Today, a huge number of people have a suburban area, which are engaged in the cultivation of vegetables and fruits. There are quite a few ways to build a greenhouse out of a wide variety of materials, but the best option would be a do-it-yourself greenhouse made of window frames, a photo of which is presented to your attention in the article. Such a structure does not require large financial costs and is excellent for growing seedlings. You can do it quickly if you follow certain instructions, which will be discussed later.
Building Features
Most people throw away old windows, but they can be reused. If you have a personal plot, then on it from the windows you can build a greenhouse that will protect seedlings from drafts and cold, as well as provide it with sufficient sunlight. At the same time, there are quite a few options for building a greenhouse, each of which depends solely on your ingenuity and ingenuity.
In order to make a greenhouse from window frames, which everyone can do with their own hands, it turned out to be of high quality and has served for quite some time, it can be built on a previously prepared foundation, as well as to foam the joints of individual elements.
Greenhouse construction methods
You can build a greenhouse from old window frames using three main methods that the vast majority of farmers use:
- A frame is made from the bars, which is sheathed with boards. The cover is made of old windows. This design has high strength and allows you to plant seedlings and care for them without much difficulty.
- The frame is not lined with boards, but glazed. This will ensure maximum penetration of sunlight, which is vital for absolutely all representatives of the flora.
- The greenhouse is made entirely of old window frames fastened together.
You can build a greenhouse with your own hands from window frames and using any other technology that you like best. There are no restrictions and prohibitions, so do not be afraid to experiment and be creative.
The main advantages of greenhouses
A do-it-yourself greenhouse made from old window frames, in addition to cheapness and ease of erection, has even more advantages, the main ones are:
- practicality - the greenhouse perfectly protects seedlings from the aggressive effects of external factors;
- environmental safety - wood, being a natural material, is ideal for building greenhouses;
- strength - frames are made of oak and larch, which are considered one of the most durable tree species. With proper care of the frames, they will last more than a dozen years;
- heat capacity - old windows are able to retain heat for a rather long period of time, and also allow sunlight to pass through well;
- good lighting - thanks to the light transmission of glass, in a greenhouse from window frames, which everyone can do with their own hands, seedlings receive the same amount of light as plants on the street.
It is worth noting that if you have window frames without glasses, then it is not necessary to glaze them. You can simply cover the sash with plastic wrap.
Building a greenhouse out of windows: general notes
Many farmers are interested in the question of how to make a greenhouse from window frames with their own hands? This structure has a fairly simple structure, consisting of a support, frame and cover. Therefore, having at least some idea of each element, you can easily build a greenhouse.
Preparatory stage
Before starting construction, it is necessary to determine the place for the construction, develop a drawing, buy the missing materials and prepare the tool.
Drawing up a drawing is very important, especially if the greenhouse will be built from window frames of different sizes. The size of the greenhouse depends on the number and length of the beds. When the drawing is ready, you need to calculate the amount of consumables.
When choosing a place for construction, it is recommended to give preference to well-lit areas. There should not be shrubs and trees nearby that can create shade. In addition, if you plan to grow seedlings in the winter, then a DIY greenhouse made from old window frames should be protected from the north winds, which can lead to large heat losses.
A few words about the ground
The greenhouse is best erected on dry and strong ground. This is due to the fact that the window frames have an impressive mass, as a result of which a rather large load will be created on the soil. In addition, moisture has a detrimental effect on the tree. If clay is on the plot, then the greenhouse should be built on a gravel cushion about ten centimeters thick. It is worth noting that a greenhouse cannot be built on a plot of land where groundwater is very close to the surface.
Preparation of window frames for the construction of the greenhouse
Before you build a greenhouse from the window frames with your own hands, you must first prepare the old windows. First of all, you need to perform a visual inspection for any defects and rot, and then dismantle the glass and accessories.
Further, the sashes are completely cleaned of paint and treated with special antiseptic agents that protect the tree from moisture and other pests. If cracks were found during the inspection, then they should be putty without fail, and after drying, remove excess material. The final stage of preparing window frames is painting. To do this, it is better to use enamel paints, since they are not afraid of moisture and severe frosts.
Foundation construction
A greenhouse made of window frames, which is quite easy to build with your own hands, should be built on the foundation. This will not only increase the height of the greenhouse for more comfortable work with seedlings, but also prevent soil from contacting the tree, as a result of which it will be much less susceptible to decay processes and will last much longer.
