The 4 Best Wood Rack Covers

If you want to be able to actually use your firewood later on, you’ll need a cover for your log rack. Covers are key to protecting your firewood and making sure it’s usable at a later date.

The best firewood covers are made from a waterproof material, should fit your rack well but not exactly, and should fall within your personal budget. There are a wide variety of covers available that meet this criteria.

Keep reading to learn more about these elements and how they translate into our top four picks for the best firewood covers.

How To Pick The Best Wood Rack Cover

Covering your firewood is crucial to preserving it and preparing it to properly and safely burn. A quality firewood cover protects your wood from insects and rot, allows it to properly season, and keeps it dry and ready for burning.

Whether you’re heating your home and just want some s’mores, improperly stored firewood can quickly cause issues. Besides the problems we’ve covered above, it can also lead to safety concerns. If you try to burn improperly stored or seasoned firewood, it can cause carbon monoxide buildup, creosote buildup, and increased smoke output.

Commercial firewood covers, also known as wood rack covers, are designed to protect your firewood while allowing it to season. Some are designed to withstand the elements, while others are made for preserving airflow.

Factors To Consider

When choosing a firewood cover, there are three primary factors to consider: materials, size, and cost. Covers are available in a wide variety of materials and sizes, ranging from water-resistant full enclosure setups to mesh wraps that only cover part of your pile.

The level of protection you need and amount of wood you have will determine the first two factors and affect the third. 

Materials – Best Materials For Firewood Covers

No matter which type of firewood cover you need, it should allow for at least some airflow and ventilation, protect against common weather like rain, and last at least six months (preferably for years). Typically, waterproof materials are the best choice for firewood covers.

Waterproof materials are impermeable to water and have sealed seams. They deflect rain and snow and are able to take a high level of pressure before leaking. If you’re looking for a heavy-duty cover, look for waterproof materials.

Less secure but still protective are water repellant and water-resistant materials. Water repellant materials are typically coated with a sealant and are still difficult for water to penetrate. 

Conversely, water-resistant materials only hold up against moisture for a short period of time; anything heavier than a short rainfall will get through.

The best firewood covers are made of waterproof or water repellant materials. Water-resistant covers are unlikely to be effective in the colder months and likely won’t last through the year. Typically, cover materials fall on one end of the spectrum: they’re either waterproof or water-resistant. Covers made of water-repellant materials, while desirable, are less common.

The Best (And Worst) Firewood Cover Materials

Polyethylene, Polyurethane (PU), Polyurethane Laminate (PUL), and Gore-tex® are four popular materials for firewood covers. They’re all waterproof and extremely durable. Polyethylene traps heat well and is a great choice for colder climates, while PU, PUL, and Gore-tex® are more breathable and flexible. They allow for greater air circulation and are suitable for all weathers and climates.

Polyester, vinyl, and nylon are all water-resistant materials that are commonly used for tarps and wood rack covers. Polyester dries quickly and allows for great air circulation, making it a popular choice for balmy climates with little rain.

Vinyl and nylon are both exceptionally strong and don’t damage easily. However, vinyl doesn’t hold up well against heat and isn’t recommended for arid or hot environments.

Despite their varying effectiveness against water and certain climates, all of these materials are suitable for firewood covers and will keep your wood clean, dry, and ready for burning.

Just like there are desirable materials, there are also materials you should avoid when it comes to wood rack covers.

These and similar materials don’t hold up well against water or long-term exposure to any element. They are not as breathable and don’t allow for easy air circulation. They’re unlikely to protect your firewood and may even create a more humid environment, which defeats their purpose.

Size – How Much Coverage You Need

Whether you want a firewood cover that encloses your entire rack or a lighter model for spring and summer, the cover should be broad enough to cover the top of your woodpile.

You’ll need three primary measurements to gauge how much coverage you need and what size your cover will need to be. These are:

• Length – You can figure out how long your rack is by measuring from the farthest-left point to the farthest-right point (literally from one end of the rack to the other). This will tell you how long your cover will need to be.
• Width – Besides how long your rack is, you’ll also need to know how wide/ deep it is. Measure the distance from the front-most point of your rack to the back-most point— i.e., how many inches are between the front and back of the rack.
• Height – Measure from the bottom of the rack to the top of your woodpile or the top of your rack (whichever is the highest point) to see how tall your cover will need to be. It’s best if it covers all exposed wood.

