Do-it-yourself greenhouse from window frames. Do it yourself: how to build a greenhouse from window frames

How economical a dacha owner is depends not only on how savvy he is and his budget, but also on his ability to make things with his own hands. Greenhouse from window frames- quite practical, and you will need the most minimum investment, since 2 issues are being resolved at once: replacing frames in a city apartment and building a greenhouse on a suburban area. Let's consider a step-by-step algorithm for building such a device on our own land.

Content:

1. Making the foundation

The base of the greenhouse must be made, since wooden frames weigh a fair amount, plus it is necessary to cover the structure; other materials will be added, due to which the weight will be even greater. Accordingly, to ensure that your greenhouse made from window frames does not get damaged or sag over time, you need to install it with your own hands reliably and steadily, for which you will need to build a foundation. There are different materials for laying:

■ Brick- very reliable, but not very cheap. If installed correctly, it will last quite a long time. But it can also be damaged by constant temperature changes or excessive humidity. At the same time, it is absolutely stable and strong enough; it can easily withstand the wooden structure of a greenhouse.

■ Stone- This durable material, but very expensive. You can even install on it polycarbonate greenhouse with a metal body. Its base is durable and can withstand various weather conditions. If you take untreated stone, the price of the material will be much less.

■ Wooden foundation It is distinguished by its durability, it is also stable, but will not last too long. Literally up to eight years and it will have to be replaced. But it is perfect for DIY greenhouses.

■ Concrete- tape version made from cement. Reliable and durable. Will last for many years.

Based on the above, it is up to you to decide which material for laying the foundation for a greenhouse is acceptable to you. To build a foundation, the soil should not be swampy or too wet, otherwise the greenhouse will sag very soon. Perfect option when there is a layer of sand under the soil layer. If there is none, you need to do the following:

■ Fill the clay with gravel, spread it well, then add sand to a layer height of 15 cm.

■ Check that there is at least one and a half meters of groundwater penetration.

■ To install a strip foundation, you will need to dig a trench up to 50 cm deep. Make formwork. The boards can be wrapped in film to prevent them from “attaching” to the cement. Place wire reinforcement or just stones at the bottom for reinforcement large sizes. Next, pour in a mixture made from: cement, crushed stone, concrete.

This must be done in such a way that the voids are completely filled.
Next, you need to remove the boards, make waterproofing using bitumen composition, roofing felt and polymer material. If sinuses form along the edges, fill them with moistened sand and compact them. All this will take about three weeks (including complete drying of the foundation). Therefore, count on these deadlines before starting to build a greenhouse.

How to install the frame?

A greenhouse made from old frames is a completely self-sufficient frame that requires correct installation with your own hands, fastenings and coverings (including lathing). To build a reliable greenhouse, the frame must be installed securely. Window frames must be installed on the foundation and securely secured using corners, self-tapping screws, wooden blocks, nails or clamps. Building a greenhouse from old frames with your own hands is generally not difficult at all. The main thing is to stick important rules simplest construction. Plan all the work in advance, think through and write everything out step by step.

Place the frame on the foundation. To secure the components to the foundation with your own hands, use metal corners. They are inexpensive and quite durable. In order to secure it to the base of the greenhouse, you will need: welding, bolts and anchors. After which you can attach the old frames.

Don’t rush, do everything correctly, installing the next element on the foundation, fastening it together with the next one. Then you will be able to make the greenhouse frame with your own hands strong and stable, preventing subsidence into the ground.

Video “How to build a greenhouse from what you have at hand”

This video tells and shows how to make a greenhouse from what you have on hand. Window frames act as walls.

Installation of windows and frames

Since the structure itself will already be quite heavy in weight, it is not worth adding additional weight to it with windows. Nevertheless, some reproduce their greenhouses in this way, but this mainly applies to small structures. Most the best option shelters are polyethylene film.

To equip it, you need to make a light version of the sheathing around the perimeter of the upper part of the greenhouse. Use steel wire, slats or mounting profile. When the sheathing is installed, you can stretch the film. To secure it, use clamps and clamps, and you can also make regular holes for fastening.

Roof installation

When you are just planning to build a greenhouse yourself, think about what kind of roof it will have: single or gable. For example, if there are not enough details, then, of course, you can only make a lean-to version. He is satisfied with the most in a simple way, the main thing is that the slope is sufficient so that the water can drain without difficulty during and after rain.

