Today, a huge number of people have a suburban area where they grow vegetables and fruits. There are quite a few ways to build a greenhouse from 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 great for growing seedlings. You can make 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 you can build a greenhouse from the windows on it, which will protect seedlings from drafts and cold, as well as provide them with enough 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.
To make a greenhouse from window frames, which everyone can do with their own hands,it turned out to be of high quality and served for quite a long time, it can be erected on a pre-prepared foundation, as well as to foam the joints of individual elements.
Methods of building greenhouses
Building a greenhouse from old window frames can be done 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 from old windows. This design is highly durable and makes it easy to plant seedlings and take care of them.
- The frame is not sheathed 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 from 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 don't be afraid to experiment and be creative.
Main benefits of greenhouses
A do-it-yourself greenhouse made from old window frames, in addition to being cheap and easy to build, has even more advantages, the main ones being:
- practicality - the greenhouse perfectly protects seedlings from aggressive external factors;
- environmental safety - wood, being a natural material, is ideal forconstruction of greenhouses;
- strength - frames are made from oak and larch, which are considered one of the most durable tree species. With proper care of the frames, they will last for decades;
- heat capacity - old windows are able to retain heat for quite a long period of time, and also transmit sunlight well;
- good lighting - thanks to the light transmission of glass, in a greenhouse made of 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 glass, then it is not at all necessary to glaze them. You can simply wrap the sashes with plastic wrap.
Building a greenhouse from windows: general notes
Many farmers are interested in the question of how to make a greenhouse out of window frames with your own hands? This structure has a fairly simple structure, consisting of a support, a frame and a cover. Therefore, having at least some idea of \u200b\u200beach element, you can easily build a greenhouse.
Preparatory stage
Before starting construction, you need to decide on a place for construction, develop a drawing, buy the missing materials and prepare a 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 count the amount of consumables.
When choosing a location for a structure, it is recommended to give preference to well-lit areas. Nearby there should be no shrubs and trees that can create a shadow. In addition, if you plan to grow seedlings in winter, then a self-made greenhouse made from old window frames should be protected from northern winds, which can lead to large heat losses.
A few words about the soil
Greenhouse is best built on dry and solid 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 there is clay soil on the plot, then it is better to build a greenhouse on a bed of gravel 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 a greenhouse
Before you build a greenhouse from window frames with your own hands, you must first prepare the old windows. The first step is to perform a visual inspection of them for any defects and rot, and then dismantle the glass and fittings.
Further, the sashes are completely cleaned of paint and treated with special antiseptic agents that will protect the tree from moisture and other pests. If cracks were found during the inspection, thenthey should be puttied 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, since they are not afraid of moisture and severe frosts.
Building the foundation
Greenhouse from 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 rotting processes and will last much longer.
If you want to build a greenhouse for centuries, then the optimal solution would be a concrete strip foundation. For its construction, it is necessary to dig a trench around the perimeter of the future structure. Its depth depends on the climatic conditions of your region, but in most cases 60 centimeters is sufficient.
A mound of crushed stone and a sand cushion are created at the bottom of the trench, which is poured with concrete from above. After the mortar has set, you can begin to erect the formwork. Stones and rebar can be used to increase strength. After pouring the foundation, he needs to give about a month for the concrete to completely solidify.
The construction of a greenhouse can be carried out without formwork, but in this case it will be necessary to build a support 30 centimeters high from a wooden beam. The bars should be pre-treated with used machine oil, whichwill provide reliable protection for the tree from pests and negative environmental factors.
If you want to build a mini-greenhouse from window frames with your own hands, then a trench 30 centimeters deep will suffice. The process of building the foundation is carried out in the same way as described above. However, it is worth noting that such a greenhouse will freeze in regions with severe winters.
Construction of a greenhouse frame
The frame is constructed from racks tied at the top and bottom. For strapping, you can use boards or corners. The lower strapping 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.
Dli assembly of the greenhouse frame will require the following materials:
- wooden beam with a section of 10x10 cm;
- boards 4 cm thick - 8 pieces;
- side racks - 4 pieces;
- intermediate posts - 8 pieces.
In addition, metal corners will be needed to connect all frame elements. If you use steel parts, it is advisable to treat them with anti-corrosion agents.
Assembly of the frame: step by step guide
A shed greenhouse made of window frames with your own hands is made in the following sequence:
- A wooden beam is fixed on the foundation, which acts as the base of the frame. Anchor bolts are used for this.
- Vertical racks are being installed.
- The lower piping of the racks is performed usingboards and nails.
- Intermediate racks are being installed. Between them, leave a gap equal to the width of the window frame.
- The top piping is performed in a similar manner to the bottom piping.
- The finished frame is treated with special antiseptics that protect the wood from rot and harmful insects.
If you want to build a gable frame, then the first step is to assemble it, and only then install it on the foundation. In addition, it is better to use a beam with a large section for racks.
Greenhouse cover
A simple greenhouse made of window frames, which you can make in just one day, is best covered with foil or polycarbonate. It is better to refuse the use of windows, as they will significantly increase the weight of the structure and create a higher load on the foundation.
With film covering, the angle of inclination of the roof must be greater than when using windows. This is necessary in order to prevent the formation of snow caps on the film, and also so that rainwater quickly flows down the film, and does not stagnate on it. When using polycarbonate, the slope does not play a fundamental role, since it has a higher density than the film.
How to make a greenhouse from window frames coated with polycarbonate sheets? Very simple. Bolts with wide washers are used to fasten the coating. With a small angle of inclination of the roof, it is necessary to leave small overhangs so that water does not stagnate on it. If you prefer a film coating, then for fixingThis material uses wooden slats. To prevent sagging, the film is laid on a mesh frame, which can be made from various materials available, such as cord.
Installing and fixing 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 fixation. To minimize heat loss during the cold months, all joints are filled with mounting foam.
Glasses are recommended to be laid on silicone and only then glazing. This will achieve complete insulation and prevent cold air from entering through the windows into the greenhouse.
If a small greenhouse made of window frames, which every farmer can do with his own hands, has vents, 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 summer.
If the greenhouse is large and has doors, it is better to install them at the end of the greenhouse. The opposite end can be covered with a film to provide better lighting.
At this point, the process of making a greenhouse from window frames is completed and you can begin to fall asleep in the greenhouse of black soil, form beds and plant seedlings. If the building was erected taking into account all the advice andrecommendations that were given in this article, then you can grow vegetables throughout the year.
