Use What’s Naturally Available in Your Yard
There are natural ways to cover your firewood, such as choosing a location between two large trees that create a natural canopy cover to protect the mound. We love natural options! It’s a great way to allow the trees to provide shelter from the elements while also helping dry when the damp weather conditions subside.
Purchase a Modern Wood Cover
If the natural approach is not sufficient for your needs, and you want more than a tarp to cover your logs, there are plenty of other commercial options to choose from on the market. Many of them are surprisingly low cost for the amount of prepared timber they’ll cover.
Pricing Options for Covering Firewood
If you choose to cover your wood stack, then the cost and size of your cover will vary depending on the amount of wood you plan to store. Most residential consumers will not keep a full cord of wood on hand but may have a full face or a half-face cord to cover.
Both cheap fabric covers and high-dollar seasoning sheds are likely UV-treated fabric, and many claim to help you get burnable wood faster than allowing it to dry out naturally.
Wood Stack Covers with Price Estimates
Below you’ll find a chart that covers your estimated costs and considerations when choosing a cover for your wood stack.
Option 1: High-Cost but Affordable
Splurge for the ultimate in firewood seasoning sheds (which is another name for a firewood tent). Which will cost an average of $125-$600 or more depending on the amount of wood, size of frame, and style you choose. However, we found some on sale for as low as $79 so it’s possible to find a good deal!
The smallest options hold up to a ½-cord of wood, while the largest holds up to 7-cords! We’re guessing most seasoned wood burners will opt for the 10x10x8 ft model that holds as much as 3-½ cords.
Option 2: Low-Cost and Affordable
Weather-resistant polyethylene fabric covers are a good fit for the price-conscious consumer. Like what you’d use to cover a BBQ Grill, you can expect to replace it every 2-3 years due to normal wear and tear. These wood rack covers don’t come with a frame like the higher-end sheds.
The fabric simply slides over the top of your rack and protects the logs from rain and moisture. This type of cover may help protect from heavy rain or storms but be careful covering the entire stack and not allowing enough air to flow through.
Option 3: The Cheapest Cover Available
The cheapest option for covering wood is with a standard tarp made of Polyethylene plastic. Expect to pay roughly $10-$80 depending on the size needed, brand of choice, and your personal preference for tarp quality.By far the most popular option. Be prepared to need other supplies to keep the tarp down like bungee cords or blocks.
See this video where he uses ropes and two bricks as weights to hold down the tarp:
Watch as he covers with a plastic tarp using ropes and bricks as weights.
Option 4: Low Cost to Possibly Free (but not available to everyone)
Use any existing open roof structure already constructed on your property. This option obviously won’t work for everyone. If you do have access to an existing open-faced building (even better if it has a slanted roof) this may be your best bet! It could be easily converted to accommodate your new wood-stack. Price varies per situation but could essentially be free.
Another option is to build your own shed with or without a cover. Check out our recent post featuring 10 differentDIY methods for making your own.
Option 5: The Natural Option and 100% FREE
The most natural option is to use mother nature’s canopy as your wood shelter. If you have mature trees in your yard, then this could be an option. This is a 100% natural and FREE way to cover your wood.
It may take much longer to season and risk wood-rotting issues, but to each their own.
The bark on these logs may help protect from moisture but once split, do not let your wood touch the ground.
Use two existing mature trees to protect your woodpile. Using the trunks to hold the pile in place between the trees (like bookends) and allowing the branches, limbs, leaves as a natural shelter. Not to mention the wind helps with open airflow.
If thiscoveringmethod works for you, then go for it!
Just make sure the logs don’t touch the ground, use bricks or pallets to elevate your pile once the woods been chopped and split.
No matter which type of cover you choose, rest assured in just a few months, your seasoned firewood is ready to enjoy!
As a seasoned enthusiast with a deep understanding of firewood storage and protection, let me share my expertise to help you make informed decisions. Over the years, I've experimented with various methods and extensively researched the topic to ensure I provide you with the most effective and reliable information.
Now, let's delve into the concepts covered in the article:
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Natural Canopy Cover:
- Utilizing the natural environment is a cost-free method to protect firewood.
- Placing firewood between two large trees creates a natural canopy, offering shelter from the elements.
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Modern Wood Covers:
- If natural options are insufficient, commercial alternatives are available.
- Modern wood covers, beyond basic tarps, are on the market, offering more protection.
- These covers vary in cost but are generally affordable for the coverage they provide.
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Pricing Options:
- The cost and size of the cover depend on the amount of wood to be stored.
- Residential consumers might have a full face or half-face cord to cover.
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Wood Stack Covers with Price Estimates:
- Presents various options with estimated costs for covering wood stacks.
- Highlights considerations for choosing covers based on cost, size, and material.
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Option 1: High-Cost but Affordable (Firewood Seasoning Sheds):
- Suggests investing in firewood seasoning sheds for optimal protection.
- Provides a price range of $125-$600, with some potentially available for as low as $79.
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Option 2: Low-Cost and Affordable (Polyethylene Fabric Covers):
- Recommends weather-resistant polyethylene fabric covers for budget-conscious consumers.
- These covers lack frames but provide protection against rain and moisture.
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Option 3: The Cheapest Cover Available (Standard Polyethylene Tarp):
- Advocates using standard polyethylene tarps as a budget option.
- Warns about potential issues with air circulation and suggests using additional supplies like bungee cords.
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Option 4: Low Cost to Possibly Free (Existing Open Roof Structures):
- Proposes using existing open roof structures on your property as a cost-effective option.
- Emphasizes that this may not be available to everyone but could essentially be a free solution.
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Option 5: The Natural Option and 100% FREE (Mother Nature’s Canopy):
- Advocates using mature trees in your yard as a natural and free way to cover firewood.
- Acknowledges potential drawbacks, such as longer seasoning time and wood-rotting risks.
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Implementation Tips:
- Offers practical tips for each option, such as using bricks or pallets to elevate woodpiles.
- Stresses the importance of not letting wood touch the ground to prevent moisture issues.
In conclusion, whether you opt for a commercial cover or leverage natural elements, these diverse options cater to different preferences, budgets, and environmental considerations, ensuring that your firewood remains well-protected and ready for use.