The gable roof option is much better, regardless of the material that will be used for its construction. Processed frame blanks are stacked in a standard way, they are nailed down and covered with a ridge (made of wood or plastic) on top. It is important that the surface is sealed, especially at the junctions of glass and wood. Indeed, in the event of leaks, an unfavorable environment may be created inside the greenhouse, for example, mold or plant diseases.

If the walls of the greenhouse are made from old frames, they go well with polycarbonate. For example, if there is a shortage of materials that you will prepare for arranging a roof in a greenhouse, you can use polycarbonate or greenhouse film. Of course, this is not glass, but in terms of properties, the microclimate inside the greenhouse will not become worse if there is another material instead of glass.

To make a good, solid greenhouse, it is not necessary to make drawings, the main thing is to be able to tinker and be a savvy gardener. Upon completion of all work, from laying the foundation to stretching the film, double-check yourself to see how correctly you did everything.

Video “Answers to questions about building a greenhouse from window frames”

In this video you can see a greenhouse made from window frames and hear answers to many questions about the construction.

Beautiful greenhouse for relaxation and gardening

Few people think that a greenhouse can also be used for recreation. Usually its entire area is saved beyond measure in order to grow more seedlings or tomatoes. We offer an alternative - a principled approach to the dacha not only as a place for growing food and flowers, but also as a paradise for your holiday and your whole family.

This greenhouse is clear example how such an idea can be realized with the help of several ideas. By placing a chair, candlesticks inside, and placing decorative elements here and there, you can transform the overall image of the greenhouse. Prepare and wooden box, which can be an excellent stand for books, tea and dessert. After all, in such a greenhouse you will probably want to read books for a long time or even take a short nap, taking out soft pillows from a wooden box on the floor.

In addition, the space around the greenhouse can be completely changed even without significant costs. Old small wheelbarrows and shovels, clay pots, albeit slightly beaten, and even old cabinet for foot sewing machine- everything can be used for decoration. The main thing is that such old things are complemented with decorative ones - flowers, an angel on the window frame, twine tied in a bow. Thus, you organize a whole small exhibition in the name of beauty at your dacha.

There should be room inside for both plant decorations and interior items. For example, vases or candlesticks. Flowers alone are not enough to create a bohemian greenhouse environment like winter garden at an old English mansion. But together they will work like a charm.

In fact, no small thing is completely unnecessary. From it you can create beautiful compositions that will decorate a certain area in the country. Look at the old window frame, to which the owners of this greenhouse just nailed an iron rod folded in the shape of a heart. And instantly it became an art object that reminds either of the story of Romeo and Juliet, or of a small French summer cafe.

Decorating a greenhouse with plants is also worth it in a special way. For example, pairs or trios of plants of the same type, displayed in accordance with some idea in identical pots, will look beautiful.

And so, creating one composition after another, you will be able to fully equip the greenhouse and the area around it beautifully and without unnecessary financial costs.

September 17, 2016
Specialization: professional approach to architecture, design and construction of private houses and cottages, new products on the market of building materials and finishing. Hobby: growing fruit trees and roses Breeding rabbits for 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 has been installed throughout the entire house or apartment? If there country cottage area, then a mini greenhouse made from windows is an excellent use of this material.

Average new greenhouse made of polycarbonate with an area of 20 square meters will cost from 15 to 25 thousand rubles. A greenhouse made from old windows will cost a maximum of five thousand, taking into account the cost of building a foundation and purchasing 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 attach the frames from above along the ridge, the slope is at least 40 degrees

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

We arrange the greenhouse lengthwise from east to west. In this case, the sun will reach the plants evenly throughout the day, and the sprouts will not bend.

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

Greenhouse dimensions and foundation structure

Even shallow strip foundation a greenhouse must be built in a place where there is no close location groundwater. On my site, in two places at a depth of one and a half meters, the soil is already wet, and there the house used to be. So in this old house it was constantly damp. When wet, the foundation gradually collapses.

We choose a dry area, preferably with chernozem 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 the soil for the greenhouse will need to be prepared before building the foundation.

A certain soil composition is required for a greenhouse:

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

Greenhouse size

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

To prevent the boards from rotting, the lower frame must be treated with a protective wood primer or tarred. Roofing felt, which is used to wrap the lower square of the frame and rack, at a height of about 50 centimeters above ground level, is also suitable.

the most comfortable beds— one meter wide, they can be easily processed on both sides;
We make the path between the beds so wide that it is convenient to move around. If you don't plan to use garden wheelbarrow, That optimal width paths - half a meter;
The optimal width of the greenhouse is four meters. Three beds and two paths fit here. The length is arbitrary.

