Hardwood Vs Softwood For Firewood
Hardwoods are more expensive but they also contain more energy and thus burn longer and hotter. A quality hardwood will also produce less smoke which is an important factor to consider. Here are some good choices for wood species when choosing firewood.
Hardwoods:Almond, alder, black/white ash, red/white oak, beech, hickory, maple, pecan, dogwood, apple, eucalyptus, maple, mulberry, walnut, birch, pecan, soft maple cherry, birch.
Softwoods are ideal if you want a fire that heats up quickly and burns out fast. Softwood produces medium heat and produce more smoke and sparks than a hardwood. Youll also have to feed the fire on a more frequent basis when using a softwood.
Some good softwood choices are:
Softwoods: Spruce, larch, juniper, spruce, southern yellow pine, red cedar, fir, pine, balsam, tamarack.
Unique properties of softwood trees:
- Softwoods come from gymnosperms trees, specifically conifers.
- Softwoods have needles instead of leaves.
- Softwoods are unique they dont lose their needles.
- Softwoods grow faster than hardwoods and therefore less expensive to buy.
- Often used as building material.
- Softwood trees grow tall and straight making them appropriate for manufacturing. Ideal to cut long straight planks of wood from.
Utah State University has some useful information on the qualities for a wide variety of firewood. Its not a complete list but it still has some common tree species often used for firewood: Tree Species Characteristics
- Snow Blowers for Wet Snow
How To Find Firewood For Sale Near Me
Our suggestion First, become a savvy shopper for cords of wood for sale near me, and learn how big a cord of wood is and what it should cost then, once you find a trustworthy source, you can spend less time searching for firewood next season.
Some Services also provide Firewood Stacking onsite at your place usually for an extra $20 $30 bucks, but it might be worth it, as they will be forced to demonstrate the size of the stack is an actual Cord
How Many Pieces Of Wood Are In A Face Cord
We now know the dimensions of a cord of wood, and that the amount of wood that it contains varies according to the shape of the wood and how it is stacked.
A face cord is a fraction of a cord. Three fractions or face cords are available:
- 12 lengths create a 1/4 cord = a volume of 32 cubic feet
- 16 lengths create a 1/3 cord = a volume of 42.7 cubic feet
- 24 lengths create a 1/2 cord = a volume of 64 cubic feet
However, we must remember that as with a cord the wood that is stacked into this space wont match the volume.
The size of the wood in these fractions makes it much more convenient to handle and should provide a more affordable solution for many, however, that does depend upon the price.
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The Cost Of A Cord Of Wood
So, how much does it cost to buy a cord of wood? The average cost is between $150 and $200 for the entire cord. However, prices can range from $120 to $400, depending on the type of wood, whether its already chopped or not, and the time of year. It is not uncommon for the price to rise to $500 during the winter months, especially if the product is kiln-dried.
The size of each piece of wood has a big impact on how much firewood a cord can hold. A cord of solid firewood should include at least 85 cubic feet of solid firewood on average.
Face cord, furnace cord, and stove cord are some of the various terms for stacked firewood. These are normally 4 feet high by 8 feet long, with the length being significantly less than the full rope. These might cost anything from $60 and $100.
How To Calculate A Cord Of Firewood
The formula to convert a set of length, width, and height measurements of a stack of wood in feet to the number of cords of wood is as follows:
number of cords = * width * height ) / 128 ft³
or, if you wonder how much is a cord of wood using SI units :
number of cords = * width * height ) / 3.6246 m³
Let’s say we measure a big stack of wood in a forest that is 15 feet long , 6 feet deep and 7 feet high . Plugging in those numbers into the formula would give:
number of cords = / 128 = 4.9 cords
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What Is A Face Cord Of Wood
If the stack consists of standard 16 inch long logs, and the stack is only one log deep, we call it a face cord of wood. So a face cord is 8 feet long, 16 inches deep, and 4 feet high, which is about the amount you’d see stacked up against a log cabin, ready for a long winter. A face cord is one third the amount of wood in a full cord.
The formula for a face cord of firewood is very similar to the cord formula, except the width is fixed to 16 inches :
number of face cords = * 1 * height ) / 42.67 ft³
or, equivalently in SI units:
number of face cords = * 0.406 * height ) / 1.208 m³
For example, outside our log cabin we stack some standard length firewood, whose length is 7 feet , and height is 4 feet . The number of face cords is:
number of face cords = / 42.67 = 0.875 face cords
So What Is A Cord Of Wood
Even though the sounds, smells, and concept of fires and firewood are associated with a relaxing time, acquiring firewood can be a daunting task. Even understanding what the true amount of wood is in a cord can be complicated.
