STORM WINDOW GLASS FOR A GREEN HOUSE

[Brimfield]

Ok this may be nuts but her goes. I can get some large storm window glass sheets for free, but making them onto a green house?
I know I can't cut tempered glass but how hard would it be to frame around it and use it? It sounds insane but I can get some free large storm windows. They are 3"-7" in size. I guess I am looking for a shed calculator to see how many sheets I need. I can see trouble with the roof and the frame. cutting slots to fit the panes and sealing them with silicone sounds like my only option. I use scrap stuff to build things but this is big. I can only see using 2 sheets per side, one front on has to be a door opening from the side.

 

[oosik]

When I built a log cabin in AK I used two sheets of tempered glass. As I remember they were 4' x5'. With a divider in the center that made the window 8' wide and 5' high. Weird size - but what the heck, it was free. Biggest problem was the sheets of glass were so darn heavy. I worked my fanny off getting the logs slotted and the glass fitted but in the end it made a fantastic window.

One of your biggest concerns may well be the weight of the glass and the supporting structure to hold this glass. If the glass is going to be anything other than completely vertical, you may have to consider snow loading also.

Just be very careful - glass, especially heavy glass, will cut like a surgeons scalpel.

 

[TnAndy]

Are you sure it's tempered ? Most storm window glass is plain jane plate glass, and single strength at that.

 

[Brimfield]

Are you sure it's tempered ? Most storm window glass is plain jane plate glass, and single strength at that.

I would think that they are tempered. Storm window and doors are tempered glass for safety, to many people getting real bad cuts. And as large as these are I would think so.

oosik

I was thinking of using the glass as walls only. I would use some polycarb panels for a roof. Not sure the weight of the glass but I would get a uhaul to move it.
When I built the Turkey coop I used a narrow closet door and a small window, price was right and as you say frame around it.

Now I have to think about the cost of a truck and extra frame vs the panels.

 

[fried1765]

I would think that they are tempered. Storm window and doors are tempered glass for safety, to many people getting real bad cuts. And as large as these are I would think so.

oosik

I was thinking of using the glass as walls only. I would use some polycarb panels for a roof. Not sure the weight of the glass but I would get a uhaul to move it.
When I built the Turkey coop I used a narrow closet door and a small window, price was right and as you say frame around it.

Now I have to think about the cost of a truck and extra frame vs the panels.

I would be interested to know what type of framing lumber you are planning to use.
A greenhouse, by definition will have high humidity, and rot will be your enemy from day one.
I speak from experience!
A galvanized hoop frame house is long lasting, except for replacing the plastic every 3 - 7 years, and is maintenance/leak free.
Using a double layer of plastic, with a small inflation blower, makes it possible to heat as well.

 

[TnAndy]

Storm doors are tempered because they meet the height requirement to have to be tempered. Storm windows do not for the most part.

Having removed about 20,000 storm windows in my former job of window replacement, I have enough scars to assure you most storm windows are not tempered. It would pay you to check before considering them if potential breakage is an issue.

 

[TnAndy]

I would be interested to know what type of framing lumber you are planning to use.
A greenhouse, by definition will have high humidity, and rot will be your enemy from day one.
I speak from experience!

I'd second that.

First small house we built, I used what passes for 'treated' lumber now....with 16mm triple wall polycarbonate for glazing. We've had some rot issues over the course of 10 years.

See the bottom foot or so of the rafters:

But over all, wife really enjoys it.

Next one, we used homemade arches out of laminated white oak, with double layer poly on top with an inflator fan....and far more ventilation. So far, no problems. And I could replace poly many, many, many times over compared to the cost of polycarbonate.

 

[fried1765]

I'd second that.

First small house we built, I used what passes for 'treated' lumber now....with 16mm triple wall polycarbonate for glazing. We've had some rot issues over the course of 10 years.

See the bottom foot or so of the rafters:

But over all, wife really enjoys it.

Next one, we used homemade arches out of laminated white oak, with double layer poly on top with an inflator fan....and far more ventilation. So far, no problems. And I could replace poly many, many, many times over compared to the cost of polycarbonate.

I have a 17' x 50' double poly steel hoop house, but I have not used it for a few years.
Have new poly (in roll), big ventilator fan, and propane unit heater, all stored in my barn.
I just need to get around to selling the whole thing, as I spend my winters in Florida now.
Your setup looks really great!

 

[tomplum]

I built a 10x 16 solar greenhouse out of mostly patio door glass and it worked great. We did get some fogging in between on some. I used channel steel for the front framing supporting 2 high by 5 panels wide at 60 degrees. I also routed a cedar frame and made smaller vent widows. My BIL did his green house out of wood using the same panels for the roof and walls. You can make it as utility or as beautiful as you want as your tempered glass should stay looking good.

 

[EddieWalker]

Ok this may be nuts but her goes. I can get some large storm window glass sheets for free, but making them onto a green house?
I know I can't cut tempered glass but how hard would it be to frame around it and use it? It sounds insane but I can get some free large storm windows. They are 3"-7" in size. I guess I am looking for a shed calculator to see how many sheets I need. I can see trouble with the roof and the frame. cutting slots to fit the panes and sealing them with silicone sounds like my only option. I use scrap stuff to build things but this is big. I can only see using 2 sheets per side, one front on has to be a door opening from the side.

Are these windows 3 inches by 7 inches like you said, or are they 3 feet by 7 feet?

With big sheets of glass, movement of the building becomes an issue. If you attach the glass directly to the framing, and there is some movement in the framing, either the glass will break, or it will break free. My guess is that if you have tempered glass, the silicone will pull free. If you have sheet glass, it will crack.

If I was to do this, and I wouldn't, I would notch the framing to create an insert for the glass, then leave it loose, and attach thin wood framing that overlaps the glass on all four sides kind of like a picture frame. This will hold the glass in place and allow for some movement. You could probably silicone the edge of the framing to keep water out to some degree if the framing had some give to it.