You can plan your 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 divide required quantity beds and paths.

Foundation structure

A foundation is necessary for a large greenhouse, since the mass of frames with glass is rather large. A greenhouse made from window frames is installed with your own hands on a shallow (50 - 60 centimeters) strip foundation, since the frame can shrink under the weight of the frames and the structure is deformed.

For a footage of 10 square meters, a foundation on pillars is also suitable. The number of pillars is calculated 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's important to remember that brickwork Without a foundation, it “slides” over time, and it cannot be buried in the ground. Therefore, under the brick columns it is still necessary to pour a concrete base.
in regions with severe frosts it is worth using natural warmth soil. Therefore, the greenhouse is buried into the ground by about half a meter or a meter, depending on the depth of freezing of the ground in winter;
a simple strip foundation is poured according to the usual scheme: trench, board formwork, concrete pouring, hardening, formwork removal.

The foundation must be covered with roofing felt before installing the frame. This will help further protect the wooden frame parts 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 it is already a permanent building.

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

Frame installation

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

There is no need to remove the vents and hinges; they will be useful for installation and subsequent ventilation of the greenhouse in the summer. If the frames are different in size, then we group them so that the shorter ones fall on the ends of the greenhouse, and the taller 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 continuous.

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

Frame elements:

Bottom trim - dimensions along the perimeter of the foundation. The beams can be fastened together with metal corners on self-tapping screws, rather than nails, this is more reliable. If the strapping is made of boards, then to give rigidity along the length, you can install one or two more boards.
The posts are attached vertically to the bottom frame. They are mounted in the corners, along the length and on the sides in increments equal to the width of the window frames selected for the greenhouse. The racks in one row should be lower than in the other - for a slope of 40 degrees. The difference in height of the racks is 30 centimeters.
The top trim is the basis for the roof. A window frame greenhouse must have a slope angle of at least 40 degrees so that water can easily drain and accumulate in the film.
It is not practical to install a gable roof on such a structure. A single-slope roof would also work.. In order for the film to be securely fastened, the pitch between the roof slats should be no more than 60 cm. For the roof, you can use plasterboard guides. They are lightweight and very easy to attach to wood with self-tapping screws.

All fasteners are made using wood screws only. Fastening with nails during operation does not stand up to criticism; in a year the entire structure will be swaying in the wind.

Fastening the frames to the frame

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

The fastening step with self-tapping screws is 25 - 30 centimeters, no less.
The joints between the frames must be sealed. Polyurethane foam or regular window putty will do. Additionally, you can lay insulating tape or a rubber seal.
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.
For reliability, the frame can be secured from the inside with a board at the bottom. We also attach it to wood screws.

If there are few old frames, then the northern side of the greenhouse can be covered with a board or thick one. But it is necessary to paint the plywood, as it very quickly becomes unusable from rain and snow.

Roof installation

The roofing material is dense polyethylene film for greenhouses or polycarbonate. Glazing a roof is a thankless task. Hail, heavy rain or squall and you have to change the glazing, and the price of glass is now quite high.

The downside of the film is that this canopy will have to be removed for the winter, and the reliability leaves much to be desired. Advantage - a pitched roof is suitable, less work and consumption of building materials. The pitch of the lathing under the film is no more than 40 m, since it sags and rainwater accumulates in it.
Polycarbonate is more expensive than film, but it is more reliable option, also allows you to install an arched roof.

Homemade greenhouse small sizes It’s better to cover it with film; it’s easy to remove for the winter.

Installation of a gable roof frame

The operating procedure is as follows:

We install two load-bearing beams along the length, and we will attach the roof rafters to them.
We attach rafters to the top frame, depending on the length of the greenhouse from three to six pieces.
It is important to determine the angle of inclination of the rafters; it should be the same.
We mount the rafters to load-bearing beam using vertical posts (trusses).
Next, along the rafters we apply lathing from slats to secure the roof covering. For polycarbonate, the pitch of the slats is 60 - 80 centimeters, for film 40 - 50 cm.
We fasten the roof along the sheathing. It is advisable to secure the film to the rafters with thin slats for reliability.

