Firewood Facts
Firewood is sold in a lot of different ways, and the word "cord" does not always mean the same thing from one seller to the next. This page explains how we measure and price our wood, so you know exactly what you are getting.
How we measure a cord
We sell by the roundwood (RW) cord.
- Log cord: We buy our wood as 8-foot logs. A log cord is 128 cubic feet of logs (4 ft × 4 ft × 8 ft) before any cutting.
- RW cord (what you buy from us): Once a log cord is cut and split, it usually stacks to about 85–105 cubic feet. We count about 100 cubic feet of stacked, cut and split firewood as one cord.
Splitting changes how tightly wood fits together, so the same logs take up a different amount of space once they are cut. That is why a cord of split firewood is measured differently from a cord of logs.
Other terms you may hear
- Full cord (stacked): Some sellers use a stack 4 ft high × 4 ft wide × 8 ft long, or 128 cubic feet, including the air between pieces.
- Face cord: A single row 4 ft high × 8 ft long, one piece deep. With 16-inch pieces, a face cord is about one third of a full cord. The amount changes with piece length.
- Loose fill: Wood thrown into a truck or tote without stacking. Loose wood has more air gaps, so it takes up more space for the same amount of wood. That is why our loose-fill price per cubic foot is lower than our stacked price.
Comparing prices? Ask each seller how many cubic feet are in their "cord" and whether it is measured stacked or loose. Comparing the price per cubic foot is the most reliable way to compare quotes.
Our standard sizes
| Size | Volume |
|---|---|
| Full cord | About 100 cu ft stacked |
| IBC tote | About 38 cu ft (about 1/3 cord) |
| Bundle | About 1.25 cu ft, shrink-wrapped |
Measuring a pickup load
When you load at our yard, we measure the wood in your truck or trailer by the cubic foot and charge at the cord rate.
- Measure the length, width and height of the wood in feet.
- Multiply them together to get cubic feet.
- Divide by 100 to see roughly how much of a cord you have.
Example: a stacked load 8 ft long × 4 ft wide × 2 ft high is 64 cubic feet, or about 0.64 of a cord. In customer-stacked pine at $3.60 per cubic foot, that load is $230.40.
Price per cubic foot
| Species | Loose fill | Customer stacked | Full cord |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bur oak | $4.25 | $5.50 | $550 |
| Pine | $2.80 | $3.60 | $360 |
| Poplar | $2.80 | $3.60 | $360 |
All wood prices include GST. Delivery is $150 (GST included) for the first 60 km, then $3.25 per km, with a 2-cord minimum. See our Pricing page for full details.
Heat and weight by species
Heat output is measured in BTUs (British Thermal Units). Denser wood holds more energy per cord, burns longer and weighs more.
| Species | Heat per cord | Approx. weight per cord | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bur oak | 26–30 million BTU | 4,000 lbs | Home heating, long and overnight burns |
| Tamarack (coming soon) | 20–24 million BTU | 3,300 lbs | Home heating, mixing with hardwood |
| Pine | 15–20 million BTU | 2,800 lbs | Campfires, kindling, quick heat |
| Poplar | 13–17 million BTU | 2,500 lbs | Milder weather, starting fires |
Moisture and seasoning
- Freshly cut wood is about 50% water.
- Seasoned firewood is generally 20% moisture or less. Wood in the 15–20% range lights easily and burns hotter and cleaner.
- Wet wood wastes heat boiling off water, makes more smoke, and builds up creosote in chimneys.
Signs of dry wood: cracks on the cut ends, bark that loosens easily, lighter weight, and a hollow sound when two pieces are knocked together.
Our bundles are stored indoors, so they stay dry.
Storing your firewood
- Stack it off the ground on pallets or rails.
- Leave space for air to move through the pile.
- Cover the top only, and leave the sides open.
- Burn older wood first.
Questions? Call or text 204-981-5887 or email info@thatfirewoodplace.com.