Woodshed

[L3650]

I am thinking of building a woodshed. We use a fair bit of wood and I would like to make sure it is ready to burn when we want it.

I mentioned this project to a neighbor and told him that I was thinking of a 10 x 14 footprint, something open on all four sides with a roof and enclosed gables. He told me I was building a racoon litter box.

What about open gables? I was told that it doesn't matter. That type of set up is a magnet for all kinds of critters. Protection from the weather, high point of view, escape routes, all the things the little furry varmits look for.

This structure will be in a wooded area several hundred feet from any other building, on the edge of the driveway. The suggestion i was given was to build an enclosed shed and vent it well.

Anybody have any tried and true designs? Or things they would do differently?

 

[Tig]

My wood shed is closed on 3 sides to keep out blowing snow off the lake while allowing the southern sun in. There really isn't any place for much of a critter to set up house. Most wood sheds around don't have many walls.

 

[woodchuckie]

I had a pile of wood with roofing tin weighted down on top. The top 2 or 3 rows of wood were always dry so I had plenty of dry for the rainy times. The bottom, where any mice etc. might think about setting up house in was not protected and the cats also had access to it.

 

[turnkey4099]

Best is an open design for air circulation. Worrying about insect, bug, mice, raccoons getting is a bit **** IMO. You will have the bug/mice problems no matter what. As for raccoons, build it open and close it in with wire mesh.

Harry K

 

[L3650]

Best is an open design for air circulation. Worrying about insect, bug, mice, raccoons getting is a bit **** IMO. You will have the bug/mice problems no matter what. As for raccoons, build it open and close it in with wire mesh.

Harry K

I understand that the bugs, mice and others will get in no matter what. what I was wondering about was raccoons and skunks on top of the wood in the shed doing their business.

 

[Lloyd_E]

My shed is 8'x16'x7' - holds seven cords of wood.

It is a salt box design. Front is 8' to facia, back is 6'. The back roof comes down closer to the ground. The front is open to sunrise and wind and the back is open to sunset and wind. The sides are solid, all board and batten with cedar shack roof. I access wood from the back and the long overhang
protects me in the rain/snow while loading wood...for a brief moment.

Never had any problems with critters nesting...

Built on concrete blocks. If I had to do it again I would pour a slap and make it larger - 12'x18' - which is the limit to size re: building permit etc.

lloyd