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

Summary

In the video presented in this article you can see the entire process of constructing 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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Any gardener who wants to get a high-quality harvest builds a greenhouse on his plot. The simplest and most reliable option is greenhouse built from old window frames. You can build it with your own hands without special costs. The first question that arises is where to get window frames? The answer is simple: people who do repairs. Old windows can be purchased for nominal money or free of charge. Thanks to this approach, you will save a lot of money and build a structure that fits perfectly into your exterior.

Did you know?

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

Creating a foundation and foundation options

Before laying the foundation, the area must be cleared. Mark the construction plan, having first leveled the ground. It is imperative to take into account the degree of soil shrinkage. The foundation is new design. The choice of foundation will depend on how long the structure will last, as well as the required material from which it is constructed. If you plan to have a durable durable design made of metal plastic windows, then it would be advisable to lay a brick foundation or fill it with cement. But if the structure is planned for one or two seasons, then it is enough to use beams. To wooden foundation not rotted, it can be wrapped in roofing felt.

Construction of the frame

The frame of the greenhouse will be window frames. There are several options for attaching them:

Fastening with corners. Very reliable way, but it requires some skill and expense. The corners are attached between the frames with inside and are bolted, connecting the two frames together.
Fastening with self-tapping screws. A fairly simple method in which self-tapping screws are screwed into the base of the frame, thereby fastening its individual parts together.
Fastening with bars and slats. Thin bars or slats are attached along the perimeter of the greenhouse from the inside, which are nailed down. This design will be quite durable.
Clamps and wire. This assembly method is the simplest. The frames are attached by simply twisting the wire together. This type is suitable for a structure that is being built for one season.

Installing a greenhouse on a foundation

Installing the greenhouse on the base is the most important point. The frame can be attached to the foundation by installing a corner and welding the parts together. If the base is made of timber, then it will be enough to attach the structure with bolts. The most important thing is to develop an action plan that will help you install the structure correctly. It is necessary not only to correctly attach the greenhouse to the base, but also to carefully connect the frame to each subsequent one, ensuring its stability.

Roof covering

Covering is The final stage in the construction of a greenhouse. There are several ways:

Covering the roof with glass. This will be a durable coating, but it will significantly make the structure heavier.
Covering the greenhouse with plastic film. The method is very economical and simple, and at the same time it will lighten the weight of the structure. To cover the roof with film, you will need to nail slats around the perimeter of the roof and make a sheathing. Polyethylene is easy to fasten with clamps or clamps.

After the frame is erected and the roof is stretched, the structure must be checked for strength. It is also very important that the greenhouse has proper ventilation. In such a structure, the vents of old window frames will perform this function. If there are gaps in the structure, they must be sealed. Construction foam is suitable for this. The last important point is light transmittance. The greenhouse must allow light to pass through from all sides. After checking the functionality, you can start planting.

Window frames as a material for a greenhouse: pros and cons

Old windows perfectly transmit light, which is necessary for plants, and they also have high level strength, so a greenhouse made of them can withstand any type of precipitation.

Wood is a strong and stable material that is perfect for constructing greenhouses. And if new wooden structures are very expensive, then greenhouses made from old unnecessary window frames will cost mere pennies.

Old window frames for greenhouse construction

Greenhouses made from old windows have many advantages:

All windows and vents open, which ensures constant ventilation of the room;
Allows you to build a stationary, non-demountable or dismountable structure in a short time;
You can grow vegetables, fruits and flowers all year round;
Has excellent thermal insulation qualities;
Allows the introduction of artificial lighting and heating into the room.

The only drawback is that it is often very difficult to find sufficient quantity frames of the same size to ensure that the structure is smooth and aesthetically attractive.

The difficulty of selection increases the construction time of the greenhouse.

Preparation for construction: diagrams, drawings and dimensions

Preparatory work begins with the selection of the required number of identical window frames. If they are completely different, then you will have to show all your skills and abilities in the field of architectural engineering and take measurements of each window separately, and then, having written everything down on paper, try to draw up a diagram - a drawing on paper.

Drawing of a greenhouse made from old window frames without a roof

This is the only way you can assemble not only a durable and reliable, but also an aesthetically attractive greenhouse, which is very important for creating the exterior of the whole personal plot. In addition, if you assemble a structure from windows different sizes, you will not be able to achieve the correct geometry, and therefore complete tightness of the room. Also, you will not be able to make an even and practical pitched roof.

