Do-it-yourself greenhouse from frames: options. Do-it-yourself budget greenhouse from window frames Greenhouse greenhouses from window frames

We have heard a lot about independent greenhouse devices, and even seen them. Windows are an excellent material for mounting a translucent structure. How to build a greenhouse window frames yourself? We will talk about this in detail, with tips and recommendations.

Let's start with the statement that it is difficult to build a greenhouse from window frames. There is such a widespread opinion. In fact, this is said by those who are reluctant to move the brain gyrus.

Of course, it is easier to buy a ready-made structure and install it according to the instructions, and even easier - just dream of your own large stationary greenhouse. In fact, everything is limited only by the ability to get the material and dream up a little.

Since in Russia the complete replacement of old wooden windows with plastic ones will be relevant for many more years, it is very easy to acquire the necessary number of frames. It is enough to collect them from residential buildings in time. Well, experts in this article will help you with geometric fantasies.

A greenhouse from a window profile is a great solution! Wood is a durable and stable material, it is not exposed to atmospheric precipitation and does not soften under the sun. Glass transmits light and ultraviolet rays well and protects from cold air.

In such a structure, any ventilation can be performed, in addition to opening the main large door, since the windows are provided with vents. In other cases, we If you add some nuances, you can build a greenhouse from plastic windows, but it will be a more expensive design. In any case, this building can be safely left for the winter without dismantling. And many more pluses.

We mean options

One can consider an infinite number variety of options how to build a greenhouse from window frames, but there will still be only three main ones:

1. Sheathing boards can be used for the lower part of the main frame. Then, when weeding the beds, you are guaranteed not to damage the glass, just like when digging, watering, and so on.
2. Can be in finished frame to supply glass from the same window frames. Such a homemade design will look more elegant and complete.
3. You can join different window frames available, and then the view will not be very presentable, and it will not be very convenient to connect different frames.

And what do we do when the frames are completely different? You need to show the wonders of engineering, measure the parameters of each individual element, and try to draw up a diagram on a piece of paper. Very often, homegrown builders begin to assemble greenhouses from a window profile “as it should”, installing everything in order, one frame after another, without worrying about the dimension.

So you get a very clumsy structure, uneven and uncomfortable. It will be very problematic to ensure sealing later. To make a roof - even more so.

"fast building" plan

We list:

1. Initially, it is necessary to take care of the foundation of the greenhouse, for which a trench with a width and depth of a shovel is dug around the entire perimeter of the greenhouse. The trench is filled with rubble and fragments of old bricks, then with cement mortar. Often the foundation dries for a week or more, after which it is already possible to continue construction work.
2. The second option for the base can be an ordinary stand made of bricks. This type is simple, and does not require a long construction.
3. So that the latches do not interfere, they are torn out. Be sure to leave the window hinges, as they are used to connect the frames to each other. It is very important - the frames should be installed with vents inward so that they can be easily opened. It is convenient to use automatic windows for greenhouses.

1. After the greenhouse is assembled, the last of the frames is screwed by hinges to the adjacent one on only one side, it will then serve as a door.
2. All frames must be fastened with metal corners and plates.
3. In the corners of the greenhouse, metal corners are hammered into the ground, and between the greenhouse and the corner is placed timber 50x40 mm, the length of which is 2.5 m along the front edge, and 1.9 m along the back. Thus, the basis for the roof is formed, which will be shed. The vertical bars are fastened from above with bars, between which a crate is made of bars 40x40 mm.
4. Two frames are installed horizontally on the front part, the gap between which is fastened with a metal plate. Do-it-yourself greenhouses from window frames are a huge field for creativity. You can put it at an angle.
5. The roof sheathing is covered, which is attached with battens and self-tapping screws. Similarly, the film is attached to the sides and back of the greenhouse.
6. The final stage - foaming cracks mounting foam, and the door can be closed with a nail or latch.

And now what usually the query "greenhouse from window frames - video" does not show:

Fundamental knowledge

Why is a foundation needed? Because a do-it-yourself greenhouse made from old window frames is a “weighty” structure. Not only does wood have a solid specific gravity, glass also makes the ground structure very heavy. You need to take care of the "underground" building! So that the structure does not sag, especially with constant watering, when the soil liquefies.

Choose:

• Brick - expensive, but reliable foundation. If installed correctly, it will last a long time, and your window glass greenhouse will last a very long time. However, when watering, the brick can be subjected to waterlogging, which, coupled with temperature changes, will cause its rapid destruction. Unless waterproofed, of course.
• Stone - even more expensive, but also more durable, reliable version of the foundation. It is acceptable if you have unused stone left from the previous construction lying on the site out of work. It can also be installed metal carcass, and even brick walls. He treats external influences and waterlogging more calmly. If raw stones are used, the cost will be seriously reduced.
• A window glass greenhouse is not heavy enough to make solid foundations. For temporary structures, especially for those that will be removed for the winter, a wooden base is also a good fit. Withstands heavy use 6-8 years old, then it will need to be completely changed.

• Concrete - a good option, shallow strip foundation Easy to install, lasts a long time. A couple of decades will operate it without repair.

The most budgetary solution, of course, is a do-it-yourself greenhouse on wooden base. Although, any of the options for self-construction is suitable both in terms of labor intensity and cost.

Anchoring

We fix everything: both knowledge and frames. The construction of a greenhouse from window frames after the foundation is just beginning. We planned the frames, how to put them, even adjusted them in size. It remains to fasten them together in place.

We are considering options:

• Wooden and plastic frames can be attached both to the base and to each other using self-tapping screws and metal corners. The process is very simple, home-made greenhouses from window frames are assembled quickly and even alone. When working, you must use the building level, observe the verticals (the horizontal will set itself on top if the frames are the same in size). Corners can be attached both outside and on inside corners windows. The method is reliable.

• Nails and beams- "old-fashioned" method, effective, angry and not entirely beautiful. But simple, even easier than self-tapping screws. How to build a greenhouse from old windows with one hammer - ask a carpenter neighbor. It will be enough to use bars of 30x30 mm, no more. From the inside, a bar or several bars are simply laid on the base, in any joint, to which the frames are nailed. From above, you can repeat the process. As a result, the frames do not stray directly to each other.
• Fastening with wire or clamps. The method is the most economical, but the most unreliable. Reminds me of a purely Russian rollicking approach, as they say, "where it hangs, we'll tie it there." Nevertheless, it has the right to exist and is often used in horticultural construction. With the note "I'll redo it later."

covering

A greenhouse made of plastic windows is more difficult in this regard - keep it in mind right away. She has a profile profiled from above, such a tautology. It is uneven, so it will not be easy to attach to it. If we are not talking, of course, about simple stretching over the entire structure of the greenhouse film.

In general, the structure turns out to be quite heavy anyway, so it’s not worth aggravating the situation with glass from above. Just stretching a greenhouse film is a normal option. But the roof will be “flimsy” ... Therefore, it is desirable to put the frames on top.

Then let an apple fall on it from your sinful tree from the Garden of Eden, the film will not break. You can also use a mounting aluminum profile.

How to stretch the film - the fantasy is limitless. If you figured out how to make a greenhouse out of old window frames, and at the same time successfully fixed everything, then you can fix the film. Even ordinary wire twists will do, not to mention clamping clamps.

Also important!

After all the work done, after covering the greenhouse, you need to check how correctly you built everything. And do not forget that you need to not only know how to make a greenhouse out of window frames, but also remember that it must be looked after. This means washing, cleaning, maintaining the foundation, strengthening connections, and so on. Maintain stability, ensure light transmission, monitor tightness and constantly ventilate.

Do not puzzle over where to dispose of old wooden or plastic windows after repair. Using this guide and helpful tips from summer residents, build a greenhouse or a full-fledged greenhouse from window frames with your own hands - and treat yourself to early vegetables, and among your neighbors you will be known as a master. Thoroughly study how to make the structure reliable and airtight so that it solves the assigned tasks, withstands bad weather and stands on the site for several seasons.

Neat greenhouse from window frames

Pros and cons of greenhouses from old window frames

Does the prospect of getting a practically free greenhouse warm your soul? Do not rush to rub your hands in anticipation of future profits from greenhouse farming - a cheap greenhouse has both advantages and disadvantages. For example, you cannot make such a greenhouse yourself in a jiffy, and even live, and in the photo the structures are significantly inferior in appearance to polycarbonate ones. Whether such a solution suits you, you will understand when you study other nuances.

Mini greenhouse from an old window

Features of frame greenhouses

A greenhouse made of window frames, in addition to cost, has other advantages:

• windows, if they have retained their integrity, keep heat well;
• in the presence of glasses, it is not necessary to spend money on covering material;
• the design is quite light, and the soil warms up quickly;
• there are already vents in the window frames, which means that the ventilation issue has been resolved;
• a leaky element can always be replaced with a similar one.

Greenhouse from window second-hand

On the other hand, a do-it-yourself greenhouse made of window frames, even in the photo, looks, to put it mildly, unpresentable. If you approach the matter responsibly, then its installation will take at least a week. Therefore, those who value their own time are worth their weight in gold or worry about landscape design of their site, they do not undertake the construction of a frame greenhouse.

The disadvantages should also include a large number of joints and connections between often different-sized frames. They all need to be sealed with sealant so that precious heat does not leak into the cracks. It will be necessary to grease, tint, repair such a greenhouse during the entire period of operation. Besides:

• a greenhouse assembled from “pieces” is difficult to dismantle and move to another place;
• glass breaks easily and, working near the walls of the greenhouse, care must be taken;
• the greenhouse turns out to be heavy - you can’t do without a foundation.

