recycled window cold frame construction guide - for winter gardening
TRANSCRIPT
This instruction set was created by staff at the Ecology Action Center
Recycled Window Cold Frame Construction
Introduction
The following guide will enable you to prepare a cold frame using rough cut lumber and a recycled window. The construction is intended to be simple, make use of easily accessible material, and be safe. Note: Lumber cuts are based on rough cut wood
Wood Required and Cuts:
(3) 12’ – 2x6: These will be cut to specifications within the Instructions section under
Window Measurements and Wood Cuts.
(1) 6’ – 2x2: (2) cut at 17” and (2) cut at 11”
Other Materials:
4” Hinges (2) recycled or new
Recycled exterior window with wooden frame
(10) #8 – 2” wood screws
(50) #10 – 3” wood screws
Tools Required:
Impact drill or screwdriver with square (#2) bit
Drill with 1/8” bit
Measuring tape
Carpenters square
Pencil
Circular saw or handsaw
Construction Plan:
1) Window Measurements and Wood Cuts
2) Back Frame Construction (1) & Front Frame Construction (1)
3) Frame Sides (2) Installation 4) Window and Hinge Installation
Instructions: 1. Window Measurements and Wood Cuts Measure the length and width of the window and record these measurements. With a circular or hand saw, cut five pieces of 2x6 at the same measurement as the width of the window. For the frame sides, cut six pieces of 2x6 four inches shorter than the length of the window, this will accommodate for the added width of the window frames during installation. For two of the frame side pieces, make a straight cut using a circular saw, hand saw or jig saw from one corner to the opposite corner in a diagonal fashion, thus creating a triangle (sloped piece) at the same length as the other frame side pieces.
This instruction set was created by staff at the Ecology Action Center
2. Back Frame Construction (1) & Front Frame Construction (1)
For the back frame, lay three of the pieces cut to the window’s width on a flat surface; the
edges of each should be flush with each other and their longer edges abutted to one another.
With a measuring tape and carpenters
square or straight edge, draw a line
2” in from each end of these boards
so that the line is perpendicular to
the longer edges of each.
Lay two of the 17” pieces on these
boards aligned with each of the
previously drawn lines. Ensure that the
2x2s are flush on the edge of the 2x6 that
will be the bottom of the cold frame.
Prior to fastening these to the boards,
predrill two holes for each board within
the 2x2 to ensure the pieces do not split
when being fastened.
Fasten each 2x2 to the boards, keeping the outside edges of the 2x6s
flush; do this with the #10 – 3” wood screws. The front frame will be
completed in the same fashion but with the 11” 2x2 pieces as the
connecting pieces.
This instruction set was created by staff at the Ecology Action Center
When stood upright and facing each other from the inside the back and front frames should
look like this:
3. Frame Sides (2) Installation
Two 2x6 pieces will be stacked and fastened to the 2x2 pieces of both
the front and back frames. This can be done with the #10 – 3” wood
screws. With two stacked on each side, the third (sloped) 2x6 pieces
can be appended to the top of each frame side. The cut for the
sloped piece should extend from one corner of the 2x6 piece to the
opposite corner so as to create a triangle. A good way to make this
cut safely using a circular saw is to fasten one side of it to a wooden
surface, leaving the cut line clear of the surface so the saw will not
cut down into it. With the piece fastened with at least two screws at
different places, slowly cut the diagonal.
Before fastening these sloped pieces of 2x6, predrill
two holes about 4” apart near the thinner end of
each piece so that the wood does not split during
drilling.
Fasten each to the 2x6s below with the #10 – 3”
wood screws and then fasten the back end of the
sloped 2x6 to the back frame 2x2s to secure the
piece in place.
Front
Frame
Back
Frame
This instruction set was created by staff at the Ecology Action Center
Now that the overall frame is complete, the window can be fastened to the frame using
the hinges; ensure the frame looks like this before proceeding:
4. Window & Hinge Installation
Lay the window so that its edges align with the edges of
the cold frame.
At 5” from each edge of the upper 2x6 (back frame),
draw a line on both the 2x6 and window frame; this will
serve as a guide when installing the hinges.
This instruction set was created by staff at the Ecology Action Center
Fasten each of the hinges to both
the back frame and the window
frame using #8 2” wood screws;
the hinges should have their outer
edges in line with the lines
previously drawn.
Now that the build is complete, it is good practice
to open and close the lid to see if there are any
issues with the hinges and to ensure the fit is snug.
In addition, we recommend that absorbent
material such as soft piping tubing or something
similar be appended to the edge of the sloped 2x6
so that contact between the window and cold
frame does not break the glass.
Back
Frame
Add Absorbent
Material Here