Now that you have chosen and installed your wood-burning stove, it's time to create a dedicated space to store your wood reserves. If you have been considering creating your own log store or buying a pre-made log shed, then you've come to the right place as we share all there is to know about creating the perfect log shed for your home.

What is a log store?

A log store is a great way to keep a well-stocked reserve of wood for those occasions when you'd like to light your wood-burning stove and enjoy the cosy ambience it provides. It is also a great way to ensure that your wood is appropriately stored in a dry, sheltered area to ensure an optimum and efficient burn.

Should I choose a pre-made or DIY log store?

Depending on how handy you are with your DIY skills and if you like to set yourself a challenge, you may wish to create your log store from scratch; however, you will need to consider the cost of your time and materials. Alternatively, you may want to purchase a pre-made log store for ease and convenience. The choice is entirely yours as long as you end up with a dedicated space to store your wood that is fit for purpose. 

Where is the best place to locate a log store?

An ample size shelter will provide excellent wood storage to tide you over the winter months; however, you must consider how much space you have to play with and how much wood you'd like to store. 

  • Top Tip: We recommend measuring how much space one bale of wood takes up and multiplying that by the number of bales you ideally want to store. This will help you work out your log store's potential capacity. 

If you're thinking about building your own wood store, we recommend basing your wood store against a flat wall or fence. You can then easily add two side panels and a sloped roof to form the basic structure. 

Tip 1: Give your wood enough space

It is essential to keep your stored wood in optimum condition for burning; therefore, do not pile too much wood into a tiny space without the opportunity for air to circulate. Allowing air to flow around your log store ensures that moisture does not build up which will cause mould and inevitably rot your wood. 

What Is the Best Way to Store Firewood

Tip 2: Consider quick accessibility

We recommend putting your wood store as close to your door as possible. After all, when there is a chill in the air and Winter has set in, you'll have to head outside to fetch your wood. You’ll thank yourself later on those frosty nights when you really look forward to enjoying the warmth and ambience of your wood-burning stove.

What tools and materials will I need to build a log store?

You may wish to improvise on creating your log store and use materials that you already have lying around. However, as a general rule of thumb, you will need the following tools and materials to erect your structure.

Tools

  • Safety gear, including goggles, dust mask and gloves.
  • Clamps.
  • Saw.
  • Drill and drill bits.
  • Hammer.
  • Nail gun.
  • Spirit level.

Materials

  • Your chosen materials for the mainframe and roof. You may wish, for example, to use wood, corrugated sheeting, or palettes.
  • Materials to create a base and floor if you are placing your log store on grass.
  • Nuts and bolts to hold everything together.
  • Tarp to create a waterproof covering if desired. 

Do I need planning permission to build a log store?

You would only require planning permission to build a log store if your structure is going to be used as a habitable space, which is highly unlikely as it's a place to house your wood! Or, in the event that the structure will be substantial and infringe on your neighbour's view, or encroach on their space.

How to Build a Log Shed at Home

How to build the perfect log store

If you are building your own log store, a three-sided structure with an overhanging sloping roof is the most straightforward and practical shape to ensure your wood is sheltered from the elements.  

The basic guide to building such a log store, is as follows:

  • The first thing to do is to decide upon a location for your log store. We suggest siting against a wall of your home (but not right up against it - you should leave a gap of several inches to allow air to reach the back of your stored logs). It's also a good idea to ensure that the location of your log store is sheltered from direct rain.
  • Next, you want a pallet - this will act as the base and foundation of your log store. It's important that you use a pallet as opposed to a solid piece of wood, as a pallet will allow air to circulate below your logs.
  • The next stage involves driving four corner posts into the ground at each corner of the pallet base. Ideally, you should secure the posts in place with a mix of sand and cement.
  • With these four vertical posts secured in place, you then want to affix lengths of two-by-four diagonally between each post. This will add significant structural strength to your log store.
  • The rear and two sides of your log store should then be covered with slats of wood. Be sure to leave intervals between each slat. It's important that there are enough gaps to allow air circulate in and through your log store.
  • The final stage involves creating a roof for your log shed. You'll first want to cut two pieces of wood to act as the support for the roof. You'll want your roof to allow rain to drain away easily, so be sure to cut these support pieces with an angle of around 15 degrees.
  • Once these support pieces are fixed in place, use slats of wood to create the actual roof surface. You'll then want to cover these slats with roofing felt to make the roof waterproof.

Remember, when you're selecting the wood for your log store you will want to choose treated wood that is suitable for outdoor use. You may also choose to add a waterproof tarp to the front of your log store if the weather is particularly ferocious where you live. The addition of a small shelf within the structure to house smaller pieces of wood and kindling may also be a further consideration. 

Once you have built your structure, you can start to stack your logs neatly, which is extremely practical and also looks aesthetically pleasing.

We hope you have found this guide helpful as a part of your research on creating a log store at home. And if you’re giving building a log shed a go on your own, good luck with your endeavour! 

Browse our fantastic range of wood-burning stoves at Direct Stoves 

If you need more help choosing your perfect wood burning stove, contact us for more advice from our knowledgeable sales team.

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