Five Tips for Preserving Wood This Winter

October 9, 2020 10:57 pm Published by Leave your thoughts

Fall is here, and now is the time you take pride in the finished projects and make plans for the unfinished ones. This often means considering ways of storing wood this winter so your materials remain intact for you to address new projects next year. However, despite the skills developed by woodworkers, many customers do not necessarily know how to store wood for the winter in Utah. If you see yourself in this scenario, here are five tips for winter wood storage:

  • Bring inside: If your logs are seasoned, bring them inside to a shop or garage. This is a safer place for them then exposing them to the elements and risking rot and pests. If you place them in a shelter, leave one wall exposed so they can benefit from good air circulation.
  • Be careful with tarps: Those who do not have space for logs in a garage or shop often believe covering them with a tarp is good enough. However, tarps stop air circulation, and you may uncover your logs and find them rotted out anyway. If you only have a tarp available, leave the logs’ sides exposed for proper ventilation. This will help moisture escape and keep your logs intact. You can also use ties or poles to create a shelter with a tarp rather than just throwing it over your log stacks.
  • Choose a good location: Before you move logs, find a good place to store them. Avoid tree cover, as that will drip water down to the logs and leave them vulnerable to rain, mist and fog. Also, choose a spot where prevailing winds will not lead to rain or snow soaking them during every storm. Find a spot that is sheltered as much as possible and offers a flat and stable surface. A lean-to off a shop works well, as does a storage shed with no front wall.
  • Stack logs with caution: There are several points to be made on stacking logs for storage. First, do not just pile them up randomly or leave them strewn about. This leaves them vulnerable. Stack them neatly and do not let them touch a nearby wall or fence. You want to stack tightly, but also leave a perimeter around them to allow for good airflow. For a stable stack, do not stack higher than three feet tall.
  • Invest in pallets: Stacking logs on bare ground is not a great idea. Not only does it leave the logs vulnerable to moisture and insects, but it cuts off airflow. Find pallets and stack the logs on top of them. This allows air circulation if the logs are outside, and also keeps your shop or garage floor cleaner. Just be aware that the three-foot maximum stack height also includes the height of the pallet.

Huberwoods supplies Utah customers with lodge poles, fencing and teepee poles. If you recently bought from us or plan to, consider making a plan for storing wood this winter. Contact us today to buy more materials or ask about our tips for how to store wood for the winter.

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