greenhouse using old windows?

[lorihadams]

I've seen this before. Hubby and I aquired an entire house full of old windows that were going to the dump, really nice ones too. Some are the big sixteen pane ones, I think we have either 4 or 6 of those. They are all various sizes. When I get home I can post a pic of them.

Has anyone built a greenhouse type shed with old windows? What do I need to know about ventilation? I live in Va and would like to build something that I can start my seedlings in, I have a small fan with a heater/thermostat so I am thinking I could put that in there to keep the temps steady.

Anyone know of any good plans....I'm thinking something solid on one side and the windows slanted on the other. I was thinking of doing a hoop house but my little hillside is just too windy.

 

[Wifezilla]

I am doing this with my back porch. I need some more windows though. I am going to definitely get an auto window opener or two.

http://www.harborfreight.com/greenhouse-window-vent-opener-92192.html

 

[BarefootMom]

We have discussed it. A great website that I have been looking at for design ideas is

http://www.instructables.com/id/Greenhouse-From-Old-Windows/

 

[lorihadams]

Okay, do I need to glaze the windows? How does one do that?

 

[Javamama]

You can use them for small cold frames on the ground too! Old windows can be a nice thing to have around.

 

[SKR8PN]

http://www.hobby-greenhouse.com/FreeSolar.html

http://www.irisherbal.com/psg/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gshyZ0qJx2c

http://aes.missouri.edu/bradford/education/solar-greenhouse/solar-greenhouse.php

http://www.builditsolar.com/Projects/Sunspace/sunspaces.htm




These links should give you some pretty good ideas as to what you can do to build a totally solar greenhouse. While none of these are built specifically with old house windows, you'll get a wealth of info. I researched and gathered pieces/ parts for about 2 years before we finally put our plans into motion. We plan on extending our growing season as far as we possibly can, and use it for starting seedlings in the spring.
If you decide to go bigger than what you have windows for, start looking at craigslist for old sliding glass doors. They can be had pretty cheap, are insulated glass, and already framed around the glass. Our greenhouse was built around the same glass dimensions as 6 ft sliders.

If you want any more details, just let me know. I'll be glad to help anyway I can. I need to gt updated photo's now that I have it all trimmed out and stuff growing in it.

 

[lorihadams]

Thank you SKR8PN!!! I was hoping you would chime in with some good references so I wouldn't have to spend hours on the internet looking stuff up and filtering through all the garbage!

 

[lorihadams]

Would a small solar panel be good on the north side roofline to run the fan if it gets full sun all day? Like the unit on the other thread from Harbor Freight?

 

[SKR8PN]

Your very welcome. If you need more info, just holler.

Back when I first started researching this project, it was hard to find anything on building a totally solar greenhouse, but, there was one particularly good website that had a great deal of info. The gentleman had built a solar greenhouse in Wisconsin and was very successful with it. For some reason, he took all his pages down At least he got me pointed in the right direction before the info was lost. I would love to thank him. Our greenhouse is modeled after how he built his and I used a lot of his tips and ideas to make it as efficient as possible.

 

[SKR8PN]

Would a small solar panel be good on the north side roofline to run the fan if it gets full sun all day? Like the unit on the other thread from Harbor Freight?

I have thought pretty seriously about that, but I am limited as to where I could build a battery bank. I have the shed roof behind the greenhouse I could mount the panels on, and have even thought about maybe building a solar heater of sorts if need be. I did think to add one outlets on the outside of the shed, that is now INSIDE the greenhouse. I run a small fan from that.

This winter will tell the tale as to what if anything I will be adding to it.