How to Build a Firewood Rack
Updated: Mar. 28, 2023
Keep your firewood stacked, off the ground and out of the rain with this easy-to-build firewood rack.
Time A few hours
ComplexityBeginner
Cost$100 - $200
Introduction
Storing your firewood off the ground and out of the rain is important. Wet firewood is hard to start, and a firewood rack eliminates the problem by keeping your logs dry. This rack is a simple, cost-effective DIY project that only took a couple of hours to put together.Tools Required
- Circular saw
- Drill/driver
- Speed square
- Tape measure
Materials Required
- Construction screws
- Corrugated Metal Panel
- Pressure treated 2x4s
- Rubber Gasket Roofing Screws
Figure A: Firewood rack
Overall Dimensions 48″ H x 96″ W x 17″ D
Cutting List
| QTY. | PART | DIMENSION |
| 2 | Base (long) | 1-1/2″ x 3-1/2″ x 96″ |
| 7 | Base stretchers | 1-1/2″ x 3-1/2″ x 11″ |
| 4 | Uprights | 1-1/2″ x 3-1/2″ x 48″ |
| 4 | Braces | 1-1/2″ x 3-1/2″ x 16″ |
| 2 | Canopy (long) | 1-1/2″ x 3-1/2″ x 96″ |
| 7 | Canopy stretchers | 1-1/2″ x 3-1/2″ x 14″ |
Project step-by-step (6)
Build the Base
Start with a pair of 8-ft. long pressure treated 2x4s, then fasten the 11-in. long spacers every two feet. Screw them in through the outside of the frames with 3-in. coated or exterior rated construction screws.
Fasten the Uprights
Cut four 2x4s to 4-ft. long and fasten them in the corners inside the frame. To really hold them in place, I fastened another 11-in. long spacer against the uprights. I screwed these spacers into the uprights and then through the base. Once the uprights are secure, connect each pair at the top with 8-in. long 2x4s.
Add Bracing
Cut 45-degree angles on the ends of four 2x4s approximately 16 inches long and screw them to the inside edge of each upright. Make sure the uprights are plumb before attaching them to the base.
At this point, your firewood rack will keep the logs stacked and off the ground. When storing firewood outdoors, it’s a good idea to add a canopy to keep them dry in the rain. Looking for more? Check out these DIY firewood storage ideas.
Build the Canopy
Build the canopy the same as the base, with one exception: The length of the spacers. To overhang the stack of firewood, cut the spacers three inches longer, so 14 inches. Attach the spacers to your eight foot long 2x4s and fasten them every two feet.
Attach the Canopy
Align a piece of scrap 2×4 flush with the top of the uprights. Then tip the back end of the scrap up about five degrees and make a mark along the bottom of the scrap.
Line up the top of the scrap with the lines and screw it into the uprights temporarily. Do this on both sides to create a ledge for the canopy to rest. Place the canopy on the ledge and fasten it with 3-in. construction screws.
Pro tip: Where you place your firewood rack and which side the rainwater falls to determines which direction to tip the canopy.
Install Roofing Panels
I decided to use inexpensive corrugated roofing panels I found at my home center. Using a metal cutting blade with my circular saw, I crosscut the panels to fit. Then I overlapped the panels to fit the width and fastened them with rubber gasket roofing screws to keep water from sneaking in.
Originally Published: May 02, 2022
