Upcycle Glass Windows For A Beautiful Rustic Greenhouse

If you're looking for a way to protect your plants and flowers during chillier seasons, the internet is filled with an abundance of cool DIY greenhouse ideas, many of which allow you to build a customized glass or plexiglass enclosure to create the right environment for growing. One often-overlooked source of wood frames and glass panels is older windows, which can be assembled into a budget-friendly custom greenhouse with the addition of some simple wood framing made from two-by-fours.

These older windows come in all shapes and sizes, usually at a steal compared to new glass panels and greenhouse kits you can buy to build. They can usually be found in places like architectural salvage yards, flea markets, antique stores, and other secondhand venues. You may even have some older windows in your home in a garage, basement, or attic that are in good enough condition to use (stable frames and no missing glass). These older windows are typically made from solid wood with excellent craftsmanship and decorative details often missing from a lot of windows in newer builds and remodels.

To build a DIY greenhouse from old windows, begin by preparing the foundation and measuring out the lumber you will need for the frame. You can leave the ground natural, create a gravel border for the frame to sit on, or build it on or around a brick or paver surface. The build of the frame will depend largely on the size of the windows, whose measurements will determine the distance between the studs of your greenhouse wall, as well as whether you may have to augment the structure with other materials like plexiglass, corrugated steel, or wood planking. Once you have the frame built from two-by-fours, use screws to attach the windows to the boards on either side. If the windows are wider than they are long, you may also have to build in some horizontal pieces to attach them vertically. Many of these greenhouse projects feature a corrugated plexiglass roof built at an angle for proper drainage.

This project can be scaled as needed to fit your outdoor space and built against an outer wall, fence, or freestanding. If you have less space, make a mini greenhouse using covered shelves under a tent-like enclosure with a slanted roof made from windows, or create a planter box with a window on hinges over the top that would be perfect for a balcony. If you have them, you can also use doors with glass panels to create your greenhouse. Where yard space is limited, choose doors or windows to create a stylish potting shed instead of a full greenhouse.