What's the difference between a face cord (or rick) and a full cord of firewood?
A full cord is a fixed, legal volume — 128 cubic feet, stacked 4 feet high by 8 feet long by 4 feet deep. A face cord (or rick) is only one row of that stack: 4 feet high, 8 feet long, but only as deep as the logs are long — usually about 16 inches. So a face cord is roughly a third of a full cord.
One is defined, the other isn't
'Cord' is a real unit of measure — in most states, including North Carolina, a full cord means 128 cubic feet of stacked wood, the classic 4-by-4-by-8 pile. 'Face cord' and 'rick' are informal terms with no fixed legal depth. They describe a single face of that stack: full height and length, but only one log deep. Since firewood is commonly cut 16 inches long, a typical face cord is about 16 inches deep — roughly a third of a full cord. But if the seller's logs are cut 12 or 24 inches, that 'rick' shrinks or grows accordingly.
Where buyers get burned
This is exactly where an unclear firewood deal goes sideways. Someone quotes a 'cord' but delivers a face cord, or sells a 'rick' without saying how deep the logs are cut — and a rick of 12-inch splits is a lot less wood than a rick of 20-inch splits for the same money. We hear from customers who thought they'd bought a winter's worth and ran short by January. The fix is simple: always confirm whether you're buying a full cord or a face cord, and always ask the log length.
How to protect yourself
Get it in plain terms before money changes hands: how many full cords, or how many face cords and at what log length, and whether the price includes delivery and stacking. When it arrives, stack it and check the dimensions — a true full cord stacks to about 4 by 4 by 8 feet, tightly piled, not loosely tossed. In North Carolina, firewood is sold by the cord or fraction of a cord, so a reputable seller will talk in cords without flinching. Questions about how much wood your stove or fireplace will actually go through? Call (828) 545-0525.
Related questions
- What is a cord of firewood, and how many cords do I need for a winter?
- How much does a cord of firewood cost in Western North Carolina?
- What should I look for when buying firewood?
- What length should firewood be cut for my fireplace or stove?
- Is it cheaper to buy green firewood in spring and season it myself?
- How do I know if my house has natural gas or propane?
Still deciding? Talk to a real installer.
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