How to stack logs so the row stays up and air gets through

Build stable, reachable firewood rows without packing the store into a damp solid block.

Start on level bearers, build restrained ends and place most pieces lengthways with small natural gaps. Stop below the roof and before the face begins to bulge.

Build the ends first

Side panels or bay dividers are the easiest restraint. Without them, alternate pairs of logs at right angles to make a criss-cross end tower, using the flattest pieces. Do not build higher than the end support can safely retain.

Put awkward pieces where they lock in

Large flat splits make a stable base. Crooked and round pieces belong lower down or tucked between stable neighbours, not balanced at the top. Keep the face roughly vertical and correct a lean as it appears.

Leave air paths without making holes

Logs do not need to touch tightly. Small irregular gaps are useful. Large vertical chimneys make the stack unstable; a packed heap blocks inspection. Aim for a deliberate row, not furniture-grade joinery.

Keep the top clear

Leave space beneath the roof and avoid a high central mound. If the store holds two rows, do not let the rear row lean on a wall. Use the older, drier bay first rather than pulling random pieces from the middle.

Restack when the face changes

Seasonal movement and handling loosen a row. If logs begin projecting or the face bows, unload the unsafe section and rebuild it. Do not try to push a loaded stack straight from the front.

Sources

Forest Research: Domestic heating with logs — raised, open-sided stack guidance, checked 10 November 2026.