Help with wood storage under deck. Thoughts?

[Cbritton24]

Hey all, I’ve been burning wood my whole life(my parents had a stove and when I built my home I put one in as well). We used to keep our wood against an out building but it’s since been torn down to make room for our attached garage. I built a deck off the end of it with intention of putting metal roofing under it to make a dry area to store wood. I’d have quick access to it from my garage door for bad weather, and it would hold a significant amount of wood.

Plan was to build a frame to keep it up off the ground and allow circulation. The issue is my dad mentioned concern about the wood being this close to the house and bug risk. Anyone have thoughts on this? I cut all my own wood, so some of it is fairly green when I stack it. I really don’t want to take up more of my yard with another structure just for wood but I’d rather do that than get bugs I guess.

 

[Whitenuckler]

Hey all, I’ve been burning wood my whole life(my parents had a stove and when I built my home I put one in as well). We used to keep our wood against an out building but it’s since been torn down to make room for our attached garage. I built a deck off the end of it with intention of putting metal roofing under it to make a dry area to store wood. I’d have quick access to it from my garage door for bad weather, and it would hold a significant amount of wood.

Plan was to build a frame to keep it up off the ground and allow circulation. The issue is my dad mentioned concern about the wood being this close to the house and bug risk. Anyone have thoughts on this? I cut all my own wood, so some of it is fairly green when I stack it. I really don’t want to take up more of my yard with another structure just for wood but I’d rather do that than get bugs I guess.

You would be alright to stack already dry bug free wood there, but that would not be the best place to dry green wood in a rotation. As far as bugs go, when you cut it, if it is bug free, and you dry it as fast as possible,I don't think the bugs will want it. If you have green wood to dry each year perhaps you have room for a wood shed?

 

[Cbritton24]

You would be alright to stack already dry bug free wood there, but that would not be the best place to dry green wood in a rotation. As far as bugs go, when you cut it, if it is bug free, and you dry it as fast as possible,I don't think the bugs will want it. If you have green wood to dry each year perhaps you have room for a wood shed?

I probably have room, was just trying to take advantage of “unused” space. Guess I’ll maybe stow the mower and atv under the deck and put wood elsewhere to be safe.

 

[Whitenuckler]

I probably have room, was just trying to take advantage of “unused” space. Guess I’ll maybe stow the mower and atv under the deck and put wood elsewhere to be safe.

I would certainly use it store dry wood for use that winter. I would not be worried about bugs getting into seasoned dry wood, as it's already three years old. If it were buggy, then don't put it there.

 

[Murray01]

I’m assuming you’re worried about bugs that will eat the lumber that the house is built with, termites and carpenter ants?

Did you have any issues with wood/lumber eating bugs at your previous storage area?

 

[james_anders209]

Yes definitely try to avoid keeping it right next to the house for bugs, it doesn't hurt being under the deck, just not right near the siding etc. But any fire safety company will recommend 20-30' distance from the house as well. Here is a good guide by a big firewood company in our area that explains the best methods on how to store firewood outside/keeping it seasoned: https://bestburnfirewood.com/how-to-store-firewood/

 

[Burnin Since 1991]

I store wood adjacent to my house near the back door every fall. I stack the wood on pallets and leave an inch or so air gap between the wood and house. I give the wood a quick once over as I stack it. As a precaution I spray the wood and around the bottom of the house around the sill with an organic spray that allows for handling in 24 hours. They sell variations at all the hardware stores and big box home improvement stores. I don't store wood there year round and it is the first wood I burn every year. Usually about 2/3rds of a cord. It's definitely nice to have the wood up close to where you need it, especially when the weather isn't nice.

 

[gthomas785]

Just keep the wood away from the siding. Bugs don't like to eat dry wood so if your siding isn't getting wet they won't move in. I would build a wood storage rack that gives a decent 6" air gap between the wood and the siding with good allowance for airflow through it. I would not be afraid to stack green wood in that setup.

Inspect periodically at first to see if the wood is causing any issues with rain getting splashed onto the house or moisture getting trapped in any way. If not, you're fine.

 

[bigealta]

My buddy uses the deck posts to make his racks. Just put 2x4's on concrete blocks or whatever to keep the stack off the ground and use the posts to contain the stack ends. He's in Utah so very dry there and he has no problems.

This way you get airflow, maybe some sun, and are far away from your siding.

I do this as well under a roof structure attached to my garage.

 

[bigealta]

It looks like you have a good amount of room under that deck.
I'd start by filling between the posts by your stairs.

If i was going to add more stacks under the deck I'd. work from the posts back toward the house.
No matter how you do it, i'd leave at least easy walking room between any stack and your house walls.