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Upcycled glasshouse

Use a combination of reclaimed and new materials to create this stylish lean to glass house – an ideal option when space is limited.

Build an upcycled glasshouse

As seen in kiwigardener

To get the look:  Mark painted the background fence with Resene Lumbersider tinted to Resene Sponge

Handy hint:  For added safety attach the glasshouse to the rear fence or wall with a galvanised bracket and coach screws.

Top tip #1:  Most of the timber we used was reclaimed or found, so if some of your timber dimensions differ slightly, simply adjust the measurements accordingly.

Top tip #2:  When fixing the wooden components, always drill pilot holes first to prevent possible splitting.

You will need

Materials:

Cut timber to the following lenths:

  • Fence palings:
    • 2 x 1325mm (pieces A)
    • 2 x 1800mm (pieces B)
    • 2 x 690mm (pieces C)
    • 2 x 870mm (pieces D)
    • 2 x 660mm (pieces E)
     
  • 50mm x 50mm treated timber*:
    • 2 x 1710mm (pieces F)
    • 2 x 1395mm (pieces G)
    • 2 x 65mm (pieces H)
     
  • 90mm x 20mm treated timber:
    • 2 x 665mm (pieces I)
    • 1 x 1375mm (piece J)
     
  • 70mm x 20mm treated timber:
    • 3 x 800mm (pieces K)
    • 3 x 1300mm (pieces L)
     
  • 60mm x 20mm treated timber:
    • 2 x 610mm (pieces M)
     
  • 50mm x 20mm treated timber:
    • 1 x 1395mm (piece N)
     
  • 30mm x 20mm treated timber:
    • 1 x 1330mm (piece O)
     
  • 25mm x 20mm treated timber:
    • 2 x 610mm (pieces P)
     
  • 20mm x 10mm treated timber:
    • 2 x 1360mm (pieces Q)
     
  • 65mm x 20mm treated timber:
    • 2 x 595mm (pieces R)

Materials cont:

  • 4 x reclaimed wooden windows measuring 610mm x 1360mm
  • 6 x exterior hinges with appropriate exterior screws
  • 40mm exterior screws
  • 50mm exterior screws
  • 100mm exterior screws
  • 50mm roof fasteners
  • Corrugated clear PVC roofing cut to the following dimensions:
    • 2 x 650mm x 900mm
    • 350mm x 900mm
  • Resene Quick Dry
  • Resene Lustacryl tinted to Resene Mexican Red
  • Exterior latch
  • Exterior filler

Tools:

  • Drill with drill bits
  • Appropriate bit for screwing in roof fasteners
  • Exterior PVA glue
  • Marker pen for marking roofing for cutting
  • Paintbrush
  • Pencil
  • Putty knife or similar
  • Sandpaper
  • Saw
  • Screwdriver
  • Set square
  • Tape measure
  • Tin snips for cutting roofing sheets

How to build a glasshouse

Before you begin:  Thoroughly clean and prep the wooden windows, removing any old hinges and catches. Remove any flaking paint and lightly sand previous paintwork to ‘key’ the surface.

 

Step 1 Step one
Measure, mark and cut the timber to the dimensions in the materials list and smooth any rough edges with sandpaper.


Step 2 Step two
Place two of the windows on a flat surface and place pieces F next to these, as shown.


Step 3 Step three
Attach pieces A across the top and bottom, ensuring corners are at right angles using the set square. Fix together with PVA glue and 50mm screws.


Step 4 Step four
Take piece J and cut a 50mm x 80mm section from each end, as shown. Smooth any rough edges with sandpaper.


Step 5 Step five
Attach this to the bottom section of fence paling, as shown, to form a sill for the front-opening windows. Fix with PVA glue and 50mm screws.


Step 6 Step six
Fix the two opening windows to the sides of the front frame using hinges and appropriate screws.


Step 7 Step seven
Attach pieces B to pieces C, as shown, to form two ‘L’ shapes, fixing with PVA glue and 50mm screws.


Step 8 Step eight
Measure, mark and cut a 50mm x 50mm section from the ends of pieces I. Smooth any rough edges with sandpaper.


Step 9 Step nine
Attach these to the frames constructed in step seven, as shown. Fix with PVA glue and 50mm screws.


Step 10 Step ten
Attach the two remaining windows into these frames, as shown, fixing pieces M along the inside bottom edge of each. Fix with PVA glue and 50mm screws.


Step 11 Step eleven
Assemble the three walls in situ, as shown, fixing together with PVA glue and 100mm screws. Use a spirit level and set square to ensure the corners are at 90 degrees and walls are upright.


Step 12 Step twelve
Attach pieces E along the top edges of the side windows, fixing with PVA glue and 50mm screws and then fit pieces H and one of the pieces G along the top back edge, as shown, again fixing with glue and 50mm and 100mm screws. In the same way, fit the second piece G along the front top edge.


Step 10 Step thirteen
Fit piece N along the upper back edge, 20mm down from the top, span pieces K across the top of the structure 595cm apart to form the roof supports and measure, mark and cut pieces D flush at an angle to form the sloping top side sections, as shown. Fix all these into position with PVA glue and 50mm screws.


Step 14 Step fourteen
Fit pieces R along the front top edge between each roof support, piece 0 across the front above the opening windows and pieces P parallel with the inner side window framing bars to form shelf supports. Again, fix all these with PVA glue and 50mm screws.


Step 15 Step fifteen
Attach pieces L to the shelf supports approximately 25mm apart to form the shelves, fixing at either end with PVA glue and 40mm screws.


Step 16 Step sixteen
Fit pieces Q to the front vertical edge of each of the side windows to form a trim, fixing in place with PVA glue and 40mm screws. Fill all screw heads with exterior filler and, once dry, sand smooth.


Step 18 Step seventeen
Apply one coat of Resene Quick Dry to the entire unit and allow to dry.


Step 18 Step eighteen
Apply two coats of Resene Lustacryl tinted to Resene Mexican Red to the entire unit and allow to dry.


Step 19 Step nineteen
Measure, mark and cut the corrugated roofing panels to the dimensions listed in the materials list and fix into position using 50mm roof fasteners, as shown. Drill an adequate pilot hole through the clear PVC first to prevent it from splitting.


Step 20Step twenty
Fit the exterior latch in position on the opening windows, as shown.


Roofing tips:  When attaching the roofing panels ensure the fasteners are positioned on the top ridge of any corrugation to prevent any water leaking. We fixed fasteners at every corrugation along the front roof line as part of the design look, however for structural purposes it’s only necessary to fix at every second corrugation.

Here’s another idea:  Get extra use from your glasshouse over summer by using it as a mini hot house for a couple of chilli plants grown in large pots or directly in the ground.

Words and photos by Mark Rayner

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