Selecting a location

The location for building a greenhouse is very important point, since its future functionality depends on this. It is best to place the greenhouse on a flat area, well lit from all sides by the sun. But it is also important that the area is protected from strong winds, and that there are no tall buildings or trees nearby, which will create large and unnecessary shady areas for plants.

The greenhouse should be positioned in such a way that its longitudinal side is located from the north to the south.

Selecting a location for building a greenhouse from old windows

Soil selection

The ground under the greenhouse should be completely dry and clean. It is optimal when there is a sandy layer of soil under the chernozem. Since window frames with glass are quite heavy, the soil must be dense and well compacted. Especially if our structure is erected without a solid foundation.

If you have clay terrain, then it will need to be well prepared. To do this, you need to make a blind area from medium-fraction gravel, and then make a sand cushion about 10 centimeters thick, on which good fertile soil is poured.

It is very important to take into account the presence of groundwater, which should be at a depth of more than one and a half meters. Soil with a high level of humidity is not suitable for building a heavy greenhouse from window frames.

In principle, to build a stationary greenhouse from old windows, any old frames with glass will suit us, and the main thing is that they should be the same as possible. We choose windows with intact frames (not eaten away by bugs and fungi), as well as intact glass, so that you don’t have to buy new ones, since they are not cheap.

Selecting window frames for greenhouse construction

It is necessary to twist all excess from the window frames. metal elements: hinges, handles, latches, etc. Then completely clean the window frames from old peeling paint and sand with abrasive paper or special grinder. We also recommend treating wooden frames with an antiseptic substance that protects them from mice, rats, dampness and various insects.

If you want to attach frames to wooden frame using nails, the glass will have to be removed so as not to break it. And if you use ordinary screws, then there is no need to remove the glass. But at the same time, it is necessary to close all the windows so that they do not slam during operation. It is recommended to make the height of the greenhouse walls no lower than 1 meter 80 centimeters.

Calculation of the required amount of material and tools

In order to calculate required amount additional material you need to know the height and width of the windows. Depending on this, it is necessary to buy timber for constructing the frame, slats for creating sheathing and other materials.

It is also necessary to measure the width of all existing windows in order to have an idea of how long the future greenhouse will be. In order to calculate the width, we recommend drawing up a drawing on which all passages and locations of the beds will be indicated in advance. Mostly, dacha owners make beds at least 1 meter wide. The width of the passage between them should be such that a small garden cart can be easily transported along it. Usually the width of the passage is also 1 meter, but it can be more or less depending on the wishes of the greenhouse owner and his ideas.

For work we will need tools and materials such as:

Hammer;
Nails;
Screwdriver;
Screws or self-tapping screws;
Abrasive paper or sanding machine;
Metal corners and plates;
Polyethylene film;
Boards - thickness 4 – 5 cm;
Wooden beam 10x10 cm;
Wood paint;
Ruberoid;
Bitumen mastic and antiseptics;
Sealant and construction foam.

Step-by-step instructions with photos for building a greenhouse with a pitched roof and without a foundation

Since the window frames and glass are quite heavy, we cannot do without a foundation completely. Another thing is that we will not make it solid: concrete, stone or brick. We will simply make a base from a thick wooden beam, on which we will place our greenhouse.

