What do you think not only works well but is somewhat attractive? Or less ugly. Sheds are awesome but don't count for this, this is for stacks. Yes, you could get old tin and that works fine but how do you keep it on? To my eye, if you place splits or bricks on top, it's ok but it doesn't look so neat. People use various things, how do you keep it on top? I, generally, have not covered but I am going to experiment with a problem area for stacks where fungus growth is a problem.
I’m not really concerned with appearances. My neighbor disliked us moving in before I started making mountains of wood. I mostly have brown tarps, some blue, some silver. Nothing out of the ordinary for wood decay fungus. There will be some runoff between stacks and through holes that can start a mushroom colony, but it’s not enough to bother me. I pile high in an upside down U way, so hard covering wouldn’t work form me. I think I will always be testing the limits of stack height. Someday I’ll get some permanent wood shelters built with old telephone poles for posts.
Your upside down U shape is interesting. Do you just throw splits into a pile? I do that on top of pallets. Also stack on pallets. I keep experimenting. The OP question was prompted by concern for the orderly stacks... one wide, two wide, three wide. A sheet of tin will cover a one wide stack. But it will fly off in the wind.
I use pallets and 2x4 racks. I have some single, double, triple, 4 wide with pallet 2x4 combos. I’m working around trees and my access roads. My next stack will be a long stretch of pallets along a fence line.
I put pallets on top of the stack, with a green tarp fastened to the pallets The tarp stays taut so rain doesn't pool, and the green helps it blend in to the surroundings better. I stopped using blue tarps because I hated how it looked. My neighbors on either side of me have complemented me on my stacks!
The holz is shingled with maple bark. That was a rather time-consuming process, but it does look nice.
I've always left them uncovered but this site has convinced me to try covering. Experimenting with roofing nails to secure in place.
My stacks are up on a hill in a small clearing and cant be seen until the leaves drop and barely than. This year's wood, oak stacks, and chunk bin are covered with tarps. I move wood down and have it stacked on my deck for winter. I have tarps on that too. Doesnt look great but wife doesn't mind and what she thinks is the only thing matters to me. I do have a woodshed but a quad is in there now, since my shed is in rough shape.
If I were concerned about appearance I would use camo tarps. A place I use to camp at wamted the wood stacks to be unobtrusive so I would use them. At the house I don't care
I actually have a camp tarp on the one at my door! I just happened to see it in my shed the other day and thought to put in on my stack, and it does look pretty good.
best post yet ! I throw whatever I can find onto the tarps to keep them from flying away. Not concerned what the neighbors think and it doesn't bother me. Neat lines is the least of my concern. Dry wood is top priority.
Wife and I agreed on metal roofing painted brown. I hold it down with bungee cords through a punched hole in the metal down to a small hook screwed into the rack. A cord at the middle of each side has worked fine so far.
Aside from that one pic a few posts up.... This is what I do - build a rack and screw down the metal roofing. I did the tarps, ect, for awhile and it’s messy, they get holes in them, restrict air flow, disintegrate, and on the whole look low rent.
