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Firewood Shed Plans: Simple Designs You Can Build
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The rules of storing firewood
From Family Handyman and This Old House:
- Keep wood off the ground. This Old House uses concrete blocks with pressure-treated 2x4s across them. Family Handyman suggests two to four parallel boards as a base.
- Leave cut ends exposed to the air and stack loosely so the wood can breathe.
- Keep wood at least a couple of inches from walls.
- Cover the top, but leave the sides uncovered so air can flow through.
- Logs on the ground rot, and wet wood burns poorly and can cause dangerous buildup in a chimney flue (This Old House).
Five simple designs (This Old House)
| Design | Notes |
|---|---|
| Pallet wood shed | Screw pallets together as three walls and a floor, with a pallet roof. Look for an HT stamp. |
| Lean-to | Use an existing garage or fence as the back wall, or build next to it with a roof. This Old House recommends cedar, a naturally rot-resistant wood. |
| A-frame | Sloped sides shed rain and snow; a pallet base, a few 2x4s and roofing material. |
| Pole barn style | Open walls, posts about 8 feet apart. A 4x8x4 ft shed holds a cord. |
| Repurposed shed | Remove one side of an old shed for access and airflow. |
Build a simple lean-to firewood shed
- Pick the spot. Level, close enough for easy trips, away from the house (15 feet is advised for pest reasons).
- Make a raised base. Level concrete blocks with pressure-treated 2x4s across them.
- Frame posts and a sloped roof. Our lean-to shed guide and roof guide show the framing and roofing methods.
- Leave the sides open. Add a back wall only if you need weather protection and leave gaps for airflow.
What will your shed cost?
Our free calculator compares building it yourself, buying a kit and hiring a builder for your exact size.
Open the shed cost calculatorCommon questions
How big should a firewood shed be?
This Old House says a pole barn-style wood shed 4 feet wide by 8 feet long by 4 feet high will hold an entire cord of wood.
Can I use pallets?
Yes. This Old House describes screwing pallets together to form three walls around a pallet floor, with a fourth pallet as the roof. It suggests looking for an "HT" stamp (heat-treated) and skipping any pallet that is stained or smells.
How far from the house should firewood be?
This Old House's pest control expert advises storing firewood at least 15 feet from the house, and never stacking it directly against a house or garage. Family Handyman says to keep the bulk of firewood outdoors and bring in about a day's worth at a time.
Are there rules about firewood storage?
Family Handyman advises checking with your city or county, since codes can be strict.
Don't design it from scratch
A good set of plans gives you a cut list, a materials list and drawings for every step, which saves money on wasted lumber and time on head-scratching. See our guide to choosing shed plans, free and paid.
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