First, you need to dig a narrow trench, about 15 cm deep, around the entire perimeter of the future greenhouse frame and fill it with small crushed stone. Compact everything well (you just need to pour water on the crushed stone and walk on it a little).
We put roofing felt on this crushed stone in two layers, and this is mandatory. You can take another one waterproofing material, but roofing felt is more economical.
We place a timber approximately 10x10 cm in size on the roofing material along the entire perimeter of the structure. Before this, we process the timber from below bitumen mastic. This will increase its service life.
Timber base for a greenhouse
We connect the timber at all corners from the inside with metal corners, and on the outside with iron plates.
When the so-called foundation is ready, we begin to build the frame for the future greenhouse. We will make it from boards about 4 thick – 5 centimeters. From these we need to make the upper and lower trim.
Frame for a greenhouse from old windows
To do this, in the corners, as well as every 2.5 or 3 meters, we install vertical racks along the length of all sides. The installation pitch of the racks must be calculated depending on the width of the window frames. In this case, it is better to make the bottom row from two rows of boards so that the height of the structure is much greater.
From above, all the racks must be connected in general design using a thinner wooden beam, for example 4x4 cm. It is the vertical posts that are the main volume of the frame.
Device top harness frame
We also fasten the entire frame together with iron corners and self-tapping screws so that the greenhouse made from old windows is as strong and rigid as possible.
We attach the prepared window frames to vertical posts using self-tapping screws, and blow out the resulting cracks with regular polyurethane foam. The frames also need to be secured on the inside by nailing support bars to them.
Fastening the window frame to the frame with nails
If your window frames are too “low”, then you will have to make a two-tier frame, which will allow you to attach the frames to it not only vertically, but also horizontally. It would be good if we could find a sufficient number of single-leaf windows, with the help of which we would “raise” our greenhouse to the required height.
Greenhouse with two rows of old window frames to “raise” the walls
If you also make a pitched roof from window frames, then you should make a frame for the roof with a certain angle of inclination, since the glass in the window frames may not withstand large quantity snow.
For a pitched roof, we make the rear pillars much lower to achieve the required roof angle.
Shed roof made of window frames
If you do not want to make a roof from window frames, then you can simply install a sheathing of wooden slats and stretch the plastic film. You can secure it to the frame using nails or furniture stapler. This will be much simpler and easier, since the film can be removed for the winter so that a lot of snow does not accumulate on it.
Construction of a roof from old window frames made of reinforced film
After the frames are screwed to the frame, it is necessary to insert the windows, secure them with glazing beads and lubricate the edges with sealant to prevent air movement inside the room.
Hooks or latches are screwed or nailed to the windows that will subsequently open. The rest can simply be nailed in and sealed with sealant.
We install doors. If the end of the greenhouse where the door will be installed is very narrow, then there is no point in installing window frames there at all. Maybe just the space between door frame and cover the frame with thick plastic film.
We make the door frame from timber. The door can be used as a regular interior door with or without glass. If dimensions allow, the door can also be made of high window frames.

Finishing: what color to paint and how to complement the structure

Window frames that have been cleared of old paint must be treated with various antiseptic and antifungal agents and, if desired, can be primed with a special wood primer. This is done to increase the service life of the “old wood”. Although I would like to note that the old wooden frames are of fairly good quality, since in Soviet times everything was done “conscientiously.”

Then you can simply paint them with any paint you like, but usually choose the classic one White color. If you are a great esthete, you can fork out the cash and open all the frames with varnish. Such a greenhouse will look simply gorgeous.

The finishing touches exterior decoration- installation of handles on the windows that will open to ventilate the greenhouse and on the doors.

Floor installation

Inside the finished greenhouse, we pour a layer of fertile soil and arrange the beds at our discretion.

There are also other options, but they are more expensive.

Video: how to build a greenhouse from old window frames with your own hands

Based on our article, it cannot be said that a greenhouse from old window frames can be built in one day and costs nothing. But if you compare it with expensive factory stationary models, then it is no worse in its technical characteristics and the functions performed, and if you do everything as expected and put all your effort into building a really good structure, then it will serve you for more than one year. Such a greenhouse will not only allow you to grow your favorite vegetables and fruits, but will also become an integral part of your garden plot.

You can always buy ready-made greenhouses freely available in specialized stores. But they are expensive and not many gardeners can afford to buy them. There is only one thing left to do, build the structure with your own hands.

If you can’t find discarded frames, you can negotiate with workers or a manager from a company that installs metal-plastic windows. After all, the happy owners of new plastic windows simply throw the old ones into a landfill. Why not use old unnecessary frames. To begin with, you should choose the place where the new greenhouse will be built on your personal plot.

What you need to pay attention to:

Good lighting;
Mandatory orientation from North to South;
Dry dense soil;
Windless area;
The area must be level;
Lack of groundwater.

Next, you need to first prepare the old window frames. It is necessary to remove or trim those areas that are clearly rotten or have mold on them, remove all fittings, remove with a scraper or construction hairdryer all old paint from frame

Be sure to remove all the glass (to avoid damage to the glass due to impacts during installation of the structure).

It is necessary to treat the wood with an antiseptic to protect it from rot, mold and dirt, strengthen all the windows if they are not needed in the new greenhouse design, and restore the wood of the frames.

Installation of a greenhouse from window frames

Very often, in courtyards multi-storey buildings many discarded wooden window wounds can be seen. Residents are replacing old wooden ones with plastic frames. But when they throw them away, the residents don’t even realize that it’s valuable. construction material for summer residents. From these frames you can build an excellent greenhouse, and it is necessary when growing seedlings and early fruits.

