FHB Logo Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest Twitter X Instagram Tiktok YouTube Plus Icon Close Icon Navigation Search Icon Navigation Search Icon Arrow Down Icon Video Guide Icon Article Guide Icon Modal Close Icon Guide Search Icon Skip to content
Subscribe
Log In
  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Restoration
  • Videos
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House
  • Podcast
Log In

Discussion Forum

Discussion Forum

Firewood storage pass through door

alfie | Posted in General Discussion on March 26, 2009 11:46am

I am building a house with a fireplace, and next to the fireplace I am putting in a firewood storage “closet”. There will be an exterior door to load the firewood, which can then be lifted off and burned as needed.

Looking for ideas on pre-built doors for the exterior, or on making one myself. Approximate size would be 24″x48″.

Reply
  • X
  • facebook
  • linkedin
  • pinterest
  • email
  • add to favorites Log in or Sign up to save your favorite articles

Replies

  1. calvin | Mar 27, 2009 12:31am | #1

    I might peruse Entry Door companies and see what they can do for you $

    Maybe look at or contact  Bilco  the basement access door company.  They've got roof hatches, access doors etc that might work (with thought).

    http://www.bilco.com/

    A Great Place for Information, Comraderie, and a Sucker Punch.

    Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.

    http://www.quittintime.com/

     

  2. dovetail97128 | Mar 27, 2009 12:36am | #2

    What ever you use make darn sure it can be securely locked from the inside. Locking hinge pins if an outswing door.
    I know of a half dozen houses here that were burglarized through small firewood doors.

    They can't get your Goat if you don't tell them where it is hidden.
    1. alfie | Mar 27, 2009 12:39am | #3

      Thanks for the input.

      1. Snort | Mar 27, 2009 04:00am | #4

        If your wood storage is going to be covered, and over the door, an unbored and non mortised insulated fiberglass slab is easy to work. Local lumberyard should be able to get a sill/threshold, and weatherstripping. The jambs are pretty easy to make.http://www.tvwsolar.com

        I went down to the lobby

        To make a small call out.

        A pretty dancing girl was there,

        And she began to shout,

        "Go on back to see the gypsy.

        He can move you from the rear,

        Drive you from your fear,

        Bring you through the mirror.

        He did it in Las Vegas,

        And he can do it here."

        1. alfie | Mar 27, 2009 12:54pm | #6

          The door is in a 2x6 chase that is going to be sided. On the inside, the chase contains a zero-clearance fireplace, and the wood storage. The door I install will also be sided so it blends with the wall of the chase. The bottom of the door is about 3 feet above grade.Wood fed through the basement sounds great.

          1. junkhound | Mar 27, 2009 02:23pm | #7

            Is the fireplace just for occasional recreational use, or serious heating?

             

            If serious heating, go with a full size 36" wide door.  (been there, done that)

          2. alfie | Mar 27, 2009 02:41pm | #8

            The size is more or less defined by what is going on inside - I could add a few inches though. Intent is serious heating, though I have a feeling it will end up being somewhere in between recreational and serious.

          3. junkhound | Mar 27, 2009 02:56pm | #9

            We burned near 10 cords a year heating 5300 sq ft for close to 35 years.

            Only thing I can add for you on door size is I was tempted at times to install  double 40 inch doors so I could fit the backhoe bucket into the front room. When DW got to be over 60 YO, she started to rebel about 'feeding the fire'.

            My neighbor spends 5 days a week in his uninsulated garage and heats it with wood. Drives his small Kubota backhoe right up the stove.

            If your interior floor plan precludes a full size door, consider a thru the wall conveyor belt arrangement??  No idea right off how to weatherseal that well though.

          4. peteshlagor | Mar 27, 2009 03:20pm | #10

            OK, everyone else says it's OK.  I, from experience, wish to let you know this is a VERY, VERY STUPID idea.

            This wood you wish to burn, it is FULL of tiny hibernating insects.  Some, not so tiny.  Others, big fat spiders.

            As soon as you bring that wood in the house, the existing warmth will wake them up and they'll head for your wife.   No one else, only your wife.

            Now you tell me?  Would you rather have your wife refusing to sleep in the bug infested place?  Or some storage system that is still easy to access, yet outside your heating envelope?

            I found a spot right outside my the garage door.

          5. Dave45 | Mar 27, 2009 04:43pm | #11

            My thought too, Pete. I've seen at least a dozen termite infestations resulting from storing firewood in contact with a house, deck, or garage.

          6. cic317 | Mar 27, 2009 04:47pm | #12

            HUH, Only the wife you say... I think I just found a new project for the house! Let you know how it turns out!

          7. Scott | Mar 27, 2009 08:02pm | #13

            >>>only your wife.

            LOL.

             

            I knew there was a reason that I park one of these:

             

            View Image

             

            outside on the deck, full of wood. We put the stove right beside the door.

             

            Scott.

             

            Edited 3/27/2009 1:04 pm by Scott

  3. dude | Mar 27, 2009 10:32am | #5

    saw a large house that had several fireplaces all fed from the basement

    each had a mini elevator that was loaded in the basement  & came up in a wood box next to the fireplace , different !

  4. jimcco | Mar 27, 2009 09:22pm | #14

    My daughters used to use the firewood box for house access when they forgot their keys. Also had a squirrel get in that way once.

    1. dude | Mar 28, 2009 03:59am | #15

      i get pallet cut offs from a local pallet factory for my fireplace and as their is no bark i get no bugs and very little ashes

       I only take the hard wood cutoffs < cherry ,oak ,maple etc about 5 cords a year

Log in or create an account to post a comment.

