Building a greenhouse from old window frames
Any summer resident can make a greenhouse with his own hands from old window frames. The main thing is to stock up on old wooden frames and beams for the foundation. Having survived the winter, the human body needs to replenish the reserves expended during the cold weather - vitamins, amino acids and other useful substances. The main suppliers of this valuable raw material are, of course, fresh vegetables. And the sooner they appear in the diet, the better. It is impossible to grow early products in the middle lane without special shelters, hotbeds and greenhouses; it is quite expensive to buy in the market or in the supermarket. And not every summer resident can afford to build a solid greenhouse. How to be in such a situation?
Is it possible, at minimal cost, to make a small structure that will make it possible to bring the harvest time closer by several weeks? The optimal solution to the issue will be the construction of a greenhouse from old window frames on the garden plot, and it is better to build it yourself. It's cheaper and more practical.
Old windows - new life
The market for construction materials abounds in modern, high-quality, high-tech materials. This also applies to windows. Plastic structures are replacing wooden ones everywhere. You can get old frames with little effort. Overhaul of an apartment with friends or in your house is an opportunity to get hold of free material for a future greenhouse. You can negotiate with companies involved in the installation of plastic windows, or just go for a run through the yards and entrances. Believe me, there are a lot of orphaned wooden frames in your city.
Advantages of the construction of a greenhouse from window frames
Comparing different types of greenhouses for individual farming, we came to the conclusion that a structure built with window frames has a large number of positive factors. "Garden under glass" is popular not only among amateur summer residents, but also among professional farmers:
- Minimum construction costs. Materials are used that have already served their service life. Usually they are given away for free, sometimes for a symbolic payment.
- We build with our own hands. You do not need to have special skills, the design is so simple that an inexperienced owner can do it.
- Practicality. It is quickly assembled, if necessary, it can be simply disassembled. Convenient to work with.
- Strength. The frame structure makes the greenhouse strong enough in adverse weather conditions (rain, snow, strong wind, etc.).
- Environmental friendliness. It is made of the purest material - wood, which, unlike plastic film, with proper processing and careful operation, will last more than one year.
- Glass has better light transmittance than other materials.
- Durability. The service life of the window modules is many times greater than that of the film and other covering materials.
As practice shows, greenhouses of this type have practically no drawbacks.
Construction stages
Construction of this kind is not particularly difficult. However, there are four main stages that you cannot do without:
- Design. Any construction begins with a project, even such a small object as a greenhouse. A drawing is made on paper showing and taking into account the dimensions of the frames used. The place for the greenhouse is chosen in such a way that the slope of the frames falls on the south side. This will provide better heating of the interior space.
- Foundation. The foundation is laid depending on the type of greenhouse. Usually shallow, more often tape.
- Installation of the frame. At the next stage, a frame is installed, where the front side is lower than the back wall, taking into account the slope of the modules 20-30 degrees.
- The final part of the construction is the installation of the old frames on the frame. Fastening of frames to curtains will be appropriate. Thus, in hot weather, it will be possible to open the windows, and the plants inside will have access to fresh air. You can make it even easier - use the vents in the frames as ventilation.
An important point in the process of creating a greenhouse is the processing of wood with paints and varnishes, which will increase the service life of such a mini-greenhouse several times!
That's basically the whole technology. You can make such a warm bed with your own hands in a few days.
What can be grown under glass
What can be grown in greenhouses of this configuration? Almost everything. Usually they are used for growing seedlings of various vegetable crops. But many summer residents use greenhouses for forcing greenery, and not only for personal use, but also for sale on the market. Isn't it a home business? Can be used to produce early strawberries and flowering plants. It is convenient to grow cucumbers in it.
Naturally, it is not necessary to consider the use of greenhouses from window frames as a component for business on an industrial scale. But for personal needs, this is an irreplaceable thing.
And finally
The design features of such greenhouses largely depend on the availability of material and the gardener's imagination. Everyone can do something unusual and creative. However, it should be remembered that the structure must be airtight, and if its use is planned for a long time, it is better to make the structure capital.
How many summer residents - so many opinions, design options and methods for using greenhouses. Suggest your options for a small operating greenhouse from window frames, tell us how you built it with your own hands. Let's together choose the best design for a garden bed under glass.
Big harvests for everyone!