How to Choose the Right Firewood for Your Fireplace

Selecting the perfect firewood transforms your fireplace from a decorative feature into a reliable heat source. The right wood burns hotter, longer, and cleaner, creating that magical atmosphere you crave while keeping your home warm. At Wood-Břežany s.r.o., we have spent decades mastering the art of quality firewood, and we want to share our expertise with you.

What Makes Firewood “Good” for Fireplaces?

Quality firewood begins with proper moisture content. Freshly cut wood contains 30-50% moisture, making it difficult to ignite and producing excessive smoke. Well-seasoned firewood should contain less than 20% moisture for optimal burning. According to the UK Wood Fuel Quality Assurance Scheme, firewood with a moisture content below 20% delivers 25% more heat energy than wood at 25% moisture.

Hardwood versus softwood represents the first major decision. Hardwoods like beech, oak, and hornbeam burn slower and produce longer-lasting heat due to their dense structure. Softwoods like pine and spruce ignite quickly but burn faster. For primary heating, hardwoods provide better value. For kindling or occasional use, softwoods work well.

Best Firewood Types for Home Heating

Hardwood Options

Beech firewood stands out for its exceptional heat output and beautiful flame patterns. It produces a steady, long-lasting fire with minimal sparking. Our Buy Beech Firewood Online offers consistent performance for regular fireplace users.

Oak firewood provides the highest heat output among common hardwoods, burning slowly with excellent coaling properties. Its dense structure means pieces last longer between refueling. However, oak requires longer seasoning time (2-3 years) to reach optimal moisture levels.

Hornbeam firewood rivals oak in heat production but seasons faster. This European native wood creates intense heat with a pleasant aroma, making it perfect for cold winter evenings. We recommend our Buy Hornbeam Firewood Online for those seeking premium heating performance.

Softwood Options

Alder firewood offers a middle ground between hardwoods and softwoods. It ignites easily while providing respectable burn time and heat output. Its clean-burning nature makes it suitable for open fireplaces where smoke minimisation matters. Discover our Buy Alder Firewood Online for reliable performance.

Pine firewood works excellently as kindling due to its resin content, which helps flames catch quickly. While it burns faster than hardwoods, it produces a cheerful crackling sound and pleasant aroma that many fireplace enthusiasts love.

How Long to Season Firewood Properly

Seasoning time varies significantly by wood type and storage conditions. Generally:

• Softwoods: 6-12 months
• Medium-density woods (alder, birch): 12-18 months
• Dense hardwoods (oak, hornbeam): 18-36 months

Proper seasoning requires stacking wood in a dry, well-ventilated area with exposure to air on all sides. Cover the top of your stack to protect from rain while leaving the sides open for airflow. Never store firewood directly against your house, as this can attract pests.

For immediate heating needs without the wait, our Buy Dried Firewood Online arrives ready to burn with verified moisture content below 20%.

Firewood Heat Output Comparison

Safety Considerations When Burning Firewood

Safety should always guide your firewood selection. Poorly seasoned wood creates excessive smoke and dangerous creosote buildup in chimneys. According to the UK Chimney Safety Institute, creosote accumulation causes approximately 7,000 chimney fires annually in Britain alone.

Look for firewood that:

• Has visible cracks at the ends (indicating proper drying)
• Makes a hollow sound when two pieces are struck together
• Shows no signs of mold or excessive dirt
• Comes from sustainable sources with proper certification

Avoid painted or treated wood, plywood, or particle board, as these release toxic chemicals when burned. Always use a fireplace screen to prevent sparks from escaping.

Where to Buy Quality Firewood in the UK

Quality matters more than price when selecting firewood. Cheap, unseasoned wood costs more in the long run through wasted heat and potential chimney maintenance. Our Buy Mixed Firewood Online combines different wood types to provide both easy ignition and sustained heat.

Reputable suppliers should:

• Provide moisture content readings
• Offer clear information about wood species
• Guarantee sustainable sourcing
• Deliver consistently sized pieces
• Provide proper storage advice

For those preferring softwoods, our Buy Pine Firewood Online offers excellent value for occasional fireplace use or as supplementary fuel.

Key Takeaways for Choosing Perfect Firewood

• Moisture content below 20% ensures clean, efficient burning
• Hardwoods provide longer-lasting heat for regular use
• Softwoods work well for kindling and occasional fires
• Proper storage maintains quality and prevents moisture absorption
• Sustainable sourcing protects forests while ensuring supply
• Ready-to-burn certified firewood eliminates guesswork about seasoning
• Mixed wood bundles offer the best balance of easy ignition and sustained heat

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best firewood for beginners? Alder or beech firewood offers the perfect balance for new fireplace owners. Both ignite relatively easily while providing respectable burn times. Our ready-to-burn alder firewood eliminates seasoning concerns while delivering reliable performance.

How can I test if my firewood is properly seasoned? Use a moisture meter for accurate readings (target below 20%). Alternatively, listen for a hollow sound when striking two pieces together, look for visible cracks at the ends, and check that the wood feels relatively lightweight for its size.

Can I burn freshly cut wood in my fireplace? Never burn freshly cut “green” wood. Its high moisture content (30-50%) creates excessive smoke, poor heat output, and dangerous creosote buildup in your chimney. Always use properly seasoned wood with moisture content below 20%.

How much firewood do I need for winter? A typical household using a fireplace for supplementary heating requires 3-4 cubic metres of hardwood for the winter season. For primary heating, calculate 6-8 cubic metres depending on home insulation and climate conditions.

Is hardwood firewood worth the extra cost? Absolutely. While hardwoods cost more initially, their superior heat output and longer burn times make them more economical over time. A cubic metre of oak produces approximately 25% more usable heat than the same volume of pine, reducing your overall consumption.

Why Choose Wood-Břežany for Your Firewood Needs?

With over twenty years of experience in sustainable forestry and wood processing, we understand exactly what makes exceptional firewood. Our firewood comes from responsibly managed European forests, undergoes rigorous quality control, and arrives at your door ready to burn. We never sell unseasoned wood or mixed species without disclosure.

Every delivery includes detailed burning instructions and storage advice tailored to your specific wood type. Our commitment to quality extends beyond the product to exceptional customer service and reliable delivery across the UK.

Ready to transform your fireplace experience? Browse our complete selection of premium firewood varieties and order online today for fast delivery of perfectly seasoned logs that will keep your home warm and your fire burning bright.

References

1. UK Wood Fuel Quality Assurance Scheme. (2025). Ready to Burn Certification Standards. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-wood-fuel-quality-assurance-scheme
2. UK Chimney Safety Institute. (2025). Annual Chimney Fire Statistics Report. https://www.csia.co.uk/reports
3. Forestry Commission. (2024). Sustainable Firewood Production Guidelines. https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/forestry-commission
4. Bioenergy Europe. (2025). Residential Heating with Solid Biomass. https://bioenergyeurope.org/publications
5. Wood-Břežany s.r.o. (2025). Firewood Moisture Content Testing Protocol. https://woodbrezany.com/en/blog/
6. National Energy Action. (2024). Affordable Warmth: Solid Fuel Heating Options. https://www.nea.org.uk/research
7. European Biomass Association. (2025). Firewood Quality Standards for Residential Use. https://www.aebiom.org/resources