A New Woodshed

After hobbling through one winter with a tarp-covered pile of not-quite-aged-enough wood, we're doing it right this year. In a couple afternoons, Alex built a small woodshed. We're filling it with logs that were taken down over a year ago on the left and standing-dead ash on the right.

Alex designed the woodshed as a lean-to with a reclaimed pallet floor and wall sections and a corrugated steel roof. We'll add pallets to the back if needed but for now want to allow the greatest air flow possible.

We chose steel for the roof because it is more durable and reusable than plastic sheeting or asphalt shingles and we wanted some experience with it for when we might need to replace our house roof. Steel roofing also has the distinction of being able to support itself with minimal joists which reduced our supply cost.

The woodshed is freestanding on cement blocks. We didn't want to dig a foundation and if our past is any indication we might want to move the structure in a couple years.

Our homestead seems more homesteady with a real woodshed - stacked wood is like money in the bank, after all. Because the shed is adjacent to Sarah Hout's amazing mural, I know that gathering logs for winter wood stove heating will be more pleasant this year.

Already, we're not the only ones enjoying the new woodshed. We caught a hawk spying on a chittering chipmunk and Ms. Moonshine the cat regularly patrols for creatures.

How are you preparing for winter?

A New Woodshed

After hobbling through one winter with a tarp-covered pile of not-quite-aged-enough wood, we're doing it right this year. In a couple afternoons, Alex built a small woodshed. We're filling it with logs that were taken down over a year ago on the left and standing-dead ash on the right.

Alex designed the woodshed as a lean-to with a reclaimed pallet floor and wall sections and a corrugated steel roof. We'll add pallets to the back if needed but for now want to allow the greatest air flow possible.

We chose steel for the roof because it is more durable and reusable than plastic sheeting or asphalt shingles and we wanted some experience with it for when we might need to replace our house roof. Steel roofing also has the distinction of being able to support itself with minimal joists which reduced our supply cost.

The woodshed is freestanding on cement blocks. We didn't want to dig a foundation and if our past is any indication we might want to move the structure in a couple years.

Our homestead seems more homesteady with a real woodshed - stacked wood is like money in the bank, after all. Because the shed is adjacent to Sarah Hout's amazing mural, I know that gathering logs for winter wood stove heating will be more pleasant this year.

Already, we're not the only ones enjoying the new woodshed. We caught a hawk spying on a chittering chipmunk and Ms. Moonshine the cat regularly patrols for creatures.

How are you preparing for winter?

A Lovely Wood Stove

We live in an early 20th century house with a brick hearth and built in bookcases. I have always wanted such a set up and loved it for two years. But last winter, I couldn't ignore what was missing: a fireplace.

These houses were built to hold gas burning units, as evidenced by the gas key hole in the floor.  I'm not a huge fan of gas heat, though it runs our furnace, because gas is an unsustainable resource. It's also seriously expensive.

Wood is renewable. In a high efficiency stove, wood is an efficient heat source. Free wood is often available on craigslist or freecycle and building a woodpile is simple.

So last winter, in February, we were able to score a wood stove that fits our hearth on clearance at our local Sutherlands. We were unsure of the quality of our chimney so we bought pieces for a chimney liner at the same time.

We hired friend Leonard to help install the liner and stove. He and Alex had to do a fair amount of modification to fit the woodstove in our small space, including placing the unit slightly off center in the opening. This does bother my sense of order, but I can tolerate it for the wonderfully warm heat that fills our house from this tiny stove.

Last night, the temperature dropped to mid 30s overnight. Alex lit a fire in the early evening, adding logs every hour or so until he went to bed at midnight.

When I woke up this morning, heat was still emanating from the fireplace and there were still hot coals. Mmmm....toasty warm!  We have yet to turn on our furnace this year.

A few weeks ago, I attempted to start a fire on my own.  I sadly couldn't do it.  I do not have the natural affinity for fire that Alex does and I always defer to him to start campfires and get the wood stove going.

I practiced under his eye for a few nights.   This evening, night one of his business trip to California, I made the fire myself!

There is more pleasure to come from this wood stove. In early 2011 when I prepare taxes, I will be able to take a credit for 30% of our purchase price through the American Recovery Act. This credit, which applies to new stoves purchased and installed in existing homes, expires December 31, 2010.