Where to begin:

Take careful measurements of the window frames;
Draw precise drawings future greenhouse;
Collect tools.

The first thing to do when starting construction of such a greenhouse is to measure all existing old window frames. This is necessary to know in order to accurately assemble available supplies.

The drawing must indicate the location of the entrance to the greenhouse, the exact location of the beds and passages between them for their maintenance.

Some standard sizes buildings - beds must be arranged 1 m wide, and the passage between the beds is approximately 80–100 cm, and the height of the greenhouse must be more than 1.70 m.

How to properly build a greenhouse with your own hands from window frames

The first thing that is necessary for a greenhouse is the construction of a foundation, because old window frames are quite heavy. Most often, a strip foundation is built. First, outline the dimensions of the greenhouse according to the diagram. Then they dig a trench to a depth of 42-53 cm deep. We strengthen the formwork from wooden boards.

So that the boards can be easily removed from the concrete, they must be wrapped in polyethylene.

Wire reinforcement is laid down the trench. Let's prepare a solution of sand, crushed stone, cement (M200-400) and water. After hardening, carefully remove the boards and allow the foundation to gain strength (3-4 weeks). When laying the foundation, it must be taken into account that it will be ready only in a month.

Steps to remember during construction:

We arrange a strip foundation;
We install the beams as the main frame;
We build the main part - we fix the old window frames;
We are building a roof.

The voids between the foundation and the ground must be compacted with wet sand, and the simplest waterproofing must be done on top - roofing felt tape or bitumen. Next stage– this is the installation of a frame for a greenhouse from prepared wooden frames. We assemble everything according to the drawing. First, you need to build a frame. It is made from wooden beams. A certain amount of timber is sawn off to the required length. The beams are fastened together with self-tapping screws and metal corners, the frames should also be secured to the timber using self-tapping screws. But it’s even better if the main pillars of the frame are vertical pillars, which will be strengthened earlier, at the stage of pouring the foundation. Any cracks and holes must be sealed; the structure does not need drafts.

The last stage of construction is the installation of the roof. It can be single or double slope. Everything is simple here. If there are not enough materials, then it is necessary to build a pitched roof. And if there are enough old wooden frames, and gardeners have some means, then you can take a swing at gable roof or even a more expensive option - a roof made of polycarbonate sheet. The greenhouse roof assembly is a hermetically sealed connection of glass or polycarbonate sheet, or simply dense polyethylene film with a frame and timber, since if excess moisture gets inside the greenhouse, plants may suffer due to mold and rot. After everything, the glass is inserted into the frames.

But there is another option - homemade greenhouses. The most important thing in this option is the installation from wooden beams frame of the future structure. All around the perimeter vertical bars are connected and thus further strengthened with each other by long wooden planks. These boards will also serve as walls for the greenhouse. The boards are attached to the beams with self-tapping screws with metal corners.

Then we attach old wooden window frames, previously prepared, to the frame of the future greenhouse. They are mounted on hinges so that you can easily open the greenhouse or even remove the entire frame.

Elite greenhouse made of plastic windows

IN Lately, during the construction of new modern apartment buildings, which are already being rented with metal-plastic windows, but not very good quality. Owners of new apartments most often try to get rid of low-quality plastic windows. Often, after the completion of a new house, you can also see quite decent metal-plastic window. It’s clearly not suitable for a window into an apartment, but it’s just right for building a greenhouse.

Construction has stages:

Foundation;
Frame made of wooden beams;
Fastening plastic window frames to bars;
Roof construction;
Debugging of plastic windows.

A greenhouse is a simple matter, even for dummies. It is necessary to carefully measure the old window frames and, based on existing materials, draw a drawing of the future greenhouse, and strictly follow this plan. Well, the most important thing is that building a greenhouse is not a one-day job.

The bonus of the constructed greenhouse is early vegetables and herbs, and proven seedlings of excellent quality.

DIY greenhouse made from window frames (video)

This type of greenhouse has been the most sought after and popular among amateur gardeners for many years. This building looks very beautiful on the site. And if you work a little around the greenhouse landscape design, then the result will not only be a functional structure, but will delight the eyes of its owners. It should also be noted that access to plants with this type of greenhouse is very good and convenient. It is accessible from all sides and is very successful and functional.