Stacking Firewood the Right Way: Best Practices for NZ Winters
When winter comes to New Zealand, nothing beats the sound of a crackling fire. But before you settle in, you need to consider an often ignored aspect—how and where you keep your firewood.
If you use a traditional wood burner, fireplace, or outdoor pit, **storing firewood ** involves more than just piling it up and hoping it works out. Your method to stack, store, and shield your firewood affects how well it burns how long it lasts, and even if it's safe to use.
Let's explore the top methods to store firewood for NZ winters ensuring it stays dry well-seasoned, and available for use when the cold hits.
Why Proper Firewood Storage Has Importance
In New Zealand's damp and often changeable winter weather, poor firewood storage results in wet wood, mold, bug problems, and money down the drain. Even worse, burning damp wood builds up creosote in chimneys, which increases the chance of chimney fires and lowers heat efficiency.
Good stacking and storage fix this by:
Boosting air circulation to aid seasoning
Shielding from rain and ground dampness
Keeping pests at bay
Cutting down on smoke and boosting heat output
At Plankville, we provide custom timber solutions and outdoor furniture. This means we know how timber reacts to weather—and how to protect it.
Picking the Best Spot to Store Firewood
Lift It Off the Ground
Wet soil can ruin your firewood. Always elevate your stack with a firewood rack, pallet, or treated timber base. This cuts down on ground moisture soaking in and lets air flow underneath.
If you want to build your own rack, think about using high-quality timber from our selection at Plankville's Timber Collection. We've made it to handle New Zealand's weather.
Choose a Spot with Sun and Wind
The ideal spot is bright and gets some breeze, which aids the curing process (removing moisture from the timber). Stay away from dark or wet spots behind outbuildings or beneath trees where dampness sticks around.
How to Pile Firewood Correctly
Firewood piling involves both skill and knowledge. Tidy piles aren't just nice to look at—they boost air circulation, cut down on decay, and let you grab wood when you're in a hurry.
Pile With Spaces for Air Movement
Wood needs room to dry out. Pile with the bark facing up to shed rain, and leave spaces between logs. Cross the ends over each other to keep the pile stable and let air flow through.
Don't stack against solid walls without leaving a gap of 10-15 cm to allow air to circulate behind.
Height and Length Matter
Stack your firewood no higher than 1.2 metres. This helps keep it stable and prevents it from falling over. Each section should be 2–3 metres long for easy use and coverage. You can adjust this to fit under a shelter or lean-to.
To build custom garden sheds or lean-tos, check out our Outdoor Structures page. We can help you create a weatherproof wood shelter that fits your space.
Covering Firewood: Should You Use a Tarp?
Yes, But With Caution
Covering your firewood has importance in rainy seasons, but you need to do it right. Put a waterproof but breathable cover—or tarp—on top of the pile, not on the sides. This lets moisture escape from the sides while keeping rain off from above.
A tarp that wraps the whole pile traps moisture and can make the wood wetter. If you live where it rains a lot, think about building a firewood shed with open sides to get the best protection and air flow.
Want some ideas? Check out our custom timber builds to see DIY or ready-made firewood shelters.
How Long Should Firewood Season in NZ?
In New Zealand's climate, wood drying takes 6 to 12 months, based on the wood type and stack quality.
You can tell your firewood is dry when:
It feels light
The bark comes off
It makes a hollow sound when hit
It burns with minimal smoke
Hardwoods like manuka or gum need more time, while pine dries quicker but burns faster. Remember to rotate your stack to use the oldest wood first.
Should You Store Wood Inside?
Bringing small amounts of firewood inside for quick use is okay. But don't keep large piles indoors for extended periods. This can lead to pest problems and add moisture to your home.
Instead, keep a strong wood holder or container near your fireplace to make things easier, and top it up every few days. Most of your firewood should remain stored outside.
Is It Okay to Stack Firewood Against a Fence or House?
You can do it, but it's not a good idea. Putting stacks against a house or fence cuts down air circulation and leads to dampness and bug problems. It also creates a fire hazard if the structure can burn .
If you need to stack near a wall, pick a standalone rack with at least 15 cm of space. For a built-in choice, think about making a firewood nook or shelter using Plankville's boards or thick cuts for strength and looks.
Last Pointers for Firewood Success
Switch up your supply: Burn older wood first to stop rot.
Mark your piles: If drying different groups, write down when you stacked them.
Look out for bugs: Often check for ants, spiders, or mice.
Cut your logs: Smaller pieces dry quicker and stack more .
With proper prep, your firewood can remain dry, clean, and set to heat your home in winter.
How Plankville Can Help
Want to put up a firewood shelter, build a custom wood rack, or improve your outdoor storage? At Plankville, we offer timber from local sources, long-lasting slabs, and practical outdoor structures that suit New Zealand weather.
Check out our handmade garden sheds and wood products to find the best option for storing your firewood.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTION ABOUT FIREWOOD STORAGE
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Put it in single rows with gaps between logs, bark facing up, and let air move around all sides.
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Not a good idea. Our rainy winters mean you need some overhead protection to stop rot and mold.
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For a short time yes, but big piles might bring bugs and dampness—keep most of it outside.
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Don't go over 1.2 meters high to stay safe and keep it steady.
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Firewood needs 6 to 12 months to season. This varies based on the type of wood, how you stack it, and the weather.
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Yes, you can. Just make sure to cover the top. This stops moisture from getting trapped in the stack.
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Manuka gum, or macrocarpa work great. Pine dries fast but burns too.
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If you want to protect your wood the best way, yes. A shed with open sides lets air flow and keeps the rain off.
