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How to Build a DIY Cold frame with Polycarbonate

11/4/2023

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DIY cold frame
This article contains affiliate links


Cold frames are a great way to raise young plants in a safe and warm growing environment.

These miniature greenhouses are particularly useful for hardening of plants during their transition from inside to outside. There are many different possible cold frame variations to build yourself or to buy on the market.

Generally there are two typical flaws most cold frames have; being too static or lacking in height. Many cold frames have a heavy brick and concrete base, this makes it difficult move them.

Secondly, as many cold frames are not that tall some plants soon outgrow them before the weather warms up.

​Consequently, in this article, I show you how to build a DIY coldframe with Polycarbonate which is both tall and mobile. The DIY cold frame has a 47mm timber frame for extra strength and durability. 
​
DIY polycarbonate wood frame cold frame

Shopping list

  • 6 Lengths of 2.4 metre long 50mm x 50mm timber
  • 4 sheets of 6mm thick Polycarbonate at 1200mm x 600mm
  • 2 tubes of 290ml flexible weather proof grab adhesive
  • Sealant gun
  • 50mm corner brackets
  • 12mm wood screws
  • 80mm long external grade screws

Tools you will need

  • Electric drill
  • Drill bits
  • Extension lead
  • Coarse wood saw
  • Builders pencil
  • Tape measure
  • Set square 

How to build a DIY Cold frame step by step

Step 1: Measure and mark your timber

Your first step is to cut your timber into all the lengths you need. You will need 10 cuts at 500mm and 6 cuts at 1200mm.
​
Measure and cutting timber

Step 2: Cut your timber

​Cut your timber into the desired lengths, when cutting; keep cuts as neat and as square as possible. This will allow your timber to fix together square and tight. 
​
Cutting timber into correct lengths

Step 3: Set out your frame

​Set out your timbers to create your three main rectangles, you should have three rectangles and four side braces. 
​
setting up the frame

Step 4: Drill pilot holes

​Drill pilot holes through your frame where your corners are going to attach. When drilling try to keep your drill as square on as possible. You pilot holes will guide your 80mm screws and prevent them from splitting the timber. 
​
Drilling pilot holes

Step 5: Screw your corners

​Place your corners on a flat surface so they are positioned tightly and square. Using a power drill screw your corners together with a single 80mm screw.
​
screwing the cold frame structure together

Step 6: Attach your brackets

​When you have attached all your corners reinforce them by screwing in your corner brackets. 
​
Attaching corner brackets to cold frame

Step 7: Attach your connector braces

​Using a drill fix together your connector braces to form the main body of the cold frame.
​ 
Connecting the timber cold frame

Step 8: Cut your polycarbonate

​Cut your polycarbonate where necessary with a sharp Stanley knife and straight edge. This will really only apply to your 600mm x 600mm ends. 
​
Cutting polycarbonate to size

Step 9: Apply your adhesive

​Using a sealant gun apply your adhesive to the outer frame; make sure you apply enough to form a good seal.  
​

Step 10: Attach your polycarbonate

​Place your polycarbonate sheets onto the frame; apply pressure around the edges to ensure a good grip. If you have sheltered garden with little wind the adhesive may be enough to hold your polycarbonate. 
​
Fixing polycarbonate sheets to your cold frame

Step 11: Fix your polycarbonate


​​More often than not it is best to fix your sheets down with fixings. This can be achieved with timber beading, glazing bars or even screws and washers.
​
Completed polycarbonate DIY cold frame
 
Thank you for reading my article on how to build a DIY cold frame with polycarbonate.

​If this article helped build your own cold frame you why not share it with your friends.

Below I will include some other articles you may find relevant. 
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    The Author 
    Paul Nicolaides 
    BA (Hons) Dip

    Paul Nicolaides has over 30 years of recreational gardening and 20 years of professional landscaping experience. He has worked for landscape contractors including design and build practices across London and the South East. In 2006 he qualified with a BA Hons degree and post graduate diploma in Landscape Architecture. In 2009 he founded Ecospaces an ecological landscaping practice which aims to improve social cohesion and reduce climate change through landscaping. In 2016 he founded Buckinghamshire Landscape Gardeners which designs and builds gardens across Buckinghamshire and the South East. This blog aims to provide easy problem solving information to its audience and encourage others to take up the joy of landscaping and gardening. 
Landscaping services across Buckinghamshire, Norfolk & East Anglia 

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