Winter is fast approaching, and every homeowner is busy looking for a way to keep their space cozy when the cold days finally roll around. And while recent innovations offer a plethora of ways to keep your home warm amidst the sub-zero temperatures, there’s a special feeling that comes with using some of the old-school ways.
So yes, this time you decided you will use firewood. Perhaps you even intend to create an idyllic fireplace. But there’s one problem – you don’t know the best place to store your firewood. And as usual, that one versatile room in your home is the first to come to your mind. But should you store firewood in the garage?
Well, we don’t have a simple answer to that. As one of the home’s most multifunctional spaces, a garage can still work well for storing firewood. However, before you bring in that pile of firewood, consider weighing out the two sides of the action.
Advantages of Storing Firewood in the Garage
Everything that comes with benefits also has a flipside. That’s the same with storing firewood in the garage. As much as it looks like the ideal place for such work, there still are a few disadvantages to choosing this space.
But let’s begin with the positives.
1. Keeps firewood safe from elements
Firstly, the garage will keep your firewood safe from elements. The last thing you want is to labor all that much and then fail to benefit from the firewood simply because they got exposed to moisture, snow, or other elements. A garage should just keep them safe.
2. Convenience of access
Again, the garage gives you the convenience of access. Convenience is one thing we all want to enjoy everywhere. That also applies when it comes to the fireplace. Storing your firewood in the garage means you can always grab wood anytime you need it, especially if your garage is next to the fireplace.
3. Keeps the firewood cleaner
Lastly, firewood stored in the garage tends to be cleaner than the one left outside. You see when in the garage, firewood will be free from dust, falling leaves, moisture, and other outside debris.
Disadvantages of Storing Firewood in the Garage
As much as there are positives of keeping firewood in the garage, there are also some shortcomings. You don’t want to do yourself an injustice by considering one side when ignoring the other. So yes, let’s dig deep into the downsides of using the garage for firewood storage.
1. Potential fire hazards
And yes, one is that firewood can catch fire easily when in the garage. One property about firewood is that it catches fire easily. In fact, that’s what makes work easy for you in the fireplace.
However, it also means that firewood can cause fire accidents in the garage, especially if the only place you have left for them is next to the garage heater or furnace.
2. Risk of attracting unwanted pests
Again, if you have a garage, you likely know that it’s a favorite place for pests. Why that’s so is beyond what science can explain.
And while these little critters may necessarily not damage most of the things you keep inside there, bugs can eat up your firewood with the opportunity.
3. Cost you valuable space
Finally, storing firewood in the garden will cost you space. Of course, that’s the cost you have to pay for any place. However, the value of space differs.
The versatility of any space multiplies its square-foot value. Perhaps there are other more essential things you can store in the garage and not any other place.
How To Store Firewood in the Garage?
So yes, whether or not to store firewood in your garage will depend on what side of the two outweighs the other. Now, just in case you have to use the garage, how you pile up the firewood matters. Let’s take a quick look at that!
1. Inspection Comes First
Even before you bring in the firewood, spare some moment and inspect it thoroughly. You want to ensure that what you are taking into the garage isn’t rotten. Again, check out in case of bug infestation since that could spread to the rest of the firewood.
2. Don’t Bring It Close To Potential Fire Hazards
A typical garage has several potential fire hazards. Avoid bringing the firewood close to garage heaters or any other thing likely to cause a fire.
If the space also serves as a workshop, be careful not to store the firewood near the welding machine, torches, or any other that can cause a fire. Sometimes a spark or two is all it takes to stir up catastrophe.
3. An Elevated Surface is a Necessity
As much as firewood is safer in the garage than outside, you can’t ignore the importance of having it stored inches off the ground. If you have pallets, then here they should come in handy.
An elevated surface will keep your firewood safe from the cold floor, moisture, bugs, and other potentially destructive elements.
4. Remember To Make Use of Rows
The goal isn’t just to “hide” your firewood from outside elements. You don’t want to keep the firewood safe at the expense of your own safety. That’s where the issue of rows comes in. Arrange your firewood in rows. It may take some extra bit of time and effort, but it’s always worth the toil.
Will Firewood Dry in the Garage?
