning period, not a guarantee. EPA’s 2024 flyer specifies at least six months for softwood and 12 months for hardwood; Penn State Extension says wood commonly takes 6–12 months to reach roughly 20% moisture. Measure before burning because conditions vary.
How do I check whether firewood is dry enough?
Split a representative piece and press a wood moisture meter’s probes into the grain on the newly split face. EPA says wood burns best below 20% moisture content and recommends measuring rather than guessing from appearance or age.
Should a firewood shed have enclosed sides?
Usually not. Keep the sides open so air can move around the stack, and protect the wood from above with a roof or cover. EPA warns that covering the sides can trap moisture.
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Do I need a permit for a firewood shed?
That depends on local rules and the structure’s details. Ask your local building department about permit thresholds, setbacks, height, foundations, and wind or snow loads; do not assume a small or open design is automatically exempt.
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