Window frames shade the greenhouse by 30%

We must not forget that under glass, which retains UV B and C spectrum useful for plants, crops grow more slowly than under a light-transmitting film. Is it worth abandoning the idea altogether because of these features? Of course not, they just need to be taken into account in the design of a home-made greenhouse and responsibly approach the choice of a place for it.

Choice of location and design

Before you make a greenhouse out of window frames, decide where it will be located. The question is far from being idle: not only its size and shape, but also the internal microclimate and productivity directly depend on the location of the structure. Of course, these recommendations are not feasible for every site, but if possible, try to comply with them at least partially:

• so that the greenhouse is well lit and protected from the north winds, install it in front of tall structures or plantings;
• build a structure on the southeast, southwest or south side of the site;
• it’s good if there is a hill in this place, otherwise you will have to equip the drainage layer;
• analyze the condition of the soil in the selected plot - if the soil is clayey, cover it with gravel and fill it with black soil;
• place the greenhouse for tomatoes as far as possible from the plantation with potatoes - this is important for preventing the spread of late blight;
• keep in mind that the south-north is considered the most successful direction for the roof ridge - this is how cultivated crops receive the maximum amount of sunlight from the east and south.

The location of the greenhouse on the site

If you want to extend the growing season, consider also the communications system - you will need to provide heating, lighting and watering. To make it all easier to do it yourself, it is important that the window frame greenhouse is located as close as possible to the energy source.

As for the shape of the greenhouse, then choose it based on your goals:

• For a hotbed greenhouse, a box-shaped structure inclined to one side is suitable. It is also convenient to organize temporary storage of root crops in it in the fall.
• It is convenient to grow greens and grown seedlings in a gable mini-greenhouse.
• To get a crop of cucumbers or tomatoes, you need a greenhouse-house with a height of at least 1.8 m with doors and vents.

The simplest greenhouse

Do-it-yourself construction stages

To figure out how to build a small but functional greenhouse from old window frames, check out the step-by-step master class provided by an experienced vegetable grower and a video describing the process. First, determine the dimensions by the number of frames, and then draw a sketch of the greenhouse on a scale and decide on the type of foundation.

Which is better - foundation or foundation

For the sake of maximum simplification and reduction in the cost of construction, another summer resident plans to do without a foundation and install the greenhouse simply on the ground. In professional construction, there is the concept of a base - an array of soil that can perceive the load from the structure without deformation. But for this it is strengthened in various ways:

• pneumatic rammer;
• silicification (introduction of liquid glass solution into the soil layer);
• cementation (injection of liquid cement mortar).

It is unrealistic and unprofitable to create a base strong enough for a heavy greenhouse on your own and without equipment. Therefore, based on your own considerations and financial capabilities, you need to choose the material for the foundation. Usually consider the following options:

• wooden beam;
• bricks or blocks;
• reinforced concrete.

Shell block construction

The beam is quickly installed, but it also rots quickly. It can and should be impregnated with resin or wrapped in roofing felt, but these activities only slow down the process for a short time. Plinth made of silicate or hollow brick will not last long, and soundly burnt clinker is expensive. The purchase of foundation blocks will not be much cheaper, since according to the technology they need to be insulated and insulated with high quality, and this will also cost a pretty penny.

The bar is enough for 3-4 years

Some craftsmen manage to adapt railway sleepers, car tires, iron pipes. But the most predictable and relatively cheap is a shallow concrete strip support - the service life with the right approach exceeds tens of years. To understand how justified such a structure is for a homemade greenhouse from old frames, study the installation technology.

Tire base

How to fill in concrete foundation

Determine the width of the foundation tape according to the type of soil: 20 cm (for loams) or 25 cm (for sandy soils). At the previously selected place, remove the site and mark up:

1. Choose the location of the first corner and in its place, using a plumb line, vertically install a peg or piece of reinforcement.
2. Pull the string from it at a right angle and determine the second and third corners at the required distance - also mark them with pegs.
3. From the second and third corners towards the fourth, stretch the twine and, setting the corner, set the last mark.
4. Check the resulting rectangle diagonally: they should be equal.
5. In a similar way, mark the inner contour of the foundation.

Finished trench

Calculate the required height of the foundation from the ground as the difference between the height of the window frames and the height of the greenhouse under construction along the floor beams. Mark the calculated size on the pegs and stretch the string horizontally.

Now comes the turn earthworks. According to the marking, dig a trench 30 cm deep. The walls should be vertical; when the soil is shedding, install temporary supports. Check the bottom with a level and, at the slightest slope, level it to the horizontal. Pour sand into the finished trench in layers, spilling and tamping each layer. The thickness of the pillow is 15 cm.

1. From edged board and timber, assemble the formwork.
2. From the outside, install supports to prevent its deformation.
3. Attach reinforcing bars with a diameter of 8–12 mm to the formwork walls and tie them together with wire.
4. Mix cement grade 200 with sifted river sand in a ratio of 1:2 or 1:2.5 and dilute with water to a state of liquid sour cream.
5. Pour crushed stone with the resulting solution - its amount is the same as sand.
6. Mix the concrete and pour it into the formwork, compacting it with improvised means, a perforator or a construction mixer in the process.
7. Align upper layer a rule or a trowel and sprinkle it with concrete sifted through a sieve.

Pouring concrete

The resulting foundation can be used subsequently for more than one greenhouse.

Finished base

Installation of windows and frames

Dismantled windows should be prepared before reuse. Check their condition - dried wood cannot be restored and is not suitable for a greenhouse. Carefully remove old hinges, nails, latches from the frames - everything that is outdated or may interfere with installation. To avoid damaging the glass, temporarily remove:

1. Remove the glazing beads from the window frame, pull out all the glass, marking them in accordance with each opening.
2. Wash the glass sheets with warm soapy water.
3. Replace cracked glass and add new ones to replace missing ones.
4. Remove the layer of old coating with a blowtorch or paint stripper.
5. Fill in any irregularities if necessary.
6. Apply several layers of antiseptic, let the surface dry.
7. Paint the frames with a light-colored exterior paint.

Repaired window frame

The most time-consuming operation in the construction of a greenhouse from old window frames with your own hands is the construction of a frame. It is optimal if, after replacing windows with metal plastic double-glazed windows the frames are the same size. In this case, lay a sheet of roofing material on a concrete foundation, on it - a beam of the lower trim. Then, one by one, use dowels to screw the frames to the foundation and tie them with racks and jumpers for rigidity.

Scheme of the frame from the boards

When installing oversized frames with a frame structure, you will have to tinker a little more:

1. At the corners of the foundation, place vertical posts of the same height, equal to the height of the largest frame and the width of the lower trim beam.
2. Firmly install the top trim around the entire perimeter.
3. Attach the first frame to it with three dowels, and leave its lower edge free.
4. Install the second frame in the same way, but on the other side.
5. Bring the lower beam into the gap between the frames and the foundation and attach it to the foundation and pillars.
6. Lay the remaining open space with a board according to its size - due to the location at the bottom, such inserts will not obscure the greenhouse.

Holes covered with plastic wrap

Alternatively, the playing height of the frames can be compensated with polycarbonate inserts, installing them in any place.

Wooden and plastic frames - pros and cons

The nuances of building a greenhouse from wooden windows, positive and not so, are discussed above. But more and more often it happens that pioneer homeowners, who once were the first to replace wooden frames with metal-plastic double-glazed windows, already have to change them too. This means that such material can also fall into the hands. Upon closer examination, metal-plastic has its advantages and disadvantages in the new "role".

At first glance, a metal-plastic greenhouse is impeccable:

• the design looks modern;
• keeps heat superbly;
• equipped with ready-made vents;
• resistant to wind and snow;
• durable and environmentally friendly.

Factory greenhouse made of metal-plastic

Having seen enough of the new windows of the house, someone will even want to invest a sum of money in a capital greenhouse made of metal-plastic frames. However, not everything is so rosy - windows are still intended for other purposes and have not been tested in greenhouse conditions. Especially many questions arise regarding restoration:

• depressurized frames (one of the frequent reasons for replacement) are also unsuitable for greenhouses;
• during installation, it is impossible to pull the glass out of the frames - there is a high risk of damage;
• if the upper trim and the roof of the greenhouse are incorrectly installed, an uneven load acts on the window frame, and the double-glazed window bursts;
• it is impossible to replace broken glass "on the knee" - specialists and equipment are needed.

Drawing of a homemade greenhouse

The greenhouse itself turns out to be non-separable and heavy - it will be extremely problematic to move it to a new place with your own hands. If you have free plastic windows, then why not build a greenhouse out of them. But do not be tempted to buy specifically for this purpose: for the money you can find better specialized solutions.

If you still decide to use double-glazed windows, remember: their installation is carried out on the lower trim simultaneously with the installation of frame racks made of wooden beams or steel profiles (the latter option is more reliable). In the process, plastic frames can be drilled with self-tapping screws or screws, the main thing is to know where to do it so as not to damage the valuable material.