With so many factors influencing the cost, weight, and efficiency, it can be downright confusing. But, with this guide to understanding the many aspects of firewood, you can feel confident in buying or cutting your next round of wood.
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A Cord Is 128 Cubic Feet Of Stacked Dry Firewood
How big is a cord of wood? A cord is equivalent to 128 cubic feet of firewood. Thats the simple answer, but it still doesnt help most homeowners who dont know how that volume translates to actual logs.
Generally, a cord of wood is 4 feet tall, 4 feet deep, and 8 feet long. Years ago, when wood stoves and fireplaces were custom-built, the wood was left long . Buyers would cut it to their desired length to fit inside their fire box, then use an axe or maul to split them into smaller chunks. Obviously, that was a lot of work.
Todays cords fortunately tend to be made up of 16-inch-long logs. This means that a full cord of wood consists of 16-inch-long logs placed in three rows until the stack is 4 feet tall and 8 feet wide.
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What Is A Cord And How To Avoid Paying Too Much For One
The official measurement of firewood is a cord, but that word can be used differently in some regions and it can be misused by some firewood dealers.
One full cordA full cord is a large amount of wood. It measures four feet high by four feet wide by eight feet long and has a volume of 128 cubic feet. The amount of solid wood in a cord varies depending on the size of the pieces, but for firewood it averages about 85 cubic feet. The rest of the cord volume is air space.
A ‘full’ cord is the official, standard firewood measure, but four foot pieces are never used for home heating, and dealers rarely sell firewood in that form. So firewood is not offered for sale in the form of its official unit measurement, which is why buying firewood can be confusing.
One-third of a full cord has pieces 16 inches longOther terms, such as face cord, stove cord or furnace cord are sometimes used to describe a stack of wood measuring 4 ft. high and 8 ft. long with a piece length shorter than 4 ft. A common firewood piece length is 16 inches, or one-third of a full cord, but other lengths are also available.
Forest Firewood sells what they call a ‘face cord’ for $75. You find that the pile is 4 feet high and 8 feet long, with an average piece length of 16 inches. Divide this length into the full cord length of 48 in. and multiply by the price.
48 ÷ 16 = 3 x $75 = $225.
Therefore, Forest Firewood sells firewood for $225 per cord.
48 ÷ 12 = 4 x $60 = $240.
48 ÷ 18 = 2.67 x $85 = $227.
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Factors Influencing The Price Of A Cord Of Wood
As previously stated, a variety of factors can influence the total amount you will incur. Here are a few examples:
The most well-known cord is a complete chord, which measures 4 x 4 x 8. Face cords, stove cords, and furnace cords are examples of various sorts of cords. Typically, these sorts are sold for household use. The firewood piles are also 4 high x 8 wide, however they are only 16 long.
Sort of wood there are a lot of options when it comes to wood varieties, and prices vary depending on how popular the type of wood you want to buy is. This, of course, is contingent on your primary motivation for purchasing in the first place. Hardwood and softwood are the two main options. Softwood is usually less expensive than hardwood.
Whether its stored or kiln-dried, wood goes through a series of steps to ensure its completely dry, burns evenly, and doesnt produce a lot of smoke. As a result, theyre more expensive.
Location If you live in a chilly climate, expect to pay more for full cords. This is due to the increasing demand for firewood in these areas.
Season Expect to spend several hundred dollars on firewood for the winter supply whenever you wish to acquire it. Winter is a period when firewood is very expensive, so you should stock up before the cold season arrives to save money.
Not An Exact Measurement
The problem with a face cord as a measurement is there is no standard definition for it. How much wood you get will depend on how long each piece is cut. Some face cords will measure 4 feet x 8 feet x 12 inches, while others will be 4 feet x 8 feet x 18 inches. So, the total volume of wood you get can vary.
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What Are The Best Ways To Haul A Cord Of Wood
Depending on things like moisture or the type of wood, a cord can weigh up to 5,000 pounds, so transporting a cord can prove to be a chore. The easiest and most reliable way to transport this much weight is a pull-behind or dump trailer.
These trailers can handle a cord without damage or strain. But, if you dont have a trailer, its not impossible to use a truck to move firewood.
Remember to double-check the trucks specs to be sure the weight wont damage it. Generally speaking, modern trucks can haul between 3,000 and 6,000 pounds in the truck bed, depending on their weight class and features.
How Much Does A Cord Of Wood Cost
It is best to call around several operators to determine the average price of a cord of wood in your area.
