what is a cord of wood called

Full Answer

How much does a cord of wood cost?

Cord costs vary across the country, but in general you can expect to pay between $120 and $180 for a cord of hardwood that is split and seasoned. While this is the average cost, many consumers can expect to pay more, especially in winter. In some places in the U.S. costs can be as high as $220 to $400 per cord. Is kiln dried wood more expensive?

What does a cord of wood look like?

Similarly one may ask, what does a cord of wood look like? One full cordA full cord is a large amount of wood. It measures four feet high by four feet wide by eight feet long (4 ft. and has a volume of 128 cubic feet. The amount of solid wood in a cord varies depending on the size of the pieces, but for firewood it averages about 85 cubic feet.

How many pieces of wood in a cord?

Typically, a full cord will contain somewhere between 600 and 800 pieces of firewood. If the company you purchase from cuts their logs shorter, you will probably get closer to 800 pieces. And if the pieces are longer, you will probably get around 600 pieces.

How much wood is in a cord?

There are approximately 450 pieces in a Cord of wood. This is of course, dependent on how the firewood has been split. We assume for this measurement a typical cord of wood is 4′-0″ deep x 4′-0″ high x 8′-0″ long, and that the logs have been “split in half” before stacking.

What is it called a cord of wood?

A cord is defined as 128 cubic feet of wood. This measures approximately 4' high x 8' long x 4' deep. Some places that sell firewood might advertise a cord of wood while selling you only a fraction of a cord.

Is a rick of wood the same as a cord?

Is it half a cord? No, rick is actually a description of the way a cord of wood is stacked. A cord of wood measures 4x4x8 feet, or 128 cubic feet, and a standard cord is piled in a 4x8-foot stack, or rick. Rick also refers to a stack of any other material, such as hay, left out in the open air.

Why is a stack of wood called a cord?

The name cord probably comes from the use of a cord or string to measure it. The cord-foot was a US unit of volume for stacked firewood, four feet long, four feet wide and one foot high—equal to one eighth of a cord.

How big is a full cord of wood?

Firewood is sold by a measurement called a "cord." A cord must equal 128 cubic feet. To be sure you have a cord, stack the wood neatly by placing the wood in a line or row with individual pieces touching and parallel to each other, making sure that the wood is compact and has as few gaps as possible.

How many trees does it take to make a cord of wood?

Here are some examples: It would take 50 trees 4 inches in diameter, 10 trees 8 inches in diameter, or 3 trees 14 inches in diameter to make a cord of wood.

What does a 1/2 cord of wood look like?

A half cord of firewood is 4 feet wide by 4 feet high by 4 feet deep. Historically each piece of wood in the cord was cut to four-foot lengths and the user would then cut it down to fireplace size.

Can you fit a cord of wood in a pickup truck?

A standard, full cord of wood is a volume of 128 cubic feet, measured as a pile 8 feet long, 4 feet high and 4 feet wide. A full cord can weigh up to 5,000 pounds. Small Pickup -- 1/4 ton With or without racks this truck bed holds approximately 1/2 (one-half) cord of wood. Two load tickets required.

How long will a cord of wood last?

A full cord of firewood can last as little as 5 or 6 weeks or as much as 10 or 12 weeks. If wood is the sole fuel-type you're using to heat your house in the wintertime (no gas or electric heaters helping reduce wood usage), you can expect a full cord of wood to last no more than six weeks.

What is a unit of firewood called?

A cord of firewood is a rectangular pile four feet high, eight feet long and four feet deep, or 128 cubic feet. This is the standard Imperial measurement unit. To haul a cord of firewood in a pickup truck, you'll probably need more than one trip, depending on the weight of the wood.

How much money is a cord of wood?

The average price for a cord of wood is $300. Most people pay between $150 and $500, but prices could go as high as $700. Prices depend on location, type of wood, and the wood's type of cut. Seasoned wood, or wood that's dry, will also cost more.

How long does it take to stack a cord of wood?

Stack your wood in a sunny, airy spot. If the logs aren't neatly stacked, air won't circulate between them and they'll remain moist, and won't burn nicely. It can take up to six months for wood to dry completely [source: California Energy Commission]. We will now learn how to stack a cord of wood correctly.

How much firewood fits in a truck?

An 8-foot truck bed can hold one-half of a cord while a 6-foot bed can barely hold one-third of a cord.

How many Ricks is a cord of wood?

The length of the logs dictate how much wood you get. Generally speaking if the logs are cut 16 inches long and are stacked 4 feet high by 8 feet long, a rick will be 1/3 of a cord. If these same logs were cut 24 inches long, the rick would equal 1/2 cord.

How much is a cord of wood compared to a Rick?