Video: where you can drill window plastic

Greenhouse made of frames with a polycarbonate roof

So, the task of how to make a greenhouse with your own hands from old window frames is almost solved. It remains to cover the structure and thereby protect the plantings from precipitation. There are three ways to do this:

1. Using the same frames as for walls is only acceptable for box greenhouses, since placing a heavy structure with glass over someone's head is unsafe.
2. Covering with a film or spunbond is a simple and affordable solution. True, you will have to build a roof frame, and remove the material for the winter.
3. Install polycarbonate sheets - if there are no stocks. This option requires material costs, but no hail is terrible for the greenhouse, and it will be possible to operate it indefinitely.

Arched greenhouse under polycarbonate

Decide on the shape of the roof - will it be arched or gable. Arched allows more sunlight to pass through, covering it with film or polycarbonate is a pleasure, but you need to stock up on a metal profile bent on a pipe bender. If you or someone you know doesn't have this device, switch to gable roof, especially since it almost never needs to remove snow from it.

To build a load-bearing roofing system with your own hands, you will need:

• ridge beam 5x5 cm of the same length as the built greenhouse;
• timber 15x5 for rafters;
• fasteners and consumables;
• from tools - a hammer, saw, electric drill, tape measure, ax, plumb line.

Gable greenhouse

The algorithm of work looks like this:

1. Treat lumber for roofing with impregnation. Dry.
2. Based on the dimensions of the greenhouse and the pitch between the rafters (60–80 cm), calculate the required number of truss trusses. The angle of inclination of the roof is 25-30 degrees.
3. According to the dimensions, make the first truss of two rafter legs and bottom strap. Make all the other farms according to the template.
4. Install the trusses in turn on the upper trim of the frame and firmly fix them on both sides with corners and self-tapping screws.

wooden farm

Now cut the polycarbonate and, having correctly oriented the canvases (with stiffening ribs vertically and the UV-protected side up), fix them on the rafter system.

Rafter fastening

Video: do-it-yourself greenhouse construction

In conclusion, ensure the tightness of the greenhouse built by yourself:

1. Install window panes and secure them with glazing beads (if the old ones don't work, you can buy new ones or replace them with a colorless sealant).
2. Hang doors - use balcony doors, just pre-cut them in height.
3. Seal large holes with polycarbonate residues, and small gaps with mounting foam.
4. Check how the windows open and close, install loops and hooks to fix them.

Perhaps some points remained unclear - look in the selection of videos on how homemade summer residents get out of various situations. If you make a greenhouse out of window frames, as shown in the instructions, it will serve faithfully for many years.

Video 1: Building a greenhouse from different frames

Video 2: Homemade greenhouse on a brick base

Video 3: Greenhouse under polycarbonate

With the advent of spring, each owner of a summer cottage is faced with the choice of buying or building a greenhouse for seedlings. Stores offer the most various options, ranging from simple arched structures made of arcs with agrofibre coating to complex structures from polycarbonate. But the goal of any summer resident is to grow crops at the lowest cost, so in the areas you can increasingly find greenhouses built from old window frames. Fortunately, they replaced the wooden ones modern windows from PVC profile and frames that have served their time are dismantled.

Advantages and disadvantages of window frames as a material for building a greenhouse

Prefabricated greenhouses and hotbeds offered by stores are easily assembled according to the diagrams attached to them. But with a sufficient number of old window frames and minimal construction skills, almost anyone who knows how to hold a hammer in their hands and use a screwdriver can build a greenhouse. Like any material, frames have their advantages and disadvantages.

A small greenhouse can be built from old window frames

Advantages of window frames

This material has the following advantages:

1. Availability of material and its low cost. Old frames can be obtained during the dismantling and replacement of windows for free or for a small price if you purchase them from an organization involved in these works.
2. The possibility of building a greenhouse in a relatively short time. Frames are easily mounted on a pre-prepared foundation.
3. Long service life. With proper preparation of frames and constant care for them, a greenhouse can last about 10 years.
4. No special tools or fixtures are required. To install a greenhouse, a hammer, a screwdriver and a building level are enough.
5. Installation on various types of foundation. Depending on the weight of the frames for building a greenhouse, a strip or column foundation can be poured, but you can get by with a simple strapping.
6. Glasses keep optimum temperature for plants and pass the maximum amount of light. In case of damage, glass can be replaced with polyethylene film.
7. Possibility of combination with other materials. A frame greenhouse can have a roof made of polycarbonate, film or other suitable coating.

A greenhouse made of old frames will last long enough

Plastic, metal-plastic and aluminum frames will last longer, but the cost of the greenhouse will be much higher.

The cost of construction will be significantly higher than that of a greenhouse made of wooden frames

Material disadvantages

The disadvantages include:

1. Difficulty in preparing frames for installation. A thorough cleaning of old paint, antiseptic treatment and fine painting will be required.
2. Requires constant care. During operation, gaps may appear between the frames that will need to be sealed.
3. Brittleness of glass. If the foundation sinks or is hit, the glass may crack and need to be replaced.
4. Lifetime restrictions. Depending on the material from which the frames are made and their proper processing, a greenhouse can last several years.

Frames can be painted in one color to make the finished structure look more aesthetically pleasing.

Preparatory work: dimensions, diagram, drawing up a drawing

On how correctly the preliminary calculations are made and the installation diagram is drawn up, it largely depends on how much time will be spent on installing the greenhouse. In this case, you do not need to urgently buy the missing material or make adjustments right on the site.

Selecting a location for installation

One of the most important factors in building a greenhouse is the choice of location. The future harvest depends on it. It should be even and well lit throughout the day, be away from the building and trees, not be in a lowland so that water does not stagnate. It is necessary to have a greenhouse in the direction from north to south. Based on the site plan and the location of trees and buildings, you can choose the installation site and determine the allowable dimensions of the future greenhouse. After that, it is worth starting a more detailed study.

The greenhouse is installed away from the house and tall trees

Preliminary calculations, drawing

Determine the exact number of frames available, write down their size. It's best if they are the same. This will avoid additional height adjustment. After that, you can draw up a diagram according to which the installation will be carried out. This will help determine the installation sequence, mark the place for doors and vents.

Indicate on the drawing required dimensions and frame arrangement

Depending on the exact size of the frames, the necessary adjustments should be made. If you need to increase the height of the walls, the vents can be placed horizontally by attaching them above the main frames.

The height of the walls is increased due to the vents located horizontally above the main frames

Depending on the weight of the frames, you should decide on the type of foundation on which the greenhouse will be installed. If you plan to engage in gardening for quite a long time, it is better to install a greenhouse on strip or columnar foundations. If it is planned for 1–2 years, a base made of timber, previously isolated with roofing felt or treated with an antiseptic, will suffice.

A frame greenhouse can be installed on a columnar foundation

The roof in the greenhouse can be either single-pitched or gable or arched. It largely depends on the material from which they decided to make it. This can be an arched roof made of polycarbonate or a structure made of frames covered with plastic wrap.

For fixing polycarbonate, a metal profile and screws with thermal washers are used.

Roofs made of glazed window frames are less common. If the slope is insufficient, it is likely that in a snowy winter the glass may break under the weight of snow.

Frames without vents are selected for the roof

You should first draw up a detailed drawing of the roof and consider mounting options.

Tips for choosing window frames and preparing them for installation

In the construction of greenhouses, wooden frames are most often used. They are affordable and with proper preparation can last a long time. Before installation, you need to carefully inspect all frames, put aside those in which there are defects. If during operation they become numb, they will show signs of decay - peeling paint, darkened wood color, change in structure. Frames with a high degree of damage should not be used for installation.

You need to choose frames based on their size and the condition of the wooden frame

Frames with minor defects may last for some time. When drawing up a drawing, this point must be taken into account and, if there is no possibility of replacement, provide for installation in such a way that the places with defects are located in the upper part, near the roof itself. So they will be less exposed to moisture and increase their service life.

Due to the subsidence of the foundation, the glass in the greenhouse can crack

In preparation for installation, you must:

1. Remove all unnecessary hinges and handles from the frames.
2. With sandpaper or grinder to the basis to remove layers of old paint.
3. To protect against rotting and damage by pests, treat the frames with an antiseptic.
4. Remove the glass so that it is not damaged during installation if the assembly is carried out with nails and a hammer.
5. Fix the vents to be used, convenient way so that they do not open during the assembly of the greenhouse.
6. Vents that are not planned to be opened, clog with nails or sealant.

Before installation, the frames are freed from unnecessary parts and cleaned of old paint.

Calculation of the required amount of material

We make all preliminary calculations based on the drawing drawn up earlier. Calculate the number of frames you need depending on the size. At standard size frames 1200x900 mm, the length of the greenhouse will be a multiple of 90 cm, and the height will be 120 cm + foundation height + roof height. Given that the optimal width of the beds is 1 m, and the distance between them varies from 40 to 60 cm, the most convenient width of the greenhouse will be 2.7 m, i.e. 3 frames. If the windows are larger, two frames may be sufficient.

The length of the greenhouse is a multiple of the number of frames

Swing windows have big sizes and will require significantly fewer.

If there are few frames, you can make a greenhouse with a pitched roof by attaching it to a house or other building on the south side.

In addition to the required number of frames, you will need:

1. Entrance door. You can use the standard balcony door, shortening it if necessary, or you can make it yourself according to the size of the opening.
2. Bars for building a frame. For a small greenhouse, you will need 4 bars with a length equal to the height of the building. If a long structure is planned, support beams can be used to strengthen it.
3. Foundation materials. For tape, formwork material is required - posts and boards, a mixture of concrete, crushed stone and cement, reinforcement or large stones. For an ordinary wooden foundation, you will need a beam 15X15 cm long, equal to the perimeter of the greenhouse, and roofing material for waterproofing.
4. Anchor bolts, screws.
5. Wooden bars for rafters. Depending on the type of roof, their number will vary significantly. The largest amount will be required for a gable roof.
6. Roofing material. It can be polycarbonate with a thickness of at least 6 mm or a polyethylene film.

