So once we knew the woodburner was on its way, we realised we now had a whole new raft of considerations; not least of which was where we were going to store all the wood. We needed to choose a log store.
Now we have a pretty decent garden storage area that we had literally created out of nothing this year – but it’s really not perfect for a log store. Firstly, it’s way down the bottom of the garden – inconvenient for bringing logs in of a wet & chilly January evening. Secondly, it’s just stacking them on the ground – which is no good for keeping them dry. Lastly, it’s nowhere near big enough for a decent supply!
So we left it as our back-up supply for the summer firepit, and decided we needed a proper log store, situated much closer to the house.
Eventually we decided that the front garden was going to be the best place possible – we have a small walled off area close to the house that holds the wheelie bins, and it’s perfectly big enough.
Next step was to decide which log store. Because there’s a silly amount to choose from. We looked at various online stores, trying to decide between slatted walls, pitched roofs, floor height, to shelf or not to shelf…
In the end we found exactly what we needed at the Dorset Log Store – who weirdly are based not 20 minutes away. Which pretty much sealed it for us; having found a woodburner made just an hour’s drive away in Devon, having the log store made here in Dorset felt just right. And it’s always so brilliant when keeping it local means you’re not only supporting local businesses, but that you’re getting a fabulous product too.
Eventually we chose the Okeford Log Store, and a date was set for delivery – we were duly warned it would arrive flat packed, which was fine, we’re pretty handy with a screwdriver.
Mr LittleStuff in a fit of disbelief – this is about 4 minutes into the construction.
The day it arrived we soon realised that the suggestion of ‘flat packed’ was a slight exaggeration. Arriving in five pieces doesn’t actually qualify as a flat pack to me! It’s hand made in the Dorset Log Store’s workshop, and arrives as a floor, three walls and a roof.
It was erected inside ten minutes.
TEN MINUTES!
I didn’t even have time to get the camera set up, and it was done!
But was it any good?
Good grief.
We had no idea it would be so… sturdy. Solid. I know it sounds ridiculous, but we fully expected it to be of a similar construction to a cheap shed from B&Q; a few strong corners with pretty flimsy thin wood in between.
Not. So.
The Okeford Log Store is solidly built out of real hunks of timber – and has clearly been built to last. It’s designed brilliantly for purpose – a really good gap underneath the floor to ensure no logs are sitting in the wet.
The walls are slatted to allow a really good airflow, to keep the logs dried and ready.
The tongue-and-groove roof is broad enough to keep the wood good and dry despite any rain showers (unless it’s lashing in sideways, of course).
Pressure treated timber is used throughout, and it’s well braced at the back and sides with very strong floor (so strong we both stood inside it, and it never even bowed a little). Plated decking screws are used for the assembly, except for the roof which uses stainless steel fixings.
Honestly – it’s ridiculously pleasing. We just know that it will still be sitting there, keeping our winter fuel dry and airy for years and years to come. So if you’re in need of a Log Store, then may we strongly suggest you just do as you’re told and head over to The Dorset Log Store? And don’t think you have to be in Dorset – they offer FREE DELIVERY throughout the UK!
They have a wide range of log stores to fit anyone’s requirements, and all are built by hand in their workshop. The particular model we have is the 4ft Okeford Log Store, which is £299 for the basic model (you can have it in a larger size, and with different roof options too) and it easily holds the 1.2m3 logs we had delivered.
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