Keeping an abundance of fuel near at hand is key to ensuring your Riverhead, NY outdoor fireplace is always ready for use. If your choice of fuel is wood, you’ll need a dry, accessible place to keep your logs so they’re there when you need them. Here are some innovative firewood storage solutions that’ll ensure your stockpile is kept out of the rain while contributing to the aesthetic of your outdoor spaces.
Firewood feature wall
Building storage into the features of your outdoor spaces contributes to a stylish rustic look and doubles as decoration. A firewood feature wall uses the raw aesthetic of sawn firewood to complement your fireplace. Logs can be stacked from ceiling to floor in a patio enclosure or run along a shelf or vertical section. The varying thickness and color of the logs creates visual interest and provides accessible storage while protecting the logs from moisture, provided the wall is not exposed to driving rain.
Built-in firewood cabinet
If your outdoor fireplace is freestanding, a cabinet built into the fireplace itself can be a better option, providing covering and protection from the elements. A cabinet also provides a raised platform on which the logs can rest to ensure that water does not seep underneath them and soak into the wood. The proximity to your fireplace is handy and allows immediate access, although the size of your cabinet may limit the amount of wood you can stockpile.
Portable firewood rack
Portable firewood racks are handy and come in a wide variety of designs. A simple design involves a square or circular structure that can be piled with logs. These are typically built from a metal frame and have the added benefit of being easy to move around, meaning that they can quickly be stored in a shed or under a covering when not needed. A firewood rack allows plenty of ventilation for drying wet logs and is raised above the ground to prevent the logs from soaking up moisture from the floor.
Incorporating storage into furniture
Both tables and benches can be designed to double as wood storage, as can permanent seating arrangements which are ideal for housing stockpiles of logs. Once again this contributes to a rustic aesthetic while saving space and keeping your wood protected from rain and snow. A table or bench designed for such a purpose includes the frame of a firewood rack into it’s structure, allowing for portability and quick access.
Wood pile with cover
If a larger storage area is needed, a traditional wood pile with modern flair can offer a better solution. A larger frame with roof covering can be placed against a wall for protection or left freestanding for accessibility. The roof of the leanto can be designed to match the roof of your home or complement the stylistic theme of your patio, while the frame itself can be constructed from lumber or steel in accordance with your backyard aesthetic. Large woodpiles such as this are ideal in homes that regularly make use of fire features. A covered woodpile can be used as a sole stockpile or serve as a source from which wood can be carried to smaller racks or cabinets where they are more easily accessible.
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