Everyone suggests covering the stacks after stacking but I'm wondering what the actual point is? Is it to simply keep the rain from falling on the top of the stack? Because most pictures of stacks I see are only top covered. Can't rain still get in through the sides? Is anyone covering the whole pile sides and all?
Question about wood covers
- Thread starter warno
- Start date
-
Active since 1995, Hearth.com is THE place on the internet for free information and advice about wood stoves, pellet stoves and other energy saving equipment.
We strive to provide opinions, articles, discussions and history related to Hearth Products and in a more general sense, energy issues.
We promote the EFFICIENT, RESPONSIBLE, CLEAN and SAFE use of all fuels, whether renewable or fossil. -
Super Cedar firestarters 30% discount Use code Hearth2024 Click here
- Status
From my experience, if you tarp the entire stack, moisture from the wood can't escape easily and you have more problems with rot, insects and mold. You don't want any of those. You need good air circulation throughout the wood so it can dry, so always leave space between the stacks and allow the air to blow through. Some find that not covering your wood, especially for the first year makes little difference but most agree that you want it covered for the last year.
I made a 2 foot overhang on my wood shed to keep rain out but I still get some rain and blowing snow on the wood. It dries off pretty fast.
I made a 2 foot overhang on my wood shed to keep rain out but I still get some rain and blowing snow on the wood. It dries off pretty fast.
AmbDrvr253
Minister of Fire
D8Chumley
Minister of Fire
My stacks are all bordering my woods line so I top cover to keep the leaves out when they fall, and obviously the rain too
husky345 vermont resolute
Feeling the Heat
I top cover with 5 foot sheets of metal roofing. My wood is stacked on skids off the ground. Its a good system for me
I have everything stacked under roof. Open on all sides. I like not having to deal with snow covered stacks when I go to pick up a load too.
Fred Wright
Minister of Fire
Top covers keep dry wood dry. Yep, the ends will get wet but the rest won't.
While rain won't hurt it, wood that's been rained on can be difficult to get burning. The moisture must burn off first and that's a waste of heat. That moisture goes up the flue and condenses. It can contribute to creosote buildup.
Top covering also eliminates the hassle of splits freezing together. And who wants ice melting from firewood on the living room floor?
While rain won't hurt it, wood that's been rained on can be difficult to get burning. The moisture must burn off first and that's a waste of heat. That moisture goes up the flue and condenses. It can contribute to creosote buildup.
Top covering also eliminates the hassle of splits freezing together. And who wants ice melting from firewood on the living room floor?
Ram 1500 with an axe...
Minister of Fire
I have a drying station, a holding station and a using station.......
The drying station is single racks of newly split wood, sits in the sun and wind uncovered til it gets to 20% MC or less! then I move it to an area under a deck, this is not top covered either. Then in September I fill my using station, very soon I will be tarping this wood so that it stays completely dry throughout the winter. This particular area gets a lot of wind so the tarps do not hinder the wood from getting damp.
Personally I would never cover wood unless you need to keep it dry so that you can use it. This works well for me. I am using 3 year old red oak that is at 12% MC this year.......![[Hearth.com] Question about wood covers](https://www.hearth.com/talk/data/attachments/163/163067-a09ded136daebdb10a6a7fafbb20ae79.jpg?hash=rSftHzL21e "[Hearth.com] Question about wood covers")
![[Hearth.com] Question about wood covers](https://www.hearth.com/talk/data/attachments/163/163069-54ff647ad3c63f3488f3d943fa3798d3.jpg?hash=85tzP0_iiz "[Hearth.com] Question about wood covers")
The drying station is single racks of newly split wood, sits in the sun and wind uncovered til it gets to 20% MC or less! then I move it to an area under a deck, this is not top covered either. Then in September I fill my using station, very soon I will be tarping this wood so that it stays completely dry throughout the winter. This particular area gets a lot of wind so the tarps do not hinder the wood from getting damp.
Personally I would never cover wood unless you need to keep it dry so that you can use it. This works well for me. I am using 3 year old red oak that is at 12% MC this year.......
maple1
Minister of Fire
If you orient your piles so the end of the piles face prevailing winds, rather than the sides, and top cover, you will get hardly any precipitation on or in your wood.
I cover for 3 reasons, one is not all my wood is solid, meaning that there is punky wood mixed in with good stuff. Two, I have all the free scrap metal roofing I could ever need. Three, my personal preference is for firewood that looks like kiln dried lumber. I like the firewood to not look weathered.
Strictly an esthetics thing and not a drying time thing.
Strictly an esthetics thing and not a drying time thing.
I top cover everything as soon as it is split and i stack single thick and split small and i get my wood below 20% much faster than most do here. I have oak dry in a little over a year. Yes wood dries fine without a cover but it takes quite a bit longer
- Status