Regarding the height of your cover, make sure it will fully protect the sides of your firewood. To do this, the cover should end closer to the ground, at least two inches beyond the bottom of your woodpile. This ensures rain, snow, etc. are completely shucked onto the ground instead of dripped onto your wood.

It’s best to give yourself anywhere from one-quarter to one-half of an inch leeway in case you measured wrong. This wiggle room will also make it easier to slip the cover on and off the rack in case it doesn’t have a zipper.

Prior to purchasing a cover, make absolutely sure it will fit the rack. Carefully look at the dimensions and read the reviews to ensure the fit is true to size. You can also look at customer pictures or unboxing videos to understand how it will look, fit, and function in reality.

Some covers come in a range of sizes, such as from Small to X-Large. If your rack’s measurements fall between the sizes, always go up one size. You can still work with a firewood cover that’s too large, but there’s not much you can do if the cover is too small.

Keep in mind, full enclosure covers won’t have a bottom on them. When you store your firewood, it should be at least 2 – 3 inches above the ground to avoid absorbing moisture and ensure air circulation from at least one angle.

As such, it would be difficult for firewood covers to wrap around the bottom of the woodpile, in addition to hindering air circulation.

Cost – What You Should Expect To Pay

Firewood covers come in a range of sizes and materials, and as such also come in a wide range of prices. Because of this, it’s possible for everyone to find a cover that falls within their budget.

Though it’s true that higher-quality covers will cost more, it’s not true that the most expensive firewood cover is automatically the best. Prices are affected by the materials and size, in addition to factors such as brand name, retailer, and country of origin.

For a waterproof cover made of quality materials, you can expect to pay anywhere from $30 – $80+. More budget-friendly (but still reliable) models are available for under $30. There are also rack-cover combo sets available for anywhere from $50 – $100+, depending on the size you need.

For a good deal on a great cover, look for sales and other discounts. If you can wait, holidays during the warmer months, such as Memorial Day and Easter, are opportunities to save money on a new wood rack cover. This also gives you the advantage of preparing for the colder months, which usually bring harsher weather.

How To Properly Use A Firewood Cover

Firewood covers should go over the top of your rack and completely or partially cover the top, front, back, and sides. It should preferably offer easy access, such as through panels or a zipper, so that you can remove wood as needed.

The cover should be kept on as much as possible throughout the year, but especially when you’re not actively using your wood. Typically, firewood use is tied to a seasonal cycle.

Most people burn their firewood during fall and winter, to ward off the cold weather and create a cozy night in. However, some people prefer to use their wood during the warmer months, for bonfires, roasts, and more. Either way, you know your schedule and when you’ll be burning firewood least often.

It’s also important to keep your firewood covered during the spring and winter, which typically hold the harshest weather in terms of moisture. Spring often brings rain, while winter involves snow. Over time, both will harm your woodpile.

Keep in mind, even the best firewood cover can’t protect your wood if it’s improperly stored. To keep your wood safe, it should be stored outside, off the ground, and away from your home and other buildings.

In terms of stacking, it’s best to place your wood in rows no more than four feet high. Wood that’s still curing should be stacked bark-side down; seasoned wood should go back-side up. 

Our Picks For Best Firewood Covers

The best firewood covers protect the entirety of your woodpile and rack, ensuring rain and other elements can’t damage or dampen the wood. Besides offering protection, covers should also allow for air ventilation.

To accomplish this, they’re made of high-quality, waterproof materials and offer full enclosure/ coverage of your woodpile.

Here’s a quick rundown of our picks for the best firewood covers: 

Below, we go into more detail about each firewood cover and their materials and construction, size, and cost.

Best Overall: Sunnydaze Firewood Log Rack Cover

The Sunnydaze firewood rack cover offers premium protection for all seasons. It’s made from heavy-duty polyester with an additional PVC backing for added protection, creating a waterproof cover that can hold up against the harshest weather conditions.