If you want to build a greenhouse for centuries, then the optimal solution would be a concrete foundation of a strip type. For its construction it is necessary to dig a trench along the perimeter of the future structure. Its depth depends on the climatic conditions of your region, but in most cases, 60 centimeters is enough.
At the bottom of the trench, an embankment of rubble and a sand cushion is created, which is poured with concrete from above. After the solution sets, you can proceed to the construction of the formwork. To increase the strength, you can use stones and reinforcement. After pouring the foundation, it needs to be given for about a month for the concrete to solidify completely.
The construction of the greenhouse can be carried out without formwork, however, in this case it will be necessary to build a support with a height of 30 centimeters from a wooden beam. The bars should be pre-treated with used engine oil, which will provide reliable protection for the tree from pests and negative environmental factors.
If you want to build a mini-greenhouse out of window frames with your own hands, then a trench 30 centimeters deep will be enough. The process of building the foundation is carried out in the same manner as described above. However, it is worth noting that such a greenhouse will freeze in regions with harsh winters.
The construction of the greenhouse frame
The frame is constructed from racks tied at the top and bottom. For tying, you can use boards or corners. The lower harness is recommended to be performed at the stage of pouring the foundation with concrete. This will significantly increase the strength and stability of the future structure.
For the assembly of the greenhouse frame, the following materials will be required:
- wooden beam with a cross section of 10x10 cm;
- 4 cm thick boards - 8 pieces;
- side racks - 4 pieces;
- intermediate racks - 8 pieces.
In addition, metal corners will be needed to connect all the elements of the frame. If you use steel parts, it is advisable to treat them with anti-corrosion agents.
Frame Assembly: Walkthrough
Do-it-yourself single-pitch greenhouse from window frames is made in the following sequence:
- A wooden beam is fixed to the foundation, which acts as the base of the frame. For this, anchor bolts are used.
- Vertical racks are installed.
- The lower trimming of the racks is carried out using boards and nails.
- Intermediate racks are installed. Between them should leave a gap equal to the width of the window frame.
- The upper binding is carried out according to the principle similar to the lower binding.
- The finished frame is processed with special antiseptic agents that protect the tree from rot and harmful insects.
If you want to build a gable carcass, then the first thing you need to do is assemble it, and only then install it on the foundation. In addition, for racks it is better to use a bar with a large cross section.
Greenhouse cover
A simple greenhouse from window frames, which you can make with your own hands in just one day, is best covered with film or polycarbonate. It is better to refuse to use windows, since they will significantly increase the weight of the structure and create a higher load on the foundation.
When film coating, the angle of inclination of the roof should be greater than when using windows. This is necessary in order to prevent the formation of snow caps on the film, as well as to ensure that rainwater quickly flows down the film and does not stagnate on it. When using polycarbonate, the slope is not critical, since it has a higher density than the film.
How to make a greenhouse from window frames coated with polycarbonate sheets? Very simple. To fasten the coating, bolts with wide washers are used. With a small angle of inclination of the roof, it is necessary to leave small overhangs so that the water does not stagnate on it. If you prefer a film coating, then wooden battens are used to fix this material. To prevent sagging of the film, it is laid on a mesh frame, which can be made of various materials available, for example, from a cord.
Installation and fastening of windows
When the roof of the greenhouse is completed, you can proceed with the installation of window frames. It is better to do this from the outside so that they can be opened in the warm season. Screws are usually used for fixing. To minimize heat loss during the cold months, all joints are filled with foam.
Glass is recommended to be laid on silicone and only after that bead. This will allow complete insulation and prevent cold air from entering through the windows into the greenhouse.
If a small greenhouse of window frames, which every farmer can do with his own hands, has windows, then their condition should be checked. They should be hung perfectly evenly, without distortions. You should also make hooks and a latch for them so that the windows are closed in winter and open for ventilation in the summer.
If the greenhouse is large and has doors, it is best to install them in the end of the greenhouse. The opposite end can be covered with film to provide better lighting.
On this, the process of manufacturing a greenhouse from window frames is completed and you can begin to fall asleep in the greenhouse chernozem, the formation of beds and planting seedlings. If the structure was built taking into account all the tips and recommendations that were given in this article, then you can grow vegetable crops throughout the year.