What could be better than sitting by the fireplace, warming up and watching the flames dance on a cold winter’s evening? There’s also nothing quite like the flavour of food cooked on a real wood fire – from barbeque grills or pizzas in a real pizza oven to good ol’ toasted marshmallows! 

But have you ever tried lighting that fire, keeping it going, and getting a good result if the logs aren’t properly dry? Even a little damp means you’ll need loads of extra kindling – and it still doesn’t always work – plus there will be a lot of smoke, the flavours won’t win any prizes, and it can really ruin the mood. 

Don’t worry though, there’s a very simple and cost-effective solution! Build yourself a sturdy, reliable log store to keep a handy stock of firewood that’s secure, out of the way, and always dry. Log store design is very straightforward, and making it is a simple DIY project that will serve you well for many winters, meals, and romantic fireside evenings in the future. 

LOG STORE DESIGN AND PLANNING – THINGS TO CONSIDER

WHERE WILL YOUR LOG STORE BE LOCATED? 

• Measure the space available to decide the dimensions that you’ll be building, and remember to leave a little space so air can circulate around the log store too. 
• There are quite a few things to think about when choosing where to put your log store – read more about that below. 

HOW MUCH WOOD DO YOU WANT TO STORE? 

• Do you want a stash to last you through the winter, and do you have space for that? Or are you after something more compact? 
• Measure the space that one bale of firewood takes up, and multiply that by the number of bales you want to store, to work out the full capacity. Remember to include  space for the frame. 
• Now compare and make sure the quantity you want to store will fit into the space available! 
• The roof must slope, so the back frame needs to be a little higher than the front, and the top of those posts must be cut at an angle. 

It’s easiest to keep dimensions to standard timber sizes so you don’t have to do too much extra cutting and sawing – have a look at our wide range of timber and sizes, and give us a call if you need any help or advice. 

WHAT TOOLS AND SUPPLIES WILL YOU NEED FOR A LOG STORE? 

Now that you have a log store design, make sure you have the full set of tools and materials ready before you start. You’ll need: 

TOOLS

• Clamps
• Mitre saw
• Cordless drill and drill bit
• Hammer
• Nail gun
• Safety gear – gloves, goggles, and a dust mask – especially when using the saw. 
• Spirit level

MATERIALS 

• Main frame: 3 lengths for the back; 2 lengths for the front, with tops trimmed at an angle for the pitch of the roof.
• Roof frame: 2 lengths for front and back; 2 lengths for sides, front and back – with tops trimmed at an angle.
• Floor frame: 2 lengths for front and back
• Floor: 2 lengths for the sides; 1 length for the middle; 10 lengths for all other pieces
• Roof covering boards, corrugated sheeting, or other suitable roofing material
• Cladding for sides and back. 
• Bolts & nuts
• Nails
• Wood preserver
• Polythene membrane 

All timber should be treated for outdoor use before you start building the log store. 

If you’ll be placing the log store on grass or soil, it’s a good idea to raise it off the ground so water doesn’t seep through. One way of doing this is placing an extra layer of frame/supports under the floorboards.

HOW TO BUILD A LOG STORE 

Ready to build? Keep your log store design plans close by, and remember to check measurements and levels along the way. 

BUILD THE FRONT & BACK FRAME

Start with the front frame as this will define the rest of your log store build. 

• Lay out the side posts, one of the floor frame beams, and one of the roof frame beams – so now there’s a definite shape and structure. 
• Drill two holes through the top and bottom of each main post. 
• Line up the floor and roof frame beams – they must line up perfectly, or else the log store will be wobbly – and then drill all the way through. 
• Check that the slants on top of those posts are all facing in the right direction before you bolt it together! 
• Add the bolts, and make sure they’re extra tight. 
• Do the same for the post on the other side of the frame. 
• Check that everything is perfectly lined up, and do the same process for the back frame. 

ATTACH THE FRAME TO THE FLOORBOARDS

• Use the nail gun to attach the floor frame beams to the outer side of the front frame. 
• Then attach them to the back frame – check your alignment again before you put the nails in, just in case!
• The edges should all line up, so the log store has a relatively smooth exterior with no pieces jutting out. 

ATTACH THE FRAMES AT THE TOP

• You should now have a sturdy frame that the sides of the roof can be added to – use the nail gun to secure those too. 
• The roof will have a slight overhang – more at the front than at the back. Use a spare piece of timber to check that the edges all line up and keep things neat and tidy. 

FILL IN THE FLOORBOARDS

To make your log store extra water-resistant, paint the underside of the floorboards with wood preserver, and staple a polythene membrane to the underside before you put the rest of the frame and floorboards in place. 

Don’t put sheeting or membrane on top of the floorboards though, as air needs to be able to get inside the log store from all sides. 

• Lay the floorboards on the base and make sure they’re well-spaced – use narrower pieces of cladding or timber in between the floorboards to keep the spaces consistent (but don’t attach those in-between pieces, you’ll remove them afterwards.) 
• When all the floorboards are set out and well-spaced, use the nail gun to secure them.
• Add cladding beams to the outside of the frame – on the sides and back. 
• Again, it’s a good idea to use a narrower piece of cladding/timber for even spacing.
• Airflow is important! Leave space at the bottom of the log store rather than attaching the first boards directly at the base of the frame. 
• Aim for 30-40mm between the boards (this will depend on the spacer planks you use) and keep checking that the boards are level. 

ATTACH THE ROOF

The icing on top! 

• Lay the roof boards (or other roofing materials you have chosen) on top of the frame and make sure everything fits perfectly – don’t leave any gaps here. 
• The boards should line up with the side ends of the frame too. 
• You may want to add an extra piece if timber to each side of the frame, to support the roof overhang and make it more sturdy. 
• Check that everything is nailed down where it should be. 
• Paint that roof with sealant or a colour if the mood takes you! 

Pests like rats and bugs like wood, so it’s a good idea to invest in some pest repellent. Choose carefully though, and make sure it’s safe to use on wood that will be burned and used for cooking. 

To prevent pests from setting up house, try to use the oldest wood first – this should be the driest too. 

WHERE TO PLACE YOUR LOG STORE 

It’s all very well designing the perfect log store, but its location can make a big difference to how effective and useful it is. 

It should be a good distance from your home to prevent any pests from sneaking through, and because all that beautifully dry wood can be a fire hazard. But be careful of putting it right at the far end of the garden, as collecting wood in the rain or snow won’t be much fun. 

Placing the log store against a wall or in a sheltered spot offers some protection from the elements, which is great. Make sure you leave space between the wall and the log store, for good air circulation. 

Direct sunlight is best for keeping things drier, and even better if it can catch prevailing winds. And of course, build your log store on level ground! 

Do you have any questions about building a log store or any other DIY project? We’re here to help on 0160 496 2704.

Ready to get started? Visit our website to see our great range of timber, bolts, nails, cladding, roofing, and everything else you need to make a log store and keep those DIY fires burning bright!