Building a small cold frame greenhouse from reclaimed wood can be a fun and sustainable weekend project that requires dedication and time. Plan to spend a full day on this project, so sit back, relax, and enjoy the process of learning and creating.
If you’re looking for a step-by-step video tutorial on building your own cold frame greenhouse with reclaimed wood, check out our video on YouTube.
What You’ll Need
Prepare a variety of tools to streamline the construction process. Here’s what we used, but feel free to adapt based on what you have:
- Planer/thicknesser
- Table Saw
- Miter Saw
- Drill Press
- Drill
- Impact Driver
- Metal Detector
Materials
We mainly used reclaimed wood for this project, but you can choose any material you prefer. Here’s what we used:
- Pallet Wood
- Reclaimed Roof Trusses
- Reclaimed Window, with intact glass
- Chipboard Screws
- A Piano Hinge
While stainless steel screws and hinges are recommended for outdoor projects like this, we worked with what we had due to COVID-19 restrictions at the time. Embracing constraints can lead to creativity.
Measurements For The Cold Frame Greenhouse
- Back Legs: 110cm x 4.5cm x 3.5cm
- Front Legs: 99cm x 4.5cm x 3.5cm
- Side Boards: 54cm x 13cm x 2cm
- Front And Back Boards: 120cm x 13cm x 2cm
- Backer For Hinge Attachment: 120cm x 2.5cm x 2cm
- Front Lip: 120cm x 3.5cm x 2cm
- Bottom Boards: 120cm x 13cm x 2cm
- Gap Fillers: 109cm x 6cm x 2cm
- Supports: 80cm x 3.5cm x 2cm
Step-by-Step Instructions
Start by using a metal detector to remove any metal pieces from the reclaimed wood.
Cut the roofing trusses to size for the legs using a table saw and miter saw. Plane the boards, straighten the edges, and cut to final size.
Cut the side boards to length and create a 10-degree angle for the top of the greenhouse.
Cut a 10-degree angle along the tops of the legs to fit the reclaimed window.
Drill countersink holes for screws, fix the side boards to the legs, and attach the remaining boards and bottom boards with even gaps for drainage.
Reinforce the bottom boards as needed and attach the backer for the hinge.
Finally, install the reclaimed window using the piano hinge.
Why Do You Need a Cold Frame Greenhouse?
A small greenhouse is perfect for growing vegetable seedlings and can reduce trips to the store while providing fresh, home-grown produce. It’s also suitable for small spaces and offers easy access without straining your back.
Enjoy your gardening journey!
About the Authors
Michael Martin and Nikki Rixon founded Reclaim Design in 2013. Subscribe to their YouTube channel for more videos featuring practical advice, eco-friendly tips, and inspiration for living a sustainable life.
