Building a greenhouse out of old windows requires a little more craftsmanship than a prefab kit. This requires a lot of windows that have to be reconstructed. A very attractive and individual plant house will be a reward for time and leisure.

Old windows are perfect for building a greenhouse

The motivation to build a greenhouse from old windows can have very different reasons. If you look at the often lovingly styled buildings, there is a lot of individualism involved, and certainly a little nostalgic inspiration as well. The owners of such houses are not uncommon either particularly environmentally conscious and value sustainable building, right in the allotment. Such buildings often only appear particularly cheap at first glance in terms of construction costs. But the time factor involved in restoring old windows or erecting the building itself can be very labor intensive.

Artistic creativity meets vintage

One often wonders whether such a greenhouse made of old windows is not a garden house (€24.90) that, if there is heating, one can even visit for a Sunday coffee chat in the bitter frost in winter. And if you take a closer look, you'll quickly notice that there's a lot on there too craftsmanship in construction was there. What is actually needed in terms of material?

Minimum equipment of building materials and tools

Depending on the size, planned design and intended use, the material requirements for erecting a greenhouse from old windows are much more extensive than is the case with a foil tent.

  • Old windows: It can't be too many, because often two (defective) make one, i.e. restore;
  • Wooden beams for the corners of the house (possibly also for the ring anchor of the foundation);
  • Closing and tilting device with locking options;
  • a stable foundation (solid due to the weight to be carried and not necessarily only as a point foundation);
  • Material for roof construction (shingles, tiles or corrugated sheets);
  • professional tools (at least from the trades locksmith, carpenter and painter);

Going to the authorities may be mandatory

Depending on the usable area, building height and intended use, an official building permit may well be required for such structures. The probability becomes even higher if heating, electricity and water supply are installed in the nostalgia house. Possibly, and this is handled differently in every federal state, even a construction drawing with the necessary static calculations must be produced? Hence one written request or better a visit strongly recommended in the building authority before erecting the plant house. Unless your plan is a 50 cm high cold frame that is only to be loosely covered with old windows.

tips

Since pictures often say more than a thousand words, we don't give you an extra tip today, but a reference to the makers of instructables, a portal from San Francisco, who have captured the construction of a greenhouse very vividly here.

Category:

Garden design