Firewood plays an important role in heating your home in cold months, providing you with a welcoming and cosy ambience. It is important to note that not all firewood you purchase is the same high quality. The quality of the firewood you select will impact its performance, along with how much heat it provides. The density of oak logs affects their burning duration and heat output.
How does density affect Oak firewood quality?
Oak is a very dense wood, that means it produces more heat when you burn it, compared to woods that are less dense. Dense wood, such as oak, contains high levels of cellulose and lignin, the main components that release energy when it burns. As a result, oak burners hotter and longer, providing you with consistent and efficient high heat output.
What does wood density mean?
The density of oak refers to its weight per unit volume. They are typically measured in pounds per cubic foot (lb/ft³). Or grams per cubic centimetre (g/cm³), if you are from outside the United Kingdom. Basically, dense woods have more wood fibres and less air space, making them compact and heavy.
The density of oak logs influence a number of aspects when it comes to burning characteristics:
- Burn time – the density of oak logs have a positive impact on their burn duration. Dense woods burn longer, providing you with consistent warmth
- Heat output – Oak offers a higher heat output, with a high BTU per cord rating, than other woods, this is also due to its density, the high concentration of combustible material it contains
- Lighting – Being a dense wood, oak tends to require a little more effort when it comes to lighting your fire. Once lit, you will not be disappointed with the high heat output and long burn time
- Ash and Creosote production – Oak, being such a dense hardwood, tends to generate considerably less ash when compared to softwoods and less dense woods. Being Ready to Burn certified with a low moisture content, it also produces less creosote
Is Oak the Right Firewood For Me?
The right wood density you need for firewood is determined by your needs. If you want a long lasting heat with a high heat output, then oak is definitely the right choice. Oak is by far the top choice among UK home owners that are looking for sustainable warmth, a long burn duration, and a clean burn, reducing their impact on the environment, while ensuring good air quality in the home for their families.
Wood density does play an important role when it comes to determining the quality of the firewood, but there are other factors to consider:
- Moisture content – our logs are kiln dried, guaranteeing a moisture content of less than twenty percent with a Ready to Burn certification
- Seasoning – our logs are kiln dried to provide a consistent moisture content. Other woods may be seasoned for up to two years to reduce the moisture content, though this is not guaranteed
- Storage – kiln dried logs are best stored indoors. They are lighter than seasoned wood, due to their moisture content, they do not contain insects or pests, and they come conveniently packaged, making indoor storage easy.
Conclusion
Thomson Wood Fuel Ltd takes pride in supplying our UK customers with the highest quality hardwood kiln dried logs that offer the best density values. Oak, which is the highest density hardwood with the highest BTU rating, is a firm favourite among our UK customer base, combined with our Ready to Burn certification, easy and convenient packaging, and fast delivery service. Give our team a call today and let us help you choose the right firewood for your home this winter season.
