Cord of Firewood. What Is It & What’s the Difference?

When most people think of firewood, they think of a cord. But what is a cord? And why is it called that? A lot of people don’t actually know the answer to that question.

The phrase ‘a cord of firewood” was originally invented to measure firewood. People would tie the wood together with a line, string, or cord. The standard length of this line was set at 128 cubic feet, which is the measurement of a cord. This is also the amount of space that firewood typically occupies in a flatbed truck or other large vehicle.

Nowadays, the phrase ‘a cord of wood’ is still used to measure firewood, but it’s not always an exact measurement.

In fact, it’s often less than 128 cubic feet. For example, a ‘face cord’ of wood is only a fraction of a cord. It’s usually made up of 16-24 inch pieces of wood that are stacked 4 feet high and 8 feet long.

So, when you’re buying firewood, make sure you know whether you’re getting a face cord or a full cord. It can make a big difference in how much wood you’re actually getting.

How many pieces of firewood make a cord?

There is no standard answer to this question because wood logs come in all different sizes. However, it’s generally agreed that a cord of wood contains around 700 pieces of wood in a cord.

Cord of Firewood

A cord of wood will usually fill a flatbed truck or other large vehicle. Sometimes, it can be difficult to tell how much wood is in a cord.

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Here’s a quick way to estimate the amount of wood in a cord:

  • Take the length of the logs and multiply it by the number of pieces of wood.
  • This will give you an estimation of how many cubic feet are in a cord.
  • For example, if the logs are 16 inches long and there are 700 pieces of wood, that’s around 11 cubic feet in a cord.

The number of pieces of wood you need for your project will vary depending on how the wood is split, how wet the wood is, and the type of wood you are using.

However, a general rule of thumb is that you’ll need around 1/3 of a cord for a fireplace, 1/2 of a cord for a wood stove, and 1 full cord for an outdoor fire pit.

Of course, these are just estimates. It’s always best to consult with an expert before purchasing your wood.

Is a face cord the same as a half cord?

No, a face cord is not the same as a half cord. A face cord is usually made up of 16-24 inch pieces of wood that are stacked 4 feet high and 8 feet long. This is typically less than 128 cubic feet, which is the measurement of a cord.

A half cord, on the other hand, is half of a full cord. This would be 64 cubic feet, which is still a lot of wood.

Can Firewood Be Too Dry?

A half-face cord is a stack of wood that is four feet high and four feet long.

So, when you’re buying firewood, make sure you know whether you’re getting a face cord or a half cord. It can make a big difference in how much wood you actually get.

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How much does a cord of wood cost?

The price of a cord of wood can vary depending on the type of wood, the location, and the time of year.

In general, a cord of firewood costs between $120 and $200.

However, you may be able to find cheaper firewood if you know where to look. For example, you can often find cheaper firewood at construction sites or lumber yards.

You can also find cheaper firewood by buying in bulk. If you have the space to store it, buying a half or full cord of wood can save you money in the long run.

How long will a face cord of wood last?

A face cord of wood typically lasts around 2-3 months. Of course, this can vary depending on how often you use your fireplace or wood stove.

If you are only using wood to heat your house in the winter, you can expect a full cord to last no more than six weeks.

Sycamore Firewood

If you use your fireplace or wood stove every day, you may go through a face cord of wood in as little as 1 month.

On the other hand, if you only use your fireplace or wood stove for special occasions, a face cord of wood can last much longer.

No matter how often you use your fireplace or wood stove, it’s always a good idea to have extra firewood on hand. This way, you’ll never be caught without wood when you need it.

How many cords of wood do you burn in a winter?

How many cords of wood that you end up burning will often depend on a few factors, such as the size of your home, the type of wood you’re using, and how often you use your fireplace or wood stove.

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In general, most people burn between 1 and 2 cords of wood in a winter.

Of course, this can vary depending on how cold it is where you live, how big your home is, and how often you use your fireplace or wood stove.

If you live in a small home and only use your fireplace or wood stove on occasion, you may only need 1/2 of a cord of wood for the entire winter.

On the other hand, if you have a large home and use your fireplace or wood stove every day, you may need 2 or even 3 cords of wood to get through the winter.

No matter how much wood you end up burning, it’s always important to make sure you have enough on hand. This way, you’ll never have to go without heat in the middle of a cold winter night.