Outdoor Firewood Log Racks
If you are looking for a way to clean up that woodpile and to help your firewood burn safer and more efficiently, then choosing an outdoor firewood log rack is a wise investment.
The best log racks are more than just a firewood holder
The best log racks are designed to keep your wood up and off the ground. They are also easy to assemble and should have a finish that can withstand harsh winter weather conditions. Whether you are looking for enough wood for a backyard fire pit or a firewood rack big enough to get you through the heating season, there are some fantastic options for your project.
Firewood racks are a great storage option for the organization of your firewood
When looking through Outdoor log rack options, there are a few things to keep in mind. A good firewood rack will be able to hold enough wood to get you through the heating season and it will also get the wood up and off of the ground. There is a wide variety of options to choose from when looking at a firewood rack. Some log racks will include a cover and some will not. Most of the log racks will require assembly but for most racks, the assembly process is as simple as connecting a few bolts.
Outdoor log racks help to give your area a cleaner and more appealing look
Another benefit to utilizing outdoor log racks is that properly stacked wood on a log rack looks more appealing than having wood piles around the yard. When the log racks are stacked properly with wood, it gives you the ability to know just how much firewood you have and you can determine if you have enough prepared to get you through the winter months, without having to be outside chopping wood in the snow.
Piles of wood around your backyard also attract unwanted animals, rodents, and insects, and the closer these piles are to the home, the more likely these unwanted guests find their way into your home. Cleaning up the piles and stacking the wood on a firewood storage rack, eliminates areas for insects and other pests to seek cover.
Most log racks can be used indoors or outdoors and have various decorative designs from simple to modern
Racks can come in crescent shapes or simple rectangle shapes. Usually, the more decorative racks are designed to be used indoors. These tend to be smaller and hold enough wood for just a couple of fires. There are even firewood racks that come with a kindling holder.
Outdoor log racks are usually constructed of heavy-duty gauge black powder steel and can hold much more wood. You want your firewood rack to have the capacity to hold enough wood to get you through the heating season.
You will see that each log rack will hold a specific amount of wood. Some will say 1 cord capacity or 1 face cord capacity. In the United States, a full cord of wood size is 4’ x 8’ x 4’ (4 feet tall, 8 feet long, 4 feet deep), which equals 128 cubic feet. A face cord measures the same in length and height; however, the depth is only 16 inches. So a face cord is a third of the full cord’s depth. For more information check out our Resource Center and the article Face Cord vs. Full Cord
Northline Express offers log racks from the top brands on the market including Woodhaven, Woodeze, and Shelter Logic
On Northline Express you will find firewood racks from the top manufacturers on the market. These brands include Woodhaven, Woodeze, Shelter It, HY-C, and Shelter Logic. Each of these brands offers slightly different firewood racks.
Woodhaven firewood racks feature the highest ratings and reviews from customers and have lifetime warranties on their products. They feature heavy-duty gauge steel and most of their firewood racks will come with a partial cover included. They are easy to assemble and can hold various amounts of firewood storage. They also offer an expandable kit that allows you to increase the overall size of your firewood rack as the need arises.
Woodeze is another trusted brand and features some unique design options they also utilize high-quality materials in their construction. Like Woodhaven, they also offer expansion kits to easily expand your wood storage racks.
When looking at log racks, don't forget to consider the accessories
Many manufacturers of Log Racks offer adjustable kits to extend the length of your wood rack. These adjustable kits can be added during initial installation or can be added down the road at a later date. These kits are simple to attach and help to customize the size of the rack to fit your needs.
Also, a lot of racks offer either partial covers or full covers. It is important to note though that it will depend on the area you live in whether you want to have a cover or not. Covers can trap moisture inside, and the more moisture inside the cover, the longer it takes for the wood to dry out and season properly. However, if you live in an area that gets a lot of rain and snow, then utilizing a cover is the only way to allow the wood to dry out.
Most partial covers can move up and down the legs of the rack so that as you consume wood your cover lowers to keep it covered.
FAQ - Outdoor Log Racks
Why use firewood racks?
A firewood rack helps to elevate your firewood up and off the ground. When the wood is cut and stored properly on the log rack, it allows for air to circulate the wood, thus helping it to dry and age properly. Also using a firewood rack allows you to accurately asses how much wood you have prepared. This helps with your planning stages as the winter months set in.
Wood stacked neatly on an outdoor log rack also helps to make your area cleaner and more aesthetically pleasing than having the wood in piles around your yard. The other benefit to getting rid of the wood piles around your yard is that these wood piles are areas where insects, rodents, and animals like to nest and make their homes. Keeping the wood stacked on a log rack prevents many of these insects, rodents, and animals from breeding and entering your home.
Where can I buy a firewood rack near me?
Northline Express offers shipping all across the United States. When you order a log rack through our website, it is shipped safely and quickly to your residence. It saves you time, money, and energy from trying to drive around your city to find the right one.
Where is the best place to install a firewood rack?
The rack must be placed on a strong, flat, and even surface. You also want air to be able to get around the wood. So you don't want to place it where the wood is resting against a home, garage, or barn.
You want the ground under the rack to support the weight of the rack plus the wood that will be stacked on it. If you install the rack directly on the ground, the rack could sink into the ground if it is too soft. One trick is to place cement blocks under the legs to give them added support.
As for the location, it should be close enough to the door so that if you want to bring the wood into the fireplace area, you don't have to make as many trips through the snow.
How to build firewood racks?
Building a firewood rack is a manageable project that requires a few key materials and tools. Here's a broad overview of the process:
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Prepare Your Materials: Common materials include pressure treated 2x4s, screws, and potentially cinder blocks for added support. The dimensions of these materials will vary depending on your desired rack size.
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Build the Base: Start by fastening the spacers evenly along your 2x4s to create the base of your rack.
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Fasten the Uprights: Next, attach the uprights to your base. Ensure they are securely fastened and positioned correctly.
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Finalize the Structure: Depending on your preferred design, you may add additional supports or features like a roof for protection against the elements.
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Sand and Finish: Sand all sharp corners and finish with a protective coating or stain for additional durability and aesthetic appeal.
Remember, these steps may vary slightly depending on the specific plan you're following. While creating your wood rack may appeal to you, for a quicker and more effective process, look at purchasing a wood rack. There are several brands that offer lifetime warranties on their products. Purchasing a quality wood rack can save you time, energy, and money and they are easy to assemble.
Where can I go to learn more about log racks and firewood?
The Northline Express Resource Center has helpful articles on a wide variety of projects, including several articles about log racks and firewood.
