Kurtz Bros Landscaping Blog

Cord of Firewood: What Size is It & How Much Do I Need?

Written by Kurtz Bros. | Oct 25, 2021 3:38:04 PM

Properly heating your home in the wintertime is essential and several homes still rely heavily on their fireplace. To prepare, you should purchase firewood in bulk to last the winter season. By buying in bulk, you will pay a lower price and also avoid running out during extreme weather conditions. Discover what a cord of firewood is and how much you need to outlast the winter.

What is a Cord of Firewood?

A cord is a unit of measurement for firewood. The wood is stacked tightly with the pieces running parallel to one another, and is measured by volume. The unit measurement varies by state and country, but in the United States, a cord is a stack that is 4 feet wide, 4 feet high, and 8 feet long. It is a volume of 129 cubic feet. The origin of the term was popularized in the 1600s and referred to the bundle of wood tied with a cord. 

How Much Firewood Do I Need for the Winter?

There are many factors to consider when deciding how much winter you should purchase to last you the winter. These factors include:

  • Size of Your Home
  • Insulation Quality
  • Type of Wood Stove or Fireplace
  • Average Climate

On average, if your only source of heating is firewood, you should expect to use anywhere from six to eight cords if you live in Ohio's climate. If your home uses both firewood heating and electrical heating, you should expect to use about three to four cords in Ohio's climate.

That being said, it is always safer to overestimate and have extra firewood. Firewood doesn't expire, so any excess can be easily stored for the following winter. Additionally, if you are occasionally using your fireplace, like only on the weekends or for special occasions, expect to use at least half a cord of firewood. 

Get All Your Firewood from Kurtz

You can order all the firewood you need, whether that's a full corda partial cord, or a bundle with Kurtz Bros., Inc. We'll be happy to help you get stocked up and ready for fires with friends and family. Contact us to learn more or to place an order.