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NARRATOR: A lot of us burn wood in our wood stove or fireplace
to heat our homes or to just create a cozy, relaxing setting.
However, the way we store, dry and burn our wood can make a difference.
Did you know that burning wet firewood is not only a waste of energy and money?
But it can also create harmful air pollution,
and it can make you, your family
or your neighbors sick.
To protect your family's health,
your neighbor's health and save energy,
burn wood that's been properly dried.
We're going to show you how to build a wood storage shed
that will allow you to properly store and dry wood
for a warmer fire with less smoke.
It's simple to build, using mostly straight cuts,
with no mitered corners or joints.
The finished shed will hold about one cord of wood.
Please visit our website and click on the Modular Woodshed Plans & Materials List.
Printing out the construction diagram and materials list
provides a good guide for constructing the shed.
Here are some suggested tools
that are helpful in getting the job done.
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You'll need the following lumber
from the Materials List.
You can see that some of these pieces of lumber
are already cut to length.
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Following the construction diagram,
start building the shed by measuring out
each type of lumber.
You can measure lumber that will be used for the floor frame,
floor joists, posts, floor slats, side and rear slats,
and roof joists.
And then make all of the cuts.
[Saw cutting]
First, assemble the floor frame.
You can do this either on sawhorses
or at the final ground position.
The front and back of the frame use 2" x 6" x 8' lumber
and the sides use 2" x 4" x 45" lumber.
Attach the sides to the front and back
with 3" deck screws as shown.
Once the floor frame is complete,
add five 2" x 4" x 4' floor joists as shown.
Secure the floor joists to the 2" x 6" x 8' floor frame
at the front and back of the frame
with two 3" deck screws
on each end of the floor joists.
Keep three of the 2" x 4" x 4' floor joists aside.
We'll secure them after the front and back 4' x 4' posts are in place.
Place the floor frame in position.
You can place two 4' x 4' posts,
or the deck blocks, under the floor frame,
lifting it up off the ground.
This will allow the posts to be secured
extending 3 1/2" below the floor frame.
There are a total of 6 posts,
three 4' x 4' x 5' 6" posts on the back of the shed,
and three 4' x 4' x 6' posts on the front of the shed.
You can temporarily secure each post
using 3 1/2" screws to hold them in place.
Add the three remaining 2" X 4" x 4' floor joists
on each side of the posts.
Secure the floor joists with two 3" deck screws
on each end of the floor joists.
Then secure each post
to the 2" x 6" x 8' floor frame at the front and back
with two 1/4" x 5" lag screws.
Add the five 1" x 4" x 8' floor slats to the frame
using two 1 1/2" deck screws
to secure the slats to each floor joist.
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Next, add the 1" x 4" x 89" back slats
and the 1" x 4" x 45" side slats.
Secure the slats to each post
with two 1 1/2" deck screws.
It's best to have the posts off the ground,
sitting on either concrete deck blocks or
12" x 12" concrete pavers.
This will keep the bottom of the posts dry
and allow for a better air flow, helping to
dry the firewood.
The roof rafters use 2" x 4" x 4' lumber.
Attach one rafter to each side of the front
and back posts.
Use two 3" deck screws on each post
to secure the rafters.
Next, position the 4' x 8' x 1/2" plywood
on top of the roof joists.
Secure the roof using 1 1/2" deck screws every 6" along each rafter.
Following product instructions,
apply the liquid roofing to the plywood roof
and allow to dry.
To extend the roof and provide even more weather protection,
you can use roofing material of your choice.
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Building this simple wood storage shed allows your wood to dry properly.
The estimated cost of materials is approximately $250,
and it should take about five hours to build.
To dry the wood properly
be sure to split your wood before stacking it,
and allow space between the pieces of wood
so air can circulate through the stack.
Dry seasoned wood will give you a hotter fire,
less smoke, and you'll use less wood.
For more information about EPA's BurnWise program
please visit our website.
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