I just came home with no fewer than 7 large sheets of tempered glass, rescued from the curb. They look to be removed from some kind of storm door. The pieces are maybe 24x30 or so.
My question is about how to put them to a new use. I just recently got property, and plan on building a small cabin/microhouse (maybe 400 ft^2). I will need windows for that.
The other thing was building a recycled glass
greenhouse. I'm here in Wisconsin, and a
greenhouse would add a lot to my growing season. Then, their would be windows on any other structures.
I'm curious about re-using the windows. They are all boarderd by aluminum frames. I thought I could just pop the frames off, and use the glass alone. But the more I look at it, the more I'm thinking to just go ahead and use them frame an all. The stops (or rabbets) to hold the panes would work either way (modifying the depth), and the weather stripping on the frames appears to be in perfect shape. ANy thoughts on that?
If I do go ahead and use the glass with the frames, I'm curious about something else. The panes that would have moved (to open the window) have a thick flange on the bottom, that holds the locking mechanism. The other panes have a fuzzy strip around the outside to act as something of an air seal.
It would probably be a better idea to remove that stuff, leaving me with an aluminum frame of constant width and thickness. I
should be able to carefully cut that away with an angle grinder, wouldn't you think? (grinding near glass I don't like--but it's tempered glass. Strong, and not nearly as dangerous if I break it).
Just curious who of you guys has recycled glass from storm doors. I have access to a good
wood shop at a
local Maker's Space. Doing the mortise and tenons, or biscuit joints, and other steps (planing) should be straight forward.
Thanks for any ideas,
Sorry if this is the wrong forum--I just thought wood workers/carpenters would have a good idea how to do proper window sashes.
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