Now is the time of year when people purchase their firewood for the fall and winter seasons. Whether you are looking for mixed hardwoods, oak, birch or cherry, there are terms and information that you should know prior to your purchase.
Face Cord – A stack of wood approx. 4’ tall, 8’ long, 1 log (that should be approx. 14” – 20”) wide. If stacked without a rack, only the 2 ends should be cross stacked and the center should be stacked tightly.
Half Face Cord – A stack of wood that is either 4 ’ tall, 4’ long, 1 log wide or 2’ tall, 8’ long, 1 log wide.
Ricks – Any dimension or amount of logs that the seller determines.
At A.G. Landscape Materials, we sell firewood by the Face Cord, Half Face Cord, 60 piece Ricks and 30 piece Ricks.
Dense woods, like oak and hickory, take longer to “dry” out than most mixed hardwoods and birch. Oak and most hardwoods need at least 9 months split before using. Although the industry suggests 9 months, we recommend and sell firewood that has been split at least 1 year.
Rain or snow on the wood is a completely different thing. If you must tarp, then try to leave the sides open and pull the tarp off on sunny days so that the humidity and moisture can escape.
Stacking the firewood outside is best; however, many people have had us stack in the garage. Over the cold months this should not be a problem, but during the warm months the firewood should not be left inside or against the house. The wood can start to breakdown and often insects find homes between the wood.
When purchasing firewood, try to refrain from buying wood that comes from Cedar, Spruce, Pine or Fir. In my experience, these types of wood may lead to a build up of creosote in the chimney. Too much of a build up could lead to a chimney fire or poor performance of your flue.
Finally, once a year it is a good idea to have your chimney cleaned and inspected by a reputable chimney service.
Remember, whether you use your fireplace for heating or for ambiance, have some fun with it. Create a cozy setting for you, your family and friends and I’m sure you won’t regret it.
Tags: facecord, Firewood, winter services
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