How Should I build my Wood Shed?

Lots of options, depending on space, etc. I built a lean-to style: 6' high in back, 8' high in front, 10' depth, and then whatever length you want to handle the rows of stacked firewood, back to front stacking. With these dimensions each row at 16" width is about 1/2 cord if stacked 6' high.

I used pole barn type framing, and then roofed with the sheet metal. For the sides and back I left gaps of about 6" between pieces to facilitate air flow through the stacks.

The posts for the framing were treated lumber, 2-2x6's for each post. I dug a hole about 2' deep for each post, set the posts, squared the frame, and then filled concrete in the holes to above grade to facilitate drainage around the posts.

Good luck on this - dry wood, well seasoned is all we burn - 3 full summers of drying, and the splits just about light with a match.

When I build mine (hopefully this summer), I'm going to build a sort of pole barn style.

I'm thinking that for the walls, so that I can get some air circulation, I'm going to use some horizontal one by fours or one by sixes (I don't know yet) to screw the vertical boards to. The verticals will alternate in front of and behind the horizontal boards so that they keep rain from directly reaching the wood, but there will be plenty of ventilation.

This is my plan so far. It may change when it comes time to build and I look at the cost of materials.

-SF

I used this as a rough plan to build my woodshed.
After going through last winter...I was so glad I constructed this!

http://www.woodheat.org/firewood/woodshed.htm

I tried to go as cheap as possible.
Using re-cycled lumber, standing dead-no bark trees for post and beam construction.

Sharp looking woodshed, it has a nice nice rustic look to it. I have some old barn material that would work perfect for this application.

FIRECAT said:

Sharp looking woodshed, it has a nice nice rustic look to it. I have some old barn material that would work perfect for this application.

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That is a good idea.
The bigger money spent was on the roof. I couldn't find scrap tin.
I would think barn material would have a endless supply of materials needed. I purchased slab Red Oak for the sidding. It cost me $50

Wolves-Lower said:

I used this as a rough plan to build my woodshed.
After going through last winter...I was so glad I constructed this!

http://www.woodheat.org/firewood/woodshed.htm

I tried to go as cheap as possible.
Using re-cycled lumber, standing dead-no bark trees for post and beam construction.

Click to expand...

That's exactly what I want to do Great job and excellent use of materials! Currently I have 3+ cords stacked on my old deck which is 14'x16' ... I already have the wood stacked on it for next years burning and there is no way I will destack so I gotta figure out how to build this with the wood in place... Will post pics when I get a chance...

Ray

What is the best direction to face the opening (N,S,E,W)? or does it not matter much. Thanks

I faced mine South.
I also made sure it had ample ventilation.
So when I put on the siding I left about 1-1.5 inches of gap.
Also underneath the wood is on pallets to get air flow under and up.
I really don't season in the woodshed. I season in the most sunny and windy spot available, then in Oct the plan is to move the Winter supply to the shed...all dry and cozy for the season.

Face it so the prevailing winds blow through, not across, the stacks as much as possible. The longer you dry the less important is the wind direction.

Roxburyeric said:

What is the best direction to face the opening (N,S,E,W)? or does it not matter much. Thanks

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My wood is stacked East-West due to the prevailing winds here (about 10 miles from the ocean to the east).. My wood gets sun pretty much all day where it is located..

Ray

Max: took me awhile to get it right. Last one I built is 6.5ft high and will hold 2 full cords,made the walls with lattice. couple of 2x4s that are rejects for the bottom and top and then the lattice for the walls. Ya can go with wood lattice or even the plastic ones,the latter probably better, and cheap, bout 10 apiece. but they allow for lots of air movement. roof was just whatever I could scrounge,.

If ya want pic`s I will take a couple of my last shed and post?

sonnyinbc said:

Max: took me awhile to get it right. Last one I built is 6.5ft high and will hold 2 full cords,made the walls with lattice. couple of 2x4s that are rejects for the bottom and top and then the lattice for the walls. Ya can go with wood lattice or even the plastic ones,the latter probably better, and cheap, bout 10 apiece. but they allow for lots of air movement. roof was just whatever I could scrounge,.
If ya want pic`s I will take a couple of my last shed and post?

Click to expand...

You gotta clean up that yard Sonny. The Neat Police of Canada are coming. Why not consolidate all those tiny tiny shelters and build a real woodshed to hold all that stuff ? %-P

I've seen lots of pole barn style sheds that are basicly a roof like Woolve's, but with many variations for walls.
Removable walls hung from hooks that go back on in Winter to keep snow out (and in some large sheds the wind for a place to split rounds), canvas walls that go up in the Winter for the same reasons, and just plain wire where drifting snow and driven rain isn't enough of a problem.