old window cold frames

[Alice In TX/MO]

I'm thinking of using some old windows from a house we remodeled to make cold frames.

If you have done this and have pics or advice, I'd appreciate it. Not sure how to attach the windows to each other so that they are secure and look nice.

[sherry in Maine]

well, could you not just surround your growing 'stuff' with 3 bales of hay or straw & prop window atop those?

sometimes at beginning of it, I will put trays outdoors, and surround with concrete blocks & put window on top also....
nothing beautiful, but still works....

[am1too]

If you have a flat frame just lay them on top.

If you have slanted frame (best IMO) hinge them and use hooks and eyes to secure them in open position to a stake. You could prop them open if wind is not a factor.

Visit the library and look though garden books. Some of them have very nice plans.

[Alice In TX/MO]

I just have a flower bed on the south side of the house where this is going to go.

Was hoping to see something real folks here had done. I can google, but it's not as much fun.

[larryfoster]

I'm looking at making a small greenhouse from old windows.
Haven't figured out how to do the roof to keep the water from laying in the sashes.

[Awnry Abe]

Oh. Secure AND look nice. Not my forte. I can do do 'functional'.

I had some vinyl windows that I picked up at an auction for $1. I used some inexpensive hinges to attach them to a basic 1x6 frame that I made that fit over some raised beds I made for my sweetie. With the hinges, she can open them completely on a warm day, or just crack them a bit in a brisk one. She grows lettuce with them in the non summer weather, so we have fresh lettuce quite a bit of the year.

[sugarspinner]

Probably not what you're wanting but for several years, I ran a row of straw bales down each side of where I was wanting a garden row. Then I put old windows across the row area, propping them when necessary, with sticks. As I took out the plants in my "cold frame" I filled the area with permanent plants such as mellons, took off the windows, broke the bales and spread the straw as mulch. This worked very well but wasn't terribly attractive.

[RebelDigger]

Originally Posted by larryfoster

I'm looking at making a small greenhouse from old windows.
Haven't figured out how to do the roof to keep the water from laying in the sashes.

I am going to do the same, using the old wooden sashes we took out of the house when we remodeled. I saw on an old episode of This Old House where Norm Abrams was doing something with wooden sashes as a roof, if I recall on a solarium. Anyway, he said to drill small holes through the mutton bars so the water can drain down, just a couple in each one. I am going to try that on my greenhouse -- if it ever stops raining long enough to get started on it.

[larryfoster]

Thanks for that, rebeldigger.
That was a simple enough answer that I should have thought of since I'm pretty simple

[DavidUnderwood]

[where I want to]

I kept checking back with this thread as I was hoping to see some pictures- thanks.

[Alice In TX/MO]

YES! That's IT! Thank you.

The windows I have are like the white framed ones to the left, and I want to build the box like the one on the right in your pic. HOORAY!

I think I have some old 2 x 12s. Hmmmmmm. Sheet metal. Hmmmmm. Thinking.

[Lamar]

I was able to get some free windows recently with this in mind.
BUT, the windows I have are double hung with huge heavy frames around them.
Do I tear the frames apart and somehow screw/nail/glue or whatever the sash's together or maybe hinge the 2 sash's in the middle?

[maddy]

Girl-made cold frame:

[Alice In TX/MO]

I'm glad you posted that. Silly me thought they had to have dirt at the bottom. I am SO going to start seedlings now!!

[Rick]

Nice to see there is still a sun out there after all.