How To Build A Cold Frame From Old Windows
One of the projects that I knew I wanted to include in my book, Raised Bed Revolution, was a cold frame. I had seen some neat DIY cold frame examples through garden visits over the years, not bad common cold frame kits through diverse retailers and innovative cold frames that used old windows equally the hat. I was likewise inspired past Niki, who gardens 365 days a year (yous tin can observe some of her common cold frame tips here).
When the photographer for my book, Donna Griffith, grabbed an old window a mutual friend was giving away, I enlisted my brother-in-police force, Deon, to help me effigy out how to build a cold frame to fit.
You could also use clear plastic for the lid. The thought is that the glass or plastic will harness the wintertime sun's warmth, assuasive plants to grow inside. Now we're not talking tomatoes here, simply there are several things yous can grow, including root vegetables and greens. One matter I read about cold frame designs is that the back should exist about three to 6 inches higher than the front end, which helps capture equally much solar energy as possible.
Hither are the steps for my DIY cold frame
You tin can adjust measurements based on the size of the hat you want to use. One thing to notation is ensuring that the window does not have lead paint on it equally you don't information technology to flake off in the soil over fourth dimension.
Tools
- Miter saw
- Circular saw or jigsaw
- Japanese dozuki saw
- Orbital sander or sandpaper
- Power drill or touch on driver
- Straight edge and pencil
- Clamps (optional)
- Record measure
- Eye and ear protection
- Work gloves
Materials
Notation: This project was made to suit an old window that's 32 one⁄4″ long × 30″ wide.
- (4) i i/two″ × 6″ × 8′ cedar boards
- (ii) hinges
- ii 3⁄4″ screws
Cut list
- (5) front and back pieces measuring one 1/2 × vi × 32 1⁄iv″
- (4) side pieces measuring 1 1/ii × vi × 30″
- (2) angled side pieces (see instructions) measuring 1 1⁄2 × v one⁄ii × 30″
- (two) corner braces (cut from scrap) measuring i ane⁄2 × 6 × 16 ane⁄ii″
- (2) corner braces (cut from fleck) measuring ane one⁄two × 6 × 11″
Step 1: Build the frame
Lay out the 32 1⁄4-inch front and back pieces so that they cover the sides of the 30-inch side pieces to form a box. Spiral in place to make the bottom of the frame. Repeat this step to create the second layer. For the third layer, there is a back piece but no front piece because of the angled gradient you want to create in one case the window is attached. This means the side pieces demand to be cut at an angle. They too demand to be longer to accommodate the slope. Leave about 10 inches on the cease in order to either screw or clamp the work piece down to your demote for when yous make the cut. Screw the side piece to the dorsum slice temporarily, and identify on pinnacle of the box. Take a straight edge and place it from the edge of the meridian corner to the front end of the box diagonally beyond the board and draw a line. Remove the temporary screws and adhere the extra 10-inch length to your work table with clamps or screws. Use a circular saw or jigsaw to slowly cut it out as you lot're going across the grain. One cut gives you both angled side pieces. Trim the actress 10 inches off the i slice to length.
Step 2: Sand the side pieces
Apply an orbital sander or sandpaper to smooth the crude edges of the angled side pieces.
Step 3: Attach the angled side pieces
Place the ii angled side pieces inside the edges of the third back piece and fasten in place from the back. There is no front piece for the 3rd level of this assembly because of the angle of the terminal project. Add together an extra spiral on each side toward the forepart to secure the side pieces in place because they will non attach to the corner braces.
Pace 4: Install the corner braces
From one of the remaining cedar boards, cut two pieces that are 2 × 16 ane⁄2 inches and two pieces that are 2 × xi inches. The long pieces are the braces for the back corners. Cut the ends of these on a slight angle to accommodate the gentle slope of the tops of the angled side pieces, or y'all tin cutting a bit shorter and install them below the bending. The window should shut without leaving a gap further down. From the within, screw these four braces to the outside frame to secure information technology in place.
Step 5: Trim the front end
If there is a bit of forest from the two angled pieces overlapping the forepart, utilize a dozuki handsaw or the orbital sander to gently trim information technology away.
Stride six: Attach the hinges
The preexisting metal piece forth the back of the old window would have prevented the screws for the hinges from going in, and then two scrap pieces of forest were trimmed and used to create a new "dorsum" to which the hinges could be fastened. This also pushed the window forrad a fleck to brand up for the actress centimeters that were added from the diagonal. Once these scraps are screwed in identify, attach the two hinges to the window frame and the frame of the box.
Once you start using your cold frame, it's important to know that things can get a little too heated within, so information technology'southward important to vent the common cold frame sometimes, even in the wintertime. I just employ an old slice of wood to prop mine open, merely yous can also get automatic vent openers that will approximate the temperature and open accordingly.
Project designed past Deon Haupt and Tara Nolan
All photography by Donna Griffith
Technical illustration by Len Churchill
Excerpted with permission from Cool Springs Press
For more than on common cold frame gardening, check out these posts:
- Learn how to grow in a cold frame
- Tips for successful cold frame growing
- Become a jump start on spring with a cold frame
- Common cold-hardy crops for fall and winter gardens
How To Build A Cold Frame From Old Windows,
Source: https://savvygardening.com/build-a-diy-cold-frame-using-an-old-window/
Posted by: stewartspive1970.blogspot.com
0 Response to "How To Build A Cold Frame From Old Windows"
Post a Comment