cold frames

I was given some smoked plexiglass panels that I would like to use to build some cold frames. Is it possible to used them ?

I have only used clear glass, old windows actually.

Is smoked glass the same as tinted windows? If so wouldn't it reflect the heat instead of absorbing it? Or do I have it backwards?

I think the smoked glazing would work, but your plants would probably be a bit better served by clear... We use 4 mil plastic though, and it seems to be OK.

keith nowicki wrote:I was given some smoked plexiglass panels that I would like to use to build some cold frames. Is it possible to used them ?

I wouldn't.
As far as I know, smoked glass/plastic reduces light, whereas seedlings in my climate need as much light as they can get.
Low light-levels make plants stretch toward the light and become tall, spindly and weak.
I also avoid glass, as I'd have smashed mine long ago (probably over my head, knowing me )
I use 'pokie' machine fronts, aka slot/gaming machines.
Here, rather than replace the plastic picture thing when they change 'games', the just chuck the perspex.
Ask at your local gambling den
I'm not a gambling fan, so I kind of enjoy the irony.
If the perspex can withstand a disgruntled gambler's sledhammer, I think my head's ok!
The other great thing about perspex is it's easy to drill through- I took the glass out of old window frames and just screwed the perspex in its place.
Even more offtopic, but the screens also make excellent cloches- I drill holes in each corner and wire them together into a three-sided mini-greenhouse thing.
My climate's not quite hot enough for peppers, but they love 'pokie' houses!

Hey, if it's free it's worth a try.

I'll agree with Leila that my seedlings need all the light they can get or they get rather leggy, but maybe smoked glass would be better for a starting frame in the dog days of summer when you are getting a bit too much intense sunlight.