From time immemorial, firewood has been an essential commodity. It was the only source of fuel even in the most royal kitchens. Although firewood isn’t an ideal fuel, it was readily available in the post-medieval period. Just search firewood for sale near me, and you will find a lot of outlets selling firewood. But how do you choose the right firewood for your requirement? Here we provide you everything you need to know about the firewood.
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Variants Of Firewood
Firewood is not an identical resource. There are variants of it. To enjoy the optimum benefits, you must know about its variants. In general, hardwood and softwood are the most widely known types of firewood. Both are distinct and can be easily identified by inspecting their textures and appearance. However, rectifying the kinds of wood is also an art. To gain mastery, you must need a detailed and precise description. Therefore, we listed different types of firewood along with their specifications below.
1. Hardwood
As the name suggests, you can easily deduce the texture of this variant. The wood is hard and has the most complex organic composition. Apart from firewood, it’s also used in construction due to its stiff composition, making it hard to kindle. Thus, you’ll have to spend a lot of effort into chopping it. Hardwood trees are most common in temperate regions of India, Canada, and the Middle East. Due to its abundance, the residents of those regions are more accustomed to hardwood. You may wonder what makes hardwood so resistant and robust? Well, it is due to the seasonal variations. The most expansive seasonal changes at the temperate zones compel the wood to be more durable. So, if you reside in the temperate zones, thank you.
2. Softwood
Unlike the previous variant, don’t go by the name this time. Softwood isn’t necessarily soft, but it possesses a simpler composition than hardwood. Slicing it requires less effort than hardwood. There are many sub-variants of softwood, ranging from the softest to the hardest. It might be hard to grasp, but there are softwood harder than hardwood. To erase all confusion, follow a general definition. In general, softwood is the wood obtained from gymnosperm trees, i.e., the trees without flowers. However, softwood contributes around 80% of the timber output. Besides, softwood is pulped to make paper. Some softwood is resistant to foreign invasions like wormwoods. If you are searching “split firewood for sale near me,” softwood will be a better option.
Some Best Hardwood Sources
1. Oak
Oakwood is recognized as an ideal firewood by many woodcutters. Whether for heating your room or fueling your kitchen, oak burns consistently. People of the US are more familiar with oak wood as the tree grows there in abundance. Due to its slow and consistent burning, it remains an integral part of their hearth. So, every American likes to keep oak wood in their stock. The heat per cord ratio for oak is around 30, with white oak at the top.
Moreover, it is eco-friendly and burns clean with a minimal amount of carbon emission. It emits sparks on seasoning, which is very satisfying to watch. So, if you are from the US and searching: “Oak firewood for sale near me,” your local retailer is waiting for you.
2. Maple
What’s the first thing that comes on your mind on seeing a maple leaf? Well, it’s the Canadian emblem. So logically, you can have an estimate of the Maple tree population in Canada. Due to the abundance of Maple trees, Canadian residents prefer Maplewood more than Oakwood. However, the heat per cord ratio is comparatively low, which is around 20. This is due to the relatively low dense complexion. Burning is clean without excessive carbon emission that will keep your home warm for a long. There are over seven varieties of the Maple tree. Some of the most popular species are Silver Maple, Red Maple, Sugar Maple, Bigleaf, and Boxelder. Out of these, the Silver Maple is the people’s choice, as it grows in abundance.
3. Hickory
Hickory is an uncommon hardwood that most agree to be eco-friendly. Its resistance towards decay makes it distinctive from other hardwoods. Moreover, it burns bright and clean for an extended duration. In general, hickory is liked for its two unique properties. First, the raw aroma of kindled hickory wood leaves an everlasting memory in people’s minds. Second, the classic crackling sound of burning is very pleasing to hear. Hickory trees are abundant in the eastern US. So, if you are searching “firewood for sale near me,” we suggest you hickory wood.