Tools needed for the job

In the process of installing a greenhouse you will need:

• cord and pegs;
• a hammer;
• screwdriver;
• a circular saw;
• building level;
• drills of various diameters;
• square;
• roulette;
• shovel;
• assembly foam.

In the process of working, it is convenient to use a tool with a rechargeable battery or a power tool

Detailed instructions for making a greenhouse

During the construction of almost any greenhouse, the main stages are the following:

1. Marking the place for installation. With the help of pegs and a cord, we mark out the place where the greenhouse will be installed. If a strip foundation is planned, we determine the width of the formwork and by marking a swarm with a trench about 40 cm deep.

   For a tape greenhouse, it is necessary to dig a trench

2. Building a foundation. For the strip foundation, we install the formwork from the boards. We strengthen their rows with pegs and put reinforcement or large stones inside. Then we fill the channels with a pre-prepared cement mortar. Drying time is about 5 days. Only after that you can proceed to further work.

   Filling is carried out in a pre-prepared formwork

3. For setting angles column foundation you can use a metal pipe, brick, gas silicate blocks. The crown of timber is mounted at the installation site. The bars are fastened with metal corners, and a rod is driven into the ground at the corners for reliable fixation. In order to prevent rotting, paving slabs or other material can be placed in the corners and in the center of each side of the base.
4. Garden beds arrangement. Before installing the frame, it will be convenient to make beds and arrange paths between them. Depending on the location of the entrance to the greenhouse and their number, there may be various options for the location of the beds.

   When arranging a greenhouse, it is important to properly position the beds

   5. There are many types of track design. It could be paving stones paving slabs, brick or stone, which are laid in a pre-prepared trench 10–15 cm deep with a sand cushion 5–7 cm high. Alternative option- backfill path of sand and gravel.

   For the design of the tracks, small trenches are pre-digged

   6. Sand or gravel is poured into a trench 5–10 cm high. Use of wood mulch or straw is optional.

   Paths can be mulched with sawdust, straw or other material

   7. Installing the frame and attaching frames to it. We cover the foundation with strips of roofing material and, with the help of anchors, we mount bars for the lower strapping on top of the roofing material. We connect these elements for structural strength with steel corners. After that, we make markings for the installation of vertical supports. Using steel corners, checking the accuracy of the vertical lines with a level, we fix the corner posts, and then, if necessary, install intermediate ones.

   The frame of the greenhouse is prepared for the installation of frames

   8. With the help of bars, we make a temporary fixation so that the racks do not tilt from their own gravity. After installing all the vertical elements on the racks, we fasten the upper harness with the help of corners - it will not allow the elements to tilt under their own weight. Only after the final installation of the frame, we remove the temporary supports. Can be used as stands metal pipes buried in the soil. To attach the frames to the frame, it is best to use self-tapping screws or screws. This will eliminate the possibility of glass damage. It is optimal to fasten the frames directly to the timber in those holes that are already in the frames.

   Frame attachment points can be sealed with mounting foam

   9. After completing the installation, the gaps that have formed between the racks and frames must be sealed with mounting foam. This will eliminate drafts and the penetration of cold air into the greenhouse.

   The gaps between the frames and the frame are sealed with mounting foam

   10. Building a roof. The frame of a gable roof consists of two vertical racks of gables, a ridge and rafter legs on both sides of it. First of all, racks are installed, then a beam is thrown from one rack to another - it will play the role of a skate. Rafters are attached to it.

   For greenhouses of great length, you need to install additional racks

   11. If the greenhouse from the frames is long, then we put additional ones between the main rafters. The frame is mounted using steel corners and self-tapping screws. Attached to the finished frame roofing material. If it is polycarbonate, then we put it with the help of a special profile and self-tapping screws with thermal washers, if it is a plastic film - through wooden slats.

   The film is attached to the rafters with wooden battens.

   12. Lastly, we install the door and sew up the gables.

Various types of greenhouse foundations

For the construction of a greenhouse, depending on the weight of the frames, you can choose several options for the foundation. Some of them are easy to install and do not require much time, the construction of others may take several days.

Photo gallery: foundation options

Typical greenhouses from window frames

Greenhouses from window frames most often have a rectangular shape, which greatly simplifies the work.

Photo gallery: design options for greenhouses from old window frames

Video: greenhouse-greenhouse from window frames

With properly planned work, you can build a greenhouse out of window frames quickly enough. It is not necessary to have special skills - you need to carefully study the various options and choose the right one, and then carefully consider and complete each stage of construction. The result will please good harvest you and your loved ones.

Hello! My name is Inna. I'm 43 years old. By education - a philologist. Rate this article:

Ready-made greenhouses from stores, made of cellular polycarbonate and aluminum profile, very beautiful. It's hard to argue with this, but, unfortunately, you have to pay a lot for such beauty. The cost of finished greenhouses is too high, so not every gardener, even a very avid one, can afford to make such a purchase. There is a way out - to make a greenhouse yourself. This will require ingenuity, desire and skillful hands.

Consider a method for manufacturing a greenhouse from window frames. For work, you will need whole wooden frames, without broken glass.

Do-it-yourself greenhouse from window frames

Advantages of window frame greenhouses

The presence of a greenhouse will improve the yield. The greenhouse is especially helpful in the cold spring, when it is still impossible to plant plants in open ground. When planting seedlings in a greenhouse, the plants will begin to grow and develop rapidly, and with the advent of the first heat they will bloom.

Homemade greenhouse from window frames photo

Most citizens are replacing old wooden window frames with modern plastic windows. After replacement, old frames are usually disposed of. And in vain, because not everyone knows how to use this spent material. If you have old window frames, you can build a good greenhouse. Glasses in this design contribute to maintaining the optimal temperature regime for growing various kinds vegetable crops. The use of wooden frames will allow you to make a solid frame that will support the structure for many years.

Greenhouse from wooden window frames

Window vents can be used to provide ventilation in the greenhouse. They can also be used to regulate the temperature. The construction of the greenhouse will not take you too much time. This is a simple process, the main condition for success in which is compliance with step-by-step instructions.

Preparation of materials

You will need only a few window frames to work, so finding materials should not be too difficult. If you don’t have old products lying around in the garage or on the balcony since the windows were replaced, then contact your neighbors or friends. Some of them definitely have the necessary frames at home. At worst, you can contact representatives of the company that installs plastic windows. After the repair is completed, they throw the old window frames into the landfill. By agreeing with them, you will solve the problem with the preparation of the material.

Finding old wooden windows shouldn't be a problem.

Having collected a sufficient number of products, it is necessary to estimate the location of each frame in the design of the future greenhouse. After that, you can start the creative process. If the dimensions of the frames are not the same, then they can be adjusted using sealant, mounting foam, and self-tapping screws.

Construction stages

Before starting construction work, it is necessary to consider the optimal location of the window frames so that the installation of the greenhouse turns out to be even and symmetrical. It is advisable to use frames of the same height, because this will simplify the preparatory work (no need to adjust the dimensions).

Do-it-yourself greenhouse from old windows

Next, you need to calculate the width of the greenhouse. To do this, you need to draw up a drawing of the future design. When creating a drawing, do not forget to take into account the number of beds and their location. The standard width of the beds in greenhouses is 100 centimeters, and the width of the passage is 50. The width between the beds should be chosen so that a person can easily move between them with a small wheelbarrow.

Video - The simplest greenhouse from window frames

Foundation construction

This process does not begin with digging a pit, but with finding a suitable place.

When choosing a place for the foundation, you must adhere to the following requirements:

• protection from strong winds;
• good site lighting;
• lack of shading due to tall trees or buildings;
• location (it is desirable that the greenhouse is located from north to south).

Important! The soil also plays important role when choosing a location. Wet or swampy ground will cause the building to sag, so dense and dry ground is needed for construction.

Concrete with brick foundation for a greenhouse

Well, if there is a sandy layer under the earthen layer. If it is missing, you can independently make a pillow under the foundation. To do this, it is necessary to evenly cover the clay soil with a layer of gravel. After that, apply a layer of sand on top - no more than 20 centimeters. Before construction, it will not be superfluous to check the location ground water. If they are at a depth of one and a half meters or less, find another place to build a greenhouse.

Step-by-step construction of a strip foundation

Step 1. Dig a shallow trench according to the drawing. Its depth should be about 40 centimeters.

Foundation trench

Step 2 Make formwork. To do this, you need to arrange the boards along the edges of the dug trench, fixing them with wooden pegs. You can also fix it using conventional electrodes bent in two. It is advisable to cover the boards with a film so that they do not stick to the cement.

wooden formwork

Step 3 If possible, lay reinforcement along all dug channels. If there is no suitable wire, lay large stones at the bottom of the trench.

Laying the armored belt in the formwork of the strip foundation for the greenhouse

Step 4 Fill the trenches with the prepared cement mortar, adding some crushed stone to it. Make sure that there are no voids in the foundation. For the solution, the brand of cement M-200 or M-300 is suitable.

Foundation pouring

Important! It will take you about 14-20 days to build the foundation for the greenhouse, so you need to calculate the time before starting work.

