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With winter around the corner, there’s no better time to start getting your home and garden ready for the harsher weather. Whether you have a woodburning stove indoors or a fire pit or chiminea outside, a log store is essential for keeping your firewood dry and your space cosy.
At Savoy Timber, we’ve been helping people make the most of their homes and gardens for over 70 years now, and we’ve seen how much a good fire can create warmth, atmosphere and charm. With that in mind, let’s take a look at how to build a timber log store!
You will need:
For timber, you will need:
The size of your log store really depends on how much fuel you see yourself using throughout the winter months. In this article, we’re going to be outlining how to build a single-bay log store, 1.8m wide with a depth of 0.6m. The back will be 1.5m high and the front will be 1.7m high. Of course, based on how much time you want to spend on the project and your level of experience, you may choose a more complex build – but if you’re looking to keep it simple, a basic structure with three sides and a sloping roof will be enough to get the job done.
For the sake of convenience, it’s a good idea to build the log store close to the stove, chiminea or pit so that you don’t end up heaving logs across the garden every time you want to start a fire. Generally, a south-facing location is best to protect your wood from things like rain and snow. When building your log store against a wall or fence, it’s always a good idea to leave a gap of about 10cm to maintain proper airflow.
If you’re not using our specific measurements, you can now start to design your log store with the chosen space in mind. It’s important not to go in blind – take the time to think about the design of your log store, making a quick sketch if necessary. The last thing you want is to get halfway through and realise that you don’t have all the supplies you need to finish the project. Measure the space where you are installing the store and calculate how much timber and how many screws and nails you need before you get started. Don’t worry about having to cut the timber to size – we can do it for you!
You’ll need to ensure the area you’ve chosen is level and clear away grass or debris like leaves. It’s important to elevate both the logs and the timber frame so that they don’t directly touch the ground, as this can cause damp and lead to rot. To do this, lay out concrete blocks, leftover paving stones or compacted gravel, making sure the front is slightly higher for drainage – this will be the foundation on which you place your timber base.
Again, the size of your base completely depends on how big you want your store to be – we will be describing how to build the specific model mentioned above. Use your drill to create a 1800 × 600 mm rectangle out of our framing timber. Next, add four 47 × 47 mm noggins at 450 mm intervals, fixing decking boards with 5–7 mm gaps to create a surface where you will stack the wood. Of course, there is an easier way. If you’re looking for a shortcut, why not take advantage of our shed base kits to get your project off to a great start?
Next, you’ll need to construct the side frames. Building a log store with an overhanging roof helps to protect your logs from rain – an easy way to do this is by making the back two posts taller than the front two. Your rear upright pieces of framing timber should be cut to 1500 mm, while the front pieces should be 1700 mm. Join these together with three 600 mm rails at the bottom, middle and top. Next, stand the sides upright and fix them to the deck, adding 1800 mm back rails in the same way you did on the sides. Finally, focus on the roof frame. Fix the 1800 mm front header, then screw 600 mm joists to the top rail, spacing each apart by 400 mm. Remember – always use a spirit level to ensure accuracy!
Now, you can attach evenly-spaced feather-edge boards on the back and sides to create walls, overlapping each board by about 25mm. After this, you’ll need to tackle the roof. Consider using a sheet of corrugated metal or OSB, attaching it securely to the joists and making sure that it significantly overhangs at the front of the store. Adding a layer of roofing felt with adhesive or clout nails provides an extra layer of protection.
Our treated timber comes with a 15-year anti-rot guarantee to see your store through many more winters, but applying stain or paint provides an extra layer of protection and means you can match the colour of your new log store to the colour of your fence or decking. We commend resealing the cut ends of the timber annually to prevent problems like rot and cracking. Once dried, stack up your logs and you’re all set! Your new build will cover your firewood, keep your garden tidy and add rustic charm to your outdoor space.
Looking for more ways to upgrade your garden? From timber fence panels and decking to sheds, we’ve got everything you could possibly need. If you’re unsure what would work best in your space, then don’t worry, because our friendly team are ready to use our 70 years of experience to provide expert advice 7 days a week. And with great prices and fast national delivery, it couldn’t be simpler to get started. Interested? Give us a call on 0345 0268 799 or visit us at one of our store locations today!