Some Best Softwood Sources
1. Pine
Pine is one of the best softwood sources you would ever find. Due to the high resin content and low density, it’s suitable for ignition. We’ve seen a lot of people mess with pine wood. It has a simple fiber organization and mustn’t be heavily kindled. A proper stroke at the right spot would be enough to chop it. Therefore, many use it exclusively for their indoor hearth. It is easy to store and catches fire in no time. Pinewood might produce some amount of smoke in the beginning. This may be due to the fibrous content, but the problem eradicates on catching fire. It has a strong aroma that can be felt on burning.
2. Cedar
Cedar trees are known for their aroma. The classic distinctive scent will leave a deep memory in your mind. This scent is due to the organic oil deposited at the tree’s heartwood. It has medicinal properties and is heavily exported. Due to this property, it is resistant to foreign insect invasions. Compared to pinewood, cedar emits less carbon. However, we recommend you to take extra care of burning, as it crackles and pops a lot. Most of the regular cedar users have a protective glass frame installed at their indoor hearth. The burning of cedarwood is pleasing to watch and smell, which is perfect for bonfires. Many ask us about: “Seasoned firewood for sale near me.” We recommend them to the magnificent cedarwood.
3. Juniper
If you don’t want to spend extra effort in slicing wood, we would recommend Juniper. These softwood trees are aromatic, with an average heat per volume ratio. Like pinewood, it emits white smoke at the beginning of ignition but burns clear after catching fire. It emits intense light and heat with a lot of sparks. Therefore, we would recommend Juniper for outdoor bonfires, rather than indoor hearths. These trees are found in the southwestern US in abundance. Therefore, people in Texas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico are more accustomed to Juniper wood.
Firewood Metrics
The quantity of firewood entirely depends on your intentions. Before purchasing, you must have full knowledge of firewood measurements. Half-knowledge is dangerous, and it agitates your confusion.
In general, wood is traded by volume. The official metric to measure the wood’s dimension is called a cord. It is an international metric and is accepted by all wood retailers. A cord is a woodblock having a volume of 128 cubic feet. To be more specific, the dimensions are 4’ × 4’ ×8’. However, there are other sub-metrics, such as face cords, half cords, quarter cords, and eighth cords. A face cord is 1/3rd of a full cord. Most buyers buy wood in smaller volumes due to a lack of storage. For people searching: “bulk firewood for sale near me,” we recommend 5-10 cords.
Where To Buy firewood?
Depending on your location, there can be various sources to buy firewood. If you are from Southeast Asia, finding a wood retailer won’t be that hard. This is due to the religious beliefs the region holds. Buddhism and Hinduism are prominent religions in South-east Asia.
Every ritual is somehow associated with fire, ranging from birth ceremonies to funerals. So, there are wood retailers in almost every market. But, if you are from North or South America, we suggest you, online retailers. Any place that has a specific wood in abundance is always found in retailers. Many ask us about: “logs for sale near me.” For them, we shall reveal these two sources in detail.
1. Local Retailers
Buying wood at your local retailer is the best way of purchase. Buyers and sellers have enough time and space to communicate. The best advantage is communication. When buyers and sellers come face to face, there won’t be any chances of miscommunication. You can clearly state your requirements, even if you aren’t aware of the metrics. We’ve witnessed many who are comfortable trading offline. Besides, buyers can bargain if they wish too. People with strong verbal skills are often in profit, as they can easily persuade the retailer for discounts. Moreover, you can form a strong and long term relationship with the retailer. So, if you wonder: “Are there firewood for sale near me?”, look for a retailer.
2. Online Markets
It may not be possible for many to rely on a wooden retailer shop. Lack of accessibility and transportation may the most probable issues. However, you can’t just go and cut down trees on your own. For such acts, you might have to bear heavy penalties by the law. In such cases, e-marts are your only hope. There are several online retailers available at regions of less wood availability. Fill the details about the wood of your choice and place the order. You’ll receive your desired product at your doorstep. However, you’ll have to rely on offers for discounts and pay extra charges for their services. “Firewood for sale near me delivery” is the common query. For them, we suggest online wood shopping.
Some Cost-Determining Factors
The cost of a wooden cord isn’t absolute; it is subjective. Cost depends on certain factors like availability, quality, and characteristics. Besides, it also depends on your quantity of use. In this segment, we shall throw more light on these estimated factors and how much to pay.
