Now everyone is trying to keep up with the times and are gradually replacing old wooden windows in their homes with new plastic ones. Many people don’t wonder what to do with old windows and simply throw them away, but there are those who still wonder. And I can recommend that they make a greenhouse or mini greenhouse out of them. If you have your own plot, then in spring this is a very pressing issue.
Tools and materials
We don't need as much as we might think. Such a small greenhouse can be assembled in your garage or shed in just a few hours.
Tools:
- Wood drills.
- Miter saw or hand saw.
- Jigsaw, circular saw or table saw.
- Screwdrivers.
- Roulette.
- Brush.
Materials:
- Two, three or four old window frames with glass.
- Plywood or OSB.
- Self-tapping screw for wood.
- Beam for frame
- Loops.
- Sealant
- Dye.
- Ventilation hatch - optional.
I bought practically nothing - everything was in the barn.
My greenhouse plan
The size of the greenhouse will depend entirely on the size and number of windows you have. I personally took four of them. It’s up to you to choose the height of the greenhouse; I recommend taking into account the height of the plants that will grow there and taking it with a reserve.The slope should also be chosen in such a way as to facilitate the drainage of water during rain.
The first thing I did was lay out the frames and measure the overall size. They will be in this position in this greenhouse. The size of the window frame will be approximately equal to the dimensions of the entire greenhouse. The measurements have been taken - the results are recorded, it's time to move on to the next step.
Cleaning and putting windows back together
My old windows were stored in the attic for a very long time; when I took them out, naturally they were dirty, covered with a ten-year layer of dust and dirt. The old paint was almost all peeling off, and the frame was swollen in some places.
I washed the windows with foam, sanded off the old paint, unscrewed the old hinges. If you have a mini-wash at home, using it would be an excellent option. I don’t have such a miracle, so I had to do everything the old fashioned way.
After all the windows were washed and cleaned, just in case, I measured it again, since due to uneven and loose joints the size could not be measured correctly.
Assembling the main frame of the greenhouse
It's time to make the main frame where these four windows will be inserted. Since the windows themselves are quite heavy, the main frame must be strong and reliable. The frame will be two sections, and built from 20x20 and 20x30 timber.
There will be two rows in total. The first will be exactly the size of the windows themselves, and the second will be slightly smaller so that the windows have something to rest on and not fall through.
Assembling the frame. We fasten it with long wood screws.
Greenhouse side
Now let's decide on the sides of the greenhouse. It will be a quadrangle, with an inclination angle of 10-15 degrees. For construction I used 20x40 timber. I don’t give the dimensions - you will have different windows, and therefore I give you the opportunity to improvise.
We assemble two such frames for both sides, fastening everything with self-tapping screws.
Assembling the frame
Now we assemble the front and rear frames. Next, we assemble the entire frame of the greenhouse together. The frames can be attached to each other either directly with self-tapping screws or using galvanized corners. It turned out to be a kind of showcase. The structure is very strong and will definitely not fall apart under the weight of the windows.
Fastening the window frame
For ease of fastening, we place the main window frame on the floor. We turn the newly assembled frame over and place it on this frame. Next, we fix everything with self-tapping screws.
Screwing the walls of the greenhouse
Now we take plywood and cut it to the size of the sides. Next we screw it to the walls. The plywood is screwed to the frame inside the box, and not from the outside.
Greenhouse painting
I decided to paint the resulting box. For these purposes, you need to use paint that will behave well under atmospheric changes, since the greenhouse will be located outside.
I chose green and painted the box. I painted the inside sides with white paint. White paint reflects light well and is an important choice.
Go to the windows. All nicks and cracks must be covered with wood primer. And only after that proceed to painting them.
I also sealed all the joints between the glass and the wood with sealant. Now rainwater will not penetrate the joint between the glass and the frame.
Ventilation
This action is not at all necessary, and if you need to check, you can simply open the window a little. But I went further and installed this mini hatch. You can buy it at a hardware store that sells various things for home ventilation.
Plus, I screwed door handles to the sides of the greenhouse for easy transportation of the box from place to place.
The greenhouse made from old windows is ready! Now your harvests will be greater. Plants will begin to live and grow in conditions that are comfortable for them.
Original article in English
