Firewood – Logs for Wood Burners, Fireplaces & Fire Pits
Enjoy the warmth and atmosphere of a real wood fire with suitable firewood for wood-burning stoves, fireplaces, fire pits and other appliances designed to burn wood. Choosing the right firewood depends on factors such as the type of wood, its condition, log size and the appliance in which it will be used.
At Intergard you will find firewood and logs for use around the home and garden. When choosing your firewood, check the wood species, dimensions, quantity and individual product specifications. For a wood burner or fireplace, only use fuel that is suitable for the appliance and always follow the manufacturer's instructions.
Correct firewood storage is also important. Store logs where they are protected from direct rain and snow while allowing air to circulate around the wood. Avoid leaving firewood in prolonged direct contact with damp ground. A suitable log store or firewood rack provides a practical way to keep your supply organised and protected from direct exposure to the weather.
Explore the firewood available from Intergard below and choose suitable logs for your intended use. If required, combine your supply with a practical solution for storing firewood outdoors.
What is firewood?
Firewood is wood intended for use as fuel in appliances and fires designed to burn wood. This can include wood-burning stoves, suitable fireplaces, fire pits and other designated wood-burning applications.
In the UK, the terms firewood and logs are often used together. Firewood is the broader description of the fuel, while terms such as firewood logs, logs for wood burners and fireplace logs describe particular uses and search intentions.
What can firewood be used for?
Firewood can be used in suitable wood-burning appliances and outdoor fires designed for burning logs. Always check that the firewood is appropriate for the intended application and follow the instructions supplied with the appliance.
Depending on the product, suitable firewood may be used for:
- wood-burning stoves;
- suitable fireplaces;
- fire pits;
- outdoor fireplaces;
- other appliances specifically designed to burn firewood.
Do not use painted, treated, impregnated or otherwise unsuitable waste timber as a substitute for proper firewood.
Firewood for a wood-burning stove
Only use suitable firewood in a wood-burning stove and follow the stove manufacturer's instructions. The appropriate type and size of logs can depend on the particular appliance.
Good combustion depends not only on the firewood but also on correct operation of the stove and suitable airflow. Always follow the operating and safety instructions for your wood burner.
Firewood for a fireplace
A fireplace designed to burn wood should be used with suitable firewood. Check which fuels are permitted for your particular fireplace and take the properties of the chosen wood into account.
Open fires require particular attention to safety. Keep combustible materials away from the fire and never leave a burning fire unattended.
Firewood for fire pits and outdoor fireplaces
Suitable firewood can also be used in fire pits and outdoor fireplaces specifically designed for burning wood. Follow the instructions and safety information supplied with the product.
Place outdoor fires securely on a suitable surface and consider nearby combustible materials, buildings and vegetation. Wind direction, smoke and the surrounding area should also be taken into account.
Which type of wood is suitable for firewood?
Different species of wood can be used as firewood and can have different burning characteristics. Check the individual product information to see which types of firewood are available from Intergard.
When choosing logs, compare more than price alone. Consider the wood species, log dimensions, quantity and other relevant product specifications.
Hardwood or softwood logs?
Hardwood and softwood differ in properties such as density and can therefore behave differently when burned. This does not mean that one type of wood is automatically the right choice for every application.
Burning characteristics are also affected by factors such as the condition and dimensions of the logs, the appliance, airflow and the way the fire is operated. Follow the requirements of your particular wood burner or fireplace.
Why is dry firewood important?
The moisture content of firewood has an important effect on how it burns. When wood contains more moisture, part of the available energy is used to heat and evaporate the water within the wood.
Check the specifications of the firewood before purchasing. A precise moisture percentage should only be stated for a particular product when this has been confirmed in its specifications.
How much firewood do I need?
The amount of firewood you need depends on how frequently you light a fire, how long you burn it, the appliance and the quantity of wood used each time. There is therefore no single amount that suits every household.
If you occasionally light a fire for atmosphere, you will normally need considerably less firewood than someone who regularly uses a wood-burning stove. Also check the pack size and quantity of the individual product before ordering.
How should firewood be stored?
Store firewood where it is protected from direct rain and snow while allowing sufficient air to circulate around the logs. Suitable storage helps prevent the wood supply from being repeatedly exposed to moisture.