Generally speaking, you can expect to pay around $300 for a cord of seasoned hardwood delivered.
However, the price will vary depending on:
- whether or not the wood is seasoned
- whether you pick it up or have it delivered
- if you want it stacked or dumped
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Different Types Of Wood
If youve thought that every type of wood is the same, thats not true. Yes, it may sound surprising to you, but various types of woods are available in the market. Some of them are better for firewood.
In general, there are two types of wood: Hardwood and Softwood.
Hardwoods are denser, burn hotter, and for a longer time. They also produce less smoke and emit little sparks as compared to softwood. Thats why this type of wood is best for home burning.
Some of the hardwood species are
Also, there is a notable price difference between both types of wood. Due to the many benefits of hardwoods, they are a bit on the expensive side. On average, you can get hardwoods for between $300-$450 per full cord for Oak or Maple.
On the other hand, softwoods such as Pine or Juniper come in the price range of $200-$250 per cord. There is also a Mixed type of wood . They also come at a lower price.
So next time when you go firewood shopping, dont forget to check the type of wood. So that you dont end up with softwood at the cost of hardwood.
What Is A Cord Of Firewood
A cord of firewood is a unit of measure used to quantify firewood. It is equal to a stack of wood four feet high, four feet wide, and eight feet long. This is equal to 128 cubic feet or 3.62 cubic meters.
Firewood is an excellent source of fuel for heating and cooking. It is a renewable resource and a cost-effective way to keep warm in the winter. Firewood is also great for creating a cozy ambiance in your home.
A cord of firewood is a large quantity of wood and is often used for long-term storage. It is common for people to buy a cord of firewood when they are stocking up for the winter. This is because storing a cord of firewood requires less effort than buying, cutting, and stacking small amounts at a time.
When buying firewood, it is essential to make sure it is dry. Wet wood is difficult to burn, produces more smoke, and is less efficient. An excellent way to check the moisture level of firewood is to split a log and look at the end grain. If the end grain is dark and has a spongy texture, it is likely wet.
When purchasing a cord of firewood, it is essential to inspect it for signs of mold or insect infestation. If the wood is infected, it should not be used in your home.
Overall, a cord of firewood is an excellent fuel source for heating and cooking. It is a renewable, cost-effective resource that can be stored for long periods. When purchasing firewood, ensure it is dry and free from mold or insect infestation.
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What Is Aface Cord Of Wood Answer: A Face Cord Of Wood Is 4 High X 16 18 Wide X 8 Deep
How much is a face cord of wood? Many sellers will offer a face cord of wood without explaining how big a face cord is. All you need to know is that it is similar to a typical cord of wood, except it includes one row vs. two rows of firewood.
The term is a little tricky because it does not conform to exact measurements. Instead, it is the length and height of a full cord of wood but only One Log Deep not Two rows deep as is a Typical Cord of Wood.
Similar to a Rick of wood . Thus, the face cord resembles a full cord, but only when viewing it from the front .
Can You Harvest Your Own Firewood
If youre in the mood to harvest vs. buy your firewood, please check out our article best chainsaws for homeowners. If you decide to gather your wood, check with local authorities or landowners first to get a permit or permission.
Looking to Harvest your Wood? If youre doing a lot of lumbering on your property, you may want to consider a wood chipper shredder for easier cleanup.
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Where Did The Name Cord Of Wood Originate
Etymological researchers have traced the term cord back to the 1300s when it began to describe string or small rope composed of several different strands.
The earliest record for the term of a cord of wood first appeared in the 1610s when wood was measured and sold by the length of the cord that bound it, though we have no record as to how long their cord was.
How Big Is A Cord Of Wood Answer: A Full Cord Of Wood Is 4 High X 4 Wide X 8 In Length
What a Cord of wood Is Not It is not a weight or a shape. The weight of a cord of wood will vary depending on the wood you use.
The term cord does not apply to anything other than Wood. Bushels measure grains such as corn and wheat pecks are for apples and pears, and we buy our chicken
However, some parts of the world do refer to a Full cord of wood as a Bush Cord
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Firewood Delivery Near Me
If youre new to buying firewood or have just moved to a new area, its best to ask others for recommendations on where to buy firewood.
I often see people asking where is the best place to buy firewood in my local Facebook groups. There are always one or two dealers that get mentioned again and again.
Dont be afraid to ask for complete measurement and price details from the person you are buying from if they cant answer your questions honestly, then move on!
To get the cheapest firewood for your wood burner, buy it green a year or so in advance of when you need it. Season it yourself, and youll save a lot of money over time.