We all know, wood is a very useful material for us and our homes. It is a renewable material and can be used for various projects such as furniture, flooring, and even the exterior of our homes.
Most people think of firewood as something that is used to heat your house and keeps you warm in the winter. However, firewood is much more than this.
It can be used for cooking, lighting fires and for hobbies, as well as for decorative purposes. The main thing to remember is that firewood is also affected by the quality of the wood.
How long will a cord of wood last? In the wood industry, it’s a question we want to know the answer to because we’re faced with a constant supply of wood, and a constant demand for new decks and furniture.
As we open the box of freshly cut wood, and start to think about building, it’s important that we know how long the wood will last for.
Cord of wood may last from one year up to ten years or longer. This depends on many factors including:
- How dry the wood was when it came out of the forest
- What type of wood it is
- Whether it has been treated or not
- If it has been seasoned properly before use
- And if there have been any repairs done to the wood
Questions for estimating winter wood supply
How much firewood do I need for winter?
The answer is simple: it depends on what kind of wood you have available in your area. If you live near a forest or other natural resource that has plenty of trees, then you can probably find enough for yourself and maybe even some neighbors as well.
But if you don’t have access to such resources, then you’ll need to buy more than just one cords of firewood per year.
How much costs for firewood /cord per season?
The average cost of firewood for sale on winter season in UK can cost you between £20-£30 depending on where you are located.
You might get lucky and find cheaper prices at local markets but most likely you won’t.
You should expect to pay around 20 pounds for every cubic meter of firewood. So if you bought 1 cubic meters of firewood, you would spend approximately 200 pounds.
Is firewood your primary heat source?
Firewood are great sources of energy, which means they provide warmth without using electricity. But if you’re looking for an alternative heating method, then you shouldn’t rely solely on firewood.
Heating with wood can also give you benefits like reducing carbon emissions, saving money, and providing a sense of security during cold weather.
However, if you plan on relying only on firewood for heating, make sure you keep track of its consumption so you don’t run out too soon.
When does my firewood burn down?
Depending on the size of the logs, the amount of time required for them to completely burn varies greatly. Smaller pieces usually take less time while larger ones require more.
What size log do you want to burn each day?
The size of log you can burn each day will depends on how big is your home or how cold the weather is outside.
For example, if you plan to keep your whole family inside during the winter months, then you’d better go bigger logs.
However, if you only plan to light a few candles once in awhile, then smaller logs could work fine.
When buying firewood, make sure you choose high quality firewood. There’s no point spending money on good quality firewood if you end up burning them too fast.
If you have an average 36-inch open fireplace then you need 3 to 5 feet cord wood.
Difference between full cord and face cord
Full cords are used to make logs that will be cut into lengths suitable for burning in woodstoves or fireplace inserts.
Face cords are used to make log rounds which are then split down the middle by hand using an axe.
The two types of cordage have different uses and characteristics. Full cords tend to burn hotter than face cords because they contain more fiber. They also hold up better when wet.
How to choose hardwoods?
Choosing a type of hardwood to use for winter season isn’t difficult. The best choice is going to depend on what kind of fuel you prefer.
If you enjoy cooking over a campfire, then oak is the way to go. It burns hot and produces lots of smoke.
However, it doesn’t produce any ash. On the other hand, hickory has a mild flavor and produces very little smoke.
Common types of hardwoods
- Ash
Ash trees grow throughout North America. They have thick bark which protects them from insects and disease.
Ash burns well, but produces little smoke or odor.
- Beech
Beech trees grow primarily in eastern Canada and the United States. Their leaves turn yellow during fall before they drop off completely. Beech is considered a slow burning fuel source.
- Birch
Birch trees grow mainly in northern regions of Europe and Asia. Its light colored foliage turns red as autumn approaches.
- Dry wood
Dry wood can also be used if you are using wood stove for heating.
Factors for firewood heating to consider
- Availability of wood
Always consider the availability of wood when choosing where to buy it. If there aren’t many places nearby where you can get firewood, then you’ll probably have to pay higher prices.
- Content of wood moisture
Wood moisture are important factors to consider when purchasing firewood. Wood with low content of water tends to dry out faster so you should always check this factor first.
- Quality of wood
You must know about the quality of wood before making purchase decisions. You don’t want to spend extra money just to find out later that the wood was not worth it.
- Cord of wood varies
Cord of wood varies depending on how much space you’re willing to give your firewood pile.
A larger amount of wood requires longer time to heat up. However, a small amount of wood may take less time to warm up.
- Cord of wood weigh
Weigh is also important to consider when buying firewood. Firewood that weighs around 10 pounds per cubic foot is ideal for most stoves.
- Firewood consumption
Always consider cords of wood consumption. This means how much weight of wood you need to consume each day.
For example, if you plan to cook dinner every night, you might only require one cord of wood daily. But if you plan to eat breakfast, lunch and supper everyday, you would need three cords of wood daily.
- Firewood dealers
Wood dealers has different kinds of products available at their stores. Some sell by the piece while others offer bulk purchases. Always ask questions regarding price and delivery options.
- Firewood quality
The most important factor to consider is the quality of your wood. The best option is to choose local suppliers who deliver directly to your home.
This ensures that you receive high-quality wood without having to worry about transportation costs.
- Heat efficient
Make sure the wood you have can produced heat and does not easily burned down.
- Dry-out moisture
Ideal moisture content for dryer wood are between 15% – 20%. Dryer wood is more likely to burn quickly than wetter ones.
- Price stability
Price of firewood costs vary depending on its location and condition. Always look at the price per cubic foot before deciding whether to buy or not.
- Optimal burn efficiency
Always consider the optimal burn efficiency when using fresh cut wood for cooking purposes. It’s better to use old wood because they tend to produce more smoke which helps reduce air pollution.
- Efficiency ratings
The quality of insulation of your firewood is one of the factor you must consider when choosing firewood. If you don’t know much about this subject, here are some tips:
Wood with higher density provides greater heat retention. This means that it takes longer to get warm after being exposed to the elements.
However, it does not mean that it won’t provide enough warmth. Wood with lower density gives out heat faster so it may feel warmer at first but it won’t retain heat as efficiently.
