{"id":1056,"date":"2022-12-26T03:30:21","date_gmt":"2022-12-26T03:30:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lonelyaxe.com\/?p=1056"},"modified":"2023-06-25T14:43:46","modified_gmt":"2023-06-25T14:43:46","slug":"how-long-will-a-cord-of-wood-last","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lonelyaxe.com\/how-long-will-a-cord-of-wood-last\/","title":{"rendered":"How Long Will a Cord of Wood Last- A Guide on How to Stack Enough Firewood for Winter"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

There is no better time we acknowledge the essence of fire than during the cold winter. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But for the best experience, it’s imperative to stack enough firewood with the ideal burn qualities<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It brings us to the question of how much firewood is enough. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We measure firewood quantity in cords. In this guide, we\u2019ll help you answer the query; how long will a cord of wood last?<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n

Difference between the full cord and face cord<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"A<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A face cord.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When buying firewood, you must demonstrate the difference between a full cord and a face cord. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A full <\/strong>cord<\/strong> <\/a>of firewood is the regular (standard cord) of wood that measures 4 feet in height, 8 feet in width, and 4 feet in depth. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also, we can define a full cord as any volume of wood amounting to 128 cubic ft. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the other hand, a face cord <\/strong>features similar measurements in width and length but has a depth of 16 inches. (Note that all the dimensions for the full cord are in feet while the depth of the face cord is in inches.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The face cord has the ideal wood stove dimensions; thus, a piece of wood from such a pile is ready to use. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Otherwise, you cannot directly use a 4 feet wood from the full cord in your wood stove. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also, we have a half-face cord with a width of 4 feet rather than 8 feet in the full-face cord, while all the other dimensions remain similar. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lastly, three face cords make up a full cord in total volume.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Many Pieces of Wood in a Cord?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"A<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A cord of split firewood.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

On average, a full cord amounts to between 600 to 800 planks of firewood. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the actual number fundamentally relies on the size of the firewood. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thus, thus the shorter the firewood pieces, the more pieces you\u2019ll require to make a cord. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Primarily if you have firewood with a depth of 16 inches, you\u2019ll need about 700 pieces to make up a full cord. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Factors Influencing the Number of Pieces<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"A<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A Paper Birch Firewood Cord.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stacking<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

To estimate the cord size by cubic feet measurements, ensure the wood is in a closed pack. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Otherwise, you\u2019ll obtain fewer pieces than what makes up a cord.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Splitting<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When buying firewood cords, go for the stack comprising split wood over the one with full logs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unsplit wood will leave more air spaces between the pile so that they will pack less than unsplit firewood. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Moreover, buying split firewood is advantageous as you won’t have to break it to use in your stove or kiln. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Moisture Content<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Undried wood is bulky and thus will appear large when in a cord. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But its volume significantly shrinks after drying, especially if it is softwood, so you remain with less firewood. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hence, when buying firewood in cords, select the pile with dry wood over a green one. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nonetheless, some sellers retail green wood at a lower price than dry wood. So if you\u2019re ready to allow it to dry patiently, you can choose this option. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But it may shrink immensely, so the best idea is to go for dry wood on any day. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Critical Considerations for your winter firewood supply<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Wood<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Wood Piles.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Firewood as a primary heat source<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Are you using firewood occasionally and relying on other heat sources such as gas or electricity as the primary sources? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If that\u2019s your case, then your cord will last for a long time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But if you depend entirely on firewood to warm your house, you\u2019ll deplete a cord quickly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Size of the home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"A<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A modern fireplace.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your home size is also a fundamental determinant of how long your cord of wood lasts and how much you need for winter. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you own a home measuring 1000 square feet, you\u2019ll need more firewood than when it’s smaller. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Firewood Burning Frequency<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

How often do you need to burn firewood? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you always stay home and keep a firewood fire ablaze to maintain warmth, or do you need it in the evening? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

These are among the key things you should ask yourself as you speculate on the needed firewood volume. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Insulation Efficiency<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Illustrating<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Illustrating house insulation. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

You cannot afford to get the insulation wrong, as much of your heat from the firewood stove or kiln will go to waste. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hence, adopt good insulation to significantly limit the amount of firewood for the cold season. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Living Location<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Where you live and the local climatic conditions matter when determining the firewood you need to stack. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For instance, if you\u2019re in Texas (the winters are less severe), you don’t require a lot of firewood in winter compared to if you were in Michigan. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Again, it would be best to store firewood properly, especially in cold and wet climates like Michigan. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In such areas, poorly stacked wood will draw moisture from the surroundings and thus take longer to dry. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019ll also affect the burning quality. Hence you may require more firewood. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Firewood Type<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Hardwood<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Hardwood Firewood.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Is your firewood hardwood or softwood? The type of wood is very significant as it affects critical burn features such as the following: <\/p>\n\n\n\n