Creating a Green/Glasshouse from Old Windows

reeeen4

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Hi Everyone,
I have a bunch of old windows laying around and I'm thinking of turning them into a glass house, anyone got any advice or know how I could go about it? Would I take the windows out of their old frames and put them together with new pieces of wood or should I leave the old frames on?
 

ClissAT

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Reen, casements are often used to make cloches for starting seedlings etc before winter has ended.
What sort of windows are you using? Can you give us a photo please?
If you are using casements, there's a way to put them together to make the structure strong.

If you are using aluminium windows it usually pays to leave them in the big frame but unless they are all the same make, they may not all be the same dimensions.
 

reeeen4

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I think they are just regular windows, they have aluminium frames.

BUA7Tj9.jpg

z7GQLfB.jpg
 

ClissAT

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That's a great haul of windows! I'm envious! :D:p
I would probably just bodgie up a timber frame of secondhand timber with studs far enough apart to take those windows laying on their sides.
I think it'd be a stronger structure if laid on their sides rather than placed upright for height.
I'd then use roof screws to screw through the frames directly to the timber.
Although some I would fashion into hinged windows to push out to allow airflow as a greenhouse made of them will get very hot and far too humid in summer.
 

reeeen4

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I'll give that a go, never built anything so big before though so will be a challenge.
I had initially thought of taking the metal frames off and then slotting the windows into some wood pieces I could cut slots in. But guess that's a little fiddly.
 

Lucas

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looking forward to more post bof progress and how it works
cheers Lucas
 

GKW

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Another SSC member built a DIY green house. Refer link to thread for pics.

https://www.selfsufficientculture.com/threads/ive-been-busy-of-the-past-few-months.1709/

You'll get the idea when you see the pics. Agree with ClissAT, leave the windows in frames and build the structure to take the windows.

I watched a vid not long ago from old mate in the UK building a mini potting shed / green house with some old windows and repurposed pallets. Worth the watch for ideas.


One can always source some free pallets from Bunnings / industrial area to make the bottom section.

Good luck and let us know how you go. Pics pls.
 

V8srfun

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Interested to see how it turns out. That is a nice haul of free glass excellent score.
 

John R.

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Hi Everyone,
I have a bunch of old windows laying around and I'm thinking of turning them into a glass house, anyone got any advice or know how I could go about it? Would I take the windows out of their old frames and put them together with new pieces of wood or should I leave the old frames on?

There are lots of plans on Pinterest. Some are free, but many you have to pay for. I have a lot of them as well and my wife and I want to do the same thing. I will look at some plans and send any links that might be just basic plans. Good luck!
 

reeeen4

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Thanks everyone for the links, sadly haven't made much progress yet because of Covid haven't had the chance to get timber to make the frame yet.
 
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