1. Availability
The availability factor determines the cost of each cord in your region. Moreover, other factors, such as accessibility, are subjected to it. For instance, if you reside in a region of abundant hardwood, the prices of hardwood would below.
So, you don’t have to spend extra money on this resource. But, if your place is scare of it, you’ll have to pay additional transportation fees for delivery. This is the reason behind the accustomed nature of residents towards their resources.
Due to the less availability, oak is costlier than chestnut in the US. For those who ask “Firewood for sale near me now,” we recommend them to check the availability.
2. Quality
The second most dictated factor is quality. This is what the retailer won’t compromise with anything. There is a quality gradient as you move towards the different hardwood and softwood. For instance, the price is one cord of cedar is quite more than Mahogany. Besides texture, heat per volume is also measured. Wood with high heat per volume ratio costs higher. Oak having a high heat per volume ratio, costs relatively more than hickory. Moreover, wood with less carbon emission costs somewhat more than the available items. All these sub-factors comes under quality.
3. Other Characteristics
Apart from the factors mentioned above, there are some other characteristics too. Aromatic wood cost more than non-aromatic ones. One such example is the pinewood. Due to its strong fragrance, it cost more than other general softwood.
People obsessed with aroma can’t compromise it with a cost. But, the most important cost-determining characteristic is the resistance to foreign invasions. Wood, with high water retention, doesn’t spoil easily and can be stored for a long. Thus, this paves the way for retailers to increase the cost.
How To Store Firewood?
Your duty after purchasing wood doesn’t get. A well-organized storage system is essential for long-term use. Without proper storage, every penny you pay will be in vain. Therefore, to make you aware, here are some tips for storing your wood correctly.
Tip 1: Stack Your Wood
Don’t just toss your firewood recklessly. Store it properly in an organized manner. Stacking your wood will reduce your assembling efforts to a great extent. This will help you access your firewood with ease. Stacking is not just heaping your wood one over the other.
You must also take care of symmetry and maintain the geometric alignment. First, categorize your stock, and put the bulkiest at the bottom. Maintain the volume gradient by assembling lighter wood towards the top. The overall shape of the heap must be a three-dimensional triangle. Don’t exceed the upper length and the bottom. Doing such might collapse your heap.
Tip 2: Keep Your Wood From The Ground
Always remember to keep your wood away from the ground. Wood is an organic material, and keeping it in direct contact with the group will degrade it. In the case of softwood, the degradation will be faster due to the simple complexion. Besides, it might reduce the aromatic qualities in your firewood. So, keeping your wood from the ground is better than seasoning. We recommend you either to plaster the ground or install a wooden deck for the base. Plastering the ground is a more practical and long-lasting solution.
Tip 3: Keep Your Wood Dry
If you want your stock to be durable, keep your wood dry. Wet wood will put all your investments in vain. Damp wood needs seasoning and are more vulnerable to rot. We don’t recommend you to store indoors due to the moisture content. Storing wood at barns is a brilliant idea to keep it from moisture. In case you don’t have one, at least build four walls and a roof to keep it dry. Many from the US have the habit of storing firewood in the basement. Well, this might keep your dry for a prolonged period, but it’s risky to do so. Also, staking wood in contact isn’t good for you and your wood. This will make the wood damp, which might be a dwelling place for uninvited guests like venomous snakes.
Tip 4: Isolate Your Storage Facility
Isolate your storage facility from your home. If you have young members, residents, you’ll don’t want them to mess around. People in Australia and the US complain a lot about uninvited guests in their barns. The cool voids between layers of wood make a comforting place for spiders and snakes. A large proportion of them are evil and can cause casualties. This is also an advisor to all dog-owners to isolate the kennel from the firewood storage. If you are running out of space, make the walls rigid.
Final Thoughts
During winters, a warm and cozy fireplace is a comfortable destination for everyone. But, firewood is an essential commodity in many regions. Residents far from the equator have to deal with firewood often.
To improve their decision-making, our goal was to provide more information. This article will be an ultimate guide on how to purchase and store firewood.
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