Homemade Greenhouse

[ozarkshillbilly]

Howdy! Having been born and raised fairly poor I've always been a scrounger and a saver. Even today it's still tough for me to throw stuff away although I don't save rusty bent nails anymore. Around my neighborhood most folks know I recycle so I end up with a lot of junk. Recently I've acquired eight old shower doors. After the aluminum frame is removed I've still got the glass to dispose of. The glass is not clear as it is either frosted or has some kind of pattern in it to prevent it from being see through. Also, in the past I've tried breaking it up and putting it in the trash but it's not like regular window glass. I guess it's some sort of "safety" glass? How about some feedback on using this glass for a small (8 X 12) homemade greenhouse? Is it a stupid idea? Your thoughts (ideas?) and feedback on this subject are greatly appreciated. Thank you very much.

[Grozit]

If there is a way to cut the glass you may be able to salvage it but I think you have a challange. You can make a mini greenhouse cheap using black plastic pipe and a 4 mil or better covering.

[drobinson]

Shower glass is either plastic or glass. I understand that yours is glass. If that is the case, then most of it will be tempered. I know about that from experiencing a shower door that shattered into small fragments after the grandkids slammed it too hard. You cannot cut tempered glass with a glass cutter. It will shatter when broken, which makes it safe around people (especially grandchildren). If you want to use it in a green house, it would be best to leave it in the metal frame that holds the actual glass and mount that where you want the sun to shine in. Winter time is when one normally wants to use a green house, so, check the angle of the sun in your region of southern MO at the time of year you want to use the space, and mount the glass perpendicular to that angle. That way, the space will get full benefit of the winter sun, and the glass will not be angled to receive the full brunt of the summer sun. Even so, one should by all means use a shade cloth or other shading device in the summer and when you do not want the area enclosed heated. Ventilation is very important in greenhouse construction. Without adequate ventilation (cross ventilation near the top is best), a small area can get very hot - 150 degrees or more - in a short time under full summer sun, and at other times during the changing of the seasons in fall and spring. My little green house has to be ventilated even in the winter here in the middle of Arkansas.

[gldno1]

If you have an outbuilding facing the south, you could frame a small lean-to greenhouse and use the aluminum framed shower doors for the roof and front (south) wall. I think it is very doable.

[winter_unfazed]

Shower glass isn't "plastic or glass", it's glass or Plexiglas. Plexiglas resembles plastic, but it is not a plastic in the truest sense of the word.

And wouldn't shattering make glass more unsafe? Normal glass broken into pieces could be picked up, but glass shattered to tiny pieces would be more of a danger.

[lextra]

It would seem that they would make great tops for cold frames...

[Pharmerphil]

Go for it!

[scakya]

They do make great cold frame covers, as I am using one now I built from a frosted shower door. Had to tighten up the frame judiciously as it was loose, but it is working and doing well. If you don't have the aluminium frame a wood one is relatively easy to make with scraps of many things. Just try to use a flat surface and gloves when working with this material because accidents seem to happen relatively easily. And for those doubters out there, mine withstood a galeforce wind with 1/2 inch hail with out a crack.

[veggiecanner]

DH built this three years ago from glass doors that he seperated . each door was two panes that had to be seperated .

[Justameargardener]

I too have a problem. Friends of Mine had a greenhouse made out of 4' x 8' School windows with 1/8" glass in them. Well They movied and the people that bought the house did not want the greenhouse, And They asked Me if I wanted it but I would have to take it down. I have a small truck and I could not hull 13 windows in it so They said that I could leave it untill I could get help to move it. Well I could not find the helpand after 4 years of then sitting down there. I went down to get them most of the glass was broken. So I took all of the glass out of them. All I could hull at one time was 7. I still have 6 more to get. I would likr to know, what will be the best thing to replace the glass with without costing Me an arm and leg? If anyone could help I would Appreciate it.

[Pharmerphil]

Veggiecanner, that is nice, Kudos to you, I hope you enjoy it as much as I would...Now, Off to plan mine, i know where I am going with it, so thats the first step.

[bos]

have you priced plexiglass??

[bos]

you could staple plastic sheeting to the frames for light, could be done cheaply.

[xxx]

have you priced plexiglass??
Around here plexiglass is about double the price of real glass!

As far as plastic sheeting, it has been my expirience that although less costly for the growing season,in the long term you might be money ahead to invest in something a little tougher!

[FourDeuce]

One of my gardening books has a description of a pit greenhouse in it that looks pretty interesting. I think I may try building that some day. A guy here in the Ozarks built one using salvaged glass. He dug the pit for the walkway, then used the glass for the roof, and used a water tank inside to store heat from the sun.