6 Best Firewood Tarps For Covering Stacks Of Wood That Prevent Mold & Rot
Protect your firewood from rot. We review the 6 best tarps that block rain and snow while providing essential airflow to prevent mold and decay.
There’s nothing more frustrating than splitting and stacking a perfect cord of wood, only to find it punky and mold-ridden come winter. A cheap, shredded blue tarp flapping in the wind is a sure sign of wasted effort. The right cover isn’t just about keeping rain off; it’s about actively helping your firewood season properly.
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Why Proper Tarping Prevents Firewood Rot
The biggest mistake people make is wrapping a woodpile like a birthday present. Sealing a stack of wood airtight traps the moisture that’s already inside, creating a humid, stagnant environment perfect for fungus and rot. You’re essentially building a terrarium for mold.
The goal of a good tarp is to act as a roof, not a blanket. It should shed rain and snow from the top while leaving the sides of the stack exposed to the open air. This is crucial. Wind moving through the sides of the pile is what wicks away moisture and allows the wood to season effectively.
Think of it this way: you want to protect the wood from precipitation, not from the wind. Proper tarping keeps the top dry and the sides breathing. A tarp that extends all the way to the ground suffocates the pile, guaranteeing you’ll have damp, smoky wood that’s difficult to light and produces a lot of creosote.
Dry Top Heavy Duty Tarp: All-Weather Armor
When you have a large, free-form woodpile, a heavy-duty poly tarp is your most reliable workhorse. The Dry Top brand is a solid example of this category, known for its thickness, often measured in mils. Look for something in the 10-mil or higher range for real durability.
These tarps are built for abuse. They feature rope-reinforced hems and rust-proof grommets, which means they won’t tear out the first time a strong gust of wind hits them. Their sheer weight helps them stay put, and the thick polyethylene material can handle years of sun, snow, and ice without cracking. They are your go-to for covering large, irregularly shaped stacks that a fitted cover won’t handle.
The main tradeoff is their bulk. A large, heavy-duty tarp can be unwieldy for one person to manage, especially in the wind. But for set-it-and-forget-it protection over a massive pile that will sit for a full year or more, their resilience is unmatched.
Kotap Poly Tarp: Superior UV-Resistant Pick
Sunlight is the silent killer of standard tarps. The ultraviolet radiation breaks down the polyethylene, making it brittle and causing it to flake apart, often in less than a single season. A UV-treated tarp, like those from Kotap, is specifically designed to combat this.
This isn’t just a gimmick. The UV treatment is a chemical stabilizer added during manufacturing that significantly extends the life of the material when exposed to direct sun. While it might cost a bit more upfront, you’ll get several seasons of use out of it, making it far more economical than replacing a cheap tarp every year. This is especially important if your woodpile is in an open field with no shade.
Consider this your "buy it once, buy it right" option for poly tarps. If you’re tired of finding your woodpile covered in blue plastic confetti every spring, investing in a UV-resistant model is a practical, long-term solution. It protects your wood and saves you the recurring cost and hassle of replacement.
Redneck Convent Cover: For Standard Log Racks
If you use those common 4-foot or 8-foot metal log racks, a fitted cover is the most elegant and effective solution. The Redneck Convent cover is a prime example of a product designed for a specific job. It drapes perfectly over the top of a standard rack, leaving the sides almost completely open for maximum airflow.
These covers solve the biggest problem of using a generic tarp on a rack: securing it properly. They use buckles or hook-and-loop fasteners to attach directly to the rack’s frame, so they won’t blow away. The design inherently promotes proper seasoning by only covering the top third of the wood, preventing rain from soaking in while encouraging cross-ventilation.
The obvious limitation is its lack of versatility. It’s made for one purpose and one size. If you stack your wood in a different configuration, it’s useless. But for anyone using standard log racks, this is the simplest, most foolproof way to ensure your wood seasons correctly.
Xpose Safety Tarp: The Ultimate Tear Resistance
A regular tarp can easily be punctured by a sharp, upturned branch on your woodpile. High winds can then catch that small hole and rip the tarp to shreds. For those in windy locations or who just want maximum durability, a super heavy-duty, tear-resistant tarp is the answer.
Xpose Safety tarps are built with a tighter weave and a thicker coating, making them exceptionally resistant to punctures and tears. They feel substantially more robust in your hands. This is the kind of tarp you can pull taut over a pile with jagged ends and not worry about it failing.
This level of durability comes with extra weight and cost. It’s likely overkill for a small, sheltered woodpile. But if your stacks are exposed to the elements or you’re covering wood with lots of sharp, protruding limbs, the investment in a tear-resistant tarp prevents the catastrophic failure that can leave your entire winter fuel supply soaked.
Chicago Canvas Tarp: The Breathable Option
Before plastic tarps existed, people used treated canvas, and for good reason. A water-resistant canvas tarp offers a significant advantage: breathability. While it repels liquid water from rain and snow, it still allows water vapor to pass through it.
This is a game-changer for seasoning wood. A poly tarp can trap condensation underneath it on a cool morning after a humid night, essentially creating its own rain. A canvas tarp allows that trapped vapor to escape, creating a much drier environment for your wood. This is the absolute best option for preventing mold and accelerating drying time.
The tradeoffs are significant. Canvas is much heavier than poly, considerably more expensive, and may require occasional re-treatment with a waterproofing wax to maintain its effectiveness. However, for those who are serious about producing perfectly seasoned firewood and prefer a durable, long-lasting natural material, a treated canvas tarp is in a class of its own.
Terra Hiker Tarp: A Lightweight & Versatile Choice
Sometimes you just need to cover a small, temporary stack of wood, or you need a tarp that can pull double duty. A lightweight camping or utility tarp, like one from Terra Hiker, is perfect for this role. They are incredibly easy for one person to handle, pack down small, and often come with their own guylines and stakes.
These are not meant for long-term, heavy-duty use on a primary woodpile. Their thinner material won’t stand up to years of sun and abrasion. But they are ideal for covering a weekend’s worth of wood on the porch, a small stack of kindling, or a load of freshly split wood you need to protect from a surprise rainstorm before you can stack it properly.
Their versatility is their greatest strength. When it’s not covering wood, it can be used as a ground cloth, a shelter, or a cover for equipment. Think of it as a quick, convenient solution rather than a permanent fixture.
Securing Your Tarp for Optimal Air Circulation
Buying the right tarp is only half the battle; how you secure it determines whether it will work. The key is to create an air gap between the tarp and the top of the wood. This prevents moisture from getting trapped and encourages airflow.
A simple way to do this is to place a few logs or a larger piece of split wood running down the center of the stack, on top of the other wood. When you drape the tarp over this "ridgepole," it creates a pitched roof. Water will run off efficiently, and air can still circulate underneath.
Use bungee cords, ropes with weights, or even just heavy rocks placed on top to hold the tarp down. Avoid wrapping ropes tightly around the entire pile, as this can restrict airflow. The goal is a secure roof that hangs over the sides by at least a few inches but allows the wind to pass freely through the body of the stack.
Ultimately, a good tarp is a small investment to protect the significant time and labor you’ve put into your firewood. Whether you choose a heavy-duty poly, a breathable canvas, or a fitted cover, remember the principle: protect the top, but always let the sides breathe. That simple rule is the difference between smoky, frustrating fires and a warm, hassle-free winter.
