Cold Frame!

There is only one thing to say at this moment and that is “ I’m Stuck! ”

I had all my plans worked out for building a cold frame.- The frame built with 4 by 2 wood is nice and strong (5ft high and 8 foot in length) I even have wheels on it to move it about My plan was to have polycarbonate sheeting for windows WOW!.... very pricey
This is where my plan falls apart, as I don't want to pay? (((£150)))

If someone can suggest any other 4mm sheeting I could use I would really appreciate it.

 

I'm not well up on the prices of polycarbonate, I do know 10 mm isn't cheap, but I thought 4mm was probably more affordable.
I assume you are looking on line.

Only other option I can think of is polythene, maybe some of the thicker kind.

 

I chose 4mm John, thinking that it was the correct thickness as I wanted to drill holes into it to secure to the wood frame + wanted it to be sturdy enough not to bend - may be a trip to Wicks is the best option as I can look before I buy?

Do you know if they cut to size instead of buying a complete sheet - they can be fitted in my grandsons boot them!

 

Hi Pete, Yes I looked on-line to give me an idea of what the cost would be, and of cause this would mean getting them delivered. "it all adds up doesn't it)
If I cannot buy sheets for say....£80-ish then it looks like a thick see-through polythene my have to be the answer.

 

For me online shopping is always ruined by delivery charges.

 

A thick see through polythene sheet one on the top of the lid and one on the underside would give easy double glazing, so long as you weren't losing too much light.

 

Just an afterthought have you though about ventilation.

 

Hi,

You say 4mm but do you mean Clear polycarb ( expensive) or the slightly obscure Twinwall ?

Have a look here as they do various standard greenhouse size sheets of 4mm twinwall polycarb and also offer a cut to size service from bigger sheets.
They also do the Clear polycarb etc.
We have ordered larger twinwall from them and they were
Polycarbonate Sheets for Greenhouse | The Polycarbonate Store

You can buy various packs of 4mm twinwall on places like ebay.
4MM Polycarbonate Sheet Greenhouse Replacement Panels Roof Sheets Glazing Clear | eBay

 

I refurbished a large wooden grow-house/vertical cold frame with new twin-wall about 4 years ago. I got the twin-wall off the internet pre-cut to size for doors, sides, back and lid. I did find a company who would have cut the small triangular side pieces required to accommodate the sloping lid but I was too mean and cut it myself from one piece. One triangular piece is therefore inside out but the UV protection doesn’t seem to be affected. It cost about £50 to redo and I’ve been very pleased with it. Wouldn’t be without it for over-wintering stuff and hardening things off in spring.

Instead of drilling holes in the sheet, could you use ‘glazing’ beads to fix it in place? I used clear mastic to seal the twin-wall on my project.

 

I thought of using a roll-up heavy duty transparent tarpaulin which can drop down on the front of the cold frame, which will give ventilation from both sides and can be rolled up again when the weather is warm.
The cold frame is not going in the open, it is against the wall on the patio (south facing) and protected on both sides. (No winds can reach the cold frame as the wall behind it, is higher.

In the winter my succulents will be put inside wrapped up in their own fleece then taken out for my second growing of tomatoes (May/June time) "I suppose it will be only then that I will find out any problem"

 

Thank you, will take a look, I have never heard of the twinwall sheet?

 

Its a poplular material, easy to cut and quiet decent thermally and becoming more popular as Glass sheets have almost doubled in price lately.

The catch is that its partially obscure, from a distance you can make things out inside the greenhouse, but if your went up to your cold frame to see if things inside were ok, you would have to open the door as at short range you cannot see though clearly enough.

You might find its good for all sides except the front, where glass or clear polycarbonate may be better.

If a scavenger, then looking out for some old double glazing panels is an option, though they are heavy.

 

My grow-house faces due south and even on a sunny day in winter, it can get very warm in there. I don’t find that the twin wall is a huge disadvantage being slightly opaque. If I am away from home, I like to think it stops the plants getting too frazzled. If I am growing on small plants and it’s a decent day, I secure the lid in a partly open position. To be honest, I am addicted to mine as I don’t have room for a greenhouse. If I am at home there is never a day when I don’t go and have a look (or two!) so it’s easy to give plants a daily quarter turn if they are getting drawn.