- A cord of wood is 128 cubic feet of wood. This will measure around 4′ high x 8′ long x 4′ deep
This is what a cord of wood looks like:
A rick is a description of the way a cord of wood is actually stacked. However, some sources say that a “rick” is when firewood is stacked measuring 4 ft. tall and 8 ft. long. The widths vary depending on the firewood supplier and where in the world/country you’re purchasing it. This configuration is also often called a face cord.
This is what a rick of wood looks like:
The width of a rick (or face cord) is generally found in 12 in., 16 in., or 24 in. purchase options. What this means, is that each firewood log in a stack is going to be one of these three different lengths. The 16-inch Firewood logs are the most common.
- A volume measurement is used to sell firewood
- The terms used to describe the wood’s volume are cord, face, fireplace cord, and Rick. A cord is a pile of neatly stacked wood measuring 4 feet x 8 feet, with each piece of wood measuring 4 ft in length
- The general dimensions of a face cord are the same, but the depth is determined by the length of the firewood logs
- Although rick and fireplace cord are commonly referred to as one third of the same cord, there can be regional variations
- All these volume measurements may not be exact. The volume of the wood depends on the size and shape, as well as how they are stacked and split
- You need to measure before you buy the firewood: you need to measure the stack of wood and the lengths of the logs
Here’s what a face cord looks like:
Cords of firewood are frequently available when purchasing a large quantity of firewood for your home. What is the definition of a cord of firewood? A cord of firewood is a common word that refers to the size of a firewood stack.
A cord of firewood is typically 4′ wide, 8′ wide, and 4′ deep. A complete cord or bush cord of firewood may also be referred to as a face cord of firewood.
Due to the fact that a cord of firewood has multiple different names, we’ve provided a list of all the different types of cords so you know precisely what you’re getting.
The term “cord” is frequently used interchangeably with the term “rick” by those unfamiliar with the firewood industry. Despite the fact that they are frequently used interchangeably, a cord of firewood is not the same as a rack of firewood.
Contents
What Is A Cord Of Firewood?
A ‘Cord’ of firewood is the standard unit of measurement for the amount of firewood available for purchase. A cord of firewood is a massive amount of wood. A cord of firewood measures 4 feet high by 8 feet wide by 4 feet deep and has a volume of 128 cubic feet.
Due to the great diversity of shapes and sizes of firewood, a cord of firewood is a stack of logs that are usually packed as tightly as possible to create the maximum amount of firewood within the required area.
As a result, the firewood will take up the majority of the volumetric area of the stack, with the spaces between the logs taking up the remainder.
The critical point is that when you purchase a cord of firewood, you are paying for a fixed quantity, which means that regardless of the log size, the total amount of firewood obtained will always be the same.
Purchasing a cord of firewood may thus be a better option for individuals seeking a precise amount of wood to burn than purchasing a generic stack of firewood that may vary in size and volume.
What Is A Face Cord Of Firewood?
Typically, a cord of firewood is offered as a face cord of firewood. A face cord of firewood is often a stack of firewood that measures around four feet tall by eight feet wide by sixteen inches deep.
A face cord of firewood is approximately one-third the depth of a full cord of firewood. 4 feet may not be enough log size for the majority of homeowners, since the logs would need to be split further to fit in a standard-sized fireplace or stove.
Thus, a cord of firewood is more frequently marketed as a face cord of firewood, in which the logs are cut to 16 inches rather than 4 feet in length.
16 inches is exactly one-third of 4ft, which means that while a face cord of firewood has the same width and height as a whole cord, it will typically have one-third the depth of a complete cord.
It is possible to purchase a half cord of firewood and receive the same amount of wood as a full cord; in this scenario, the full cord would consist of three stacks of 16-inch logs.
Additionally, you may see that the length of the logs in a face cord of firewood varies between 16 and 18 inches.
What Is A Rick Of Firewood?
A rick of firewood is another term for a face cord of firewood, which typically measures 4′ high by 8′ broad by 16″ deep. The frontage of a full cord, face cord, or rick of firewood is typically identical, measuring 8′ wide by 4′ high.
As a rick of firewood is another term for a face cord of firewood, the primary distinction between a rick or face cord and a complete cord of firewood is the depth.
A full cord of firewood normally has a stack of logs that spans the entire 4′ depth, but a rick or face cord of firewood generally have a depth of 16 inches.
Typically, logs are chopped to a length of 16 inches in order to burn in a conventional family fireplace or stove. In comparison to a full cord of firewood, the average homeowner may prefer a face cord or rick of firewood.
How Much Is a Cord?
A complete cord of firewood is a mound of firewood that is 8 feet wide, 4 feet tall, and 4 feet deep. A cord has an overall volume of 128 cubic feet. Lumberjacks used cords of rope to secure the firewood they gathered and stored in these similar stacks in the 17th century, earning the term “cord.”
Since then, the phrase has stood the test of time, and cord is still commonly used throughout the world as a unit of firewood measurement.
When shopping for firewood, keep in mind that a cord is a substantial amount of wood. Even if you drive a pickup truck, moving everything may need two or three trips.
Despite this, many people purchase firewood in cords to ensure they have enough supply.
When utilized as a winter heating fuel in a fireplace, a cord of firewood can easily last several months.
Pro Tip: Learn how to stack firewood in a fireplace for the most efficient fires!
How Much Is a Rick?
While a rick of firewood is smaller than a cord, it is still sufficient. Rick is referring to the same quantity of wood as a face chord. Does that seem perplexing?
Consider the following: Cords come in a variety of configurations. Full chords, face cords, and half cords are just a few examples. In the last section, we discussed complete cords, which are composed of an 8-foot-wide by 4-foot-tall by 4-foot-deep stack of wood.
A face cord, on the other hand — which is equivalent to a rick — is made up of an 8-foot wide, 4-foot tall, and 16- to 18-inch deep stack.
A rick or face cord of firewood is equivalent to a full cord in height and width. A rick or face cord is around 16 to 18 inches thick, whereas a full cord is approximately 4 feet thick.
Pro Tip: Consider seasoned firewood that has less moisture so your fireplace doesn’t crackle and spark excessively. Quality firewood will help you get the most heat from your fireplace.
Conclusion
Lumberjacks secured the wood logs in these consistently proportioned stacks using ropes, thus the term “cord” for a cord of firewood. On the other hand, the “rick” measurement has a murkier history.
The most logical explanation is that businesses and individual vendors sought a distinct moniker for face cord due to widespread confusion between it and full chord. Many individuals believe that a face cord is interchangeable with a full chord and hence purchase one.
However, as discovered here, it is actually quite little – around two-thirds the size of a full chord. To assist customers, several organizations and individuals began referring to face cords as “ricks.”
The phrase was then adopted by other merchants and has since become a widely used unit of firewood measurement. Rick is not as usually used as face cord when discussing firewood, however, some merchants do. Other terms for a face chord include rank and rack.
Remember, you can always purchase fire starter tools if you’re having trouble with your firewood.
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