When storing firewood, consider:
- protection from direct rain and snow;
- air circulation around the logs;
- stable stacking;
- avoiding prolonged direct contact with damp ground;
- easy and safe access to the wood supply.
How to store firewood outside
Firewood can be stored outside when the storage area is suitably arranged. Protect the logs from direct precipitation while avoiding a storage method that unnecessarily traps moisture around the wood.
A log store or firewood rack can provide a practical solution. Depending on its design, it can keep the logs neatly stacked while providing protection from direct exposure to the weather and allowing air to circulate.
Should firewood be completely covered?
Firewood should be protected from direct rain and snow without unnecessarily restricting air circulation around the logs. Completely enclosing the wood is therefore not automatically the best storage method.
A purpose-designed log store or suitable covered storage area can help combine protection from precipitation with ventilation around the firewood.
How-to: storing firewood correctly
Follow these steps to create a practical firewood storage area:
- Choose a suitable location. Find a stable area where the logs can be protected from direct rain and snow.
- Avoid prolonged contact with damp ground. Use a suitable storage structure to keep the firewood organised.
- Stack the logs securely. Make sure the stack cannot easily fall or become unstable.
- Allow air to circulate. Avoid unnecessarily enclosing the entire wood supply.
- Protect the logs from direct precipitation. A suitable log store or covered storage solution can help.
- Check your firewood regularly. Make sure the storage area remains stable and suitable for the wood.
- Keep the logs accessible. Arrange the stack so that individual logs can be removed without making it unstable.
Firewood and log storage in winter
Before colder weather arrives, it can be useful to plan both your firewood supply and where you are going to store it. A well-organised log store keeps the wood accessible and helps protect the supply from direct exposure to rain and snow.
Firewood therefore fits naturally within a winter garden range, but it is not exclusively a winter product. Suitable logs may also be used at other times of year in fire pits and outdoor fireplaces designed for burning wood.
Using firewood safely
Only burn firewood in an appliance or fire specifically designed for burning wood and always follow the relevant operating and safety instructions.
Keep combustible materials at a safe distance and never leave a fire unattended. Children and pets should be kept away from fires and hot appliances. For wood-burning stoves and fireplaces, follow all applicable instructions for the appliance, flue and maintenance.
Buy firewood from Intergard
At Intergard you will find firewood and logs for different uses around the home and garden. Before ordering, check the wood species, quantity, dimensions and other product specifications to make sure the selected firewood suits your intended application.
Combine your firewood with a suitable log storage solution to keep your supply neatly organised and protected from direct exposure to the weather.
Frequently asked questions about firewood
What is firewood?
Firewood is wood intended to be burned as fuel in a suitable wood-burning appliance or fire. Examples can include a wood-burning stove, suitable fireplace or fire pit.
What is the difference between firewood and logs?
Firewood describes wood intended for use as fuel, while logs describes the pieces of cut wood themselves. In everyday UK usage, terms such as firewood logs and logs for wood burners are therefore commonly used together.
Which wood is best for firewood?
There is no single wood species that is automatically the best choice for every application. Different woods have different properties, and suitability also depends on the appliance and the individual product specifications.
Why should firewood be dry?
Moisture affects combustion because energy is required to heat and evaporate water contained in the wood. Check the product specifications and follow the fuel requirements for your appliance.
How much firewood do I need?
The amount required depends on how often and how long you burn wood and on the appliance you use. Occasional use generally requires a smaller supply than regular use of a wood-burning stove.
Can firewood be stored outside?
Yes, firewood can be stored outside when the storage area is suitable. Protect the logs from direct rain and snow while allowing sufficient air circulation.
What is the best way to store firewood?
Store firewood securely, protected from direct precipitation and with sufficient air circulation around the logs. Avoid prolonged direct contact between the wood and damp ground.
Should firewood be completely covered?
Protect the logs from direct rain and snow, but avoid unnecessarily restricting ventilation around the wood. A suitable log store can help provide both shelter and air circulation.
Can I burn treated wood in a wood burner?
Painted, treated or impregnated waste timber should not be used as a substitute for suitable firewood. Only use fuels permitted for your particular appliance.
Can firewood be used in a fire pit?
Suitable firewood can be used in a fire pit specifically designed for burning wood. Follow the product's safety instructions and consider wind, smoke, the surface below the fire and nearby combustible materials.