Wanting a firewood shed. Where do I start? Non permanent, I don't want code enforcement coming around pitching a fit. Spreading gravel for a base. Shooting for 2 cord, I don't burn that much but it should be enough for the future. I'd like to use pallets for the floor so if needed I can replace it, simply set it on top of the frame? The frame is going to be 2x6 or 8s, I'll put a 4x4 "leg" in the concrete footers, roof will be steel or tin. Lag bolts or nails? If I use nails I need to buy a setup. Lags, however, I have a couple impact guns. I can also use the nail gun on other projects. I think that's it, I haven't done much building so I'm sure I missed something but all in all sound good?
2 things… 4x’s concreted in? Typically decimates “non permanent.” Everyone will say “build it bigger than you think, now.
No, the pic is what I'll be using for footers non permanent and I'll be able to clean out underneath, it does kinda sound like I'm setting them in crete, my bad.
It sounds like you have the right idea to me. Are you leaving the sides/back open?…creating a “woodport”? I am by no means a builder. Are you planning on just laying the pallets on top of the stone or is the pallet floor to be supported by the frame of the structure? If the floor/weight of the firewood is going to bear on the frame of the structure I would plan on beefing up your lumber considerably and make sure the pallets are well supported. If the pallet floor is just laying on the ground/stone and the structure is just sitting on those concrete bases, I would be a little worried about the structure blowing away unless the concrete bases and posts are to be buried. Years ago at a previous house I built a couple of woodports out of small diameter spruce poles. The second one I used a product called an OZ post to anchor the structure to the ground and just laid pallets on the ground and stacked directly on the pallets so the weight of the firewood was not bearing on the structure. I used a chainsaw to square off the end of the spruce post and attached it to the OZ post. Ancient threads finally finished the woodshed wood shed build
If you’re putting it on any type of joists, may want to figure out your weight of the wood in the shed and plan accordingly.
All kidding aside, make a "pallet" out of pressure treated lumber and set on the gravel pad. Basically a small deck but space the boards out. With a gravel base you will get good drainage. Build the structure right on top. Two cord wont weigh up to much. What size were you going with?
I’d plan for a 10,000 lb load in a 8x8 footprint. with that in mind, I’d put down 10’X10’ landscaping cloth, a base of 5/8” crushed rock, then put my pallets on top of that. Use crushed and not round as it tends to help with weed control. Don’t ask me how, just what I was taught many moons ago and seems to follow. this is 5/8” river run (round) under my 12’x14’ deck. I put it down in 2010. But it’s also on top of plastic, not landscaping cloth. The rock was free from my neighborhood precast. Take what you’re given. Find myself a 10X12’ steel carport, anchor it with some 36” auger anchors, maybe use some 5 gallon buckets filled with quick Crete. I used a dozen of these… inside my 14’X32’ Shelterlogic Backyard shelter. The class 5 base should have been at least 18’ wide and the shelter centered. I made it 16’ wide. The sides I’m battling all the time as the gravel falls out under the arches and support boards sit back and have a beer. Maybe a Saturday project. Leave space to the front or rear for future additions in 4’ or 8’ growths.
I personally prefer woodsheds that allow for less rows and more "frontage". You get easier access to more wood, and more sun and wind hitting more wood, which in turn seasons the wood quicker imo. Mine started out as a 3 bay shed that held 6 full cords. It wasn't long before it was too small....so I made it a 4 bay'er. Now its 32 feet long and holds a full 8 cords of wood.
I like that too. Likely what I’ll build for personal heating wood. My shelter was originally bought to house a boat and give me a place to have a “garage” for stuff to be kept outside. Since we’re only renting here, and the landlord won’t build a proper garage…
I'm preparing to answer a few questions asked in here, lots of explanation and thought to each, thanks for the help!
Here’s mine. It’s homemade so no laughing. It’s about 2 1/2 cord. The wood left in there was what was left from last winters burning season for the house stove. Kindling shelves and “junk collection” to the right side front is handy. Thoughts. Building it on runners like 6x6s means it can be moved. Make the width narrow enough to be winched onto a roll back or a trailer so no oversized problems to be messed with. 2nd on runners means “non permanent “. Permanent means a tax hike when the tax assessor ever comes by in a lot of states. Permanent means “code compliance” and permits sometimes. Maybe not for you now but when time to sell it has came up. Pressure treated 2x minimum for the floor or joists 12” on centers for 1x deck planks. It’ll sag from a tall stack of green wood on cheap softwood pallets down the road. Metal roof is faster and lighter than shingles and a deck. Though I made mine board and batten to “pretty it up”, the battens should have been left off to dry out green wood with air circulation. I have my main stack(s) out in the back yard by the splitter so only dry wood goes in this one so that doesn’t matter to me. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