Yes, firewood will dry in the garage. However, drying will take much more time in the garage than outside. Typically, the time it takes for wood depends on the conditions and the type of wood.
Some types of wood will dry out more quickly than others. Again, conditions like sun and wind will help catalyze the process. More often, this process will take at least half when outside.
Six months sounds like much time, I know. But keep in mind that freshly cut wood is up to 45% water. That’s much more than the 20% level necessary for effective firewood combustion. That’s where the issue of “long” time comes in.
Unseasoned firewood can take even years before it dries out properly. For that reason, we suggest that you only store seasoned firewood in the garage.
In fact, other than taking forever to dry when in the garage, damp logs of wood will also cause an awful smell in the garage. That won’t happen in a day or two, but it will eventually do, especially now that your firewood isn’t getting enough amount of air in the garage.
If you have a heated garage, then you have an added advantage. In this case, it’s okay to bring in greenwood. Only be ready to pay increased energy bills since you have to keep the garage warm most of the time. Again, remember to take the issue of ventilation more seriously.
Does Firewood Ever Go Bad?
Whether or not your firewood will be of use years down the line much depends on how you store it. Under proper storage conditions, firewood won’t spoil. However, if you don’t follow the storage tips, firewood can damage as soon as weeks into storage.
It’s easy to have your firewood remain in perfect condition for many years. But it’s also easy for it to spoil just days after storage. As such, you should always follow storage guidelines to the letter.
There’s one secret to maintaining your firewood in perfect condition for years – always keep it free from elements. Moisture can make firewood rot with time. In fact, that’s the biggest threat to how long your wood will stay in perfect condition. So yes, always ensure that the firewood you have is safe from water.
Ventilation is another factor to help prevent firewood from spoiling. As earlier seen, even when the wood is dry, it still contains some water. If there isn’t adequate air circulation, this moisture remains trapped within the pile as it evaporates, and that could cause rotting.
Should You Cover Firewood With a Tarp?
While it is generally okay to cover firewood with a tarp, it always isn’t the best thing to do. But before we look at why you shouldn’t use a tarp, let’s first acknowledge that this cover goes a long way to protect firewood from elements.
Outdoor firewood storage most of the time requires a tarp. It’s the thing to keep away rain, snow, and other things that could damage firewood. However, that doesn’t mean you should use it anywhere else.
For instance, you don’t need a tarp in your garage. The garage has a roof, so your firewood is already safe from rain and other elements. That automatically eliminates the essence of having a tarp.
Again, this cover will prevent your wood from getting enough air when in the garage. That’s not what you want. At least not where ventilation is already in a compromised state. So yes, just don’t cover firewood with a tarp inside the garage.
Can You Stack Firewood in the Garage?
Yes, stacking firewood in the garage is absolutely fine and will benefit you a lot. For instance, it allows you to make the most out of your horizontal and vertical space. That leaves you with much room for any other thing you might want to store in the garage.
Stacked wood will also make your space more organized. You see, there are many benefits of keeping your space neat. First, it can tell us much about you. Even more importantly, it goes a long way to prevent injuries.
So yes, always stack firewood when in the garage. Only ensure that the stack stands on a flat surface to keep it from toppling over. Again, don’t exceed the height of four feet as that could affect the steadiness of the pile and make accidents more likely.
Other Best Places To Store Firewood
While the garage works as a perfect place for firewood storage for some people, it could be it doesn’t make the ideal place for you. If that’s the case, consider alternative storage areas. So, where else can you store firewood?
Well, we don’t have a definite answer to this query. You can place your firewood anywhere within your home if where you choose meets all the necessary storage conditions.
A proper storage area should be;
- Free from moisture and buds
- Well-ventilated
- Safe from potential fire hazards
- Easily accessible
Sheds, storage boxes, concrete slabs, and roofs can make decent storage areas. Only ensure that where you choose meets all the requirements of the firewood storage area.
Conclusion: Can You Store Firewood in the Garage?
Yes, you can store firewood in the garage if your garage space suits that kind of purpose. Consider whether or not the firewood offers the necessary conditions for safe long-term firewood storage.
Again, ensure that you weigh out both the positive and negative sides of storing firewood in the garage. That way, you will know whether or not it’s the right place to use for that purpose.