Siting & care
Putting a log store against a wall: leave a real gap
Avoid damp bridges, blocked vents and hidden wall defects when placing firewood beside masonry.
Keep a freestanding store clear of the wall. The gap should be large enough for air, inspection and debris removal — not a token crack that fills with leaves.
Protect the building first
Do not bridge a damp-proof course, cover an air brick, block a drain or hide a meter. Keep roof runoff away from the wall and foundation. If masonry is already stained or wet, solve that source before adding a store.
A wall is not automatically a back panel
Logs pressed against masonry cannot be inspected from behind and may hold debris against the surface. Retain a slatted back on the store or use stand-off rails that prevent the stack migrating into the gap.
Freestanding is easier to reason about
Fixing a pent roof to a house changes the job from positioning a small store to detailing an attachment. Flashing, wall condition, fixings and runoff all become structural and weatherproofing questions. If those are outside your experience, keep the roof independent or use a competent installer.
Watch combustible construction and ignition sources
Cladding type, eaves, flues and nearby appliances change the risk. Follow manufacturer and insurer requirements rather than copying an arbitrary internet distance. Never place the stack where hot ash, sparks or a barbecue can reach it.