Introduction: How to Build a Firewood Storage Shed in One Day

This project came about as my firewood was stored about 25 metres from the house in a very unorganized pile in a shed. I wanted to have somewhere close to the house I could nicely stack the firewood and easily restock the house even when it was raining, and I live in Ireland so quite often.

I thought I would take this opportunity to create an instructable so that others can build their own. The whole build is easily scalable to meet your needs. This gave me the second idea to create a youtube channel to document my various projects. I hope the guide and video are helpful.

Supplies

Tools

  • Mitre Saw
  • Alternative: Circular Saw / Hand Saw
  • Jigsaw
  • Cordless Drill
  • Level
  • Hammer
  • Utility Knife (Trimming Knife)

Materials

  • 4"x1" (100x25) - 9 lengths
  • Plywood/OSB - Approx 2 metre x 2 metre
  • 5mm x 50mm Screws - 20
  • 4mm x 40mm Screws - A lot
  • 20mm Felt Nails - Approx 70
  • Roof felt - 2 metre x 2 metre

Step 1: Build the Base

This firewood storage shed will hold quite a bit of weight so we need a strong base.

Supplies:

  • 4"x1"
  • 5 x 50mm Screws
  • Drill
  • Mitre Saw
  1. Start by cutting your 4"x1" into the following:
  2. 45" x 6 Pieces (Base sides (front/back) and top)
  3. 18" x 5 Pieces (Base sides and internal supports)
  4. Lay out two of the 45" lengths and space the five 18" lengths evenly between them
  5. Predrill and then screw the 2 long sides into the five 18" boards

Step 2: Add Supports

Next we will be building the corner supports that will connect the base to the roof. Check each piece is level when screwing in.

Supplies:

  • 4"x1"
  • 4 x 40mm Screws
  • Level
  • Drill
  • Miter Saw
  1. Start by cutting your 4"x1" into the following:
  2. 62" x 2 Pieces
  3. 51.75" x 2 Pieces
  4. 51.25" x 2 Pieces
  5. 64.25" x 2 Pieces
  6. Take the 62" boards and screw them to the sides at the front
  7. Take the 51.75" boards and screw them to the sides at the back
  8. Take the 51.25" boards and screw them to the back (lining up with pieces from step 3)
  9. Take the 64.25" boards and screw them to the front (lining up with pieces from step 2)

Step 3: Build the Roof Frame

Next we will tackle the frame of the roof.

Supplies:

  • 4"x1"
  • Plywood/OSB
  • 4 x 40mm Screws
  • Drill
  • Miter Saw
  1. Start by cutting your 4"x1" into the following:
  2. 29" point to point with a 30° angle in the same direction both ends x 2 Pieces
  3. 25.5" with a 30° angle in the same direction both ends x 3 Pieces
  4. 47.5" x 2 Pieces
  5. 64.25" x 2 Pieces
  6. Take the 29" boards and screw them to the sides
  7. The front should be flush, the back should overhang (as shown in the picture)
  8. Take the 47.5" boards and screw them to the front and back at the top
  9. Take the 25.5" boards and screw them, evenly spaced, between the boards from step 2
  10. Take the whole build and lean it onto the plywood (shown in pictures)
  11. Mark the outline onto the ply and cut it to this size
  12. Screw the ply onto the top of the frame

Step 4: Weatherproof the Roof

If your weather is anything like the Irish weather then it rains a lot and you should weatherproof the roof. This is easy to do with some roof felt.

Supplies:

  • Roof Felt
  • 20mm Felt Nails
  • Hammer
  • Trimming Knife
  1. Roll out your felt and lean the whole build onto it so the roof is flat down on the felt (shown in the picture)
  2. You will want to mark around the roof adding 3-4" all around for overlap
  3. Cut the felt along the marked lines with your trimimng knife
  4. Stand the build back up and put the felt on top, evenly spaced all around
  5. Hammer the felt nails in to secure the felt onto the roof

Step 5: Add Sides and a Back

Next we should add some protection to the sides and the back whilst also allowing some gaps for air flow

Supplies:

  • 4"x1" (including 2 small offcuts for spacers)
  • 4 x 40mm Screws
  • Drill
  • Miter Saw
  1. Start by cutting your 4"x1" into the following:
  2. 46" x 7 Pieces
  3. 23" x x 14 Pieces
  4. Take one 46" board and screw to the back at the top
  5. Take one 23" board and screw to the side at the top
  6. Line this up with the back board from the previous step
  7. Take 2 of your 4"x1" offcuts and use these as spacers
  8. Take the next 46" board and screw to the back, spaced down with the two 4"x1" offcuts as shown in the picture
  9. Take the next 23" board and screw to the side, lining up with the back board, spaced down with the two 4"x1" offcuts
  10. Continue steps 5 and 6 until all back boards are used
  11. Take the remaining 23" boards and screw onto the other side, lining up with the back boards and spaced with the offcuts

Step 6: Fill It Up

Congratulations you have completed the build of your new firewood storage shed. Now you can move it to it's final location (maybe with help as it is heavy) and fill it up with firewood. NOTE: When choosing the location consider the drainage behind the firewood store, if up against the building then ensure proper drainage or a location that slopes away from the building.

Thanks for taking the time to look at my instructable, if the video was helpful please consider liking and subscribing, here is my channel - Whitehorn Studio Woodworking