Step 5 After the cement has hardened, the formwork can be removed. Then, using roofing material, perform waterproofing.

Step 6 If small sinuses have formed along the edges, they must be filled with wet sand and well tamped.

Rammer - tool

Homemade wooden rammer

Foundation construction completed. Now it remains only to wait two weeks until it dries completely.

Point version of the foundation. Metal pipes are placed in the ground, and bars are hammered into them to fix the beam

The lower crown of timber, assembled on a point foundation

Preparation of building material

The implementation of preparatory work will strengthen the frame of the future greenhouse and facilitate further design. It is likely that in the process of preparing the material you will have to remove some parts of the frames if they are broken or rotten.

Preparing old wooden windows

To give unattractive window frames a “fresh” look, you must:

• get rid of handles and loops that you do not need;
• remove old layers of paint; to do this, use a grinder or a regular scraper;
• treat the structure with an antiseptic (this will protect the wood from rot, mold or small pests);
• remove all glass for safety;
• fix the vents with adhesive tape or self-tapping screws.

It is necessary to carry out the preparation of window frames, taking into account the fact that the height of the walls of the planned greenhouse will reach 1.7 meters.

flooring

Before laying the floor, it is necessary to solve the issue of drainage. Otherwise, there is a risk of water accumulation in the structure, which can lead to decay. To perform drainage, you need to dig a trench no more than 15 centimeters deep, then fill it with crushed stone or gravel. A dense layer of sand is applied over the gravel.

Formation of beds in the greenhouse

We equip the beds

A neat and competent design of the internal space of the greenhouse will improve its appearance. When creating passages, it is advisable to enclose them with low plastic curbs. This will prevent the fertile layer of soil from entering the track.

For the design of the floor of greenhouse paths, in addition to concrete, the following materials are used:

• sawdust;
• wooden planks;
• porcelain stoneware;
• brick.

Such a variety will allow you to design the interior of the greenhouse for every taste.

Sawdust paths

Porcelain stoneware walkways in a greenhouse

Boardwalk

Let's consider each material separately.

Table. Materials for the design of greenhouse paths.

	Perfectly absorb moisture. Pleasant to the touch. Wood sawdust is a very cheap material.	It is difficult to move dimensional things along the paths of sawdust. The material quickly spreads throughout the greenhouse. Needs regular cleaning.
Porcelain stoneware	A wide variety of shapes and shades, easy care.	Laying takes a long time. The material is rather fragile. High price.
	The material can last for a long time. Ease of installation.	Additional treatment with antiseptic agents and varnish is required. The material is dimensional, so when working with it there are additional difficulties.
	The material is very strong and durable. Beautiful appearance of the finished track. Ease of installation.	The bricks are quite heavy, so you need a special vehicle for transportation. High cost compared to sawdust or bars. Only solid bricks will do, broken pieces will spoil the appearance of the greenhouse path.

What exactly to use as the main material for laying the floor is up to you. After selection, the material is laid on a pre-prepared pillow consisting of sand and gravel.

Frame erection

For this purpose it is recommended to use boards. This is an excellent material with a huge number of advantages. The thickness of the boards used should not exceed 5 centimeters. Of these, a harness is erected (its upper and lower parts).

Making the foundation

When creating the lower perimeter of the structure, it is advisable to draw two rows of boards - this will increase the height of the future greenhouse.

Frame for a greenhouse from window frames

For vertical racks, you also need to use 5 cm boards. Window frames are attached to them, located vertically to the ground. Self-tapping screws are used for fixing. Mounting foam is suitable for processing the cracks formed at the joints of structural elements. For reliability, window frames can be strengthened from the inside with support beams installed additionally (their thickness may be less than 5 cm).

To make the structure more stable, you need to make vertical supports. They are fixed in cement mortar, and attached to the racks with nails or self-tapping screws.

Vertical posts attached to the base

All holes and cracks formed during operation must be treated with mounting foam. Give it a go Special attention, since it should not see through in the finished greenhouse. The only entrance for the outside wind is the windows that you left for ventilation.

Finished wood frame

Top harness

Overlappings

Fixing old window frames

Roof erection

Initially, you need to decide what type of roof you prefer - a gable or single-pitched. It is worth noting that for the construction of a gable roof, much more prepared parts will be needed.

Construction of a gable roof

Options for connecting rafter legs in a greenhouse

Roof covered with plastic wrap

This type is considered the most suitable for all types of structures. Moreover, the material for the roof does not play a big role. Installation of a gable roof is quite simple: pin the frame blanks and close them on top with a plastic or wooden ridge. At the same time, watch for the appearance of cracks. They will provoke the formation of an unhealthy microclimate inside the constructed greenhouse, so all of them need to be repaired. Polycarbonate or greenhouse film is used as a coating material. The leader in quality and properties is glass, but it is very expensive. In addition, during installation, you can easily break everything.

Do-it-yourself greenhouse from old frames and a wooden frame

Another option for arranging the roof (Mitlider's greenhouse)

The complete process of building a greenhouse from wooden windows

If you do not have enough material to build a roof, you can choose a shed type. The procedure is practically the same as the previous one, with the exception of one thing - the roof will not rise in the center, but only on one side.

The construction of a greenhouse does not require large investments, for this you just need to approach the matter wisely. And you will definitely succeed!

Greenhouse made of window frames and polycarbonate

Below is another option for building a greenhouse from old wooden windows.

Building a greenhouse from old windows. Part 1

Building a greenhouse from old windows. Part 2

Greenhouse from PVC pipes do it yourself

In this article you will find detailed step by step instructions for the construction of greenhouses from PVC pipes! In addition, we recommend reading the material about the dimensions of the polycarbonate greenhouse (with drawings).

Construction of a mini-greenhouse

Having completed the construction of the "frame" greenhouse, you can practice a little by creating a mini version.

Preparatory stage

If, when creating a regular greenhouse, you use window frames as walls, then for mini-greenhouses, the frame plays the role of a roof. Wooden boards are used to build the walls. During the day, the roof is opened to ventilate the planted plants. When calculating the dimensions of a future building, consider the width of the window frame. It must match the size of the greenhouse. In shape, a mini-greenhouse is usually made in the form of a rectangle, not a square. To do this, the roof is laid out from several windows.

Greenhouse from window frames in the country

To build a frame, you will need boards. For racks, use wooden bars(4 pieces). Dig prepared beams in the corners, and special shields need to be built from the boards. The height of the shields must be different so that precipitation can roll off the sloping roof. To do this, on one side, nail on one board more than on the second. Make sure that the roof fits snugly against the shields. Cut off the excess edge of the board. Fix the shields on the beams with nails.

Old windows are very practical in the household

Roof erection

The procedure for assembling a mini-greenhouse is simple, so you do not need to remove the glass from the window frames.

Greenhouse from window frames

Roof installation can begin immediately.

Step 1. Position the window frames perpendicular to the long side of the greenhouse.

Step 2 Attach them to a high wall with window hinges.

Scheme of a greenhouse from window frames

Step 3 Frames do not need to be connected to each other. This will allow you to ventilate the greenhouse by opening one of the parts of the roof. All parts of the roof must fit snugly together.

Step 4 Screw special handles to each frame so that they (frames) can be easily opened.

Step 5 Install the latch on the short shield.

Step 6 Cut out a special bar with which you will prop up the open frame.

This completes the construction of the mini-greenhouse. You can plant seedlings there and pamper your family with fresh vegetables.

Frame from old windows and straw bales. At the bottom lies manure or compost under a layer of fertile soil, this will help to keep warm

Video - The simplest mini-greenhouse made of window frames

To equip your summer cottage and build a greenhouse, you can use ready-made solutions that are in a sufficient range on the market, you can use expensive materials. The true skill of an economical owner is the ability to use available resources and do most of the work yourself, spending a minimum of money.

An inexpensive example of using improvised materials is a greenhouse made from old window frames. Successful construction will require the remaining frames with glass that remained after home renovation, some knowledge and enthusiasm.

Construction stages

To fully realize your idea, you need to understand what you have to do. The order of work in most cases is as follows:

• preparatory stage;
• foundation device;
• floor arrangement;
• the construction of the frame;
• building walls;
• roof device.

Having gone all the way, you will become the happy owner of a greenhouse made by yourself and will be able to independently give advice to those who want to know how to build a greenhouse from window frames on their own.

Preparatory stage

Any construction begins with a project and calculations. Before getting down to work, it is worth considering photos of the most successful models of greenhouses, find finished project or make your own, draw up a drawing, calculate the amount of material required, decide on the location of the future greenhouse.

These preparatory work will facilitate the task and save time in the future. The greenhouses from window frames shown in the photo will help you make the right choice.

Foundation device

Glass frames are quite heavy, so a solid foundation is indispensable if you want the greenhouse to last for a long time. The area must be cleared of debris, remove stumps, stones.

Mark the perimeter with pegs in the corners and, for convenience, pull the rope. Then you need to prepare the location of the supports. In the corners and along the perimeter, pits are dug every 2-3 meters, their bottom is covered with rubble and compacted tightly.

The depth will depend on the degree of winter freezing of the soil. These holes are needed for the installation of formwork support pillars.

One option is to install hollow reinforcement with wooden bars driven into it, to which the bar will then be attached with anchors.

The supports are poured with cement mortar and aged for 1-2 weeks until full setting. The final stage of the foundation device will be the installation of a beam, which is attached to the supports and fastened at the corners in any suitable way.