A rick or face cord of firewood is the same height and width as a full cord. The difference is that a full cord measures 4 feet deep, whereas a rick or face cord measures 16 to 18 inches deep.

How much firewood is in a Rick?

How many wood logs are in a rick of wood? This depends on how the wood in the rick is cut and stacked. Generally speaking, most ricks of wood have between 275 and 325 pieces of wood inside them. There are about 550 to 650 logs in a cord.

What is a good price for a rick of wood?

Rick or Face Cord A rick of wood is another way to describe a face cord or third-cord of wood and costs $75 to $200 on average. The term “rick of wood” is most common in the Midwest.

What Is a Cord of Wood?

Even though a cord of wood is a standard metric for calculating firewood volume, there is rarely a need for so much chopped wood. Since it’s difficult to measure the exact volume of a cord, it’s essential to not only know how to visually identify a cord but the other ways to measure out your firewood.

How much does a cord of wood weigh?

Usually, this equals 128 cubic feet and weighs up to 5,000 pounds.

How long does a fire cord last?

If a fire is the primary heat source for your home, then a cord will typically last about six to ten weeks during the winter season. However, this is a rough estimate since so many factors like house size, insulation, location, and even the type of wood stove you use.

What type of wood is used for burning?

Oak is the most common. These trees are found in most parts of the country and produce firewood that doesn’t smoke or spark, making it great for burning.

How deep is a quarter cord?

Quarter Cord – In this measurement, the wood fills a space equal to four feet tall, six feet wide, and 16 inches deep. The quarter cord is a popular quantity since firewood racks and holders can house this amount of wood.

How much does a cord cost in Florida?

Places like Delaware and Michigan have relatively inexpensive cords, starting at $120. But, in states like California and Florida, a cord can start at around $350. Also, be prepared if you’re buying in the winter seasons to pay almost double for wood in the warmer months. So, look for deals in early spring to beat the demand spike!

How much wood is half cord?

Half Cord – This is equivalent to the amount of wood it takes to fill an area four feet wide, four feet tall, and four feet deep.

What Is A Full Cord Of Firewood?

A full cord of firewood is a cord of firewood in which the length of the logs fill the full 4’ of space, meaning that a full cord of firewood will have only one stack of logs.

What is the most important thing when buying a cord of firewood?

The most important thing is that when buying a cord of firewood you’re paying for a defined size and so whatever the size of logs the total amount of firewood received will always be the same.

What Is A Rick Of Firewood?

A rick of firewood is another name given to a face cord of firewood, meaning that a rick of firewood will typically measure 4’ high by 8’ wide by 16” deep.

How Many Face Cords Are There In A Full Cord Of Wood?

There are typically 3 face cords in a full cord of wood. A face cord of wood can have a depth of 16 inches for which 3 rows can fit into a full cord of wood that has a depth of 4 feet.

How Many Rick’s Are There In A Cord Of Wood?

You’ll typically find that there are 3 Rick’s of wood in a cord of wood.

How many cubic feet is a half cord of firewood?

A half cord of firewood is half the volume of a full cord of firewood, coming to 64 cubic feet of firewood compared to 128 cubic feet found in a full cord. A half cord of firewood will therefore be a stack of firewood that fills an area 4ft high, 4ft wide and 4ft deep.

What is the difference between a full cord and a rick of firewood?

A full cord of firewood will have a stack of logs that utilizes the whole 4’ of depth, while a rick or face cord of firewood will typically have a depth of 16 inches (i.e.

How to measure firewood cords?

This article assumes the firewood is neatly stacked. To measure a stack of wood, get the height, width and depth in feet. Multiply these three numbers together. This will tell you how many cubic feet you have. Since a cord is 128 cubic feet, divide the number of cubic feet in your stack by 128. That will tell you how many cords you have.

How wide is a stack of firewood?

Using full feet for the width can be a problem since standard length for pieces of firewood is usually 16 inches. So a stack of 16″ firewood can only be 16″ wide or a multiple of 16.

How much space does a loose pile of wood take up?

It’s hard to get an accurate measurement with a heaping pile, consider around 180 cubic feet for the cord of wood dimensions of unstacked wood.

What is the legal measurement for firewood?

There are several common measurements for firewood used in the USA. The only official measurement, and in many areas the only legal measurement is a cord . There is a huge difference between a full cord of wood and other types of cords, like a face cord, a rick and a fireplace cord.

Why do people crisscross wood?

Some people like to criss-cross the wood when they stack it. This can sometimes help in drying and is a way to stabilize the ends. This is fine, except for when it comes to measuring the wood, there will be more air space between the pieces, with less solid wood in a cord.