Air vents reduce moisture from humidity buildup and allow increased air circulation, ensuring your logs are protected against mold and mildew. Together, the air vents and a durable drawstring toggle cord prevent air lofting. The toggle cord also creates a tight fit even if the dimensions aren’t perfect.

In case you want to grab some of your firewood and go, this rack cover has a functional design with a loop and hook fastener release door, creating quick access panels. The panels seal with Velcro strips, creating a secure fit that’s still easy for you to open.

They offer 4 foot, 5 foot, and 8-foot options. The 4-foot option is 50” L x 24” W x 42” H, the 5-foot option is 62” L x 24” W x 42” H, and the 8-foot option is 96” L x 24” W x 42” H. Sunnydaze offers a one-year warranty on their wood rack covers.

Best Value: Khomo Gear Log Rack Cover (Panther Series)

The Khomo Gear log rack cover is designed for year-round, serious protection. The covers in the Panther series are made from four premium layered fabrics. The 500×300 polyester (600D Oxford) has a water-resistant PVC coating, topped with a waterproof PU coating. 

The outer layer also has a UV-resistant coating that won’t crack in hot or cold weather, even under the harshest conditions. Combined with hidden air vents for air circulation and ventilation, it’s guaranteed to keep your logs dry and safe against heat, cold, dust, water, and humidity.

And despite slipping on over the top of your rack, it offers easy access panels sealed with Velcro patches. It also has a belted hem with click-close leg straps to prevent the wind from lifting it. This way, you have access to your logs without ever having to have the cover off.

They offer a 4-foot and 8-foot option to fit smaller and larger racks. The 4-foot version is 48” L x 24” W x 42” H and the 8-foot version is 96” L x 24” W x 42” H. To create an even tighter custom fit, the cover comes with an elastic hem cord and toggle. 

Best Hoop: Homeya Firewood Log Hoop Cover

The HOMEYA firewood log hoop cover is perfect for people with rounded firewood racks. It’s made from durable polyester (420D Oxford) with waterproof and UV coatings to protect against the rain and sun alike. Tear-resistant and unlikely to crack, it will also keep your logs safe from dust, dirt, tree sap, mildew, and more.

To use, simply slip it over the top of your rack and secure it using the windproof adjustable buckles, which connect and secure underneath the rack. For easy access, this cover includes a side zipper that allows you to open a side panel and grab however many logs you need. For extra protection against wind lofting, there’s a Velcro strip at the bottom of the zipper.

HOMEYA offers 24 inch, 40 inch, and 48-inch versions to fit a variety of hoop racks. The 24 inch is 24” L x 24” W x 25” H, the 40 inch is 40” L x 24” W x 41” H, and the 48 inch is 48” L x 24” W x 49” H.

Best Combination: Amagabeli Firewood Log Rack With Cover

For people who need a log rack and a cover, combo sets are the way to go. Though combo sets are more expensive than a rack or cover individually, it’s more cost-effective to buy a set than to buy each piece on its own. So despite costing more upfront, it is more affordable in the long run.

The rack itself is heavy-duty and made of tubular steel with a black powder-coated finish. The cover is also made to withstand even the harshest elements and is constructed using polyester (600D Oxford) with a waterproof PVC backing. Dual air vents also ensure that your firewood remains cool and dry without letting in rain or moisture buildup.

To keep the cover snug on your rack, it comes with built-in buckle straps and an elastic drawstring. At the same time, hook-and-loop fastener closures create an easy access panel that allows you to uncover a portion of your wood without exposing it to the elements.

There are two combo sets available: a 4-foot rack with a cover and an 8-foot rack and cover set. The 4-foot rack measures 48” L x 14” W x 48” H with a 48” L x 24” W x 42” H cover. With the 8 foot option, you get a rack that measures 96” L x 14” W x 48” H and a cover that’s 96” L x 24” W x 42” H.

Final Thoughts: Choosing The Best Wood Rack Cover

Whether you want a traditional firewood rack cover, a hoop one, or a combo set, there are a wide variety of options available in all budget ranges. When considering which cover is right for you, there are a few cardinal rules: check the materials, look at the measurements twice, and consider the cost.

The best firewood covers are made using waterproof materials, will fit your log rack snugly while still having room to move, and will be a reasonable price compared to similar products.