Floor arrangement

During the construction of any greenhouse, you need to take care of the microclimate, so the manufacture of greenhouses from window frames requires the arrangement of a drainage system.

At the construction stage, it is necessary to mark the places of future beds, paths and, depending on their location, dig a drainage trench that will ensure the removal of excess moisture.

The bottom of the trench is covered with gravel, then with sand and poured with cement. You can read about the options for the arrangement of tracks and the use of material for their design in one of the articles in the section.

Frame construction and wall construction

The old window frames that will make up the walls of the greenhouse must first be prepared. Remove old paint, sand, remove fittings and impregnate with antiseptic solutions and varnish to maintain strength and extend service life.

Check the glass for cracks and replace if necessary, and for a period construction works take off. It is quite possible to leave the vents, this will solve the problem of ventilation in the future greenhouse.

Depending on the size of the structure and availability building material, the frame can be made of wood or metal. wooden frame for the greenhouse will be much cheaper and easier when working with fasteners.

Corner posts are best made of timber, and lintels and vertical posts are made of board, in size according to the thickness of the window frames.

We fasten the frames to the base and vertical posts with self-tapping screws, and then the upper trim, which will form the basis of the roof. All cracks, gaps and gaps are filled with construction foam.

Roof device

The last stage remains, and the greenhouse made of window frames with your own hands is almost ready. The roof of the greenhouse can be made from the same window frames or using polycarbonate film.

The main condition for construction is to provide a slope for running off water and snow.

When making a roof from a film, a frequent crate is installed and polycarbonate is tightly stretched.

If window frames are used in construction, you can make a roof with two slopes or a single slope.

Further arrangement of the greenhouse may include various options for equipping with drainage systems, drip irrigation and air conditioning, lighting and heating.

To complete appearance the greenhouse can be painted and decorated to your taste.

Photo of a greenhouse from window frames

September 17, 2016
Specialization: professional approach to architecture, design and construction of private houses and cottages, novelties in the building materials and decoration market. Hobbies: growing fruit trees and roses. Cultivation of rabbits of meat and decorative breeds.

Everyone is familiar with the problem with used building materials. What to do with old wooden window frames, if metal-plastic was installed in the whole house or apartment? If there is a summer cottage, then a mini greenhouse from windows is an excellent use of this material.

On average, a new polycarbonate greenhouse with an area of ​​20 square meters will cost from 15 to 25 thousand rubles. A greenhouse from old windows will cost a maximum of five thousand, taking into account the costs of building a foundation and acquiring new boards for the frame.

It is not necessary to build a monumental structure, you can limit yourself to a mini greenhouse. How to build such a greenhouse with your own hands? I offer two alternative methods.

Choosing a place to build a greenhouse

In the photo - a mini greenhouse, we fix the frames on top of the ridge, the slope is at least 40 degrees

We build a greenhouse in a well-lit open area so that trees and buildings do not give a shadow. If the area is small, then we orient ourselves in such a way that the morning and afternoon sun illuminates the greenhouse, and you can donate evening sun rays.

In length, we have a greenhouse from east to west. In this case, the sun will come to the plants evenly throughout the day, the sprouts will not be bent.

If we are building a small greenhouse without a strip foundation, then soil moisture is not necessary to take into account. But when arranging a greenhouse of 20 square meters or more, this is when there are a lot of frames, the foundation must be placed in a dry place.

Greenhouse dimensions and foundation

Even a shallow strip foundation for a greenhouse must be built in a place where there is no close occurrence of groundwater. In my area, in two places at a depth of one and a half meta, the earth is already wet, and there used to house stood. So in this old house it was constantly damp. When wet, the foundation gradually collapses.

We choose a dry area, preferably with soil from black soil, under which there is a layer of sand. It is clear that not all of us are happy owners of fertile lands. Therefore, if the soil is clayey, then for the greenhouse it will be necessary to prepare the soil before building the foundation.

Under the greenhouse, a certain composition of the soil is required:

1. The bottom layer - gravel or gravel - is drainage that will allow excess water to pass through and allow the plant roots to breathe and prevent rotting.
2. Next, a layer of sand is needed - all plants love light soils at the root lobes, which allow a thin growing root to form and grow unhindered.
3. Only the last, top layer should be fertile. This is a layer of chernozem enriched with humus, pre-prepared leaf compost or a complex of mineral fertilizers (nitroammophoska).

Greenhouse size

A small do-it-yourself greenhouse from old window frames does not need a foundation. A frame made of boards or timber can be laid directly on the ground.

So that the boards do not rot, the lower frame must be treated with a protective primer on wood or tarred. Roofing material is also suitable, which wraps the lower square of the frame and rack, about 50 centimeters above the ground.

• the most convenient beds are one meter wide, they are easy to process on both sides;
• we make the path between the beds of such a width that it is convenient to move around. If you do not plan to use a garden wheelbarrow, then the optimal width of the track is half a meter;
• the optimal width of the greenhouse is four meters. There are three beds and two paths here. The length is arbitrary.

You can plan a future greenhouse in advance on paper. It takes a couple of minutes to make a drawing, but it will help you navigate the right number of frames and boards, and optimally break down the right number of beds and paths.

Foundation device

The foundation is necessary for a large greenhouse, since the mass of frames with glasses is rather big. A do-it-yourself greenhouse made of window frames is installed on a shallow (50 - 60 centimeters) strip foundation, since the frame under the weight of the frames can shrink and the structure is deformed.

• for a footage of 10 square meters, a foundation on pillars is also suitable. The calculation of the number of pillars is based on the number of window frames. Ideally, each frame should be supported by two posts;
• you can make a foundation of concrete, brick, or use a ready-made welded metal frame;
  It is important to remember that brickwork without a foundation, it “rides” over time, and it is impossible to bury it in the ground. Therefore, under the brick columns, you still need to pour a concrete base.
• in regions with severe frosts, it is worth using the natural heat of the soil. Therefore, the greenhouse is buried in the ground by about half a meter or a meter, depending on the depth of freezing of the earth in winter;
• we fill a simple strip foundation in the usual way: a trench, formwork from boards, concrete pouring, solidification, formwork removal.

The foundation must be covered with roofing material before installing the frame. This will help further protect wooden details frame from moisture.

A welded frame is much more convenient. Why? For the reason that, if desired, the greenhouse can be moved to another place. If we fill the foundation, then this is already a stationary building.

I think you will be interested, there is information regarding the assessment suburban area. So - when evaluating real estate on a site, all covered buildings on the foundation are included in the total economic area, for which you have to pay tax. Therefore, it is cheaper to weld a frame foundation for a greenhouse, which is easy to disassemble before the evaluation commission arrives.

Mounting the frame for frames

Before making a greenhouse out of window frames, all wooden parts must be treated with a deep penetration primer, and the wood must also be painted. This will keep it from rotting. Carefully clean all old frames from paint and fit the parts so that there are no gaps.

Vents and hinges do not need to be removed, they are useful for installation and subsequent ventilation of the greenhouse in summer time. If the frames are different in size, then we group them in such a way that the lower ones fall on the ends of the greenhouse, and the higher ones cover its long part.

Doors will be installed on the sides and the missing height can be hemmed with boards, but along the length it is better to be solid.

For the base of the frame, a bar 50x50 or unedged board, thickness 40 - 50 mm, no longer needed, as the weight of the entire structure increases. The board for the skeleton is preferable, since its width allows you to securely fasten the frames to the screws, and will give our base additional rigidity.

Frame elements:

1. Lower trim - dimensions along the perimeter of the foundation. The bars can be fastened together with metal corners on self-tapping screws, and not with nails, this is more reliable. If the strapping is made from a board, then one or two more boards can be installed to stiffen the length.
2. Racks are attached vertically to the bottom harness. They are mounted at the corners, along the length and on the sides with a step equal to the width of the window frames chosen for the greenhouse. Racks in one row should be lower than in another - for a slope of 40 degrees. The difference in the height of the racks is 30 centimeters.
3. The top trim is the basis for the roof. A window greenhouse made of frames must have a slope angle of at least 40 degrees so that water flows calmly and accumulates in the film.
4. It is not advisable to mount a gable roof on such a structure. Suitable and a roof in one slope. In order for the film to be securely fastened, the step between the roof rails should be no more than 60 cm. Drywall guides can be used for the roof. They are lightweight and very easy to attach to wood with self-tapping screws.

All fasteners are carried out only on wood screws. Fastening with nails during operation does not stand up to criticism, in a year the whole structure will stagger in the wind.

Fastening frames to the frame

There are a few important nuances, which must be taken into account when fastening frames to the finished frame:

1. Fastening step with self-tapping screws 25 - 30 centimeters, not less.
2. Joints between frames must be sealed. Mounting foam or regular window putty will do. Additionally, you can lay a thermal tape or a rubber seal.
3. For reliability, the outside of the frame must also be attached with self-tapping screws, here the step can be more than 40 - 50 cm.
4. For reliability from the inside, the frame can be fixed with a board along the bottom. We also fasten to wood screws.

If there are few old frames, then the northern side of the greenhouse can be sewn up with a board or a thick one. But plywood must be painted, as it very quickly becomes unusable from rain and snow.

Roof installation

The roofing material is a dense polyethylene film for greenhouses or polycarbonate. Roof glazing is a thankless task. Grad, heavy rain or a flurry and you have to change the glazing, and the price of glass is now rather big.