How wide is 3 stacks?

3 stacks side by side = 48″ or 4′ wide.

Is there space between cord of wood stacks?

These measurements assume there is no space between the stacks. If you have space between the stacks, which a few inches of space is recommended for air circulation, these of course will have to be factored in. Cord of wood dimensions will be different if the wood is not stacked.

How to keep cord of wood organized?

Keeping Your Cord of Wood Organized. A cord of wood is a whole mess of logs. Using log racks is the easiest way to keep them organized, neat, and out-of-the-way. Typically, log racks are kept outside as the wood ages. make sure the wood is well seasoned before bringing it inside to use in your fireplace.

How deep is a full cord of wood?

This means that your typical face cord contains only one-third the amount of wood as a full cord. If you find a face cord that measures 4' high x 8' long x 24" deep, then you're getting a half-cord of wood. One way to tell if you're looking at a full cord of wood is to count how many rows of wood are stacked together.

How to tell if a cord is full?

One way to tell if you're looking at a full cord of wood is to count how many rows of wood are stacked together. Firewood logs are often cut 16" long, so a stack of firewood that contains three rows of 16" logs (16" x 3 = 48", or 4') is likely to be a full cord.

How long does it take to season a cord of wood?

Generally, this takes at least six months and sometimes up to a year. Different factors can affect how quickly your wood seasons: Thickness. Type of wood. Weather.

How long is a face cord?

This sometimes happens when they offer you what's called a face cord. Like a full cord of firewood, a face cord measures 4' high x 8' long, but face cords can vary as to how deep they measure. Face cords often measure 4' high x 8' long x 16" ...

What is rick of wood?

Additionally, you might hear some sellers refer to a rick of wood. Don't be alarmed by the extra terminology. Some people use the term to refer to a face cord of wood; others use it just to describe the amount of wood that can be loaded into a pickup. The use of different names isn't always done maliciously.

What is the purpose of hitting wood together?

Hit the wood together to get rid of any unwanted pests, such as spiders and insects, from accompanying your wood indoors . With a full cord (or face cord) of wood ready to go, you'll be set to enjoy plenty of warm toasty nights, no measuring required. NEXT: How to Build Different Types of Fires. By Dale V.

What is cord in wood?

The cord is a unit of measure of dry volume used to measure firewood and pulpwood in the United States and Canada.

What is cord in fireplace?

National Institute of Standards and Technology Handbook 130, section 2.4.1.2, defines a cord and provides uniform regulations for the sale of fireplace and stove wood.

What is the legal unit of measurement for firewood in Canada?

In Canada, the cord is legally defined by Measurement Canada. The cord is one of three legal standards for the sale of firewood in Canada: stacked cubic metre, cubic foot, and cord . However the stacked cubic metre is now the preferred unit of measurement.

How many cubic feet are in a cord?

Retrieved November 9, 2020. A standard cord is a unit of measure of wood products 4 feet wide, 4 feet high and 8 feet long, or its equivalent, containing 128 cubic feet when the wood is ranked and well stowed.

How long is a cord of wood in Maine?

states by also defining a "loose thrown cord" or pile of cut firewood: "A cord of 12 or 16 inches (30 or 41 cm) in length shall mean the amount of wood, bark and air contained in a space of 180 cubic feet (5.1 m 3 ); and a cord of wood 24 inches (61 cm) in length shall mean the amount of wood, bark and air contained in a space of 195 cubic feet (5.5 m 3 ). [1981, c. 219 (amd).]"

How long is a face cord?

For example, a face cord commonly consists of wood that is 16 inches (41 cm) long. The volume of a face cord therefore is typically 1/3 of the volume of a full cord even though it is 8 feet (244 cm) long and 4 feet (122 cm) high. A face cord is also called a rick in Midwestern United States.

What is a face cord?

A face cord is also called a rick in Midwestern United States. The term is used in other English-speaking countries, such as New Zealand, but may not have a legal definition. The corde was a unit of volume used before metrication in several French-speaking countries (France, Belgium and Luxembourg).

What is the difference between a cord and a chord?

Some people spell a cord of firewood chord. A chord is actually a word that refers to a group or musical notes or harmony. Cord is the actual spelling of the firewood measurement.

How to measure firewood cord?

A cord of wood is the amount of wood that can be tightly stacked in 128 cubic feet. The most common dimension for this is a stack 4’x4’x8′. This is about 2 full size pickup loads with the wood stacked to the top of the sides. If someone is bringing wood in the back of a full standard size pickup and they are telling you it is a full cord, it better be stacked up close to the height of the top of the cab. If not, it’s probably not a full cord.

How much air space does a cord of wood have?

