Description
A full cord of firewood is 128 cubic feet of tightly stacked wood — the volume of a stack 4 feet high, 4 feet deep and 8 feet long. That measurement is defined by statute in most US states, so a cord should mean the same amount no matter who delivers it.
Chimney Monkey no longer sells or delivers firewood. We have kept this page up because so many people arrive here looking for straight answers about cord sizes, weight and seasoning — and because the wood you burn has a direct effect on how much creosote ends up in your chimney.
What is the difference between a full cord and a face cord?
A full cord measures 4 by 4 by 8 feet. A face cord, sometimes called a rick or a rack, is still 4 feet high and 8 feet long but only one log deep, usually about 16 inches. That works out to roughly one third of a full cord, so always ask how deep the stack is before agreeing on a price.
How much does a full cord of firewood weigh?
Weight depends far more on species and moisture than on volume. A seasoned cord of dense hardwood such as oak, hickory or maple generally falls between about 3,000 and 4,500 pounds. Softwoods like pine are considerably lighter, and freshly cut green wood can weigh well over a ton more because of the water still trapped inside it.
How long does a full cord of firewood last?
For a household that lights a fire on weekends and holidays, a full cord often covers a whole winter. If a fireplace or wood stove is your main heat source, expect to work through a cord in roughly four to eight weeks of cold weather. Open masonry fireplaces consume wood fastest because most of the heat escapes up the flue.
How can you tell if firewood is properly seasoned?
Seasoned firewood has dried to below roughly 20 percent moisture, which usually takes six to twelve months and closer to two years for dense oak. Look for cracks radiating across the end grain, a faded gray-brown color, loose bark, and a light feel for its size. Knock two pieces together: seasoned wood gives a sharp hollow crack while wet wood makes a dull thud.
How should you stack and store a cord of firewood?
Keep the stack off the ground on pallets or rails, cover only the top so rain runs off while the sides stay open to the wind, and leave a gap between the woodpile and the house to discourage insects and rodents. Bring no more than a few days worth indoors at a time. Wood sealed in a shed, or under a tarp that reaches the ground, holds moisture in rather than letting it out.
Why does your firewood choice matter for your chimney?
Burning unseasoned or resinous wood at low temperatures is the quickest way to build creosote, the tarry deposit behind most chimney fires. Dry hardwood burned hot leaves far less behind. Whatever you burn, NFPA 211 calls for a chimney inspection every year, and a sweep once deposits start to build.