• The minus of the film is that this canopy will have to be removed for the winter, and the reliability leaves much to be desired. Pros - Suitable shed roof, less work and consumption of building materials. The step of the crate under the film is not more than 40 m, as it sags and rainwater accumulates in it.
• Polycarbonate is more expensive than a film, but it is a more reliable option, and it also allows you to install an arched roof.

It is better to cover a home-made greenhouse of small sizes with a film; it is easy to remove it for the winter.

Installation of a gable roof frame

The order of work is as follows:

1. We mount two load-bearing beams along the length, we will mount the roof rafters on them.
2. We attach rafters to the upper harness, depending on the length of the greenhouse, from three to six pieces.
3. It is important to determine the angle of inclination of the rafters, it must be the same.
4. We mount the rafters to the bearing beam using vertical posts (trusses).
5. Next, along the rafters, we apply a crate of slats for fixing the roof covering. For polycarbonate, the spacing of the rails is 60 - 80 centimeters, for the film 40 - 50 cm.
6. We fix the roof on the crate. It is desirable to fix the film to the rafters with thin slats, for reliability.

That's all, our greenhouse is ready, you can supply water and install electrics and lighting.

Summary

In the video presented in this article, you can see the whole process of building a greenhouse from old window frames. If readers have any interesting suggestions and innovations, I invite you to discuss them in the comments.

September 17, 2016

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Today, greenhouses are built from the most different materials. It can be polycarbonate, and metal-plastic, and other similar elements. However, many consumers set a goal in a short time to build inexpensive greenhouse from more affordable and easy-to-use materials. Good structures are obtained from ordinary window frames. Today we will analyze in detail how to properly make a greenhouse from such parts.

Peculiarities

It's no secret that the presence of a greenhouse on the site allows you to improve and increase the yield in the cool spring, when open ground planting is not possible. Young sprouts and seeds in greenhouse conditions grow and develop quite quickly, and by the time the first warm days come, they bloom.

Currently, most owners of apartments and private houses are changing old wooden windows on plastic. As a rule, after the completion of all installation work they simply get rid of the old frames - they throw them away, they clean them away as unnecessary. In fact, such details can still come in handy. With their use, it will be possible to build a neat and inexpensive greenhouse.

Do not get rid of glass in such elements. They will be needed for the greenhouse, as they are able to maintain optimal and comfortable temperature regime for plants.

Using old wooden frames, you can build a very reliable and strong frame., which will support the construction of the greenhouse for many years.

In such buildings, window vents on the windows will also be useful. They are useful for providing ventilation in the greenhouse. In addition, with the help of these elements, it is possible to regulate the temperature in the interior of the entire structure.

Wood itself is a reliable and sustainable material, but it will be expensive to buy new wooden parts for making a greenhouse, as they will be expensive. That is why buildings assembled from old window frames are an excellent and inexpensive solution.

In addition to wooden ones, plastic double-glazed windows are often used in the construction of greenhouses. Many owners use old balcony windows having an impressive weight.

If we dwell on the main advantages of such structures, then you should pay attention to the following features:

• High-quality ventilation will always be present in the inside of the greenhouse thanks to the vents on the old windows.
• With the help of window frames made of wood or PVC material, it will be possible to build a stationary and non-separable greenhouse in the shortest possible time.
• In these conditions, you can grow flowers, fruits and vegetables all year round.
• A greenhouse built from old frames is also good because it has excellent thermal insulation characteristics.
• In such a building it is quite possible to install additional lighting. Thus, in the greenhouse from the windows it will be possible to combine both natural and artificial lighting.

Serious shortcomings in such structures are not observed. The only drawback that many users note is that it can be difficult to find the required number of frames of the same dimensions to make the greenhouse more even and neat.

Homemade greenhouses from window frames are a common phenomenon. It is quite possible to build such structures with your own hands. Moreover, such work, as a rule, does not take much time and effort.

DIY construction

As a rule, inexpensive greenhouses are made from old windows by the owners of the plots themselves. Such work cannot be called too difficult and inaccessible, however, a certain algorithm of actions should be followed so that as a result the greenhouse turns out to be of high quality and reliable.

Preparation of drawings

First you need to do all the preparatory work. You can proceed directly to the assembly of the greenhouse only after this stage. Otherwise, the design may turn out to be uneven, and its location will not be the most successful.

First you need to find the right amount of wooden window frames with the same dimensions. If you could not stock up on such elements, then you will have to apply all your skills and abilities regarding architectural issues. You will have to measure each frame separately, write down the resulting values ​​on paper, and then try to draw up a suitable drawing.

When drafting a greenhouse, the following parameters must be taken into account:

• The ratio of the dimensions of the frames and the height you need. The recommended height of the walls in the greenhouse is 180 cm. If you cannot put the frames on top of each other, then you will have to build up the walls a little at the bottom using other materials.
• Roof. Often, a metal frame or timber is chosen for the construction of the roof. These dense and reliable materials are necessary because in winter time snow can accumulate on them. Under its load, "fragile" roofs will break.
• Also, when drawing up a drawing of a greenhouse, it is necessary to take into account the roof ridge. It is recommended to direct it along the north-south axis so that sufficient and correct lighting is present in the greenhouse.

Only with the use of a drawing can a neat and aesthetic greenhouse be built.

Location selection

For the installation of a greenhouse from old windows, it is very important to choose a suitable place, since the functionality of such a design will depend on it. Experts recommend placing greenhouses exclusively on flat surfaces that are sufficiently illuminated by the sun from all sides.

Besides, it is necessary to choose a place protected from constant and strong winds. There should not be tall structures or trees near the greenhouse - they will create large shadows that can fall on plants in a panic.

In addition, it must be borne in mind that the greenhouse from old windows should stand so that its longitudinal side is from the northern part to the south.

Priming

The land under the greenhouse must be dry and clean. According to experts, the most successful is the option in which there is a sandy layer of soil under the chernozem.

Glass in old frames most often have considerable weight, so the soil under the greenhouse must be well compacted. This criterion is especially important when it comes to installing a greenhouse without pouring the foundation.

If your site is located in a clay area, then the chosen place will need to be well prepared for the installation of the greenhouse. To do this, you need to make a blind area from gravel of an average fraction, and then build a special pillow of sand with a thickness of at least 10 cm. Fertile soil will then need to be covered on such a base.

When choosing a place for the construction of a greenhouse, you need to consider the location of groundwater. They should be located at a depth of at least 1.5 m. If the soil in your area is too wet, then it is not recommended to build a heavy greenhouse from window frames on it.

Design Options

Greenhouses from window frames can have various designs. Consider the most popular options that many users choose:

• For the lower part of the frame, it is possible to use sheathing boards. With this design, when weeding the beds, you definitely will not damage the glass elements and do not injure yourself. Similar problems can be avoided when digging or watering the beds.
• Glass from the same window frames can be inserted into the finished frame. Such a design will look especially attractive and interesting.
• Window frames can be joined together. With such a design, the design of the greenhouse will not be the most presentable. And if the frames differ in dimensional parameters, then it will be very difficult to connect them.

Some gardeners prefer to build high-quality greenhouses not from wooden window frames, but from double-glazed windows with plastic profiles. Someone buys them specifically for such construction work, while someone has unnecessary PVC structures in their arsenal. Greenhouses made of such materials are very durable and reliable. They are not subject to mechanical damage and serve for a very long time. However, double-glazed windows have an impressive weight, so they can only be installed on well-prepared and dry soil (preferably with a foundation).

The most popular designs of double-glazed windows are windows connected in a row on all sides of the building. Such buildings can be supplemented with a gable roof made of similar materials.

Heavy double-glazed greenhouses can have any shape and structure. They can be built in mini format or made very large - it all depends on the desires of the owners. Of course, square and rectangular greenhouses are classic. Slightly less common are polygonal structures.

Detailed guide

To build a high-quality greenhouse from window frames with your own hands, you need to stock up on the following tools:

• hammer;
• screwdriver (it can be electric);
• circular saw;
• chisel;
• special drills for woodworking;
• building level;
• square;
• tape measure;
• mounting foam;
• fasteners.

If you have already chosen a suitable place for installing a greenhouse on the site, then you can proceed to the construction of the foundation. It is not mandatory, but it is recommended to do it if the soil and the weight of the future structure require it.

Consider the step-by-step instructions for installing the foundation for a greenhouse:

1. To begin with, the selected area must be cleaned of dirt, debris, weeds, stumps and other similar elements.
2. After that, you need to transfer the dimensions of the greenhouse to the cleared area and hammer in small stakes around the perimeter. Stretch a cord or rope between them.
3. Further, in each corner and near the sides, it is necessary to dig small holes, the depth of which should be no more than 0.5 m - the level of soil freezing.
4. In the holes made, you need to fill in the gravel, and then tamp it down.
5. The next step will be the construction of the formwork. An asbestos-cement pipe with a diameter of not more than 15 cm must be inserted into each pit. Next, you need to align and insert fittings.
6. Strengthen the structure with bricks, and then pour concrete.
7. Next, on the foundation, you need to collect lower crown from a bar and fasten it with iron plates.

Keep in mind that the concrete will dry completely only after a couple of weeks. After that, the area under the greenhouse must be laid out with bricks around the perimeter. As a result, you will get a flat plane, thanks to which it will be easier and easier to assemble a greenhouse.

