Wooden vs metal log stores: choose by site, not looks

Choose timber when easy modification and repair matter. Choose metal when you want a slimmer, non-rotting frame and are prepared to manage sharp edges, anchoring and condensation beneath sheet roofing.

Timber's useful compromises

Wood is forgiving. A shelf, divider or replacement slat can be screwed on with ordinary tools. Thick posts add visual bulk and consume some internal width, but they also make it easy to attach braces. Treatment and end-grain care determine how well vulnerable parts survive.

Movement is normal: outdoor timber swells and shrinks. Do not build slats so tightly that one wet spell turns the side into a solid wall.

Metal's useful compromises

A steel frame can provide capacity with less bulky structure. Galvanised or coated surfaces need inspection where fixings and cut edges break the protective finish. Sheet roofs can drip condensation if moist air meets a cold underside; ventilation and a sensible roof detail still matter.

Lightweight metal stores must be anchored according to the maker's instructions. Weight from logs is not a substitute for fixing a structure against wind before it is filled.

The decision table

Priority	Usually the easier choice
DIY modification	Timber
Replace one damaged member	Timber
Slim structural sections	Metal
No preservative re-coating	Metal
Quiet in heavy rain	Timber roof assembly
Very exposed site	Either, if engineered and anchored for it

Material alone does not decide ventilation. A well-slatted timber store and an open metal rack both work; a sealed version of either can trap damp air.

Sources

• Forest Garden installation instructions for Pent Log Stores — maker guidance on timber movement and treatment, checked 10 November 2026.
• Charles Bentley Metal Log Wood Store — example published metal construction details, checked 10 November 2026.