The second life of old materials: greenhouses from window frames
What is the best greenhouse material? Each host will answer this question differently. First of all, the choice depends on financial capabilities.
A greenhouse made of old window frames is a budget option that does not require serious capital investments. This design is easy to do with your own hands. The construction process does not take much time.
How to choose the right material for a homemade greenhouse
How to build:
- dig into the ground the posts treated with fungicidal preparations;
- attach flex branches to them;
- the distance between the posts is no more than 1.4 m;
- connect the ends of the opposite branches;
- the frame is ready;
- cover.
Option number 2. Greenhouse made of metal mesh
To make this fairly strong structure, take a welded mesh or chain-link:
- at a sufficient depth, fix the posts in the ground;
- make a strapping from a bar or boards, fix a mesh on it;
- Pull the transparent film over the frame.
Greenhouses from old window frames
Many owners make a shelter for plants from unnecessary frames, which, after repair, some people simply throw away in a landfill. Of all types of structures made from scrap materials, this one is the most durable and strong. The cost of work is minimal.
Second life of old windows
The design deserves a closer look. Learn all the nuances of building an inexpensive and reliable greenhouse.
Design features
- This design allows enough light to pass through and protects plants well from the effects of precipitation. Regular ventilation will help prevent high humidity.
- The structure will last for more than one year. In such a building, you can install the system
- An ordinary home craftsman can build an inexpensive greenhouse. It takes patience and accuracy. An assistant will not hurt.
The more precisely the frames are selected and fitted, the better the structure looks.
Where to install the greenhouse?
There are several requirements for the place:
- flat, well-lit, wind-protected area;
- the absence of tall trees or high-rise buildings near them, creating a shadow;
- the longer side of the greenhouse should be from north to south.
Nuances to be aware of:
- choose window frames of the same size;
- make sure that the glass is intact, and the tree is not rotten;
- calculate the required number of frames, take a couple in stock;
- before installation, remove all fittings, remove old paint, treat the tree with a composition against fungi;
- paint the frames after the fungicide has dried.
Pros and cons of greenhouses from old windows
There are more advantages than disadvantages. Judge for yourself.
Positive sides:
- glass transmits ultraviolet light well. Plants stretch quickly and bear fruit well;
- a properly assembled greenhouse retains a sufficient amount of heat;
- glass is easier to tidy up than film;
- broken glass is easy to replace.
Disadvantages of the structure:
- heavy glass needs a foundation;
- coarse hail can damage the coating;
- without ventilation, it may be too hot indoors on sunny days.
These shortcomings are not serious enough to spoil the overall impression of a window frame greenhouse. Many of them are easy to fix.
How to build a greenhouse from old windows
Prepare enough material before starting to build
Pay attention to the nuances:
- First, find a sufficient number of old windows. You may need more than one day.
- Second, study the material on the topic and watch the video. You must be clear about how to proceed.
- Finally, deal with the timing. from unnecessary frames freezes for about three weeks. During this period, you will surely have time to find suitable frames.
Contact the company that installs plastic windows. Perhaps the staff will tell you the address where free material for your greenhouse will appear in the near future. Try it, most likely it will help you.
If you are building a greenhouse with your own hands
The owner will be assisted by diagrams with applied dimensions, which can be taken as a basis. If you are planning to build a structure of a different size, be sure to complete a drawing of the future structure.
Do not build by eye... Measure each frame. You will understand what size it will turn out.
Keep old windows the same size. This will make them easier to attach.
Pay special attention to the position of the frames... Install them strictly according to the level. A skewed frame will lead to various problems.
On the drawing, indicate the location of the beds and aisles.... The width of the beds is about a meter. It is advisable that there is free space for walking.
If the building is large, make a passage the width of a small cart... Carrying fertilizer in buckets is a bad idea.
Frame for a greenhouse from window frames
For the strength and reliability of a homemade plant shelter, make a wooden frame. You will need a 50 x 50 cm timber or a good quality dry board that is sized for the width of the window frames (4 cm).
Attach the long window frame elements to the uprights. This will reliably insulate the gap between adjacent frames.
Frame details:
- rack;
- bottom strapping;
- top harness.
For fastening use:
- nails;
- screws.
What's better? Screws, of course. They are more expensive, but the connection is more durable. Fasten frames not only from the outside. On the inside, place the fastening on a support board of medium thickness.
After connecting the frames, blow out all the cracks with polyurethane foam. Do not be stingy, a high-quality construction will keep warm well even in cold weather.
Do you need a foundation?
Most of the owners who have equipped a homemade greenhouse from window frames do not regret that they made the basis for their greenhouse. The foundation will not only be a good support for the frame. Pouring the base helps maintain the correct temperature in the greenhouse and reduces heat loss.
Foundation types:
- tape;
- point;
- metal.
The most durable and reliable is tape. The fill depth depends on the region. Check the depth of soil freezing in your area.
The foundation is poured around the perimeter. Base width - at least 100 m. For a winter greenhouse, insulate the foundation from the outside. Plates made of lightweight polystyrene foam with high water-repellent properties are suitable.
A common variant of a strip foundation is concrete or masonry. Check the quality of the foundation filling by level. Skews are unacceptable.
Making a greenhouse from window frames
A detailed video instruction will be a good help. After viewing this material, any owner can easily figure out all the intricacies of making and installing a homemade shelter for plants.
Useful Tips
There are little things that can affect the operation of a homemade greenhouse. Pay attention to them:
- Frames should not be rotten. Throw away frames even with small rotten areas without regret.
- Check if the vents open.
- Do not forget to treat the tree with fungicidal compounds, otherwise the frames will begin to rot;
- Do not make paths less than 50 cm wide - it will be inconvenient to walk between grown plants;
- Remember to ventilate the greenhouse. Excessive moisture and high temperatures impair the development of plants.
- The best material for a roof is polycarbonate or, in extreme cases, a film. The window frames are too heavy, there is too much sunlight coming through and the plants are overheating.
Greenhouse from window frames photo
There are enough options for homemade greenhouses.
Build a homemade greenhouse according to the recommendations and enjoy the fruits of your labor.