Firewood
Firewood refers to processed blocks of lumber that are used for fuel purposes, most commonly in heating houses or other buildings. There are many different types of firewood that vary according to the needs of the individual. Firewood can be purchased directly from foresters or from firewood businesses.
Firewood Cord
When sold, firewood is measured according to the cord. A cord is a unit of measurement consisting of wood stacked 4 feet wide by 4 feet high by 4 feet long; firewood with a volume of 128 cubic feet. This is a large amount of wood and individual buyers with normally purchase fractions of a cord, e.g. 1/3 of a cord. When firewood suppliers sell wood, a wide variety of terms are used that make it difficult to calculate the amount of firewood on offer. For example, a ‘face cord’ or a ‘stove cord’ both amount only to fractions of an actual cord. However, a client can always measure the bundles of wood on offer in order to ensure they are paying a fair price for the desired amount of firewood. Although the average price of a cord of firewood fluctuates according to the market, a standard price would be around $250 (£165). It is important to note, however, that changes can be quite volatile, and buyers are advised to shop around to get the best deal.
Firewood Logs
Firewood logs come in many different types yet are normally classified as either hardwoods or softwoods. The number of British Thermal Units (BTUs) necessary to burn firewood logs is also often used to categorize different types of firewood. When a fresh log is cut, at least 50% of it is composed of water but as it undergoes a seasoning process, the water content is reduced to 20% or lower. The higher the water content and the denser the firewood logs, the more BTUs it takes for the wood to burn.
Hardwoods
Hardwoods, as the name suggests, are denser and have a higher BTU content than softwoods. This means that such firewood logs prove more difficult to light, requiring more kindling or fire starters, yet offer more intense heat and burn for longer. Hardwoods include ash, oak, birch and hard maple. Many hardwoods, such as apple, burn with entrancing purple flames as well as yellow ones, and give off a sweet perfumed smell.
Softwoods
Softwoods light much faster than hardwoods and can be effectively used as kindling to start fires. Firewood logs such as these heat a room very quickly yet often give off heavy and unpleasant smoke. Softwoods include pine, spruce, fir and cedar.
Seasoned Logs
Seasoned logs that are sold to individuals from firewood suppliers must be stored properly so that they do not become damp and inefficient as fuel. Firewood should be stacked firmly against a firm wall or fence and may require much space depending on the amount purchased. Individuals should take care to ensure they have appropriate space for firewood storage before making large orders from firewood suppliers. It is not necessary to constantly shield firewood from rain (although occasional covering with plastic sheeting is a good idea) and firewood stacks should be placed in areas that are exposed to the sun and the wind. These latter elements have proved the best ways to dry firewood logs.