Next, you can proceed to the manufacture of the frame of the greenhouse. To do this, you can use timber or boards. But first you need to measure the width of the frames. Measure along the perimeter of the poured foundation the segments that exceed the width of the window structures by 5-7 cm. These places should be noted.

At the marked points, you need to fix the standing ones from the timber, which have the same height. Then, along the top of the pillars, you need to stretch the thread. At the same time, use a level so that the tops can be adjusted. If there are outstanding elements on the pillars, then they need to be cut down.

After that, you need to take the beam and put it on the tops in a horizontal position. Thus, you will get original cells for installing window frames. Now you should mount the windows themselves, not forgetting the doors and vents. Fasten all parts as securely as possible. Be careful not to break the glass elements.

All cracks and joints should be treated with mounting foam. It is recommended to cover the dried foam with putty or paint - this will help protect this material from excessive drying out.

The last step erection of the greenhouse will be the installation of the roof. It can be double or single. Let us consider in more detail the process of installing a roof using the example of a shed structure:

• First you need to lay out the boards on the wall trim under the support of the rafters. Be sure to mark the slots for mounting the inclined beams of the future roof.
• Place posts at each corner of the side wall to form a slope. Between them you need to put a bar. The front of the roof will then be attached to it.
• Now you need to install the side boards into the roof and attach them to the front part with screws.
• Make grooves for the rafter boards in the end board. To do this, it is recommended to use a special template, which is a carved letter "P".
• Next, you need to pull the cord and check that all the rafters are located in the same plane. We lay the roofing material on top. Experts advise using material made of cellular polycarbonate, glass or a special film for this.

As a result, you should get an attractive and neat greenhouse. The main thing is not to use the level at all stages so that the design is even.

Owners opinion

Greenhouses assembled from old wooden or PVC frames are found in many areas. The popularity of such structures is due to their low cost and fairly simple construction.

As a rule, reviews of greenhouses from frames are positive. Such buildings seemed very warm to many owners. Such conditions are very comfortable for the growth and flowering of various plantings.

In addition, many users noted that the construction of such greenhouses seemed to them quite simple. The main thing is to choose in advance a suitable place for construction and draw up detailed drawing greenhouse. Then during the installation process you will not encounter different problems and inconsistencies.

However, some people claim that their old frame greenhouses lasted less than 5 years, after which they began to rot in the lower part in contact with the ground. Owners who are faced with such problems recommend painting greenhouses annually to extend their life. Users did not notice other significant shortcomings.

If you are going to mount a greenhouse from window frames with your own hands, then you should take into account some recommendations from professionals. Perhaps they will help you avoid many problems in the process of making a greenhouse:

• When building a greenhouse from window frames, it is recommended to use an electric tool - a jigsaw, a screwdriver. It is much easier to work with such devices.
• Keep in mind that a greenhouse made of old frames is only suitable for home gardens. It will hardly be possible to grow vegetables and fruits in them on an industrial scale - such plantations will require a more reliable and expensive metal structure.

• If you want to make a greenhouse frame from timber, and not from boards, then you need to take into account its thickness. Too thin bars may not support the weight of the entire structure. Such buildings will not last long.
• To make the whole structure more stable and reliable, vertical supports should be installed. They are recommended to be prepared at the stage of frame construction.
• If you want to lay a roof consisting of polycarbonate on a greenhouse from windows, then it is better to insert glass only after all roofing work has been completed.
• It is not recommended to use old windows for arranging the roof. It is better to use a special plastic film or polycarbonate instead of such elements.

The owner's skill lies not in the use of expensive materials and tools to improve his summer cottage, but in the ability to use all available, and, most importantly, free items for the same purposes with maximum benefit. A striking example of such a profitable investment of time and effort is the construction of a greenhouse from old unnecessary window frames. There should be no problems with the availability of this material - almost everyone changed windows in the house, and prudent summer residents must have kept the old window frames.

How to start building a greenhouse

First of all, you need to estimate the amount of building material, in our case, these are glass frames. Sketch a rough drawing of the greenhouse to determine its design. Having learned the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe future greenhouse, it is necessary to determine its location on suburban area. The installation site should be chosen so that the walls of the greenhouse are at least 2 m away from the nearest structures.

Important: be sure to take care of direct sunlight entering the greenhouse, this means that there should not be tall buildings, trees or other vegetation on the sunny side.

Next preparatory stage for the construction of the greenhouse there will be a fee necessary tools and materials. In addition to the glass frames themselves, you will need:

1. Polyethylene film
2. Cement, sand, water
3. Self-tapping screws, nails
4. sealant
5. wooden planks

From tool:

1. Hammer, pliers, wire cutters
2. Shovel, shuffle, trowel
3. Drill, screwdriver
4. Jigsaw or hacksaw

Additional tools and building materials can also be used, it all depends on the frame material, type of foundation, roof construction technology and other conditions.

Foundation pouring

Naturally, much less requirements are imposed on the foundation for a greenhouse than on the foundation of a house or garage. Here, the load on the base is only due to the own weight of the frames, which is very small. Another thing is that the composition of the soil in the garden may be too porous and soft, in which case the foundation will have to be slightly strengthened.

The process of pouring the foundation includes the following steps:

1. Digging a trench around the perimeter of the greenhouse. Width and depth are selected depending on the characteristics of the soil, but a depth of more than half a meter is rarely required.
2. Formwork production. The ground part of the future foundation is lined with boards, it can also be unedged, the main thing is that there should be a flat plane on both sides
3. Throw stones, bricks, scrap metal and other hard materials on the bottom of the trench to save cement mortar.
4. Cook standard cement mortar and pour the foundation to the top of the formwork
5. After the cement has completely dried (1 - 2 weeks), remove the formwork and isolate the foundation surface with roofing material or other waterproofing materials

Tip: the use of reinforcement or piles in the manufacture of a foundation for a greenhouse is not rational, so do not waste money and time on excessively strengthening the foundation

Frame erection

The next stage in the construction of a greenhouse from old window frames will be the construction of a frame, to which the frames will subsequently be attached. Depending on the availability of free or readily available material, you can make the frame either from wooden beams or from metal corners or pipes.

Wooden frame

The wooden frame is made of bars measuring 40x60 mm for pillars and 30x30 for lintels. Bars are installed in 4 corners and connected to each other with the same bars, for greater structural strength, the joints can be strengthened with metal corners. The height of the pillars is selected depending on the size of the window frames used.

Through a gap equal to the width of the frame, jumpers are mounted between the lower and upper bars. Windows will then be attached to them. At this stage of construction, it is worth taking care of the future roof. After the walls are upholstered with window frames, it will be extremely inconvenient to mount truss system. Therefore, it is necessary to build a frame under roofing, in the role of which the same frames, plastic film and polycarbonate sheets can act.

Important: Use only dry bars. If they do not dry out enough, then during the operation of the greenhouse, the tree will begin to warp, which will lead to cracking of glass windows.

Metal carcass

A frame made of a metal corner or profile pipes is much more effective than wooden beams. It will last much longer, because it does not rot under the influence of moisture, will not deform, and can withstand heavy loads.

For the production of a greenhouse frame, you can use corners measuring 32x32 mm or profile pipes 40x20 or 60x40 mm. They are connected to each other according to the same principle as wooden beams, i.e. with a step of jumpers equal to the width of the frame. The connection can be made by welding or self-tapping screws.

Preparing to install frames

Old window frames should be inspected for rotten or cracked areas. If necessary, replace low-quality elements or do not use this frame at all.

Each old greenhouse window frame must go through the following pre-treatment procedure:

1. All unnecessary elements are removed: latches, hooks, handles, loops, etc.
2. If the condition of the old coating is unsatisfactory, it is completely torn off
3. Carefully remove glass
4. Treat wood with antiseptic substances
5. Coat the frames with varnish or paint so that they do not rot when exposed to moisture.

wall construction

The method of erecting the walls of the greenhouse from old window frames depends on the material of the frame. common for wooden and metal version the following requirements for the installation of frames remain:

• Avoid gaps between adjacent frames and frame
• Strong connection with nails or self-tapping screws
• Attaching frames to each other for added strength
• Sealing holes and crevices

If the frame is made of wooden blocks, old window frames can be fastened with nails or wood screws. The size of the hardware is selected depending on the thickness of the frame itself, but their length must be at least twice as large.

If the frames are thick enough, you can pre-drill holes at the attachment points. After that, the frame is applied to the frame and fastened with a screwdriver or hammer.

Important: make sure that the edge of each frame goes exactly to the middle of the vertical beam.

When installing a greenhouse from old window frames to a metal base, more skills and effort will be required than when installing them on wooden beams. Self-tapping screws or bolts are used as fasteners. The length is selected depending on the thickness of the frame.

Important: pre-drill holes in the corners at the attachment points.

Greenhouse roof installation

The roof of the greenhouse can also be made from old window frames or covered with plastic wrap, it is also possible to install a greenhouse with polycarbonate panels. When stretching the film, it is necessary to build a sufficiently frequent crate so that the film does not sag and accumulate rain water. In this case, it is better to make a gable roof on the greenhouse with an inclination angle of more than 30 degrees. The roof frame of the greenhouse is covered with a film from above so that the junction of the strips is not along the greenhouse, but across. An overlap of about 20-40 cm is required so that water does not flow. For greater tightness, you can use glue or tape. After covering the greenhouse with a film, it is attached using thin strips nailed to the roof frame, thereby pressing the film.