Roofing a wood store: how to keep firewood dry and ventilated

The extent of the enclosures must be matched to the direction of precipitation and the ventilation possibilities. Fibre-cement boards are responsible for the external roof covering, but they will not replace the correct arrangement of the material beneath. Also leave space enabling inspection of the interior and removal of the wood without damaging the posts. Convenient access to the stack also helps to maintain a distance from the covering. The wood should not accidentally support the roof or hinder inspection of the structure.

A low shelter is sometimes designed so that it does not obscure the view or fits under an existing eaves. However, the pitch must not be reduced below the system requirements for aesthetic reasons alone. Asbestos-free fibre cement has requirements for pitch, laps and seals. These must be checked for the specific profile. A long, shallow roof slope and exposure to wind may require particular attention. First establish the permissible solution, and only then the height of the posts and the line of the edges. If the arrangement does not fit within the available space, a correction of the design is better than a deviation concealed during installation.

A larger roof may better protect the stack from slanting rain, but the sheet alone must not project beyond its support without limit. The overhang of the structure and the unsupported portion of the board are two different things. Fibre-cement boards should have support in accordance with the instructions. If a wide eaves is needed, the roof structure or purlins must be planned accordingly. Also check where the water will go. If it runs close to the stored wood, it can cause splashing and dampen the ground. A gutter and safe discharge of the runoff help to keep the area around the shelter tidy, but must remain accessible for cleaning.

Open sides do not mean mild conditions for the covering. Wind can act on the roof from both sides, and the edge zones require proper fixing. Fibre-cement boards should not be screwed according to a random pattern copied from another building. The design must take into account the location of the shelter, its dimensions and the degree of openness. The connections of the posts and the anchoring of the whole structure are also important. Adding a few screws in the covering will not repair a weak foundation. Even a small structure deserves a consistent check of the load path from the roof slope to the ground.

Fibre cement has fire properties declared for a specific variant, but stored wood remains a combustible material. The board alone does not provide a defined fire resistance of the shelter or freedom of its location. Asbestos-free fibre cement must be assessed together with the structure and the way it is used. Distances, design requirements and the organisation of the store should be established for the specific location. Random sources of ignition should not be kept under the canopy merely because the covering is mineral. When comparing materials, separate the reaction of the board to fire from the behaviour of the whole shelter and its contents.

On a small plot, the package often ends up in a random place, and the boards are then moved many times. It is better to prepare a level surface, proper support and protection in accordance with the instructions. Fibre-cement boards should be lifted, not dragged over neighbouring sheets. Corners are easily damaged even by stored logs. Before delivery, remove obstacles from the transport route. If the shelter stands close to a fence, check the possibility of passing long elements onto the roof. The organisation of work should correspond to the format, and not rely on the assumption that a large sheet can always be safely turned on site.

After heavy rain, inspect the interior from a safe place. Look for traces of runoff, new stains and places where the wood remains constantly wet. Fibre-cement boards can buffer some moisture, but they do not guarantee the absence of condensation. Excessively tight enclosure of the sides or a blocked discharge can also be a problem. Do not walk directly on the roof slope for inspection. Necessary work is carried out with appropriate access and protection. Regular removal of leaves from the gutter is easier when the wood stack does not occupy the entire space under the eaves and allows equipment to be set up.

Prepare a sketch of the shelter with the position of the stack, the open sides and the water discharge. Only then select the profile and the format of the boards for this arrangement, and not the other way round.