Sign up Log in

Become a member and get full access to FineHomebuilding.com

Video Shorts

Categories

  • Business
  • Code Questions
  • Construction Techniques
  • Energy, Heating & Insulation
  • General Discussion
  • Help/Work Wanted
  • Photo Gallery
  • Reader Classified
  • Tools for Home Building

Discussion Forum

Recent Posts and Replies

  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
View More Create Post

Up Next

Video Shorts

Featured Story

Podcast Episode 684: Masonry Heaters, Whole-House Ventilation, and Porch Flooring

Listeners write in about fireplaces and ask questions about whole-house ventilation, traditional porch flooring, and gutter sealants.

Featured Video

How to Install Cable Rail Around Wood-Post Corners

Use these tips to keep cables tight and straight for a professional-looking deck-railing job.

Related Stories

  • Podcast Episode 684: Masonry Heaters, Whole-House Ventilation, and Porch Flooring
  • FHB Podcast Segment: Repairing an Old Home While Maintaining Its Integrity
  • Tools and Gear for the Moms Who Get it Done
  • An Easier Method for Mitered Head Casings

Highlights

Fine Homebuilding All Access
Fine Homebuilding Podcast
Tool Tech
Plus, get an extra 20% off with code GIFT20

"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

  • Issue 331 - June 2025
    • A More Resilient Roof
    • Tool Test: You Need a Drywall Sander
    • Ducted vs. Ductless Heat Pumps
  • Issue 330 - April/May 2025
    • Deck Details for Durability
    • FAQs on HPWHs
    • 10 Tips for a Long-Lasting Paint Job
  • Issue 329 - Feb/Mar 2025
    • Smart Foundation for a Small Addition
    • A Kominka Comes West
    • Making Small Kitchens Work
  • Issue 328 - Dec/Jan 2024
    • How a Pro Replaces Columns
    • Passive House 3.0
    • Tool Test: Compact Line Lasers
  • Issue 327 - November 2024
    • Repairing Damaged Walls and Ceilings
    • Plumbing Protection
    • Talking Shop

Fine Home Building

Newsletter Sign-up

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox.

  • Green Building Advisor

    Building science and energy efficiency advice, plus special offers, in your inbox.

  • Old House Journal

    Repair, renovation, and restoration tips, plus special offers, in your inbox.

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters

Follow

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X

Membership & Magazine

  • Online Archive
  • Start Free Trial
  • Magazine Subscription
  • Magazine Renewal
  • Gift a Subscription
  • Customer Support
  • Privacy Preferences
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • Terms of Use
  • Site Map
  • Do not sell or share my information
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • California Privacy Rights

© 2025 Active Interest Media. All rights reserved.

Fine Homebuilding receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

  • Home Group
  • Antique Trader
  • Arts & Crafts Homes
  • Bank Note Reporter
  • Cabin Life
  • Cuisine at Home
  • Fine Gardening
  • Fine Woodworking
  • Green Building Advisor
  • Garden Gate
  • Horticulture
  • Keep Craft Alive
  • Log Home Living
  • Military Trader/Vehicles
  • Numismatic News
  • Numismaster
  • Old Cars Weekly
  • Old House Journal
  • Period Homes
  • Popular Woodworking
  • Script
  • ShopNotes
  • Sports Collectors Digest
  • Threads
  • Timber Home Living
  • Traditional Building
  • Woodsmith
  • World Coin News
  • Writer's Digest
Active Interest Media logo
X
X
This is a dialog window which overlays the main content of the page. The modal window is a 'site map' of the most critical areas of the site. Pressing the Escape (ESC) button will close the modal and bring you back to where you were on the page.

Main Menu

  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Video
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Popular Topics

  • Kitchens
  • Business
  • Bedrooms
  • Roofs
  • Architecture and Design
  • Green Building
  • Decks
  • Framing
  • Safety
  • Remodeling
  • Bathrooms
  • Windows
  • Tilework
  • Ceilings
  • HVAC

Magazine

  • Current Issue
  • Past Issues
  • Magazine Index
  • Subscribe
  • Online Archive
  • Author Guidelines

All Access

  • Member Home
  • Start Free Trial
  • Gift Membership

Online Learning

  • Courses
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Podcast

More

  • FHB Ambassadors
  • FHB House
  • Customer Support

Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Follow

  • X
  • YouTube
  • instagram
  • facebook
  • pinterest
  • Tiktok

Join All Access

Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features.

Start Your Free Trial

Subscribe

FHB Magazine

Start your subscription today and save up to 81%

Subscribe

Enjoy unlimited access to Fine Homebuilding. Join Now

Already a member? Log in

We hope you’ve enjoyed your free articles. To keep reading, become a member today.

Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine.

Start your FREE trial

Already a member? Log in

Privacy Policy Update

We use cookies, pixels, script and other tracking technologies to analyze and improve our service, to improve and personalize content, and for advertising to you. We also share information about your use of our site with third-party social media, advertising and analytics partners. You can view our Privacy Policy here and our Terms of Use here.

Cookies

Analytics

These cookies help us track site metrics to improve our sites and provide a better user experience.

Advertising/Social Media

These cookies are used to serve advertisements aligned with your interests.

Essential

These cookies are required to provide basic functions like page navigation and access to secure areas of the website.

Delete My Data

Delete all cookies and associated data