Coldframe from second hand windows

I’m fixing up a house and replacing its very old single glazed windows, and I was thinking of making a cold frame out of the old window panels. Has anyone here done this before and would you have any tips regarding potential pitfalls?

Patrick

I think it's a brilliant reuse of materials. I've done this with double-pane glass and it works.

Drawbacks?

Single pane glass lets the heat in, but it also lets the heat out. Be prepared to throw on a tarp or cover in frosty conditions.

Old windows may well have layers of lead paint. Not the end of the world, but take steps to keep it from flaking off into your soil.

As you set it up, hinge it so it's easy to water and to ventilate in a serious way during the day. You don't want to fry your tender young plants.

In broader use, I have seen "open air" setups where old windows are used to create a microclimate. It's sort like the walls of a greenhouse with no roof, with a door and everything. And yet you get the rain coming in with zero effort.

My 2c. Hope this is useful.

All of my cold frames are made of old aluminum storm doors. I generally remove the glass and replace it with plastic or polycarbonate. I don't believe I would want to use wooden frames nor the non-hardened glass from old house windows. The class in most aluminum storm doors is tempered and does not easily break. The aluminum cuts easily even with a hand powered hack saw if you want a custom size, I used bolts as fasteners. The hinges are easily adjusted for size as needed and work really well. It's funny, I was in the re-store just a few days ago and the price on a door was $25, I was shocked. Last time I bought one there I paid $5 for it.

I like plastic or polycarbonate because it is lightweight and doesn't break. I don't worry over the insulation of a double pane window; I am usually more concerned with keeping up with ventilation on sunny days than having the extra insulation at night. I do keep some old blankets handy though, just in case.

Patrick Woodburn wrote:I’m fixing up a house and replacing its very old single glazed windows, and I was thinking of making a cold frame out of the old window panels. Has anyone here done this before and would you have any tips regarding potential pitfalls?

Patrick

No. But I'd love to know as well...
Missie

As stated above watch for the old paint flaking off, it could be lead based.  Find an easy way to vent your cold frame(s) on sunny days, as the heat will build up.  If it's single pane glass in the window sash you may need some poly on hand to cover your frames during a cold spell.  If you build wooden cold frames I would use screws, that way you can easily take them apart for storage until the next spring.

My first cold frames were made with straw bales (used later for mulch once the ground warmed) placed together forming an opening in the middle, and like you covered with old window sash. (from an old Rodale book), sorry don't remember the title (maybe from the 70's) might have been from Eliot Coleman???

Hope this may help.


As always
Peace