If you are buying firewood for the first time then you may be shocked by the number of different options you are presented with and the number of things that you need to consider before you are buying. This can often be very confusing for the first-time buyer, and they feel at a loss regarding where to start.
But, no need to worry, because that is where this blog post comes in! Check out the checklist below, in order to ensure that you have considered everything when it comes to buying your rick of firewood for your fireplace.
A Beginner’s Guide To Buying Firewood
What are the benefits of warming your home with firewood?
Before we provide you with some great advice and suggestions on purchasing firewood for your home, it is first vital to establish why this is such a recommended choice. There are a number of reasons.
Firstly, we need to consider the fact that firewood provides warm and comforting heat, which is a lot more enjoyable than heat provided from your central heating. When you rely on your radiators to heat the home, it can make the atmosphere feel a bit stuffy and it can often get a bit much. This is something you do not have to worry about with firewood.
Aside from this, we cannot ignore the sheer character and style that a fireplace adds to any room. It makes it look instantly better. Just picture a living room with a roaring fire as the centerpiece. Now, compare this with a room that does not have a fireplace or log burner at all. It does not sound as nice, does it?
Finally, while looking at the benefits, we simply cannot ignore the fact that you are going to save yourself a considerable sum of money by opting to have a fireplace installed. It seems that energy prices are rising every day, and it is becoming more and more expensive to run our homes. With that in mind, switching to firewood makes a lot of sense to keep your home warm during winter while keeping your costs down as well.
Some of the questions to ask when buying firewood
Now that you know all of the reasons why firewood makes sense for your home, let’s take a look at some of the key questions to ask to make sure you purchase the right logs.
- Have the logs been seasoned?
This is a pivotal point to contemplate. Seasoned logs are those which have been cut and left to air dry for a minimum of six months. The reason you need to buy these is that freshly cut logs are made up of too much water and thus are extremely difficult to light and get a good fire going. This is because all of the energy is used up by trying to dry out the wood instead.
- What type of firewood should you buy?
In general, wood is split into two groups; hardwood and softwood. It is recommended that you buy hardwood. The reason for this is that it is easier to light and it is much denser so you get more heat value as well. The following options are a few of the good choices to go for when selecting firewood; beech, yellow birch, white oak, pecan, and dogwood. The reason these woods are good is that they gave out a high level of heat, they are easy to burn and spill, yet they do not give off much spark or heavy smoke. Chestnut and yellow poplar are examples of wood that is bad in terms of being utilized for fires.
- Are the logs the right size?
You need to make sure that the wood you buy will fit into your fireplace. Thus do not simply buy a bag of logs without reading the specifications. Most companies will sell a mixture of different-sized logs but read the small print first. There would be nothing worse than getting a truckload of logs delivered only to find that you’d have to cut them to size every time you wanted fire lit.
- How much should I pay for my bags of logs?
Firewood is available at a whole host of different prices. What you pay depends on the size of the logs, how much you are buying and what type of wood you are purchasing. You should search around online and compare different deals against one and another in order to get a good idea of the prices being charged. Nevertheless, don’t go for something if it appears exceedingly cheap because it is likely to be a low quality of wood and thus will not provide a satisfactory fire. When considering prices, you will want to consider this purchase as part of your entire sustainability panel. From working with a solar panel company for home battery backup to switching all of your bulbs to LED, there are many steps to take to reach sustainability, so make sure you factor in the costs as a whole.
What to look for when seeking a company selling firewood
If you are buying firewood for the first time then you may be at a loss regarding what to buy and where to buy it from. After all, when burning a fire you want to ensure that you buy the right wood so that you can start a fire that is warm and efficient, yet also safe at the same time. There are several companies that sell firewood. Nevertheless, you need to ensure that you select the right one so that you benefit from top-quality logs. Take a look at the points below to help you when looking to purchase firewood:
Does the company have a good reputation?
When considering a company selling firewood, the first thing that you need to do is decipher whether they are credible or not. A good reputation goes a long way to giving you peace of mind and ensuring that you benefit from quality. Any reputable business should have testimonials available on their website for people to readily view, as this shows they are happy and proud of the feedback they have received. Take a read of these in order to gain a general feeling regarding the firewood provider.
Does the company sell seasoned logs?
This is essential, when searching for firewood you need to make sure that it is seasoned. This means that it has been left to naturally air dry for at least six months since it has been cut. A reputable company will tend to only sell seasoned logs. After all, freshly cut wood tends to be a nightmare with regards to lighting, and if you do get a fire started then it will be an unsatisfactory one, to say the least. This is because all of the energy is used to dry out the wood rather than create flames.
Is the firewood the right size for your fireplace?
You need to ensure that the firewood being sold will fit into your fireplace comfortably. After all, logs come in an array of different sizes and most people don’t want to have the hassle of having to cut theirs down to size. Most companies sell an assortment of different-sized logs, and thus you should be aware of this in order to ensure you purchase the right selection.
How much does the company charge for their firewood?
Price is an important component when buying from any company. After all, you need to make sure that the purchase is one that you can afford. When it comes to buying wood for your log burner or fireplace, you should search around for good deals.
Nevertheless, you should also be mindful when it comes to going for the cheapest option. After all, this could signify a low quality of wood, or you could even be trapped into buying freshly cut wood. Thus, if something seems too cheap and too good to be true, then the chances are it probably is.
If you consider the four points mentioned above then you should have no problem finding the best supplier of firewood for you. After all, it is important to find a good supplier of firewood who you can rely on so that you can call them whenever you need a new batch of firewood for your home. Once you have established that connection, it is something less for you to worry about in terms of maintaining your home.
All in all, we hope that you have found this guide useful when it comes to purchasing firewood for your home. Firewood represents an efficient and effective way of heating your property.
You will be able to enjoy a comfortable and plush warmth throughout the colder months, and it is also a lot kinder when it comes to your expenses as well. When you take all of this into account, it really is not hard to see why more and more people are opting for firewood in their homes today.