How to make a greenhouse from window frames with your own hands?

To date, a huge number of people have a suburban site, which are engaged in the cultivation of vegetables and fruits. There are quite a few ways to build a greenhouse of a wide variety of materials, but the best option will be a self-made greenhouse of window frames, a photo of which is presented to your attention in the article. Such a construction does not require large financial costs and is excellent for growing seedlings. It can be done quickly if you follow a certain instruction, which will be discussed later.

Features of buildings

Most people throw old windows, but they can be reused. If you have a private plot, then on it you can build a greenhouse from windows, which will protect seedlings and cold seedlings, and also provide it with enough sunlight. In this case, there are quite a few options for erecting a greenhouse, each of which depends solely on your ingenuity and ingenuity.

To greenhouse from the window frames, each can make their own, it turned out good quality and lasted for a long time, it can be erected on a previously prepared foundation, as well as to locate the joints of individual elements.

Methods of erecting greenhouses

Building a greenhouse from old window frames can be done using three main methods that are used by the vast majority of farmers:

1. From the beams a frame is made, which is covered with boards. The lid is made of old windows. This design has high strength and allows you to easily plant and care for seedlings.
2. The frame is not covered with boards, but glazes. This will ensure maximum penetration of sunlight, which is vitally important for all representatives of the flora.
3. The greenhouse is completely made of old window frames, fastened together.

You can build a greenhouse with your own hands from window frames and any other technology that you like best. There are no restrictions and prohibitions, so do not be afraid to experiment and show ingenuity.

Main advantages of greenhouses

The self-made greenhouse from the old window frames, in addition to the cheapness and simplicity of construction, has even more advantages, the main among which are:

• Practicality - the greenhouse perfectly protects seedlings from the aggressive influence 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 to be one of the most durable tree species. With proper care of the frames, they will last for several decades;
• Heat capacity - old windows are able to retain heat for a fairly long period of time, and also pass sunlight well;
• Good lighting - thanks to the light transmitting ability of the glass, in the greenhouse from the window frames, with their own hands to make which everyone can, the seedlings receive the same amount of light as the plants on the street.

It is worth noting that if you have window frames without glasses, it is not necessary to glaze them. You can simply wrap the sash with a plastic wrap.

Building greenhouses from windows: general comments

Many farmers are interested in the question of how to make a greenhouse of window frames with their own hands? This structure has a fairly simple design, 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 you start the construction, you need to decide on a place for erection, draw a drawing, buy the missing materials and prepare the tool.

Drawing up the drawing is very important, especially if the greenhouse will be erected 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 number of consumables.

When choosing a site for construction, it is recommended to give preference to well-lit areas. There should not be any bushes and trees nearby that can create a shadow. In addition, if you plan to grow seedlings in the winter, then a self-made greenhouse of old window frames should be protected from the northern winds, which can lead to large heat losses.

A few words about the ground

It is best to erect a greenhouse on a 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 harmful effect on the tree. If the clay soil is on the plot, then it is better to build a greenhouse on a pillow of gravel about ten centimeters thick. It is worth noting that a greenhouse can not be built on a plot of land where groundwater is very close to the surface.

Preparation of window frames for the construction of a 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 their visual inspection for any defects and rot, and then dismantle the glass and accessories.

Further, the leaves are completely cleaned from the paint and treated with special antiseptic agents that protect the tree from moisture and other pests. If cracks were found during the inspection, they should be plastered without fail, and after drying, remove excess material. The final stage of preparation of window frames is painting. To do this, it is better to use enamel paints, because they are not afraid of moisture and severe frost.

Foundation construction

The greenhouse from the window frames, with his own hands that can be built quite easily, should be erected on the foundation. This will not only increase the height of the greenhouse for more comfortable work with seedlings, but also prevent ground contact with the tree, as a result of which it will be much less exposed to rotting processes and will last much longer.

If you want to build a greenhouse for centuries, the optimal solution will be a concrete foundation of the belt type. For its erection it is necessary to excavate a trench along the perimeter of the future construction. Its depth depends on the climatic conditions of your region, but in most cases, 60 centimeters is enough.

At the bottom of the trench a mound of rubble is created and a sand cushion, which is poured from above with concrete. After the mortar is seized, you can proceed to erect formwork. To increase strength, you can use stones and reinforcement. After pouring the foundation, it should be given about a month to completely solidify the concrete.

The construction of the greenhouse can also be carried out without formwork, but in this case it will be necessary to build a support of 30 cm in height from a wooden beam. The bars must first be 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 of window frames with your own hands, then there will be enough trench depth of 30 centimeters. The process of erecting the foundation is carried out in the same way as described above. However, it is worth noting that such a hothouse will freeze in regions with severe winters.

Erection of a greenhouse frame

The frame is constructed from racks tied on top and bottom. For binding, you can use boards or corners. The lower strapping is recommended to be carried out at the stage of pouring the foundation with concrete. This will significantly increase the strength and stability of the future structure.

The length of the greenhouse frame assembly will require the following materials:

• Wooden bar section 10x10 cm;
• Board thickness of 4 cm - 8 pieces;
• Side racks - 4 pieces;
• Intermediate stands - 8 pieces.

In addition, metal corners will be needed to connect all the elements of the frame. If you use steel parts, it is desirable to treat them with anti-corrosion agents.

Building a frame: a step-by-step guide

One-run greenhouse of window frames with their own hands is made in the following sequence:

1. On the foundation is fixed a wooden beam, which acts as the base of the frame. Anchor bolts are used for this.
2. Vertical racks are installed.
3. The lower strapping of the racks is carried out with the help of boards and nails.
4. Intermediate racks are installed. Between them, you should leave a gap equal to the width of the window frame.
5. The upper strapping is carried out according to the principle similar to the lower strapping.
6. The finished frame is treated with special antiseptic means protecting the tree from rot and harmful insects.

If you want to build a gable skeleton, the first thing to do is to assemble it, and then install it on the foundation. In addition, it is better to use a beam with a larger cross-section for racks.

Greenhouse coating

A simple greenhouse of window frames, which you can make with your own hands in just one day, is best covered with film or polycarbonate. It is better not to use windows because they will significantly increase the weight of the structure and create a higher load on the foundation.

With a 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, and also to ensure that rain water quickly flows down the film, rather than stagnating on it. When using polycarbonate, the bias is of no fundamental importance, since it has a higher density than the film.

How to make a greenhouse from window frames with a coating of polycarbonate sheets? Very simple. Bolts with wide washers are used for fixing the coating. At 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 to fix this material use wooden slats. To prevent sagging of the film, it is laid on a wire frame, which can be made from 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. Do it better on the outside, so that they can be opened in the warm season. Screws are usually used for fixation. To minimize heat loss during the cold months, all joints are filled with foam.

It is recommended to stack the glasses on silicone and only after that they should be packed. This will ensure complete isolation and prevent cold air from entering through the windows inside the greenhouse.

If a small hotbed of window frames, which each farmer can make by his own hands, has a window, then you should check their condition. They should be pinned perfectly evenly, without distortion. Also it is necessary to make hooks and a fixer for them, so that in winter time the windows are closed, and in summer - open for ventilation.

If the greenhouse is large in size and doors are provided, then it is better to install them in the end part of the greenhouse. The opposite end can be covered with a film to provide better lighting.

This is the process of manufacturing the greenhouse from the window frames is completed and you can start falling asleep in the chernozem hotbed, forming beds and planting seedlings. If the building was erected taking into account all the advice and recommendations that were given in this article, then you can grow vegetable crops throughout the year.