make your own cold frame?

[marialittlebzz]

I have planned to build my own cold frame ( a tiny green-house!) to start all my seeds... I thought of buying some pieces of plastic from DY shop but anyone knows what kind is required to have enough protection against cold night but let all the good UVA through ?
what do you use for build greenhouse?
thanks!!

[SarzWix]

You could try & find an old window, and design your cold-frame to fit the window? Otherwise, I think you can use whatever the DIY shop has - just go have a look then design your frame to fit what you're using, that way you don't have to try and cut the stuff as that's often the hardest bit to get right!

[smallblueplanet]

Hi Maria, when we moved into our previous place there was an old 1950s kitchen cabinet on the bathroom wall. It was a rectangular shaped box, but shorter at the front/bottom than the back/top. Next door had thrown out an old wooden window frame and it fitted on top of the cabinet exactly. I attached the window frame with hinges and I covered the top of it with plastic! Et viola! How lucky was that it was a perfect cold frame....

Unfortunately it collapsed during another house move, so now I need a new cold frame. They look simplish to construct, a wooden box with a light-admitting 'roof' - has anyone any designs? Perhaps I could make one out of the old pallet I have in the shed?

[marialittlebzz]

I already have a "skeleton" made in wood, I just have to wrap it with plastic...
I was thinking, is there a difference if it's on top of a table and not on the floor?
I mean, does it make a difference in temperature or something?
(becomes a bit hair-pulling kind of questions, sorry!)

[nick the grief]

What you need to do is look at our website

http://www.hags.btik.com/attachments/tempframeparts.JPG

[Hazel at the Hill]

I already have a "skeleton" made in wood, I just have to wrap it with plastic...

....and if you do cover your skeleton with plastic, get the thickest, clearest quality you can lay your hands on.

Welcome to the Vine, by the way.

[smallblueplanet]

What you need to do is look at our website

Sorry NTG they are not 'instructions for clutz's' - need full detailed instructions. (Oh and pictures please! )

[Cutecumber]

I would use a double walled plastic (polycarbonate or polypropylene) as the insulation qualities are better than a single plastic sheet. They can be ordered from several plastic manufacturers and horticultural outlets such as here: Two Wests - Please enable your cookies

Bear in mind that plastic is a lot lighter weight than glass - one of the good things about a glass cold frame is that they are heavy enough not to be affected by strong winds (normally!). If it is a sheltered spot, then you don't have these worries.

[marialittlebzz]

mmm...
thanks a lot for the kind of plastic I need to use, but actually I should try to consolidate the side and do a kinda box...Have to look around house in refurbishment in my area, there is always stuff lying around that I could use. Yep, thats the way in the city, recycling rubish !