Now everyone is trying to keep up to date and is gradually changing in their homes old wooden windows to new plastic ones. Many do not wonder what to do with old windows and just throw them away, but there are those that are still being asked. And I can recommend them to make a greenhouse or a mini greenhouse out of them. If you have your own site, then in the spring this is a very topical issue.
Tools and materials
We will not need as many things as it might seem. Such a small greenhouse can be assembled in your garage or shed in just a few hours.
Instruments:
- Drills for wood.
- Miter saw or manual.
- Jigsaw, circular saw or table saw.
- Screwdrivers.
- Roulette.
- Brush.
Materials:
- Two, three or four old window frames with glasses.
- Plywood or OSB.
- Wood screw.
- Frame beam
- Hinges.
- Sealant
- Paint.
- Ventilation hatch - optional.
I practically did not buy anything - everything was in the barn.
My greenhouse plan
The size of the greenhouse will depend entirely on the size and number of your windows. I personally took four pieces. You should choose the height of the greenhouse, I recommend taking into account the height of the plants that will grow there and take with a margin. The slope also needs to be chosen so as to facilitate the drainage of water during rain.
First of all, I laid out the frames and measured the overall size. They will be in this position and in this greenhouse. The size of the window frame will be approximately equal to the dimensions of the entire greenhouse. Measurements made - the results are recorded, it's time to go to the next step.
Cleaning and assembling windows together
Old windows were kept in my attic for a very long time, when I took them out, then naturally they were dirty, covered with a ten-year layer of dust and dirt. Old paint almost peeled off, in some places the frame was swollen.
I washed the windows with foam, sanded old paint, unscrewed the old hinges. If you have a mini-wash at home, using it would be a great option. I do not 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 again, because due to uneven and not tight joints, the size could not be measured correctly.
Assembly of 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 sectional, and built of 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 lie on and not fall through.
We assemble the frame. Fasten with long wood screws.
Greenhouse side
Now we will decide on the sides of the greenhouse. It will be a quadrangle, with an angle of inclination of 10-15 degrees. For construction I used a 20x40 bar. I don’t give the dimensions - you will have other windows, and therefore I give you the opportunity to improvise.
We assemble two such frames for two sides, fastening everything with self-tapping screws.
Assembling the frame
Now assemble the front and rear frames. Next, we collect the entire frame of the greenhouse together. Frames between themselves can be fastened either with self-tapping screws directly or using galvanized corners. The result was such a peculiar showcase. Very sturdy construction and under the weight of the windows just do not fall apart.
We fix the window frame
For convenience, we put the main frame for windows on the floor. We turn over the frame just assembled and put it on this frame. Next, fix everything with screws.
We fasten the walls of the greenhouse
Now we take plywood, cut out the size of the sides. Next we fasten to the walls. 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 on the street.
I chose green and painted the box.I painted the inside with white paint. White paint reflects light well and is an important choice.
Go to the windows. All nicks, cracks must be covered with a primer on wood. And only after that proceed to their painting.
I also missed all joints of glass with wood sealant. Now rainwater will not penetrate the joint between the glass and the frame.
Ventilation
This action is not necessary at all, and if you need to check, you can just slightly open the window. But I went far and crashed such a mini hatch. You can buy it at a hardware store that sells various items for home ventilation.
Plus, on the sides of the greenhouse, I screwed the door handles to conveniently carry the box from its place.
The greenhouse from the old windows is ready! Now your yields will be larger. Plants will begin to live and grow in conditions that are comfortable for them.