In any stack of wood there will be air space between the pieces. As a result a cord of wood may only have 70-90 cubic feet of actual solid wood. This varies with the size and shape of the wood and how tightly it is stacked. Wood that is randomly thrown into a pile will have more air space between the pieces and less solid wood per cubic foot ...

What is a fireplace cord?

Unlike the other measurements, a cord is an actual legally defined volume of wood.

How much cord is a rick?

A rick or face cord of shorter pieces will be much less wood than the same stack of long pieces. If the pieces are 16″ long. it would be 1/3 cord. If they were 12″ long it would be 1/4 cord. If the pieces are 24″ long, it would be 1/2 cord.

Do face cords tell you how much wood you are getting?

Face cords, ricks and fireplace cords don’t necessarily tell you how much wood you are getting. These different measurements can mean different things to different people. They are really ambiguous measurements. To some, these are equivalent to 1/3 cord, but not always.

How much wood is in a cord of firewood?

Note that the exact amount of solid wood in a cord will vary based on the size of each piece, but most cords of firewood average 85 cubic feet (2.4 cubic meters) of solid wood. The remaining volume is taken up by air.

How big is a cord?

A full cord, also referred to as a "cord," is a stack of wood that measures 4 feet (1.2 m) wide, 4 feet (1.2 m) tall, and 8 feet (2.4 m) long. Its total volume should be 128 cubic feet (3.5 cubic meters). Note that the exact amount of solid wood in a cord will vary based on the size of each piece, but most cords of firewood average 85 cubic feet ...

How much space does a cord take up?

A loose thrown cord should take up about 180 cubic feet (6.66 cubic yards or 5.1 cubic meters) of space as is. The idea is that, when stacked, the total volume would equal roughly 128 cubic feet (3.5 cubic meters), or the volume of a full cord. A "thrown" cord takes approximately 30%+- more space than a stacked cord.

How much does green cord shrink?

When green, unseasoned wood is dried, the wood shrinks by about 6 to 8 percent.

What is the standard measure for firewood?

Full cord is the standard measure for firewood. Consumer-level purchases of firewood may not use full cord measurements, but other than that, full cord is the usual metric. Choose another answer! Green cord is a rougher, easier measure to make.

How to compare face cord costs?

Compare the value offered by each seller. If the piece length offered by each dealer is the same, you can compare face cord costs. If the piece lengths vary, however, you need to calculate the full cord value of each and compare those values to one another.

How to calculate full cord?

If you are buying a face cord, divide the depth of a full cord by the piece length of the wood in your face cord. Multiply this quotient by the price of your face cord to determine the cost of the full cord.

What is cord in wood?

A cord is a unit of measurement for firewood. To measure the firewood, it must be stacked as tightly as possible with the pieces running parallel to one another. Then, the volume of the wood is taken.

How big is a cord?

In the United States, the definition of a cord is typically a volume of 128 cubic feet —or a stack that is 4 feet wide, 4 feet high, and 8 feet long. Regulations about cord size can vary by state and country. The Spruce / Melissa Ling.

How to dry wood for burning?

First, split it into manageable pieces both for carrying and burning. Then, find a spot with good airflow to stack it for air drying. Avoid stacking wood between trees, as wind can move the trees and topple over the pile. How efficient the drying process is depends on how you stack your wood.

How wide is a firewood stack?

They include a face cord or rick cord, both of which often refer to a stack of wood that is 4 feet high by 8 feet long and roughly 16 inches wide (or the length of the firewood pieces).

Why stack dry wood on top of pile?

Moreover, because burning dry wood is recommended (green wood tends to generate a lot of smoke), stack the driest wood on top of your pile for easy accessibility. Likewise, aim to use the oldest wood in your pile first to minimize its potential for rot.

How to stack wood in a row?

Start the stack off the ground either on logs, bricks, or pallets. From there, the most practical method is to stack the wood in a row with stakes at each end. If you need to stack the wood more than one row deep, leave space between the rows for air circulation.

Why is burning wood in a fireplace important?

Burning wood in a fireplace or other wood-burning appliance can be a comforting way to generate heat and ambiance. And depending on firewood costs and availability in your area, it also might reduce your overall heating costs. So it's important to know what goes into purchasing and storing cords of firewood.

What Is A Cord of Wood?

Average Cord of Wood Cost

• While many factors can change the price, the average cost of a cord of wood is about $300. However, depending on the time of year, the type of wood, and the cut, the price can greatly vary. For example, oak is a common firewood type, and it can run as low as $180 for a cord. But, types of wood like mesquite can cost between $300 and $600. Then high...

See more on rethority.com

Frequently Asked Questions

So What Is A Cord of Wood?