Help with treating window glass for greenhouse use.

18 years ago

I am saving window glass from old houses slated for demolition or restoration. What is the best way to treat the glass for use in a greenhouse.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (4)

weebus
18 years ago
not use it unless you want to burn your plants, and have the possibility of slicing someone open.

Regular window glass is not rated for use in GHs. It doesn't have the tensile strength that GH (tempured) glass does. It also doesn't have the ablity to diffuse the sunlight coming in. Also most GH glass is rated Low E to help offset the enormous amount of solar heat
tstrees
18 years ago
I restored a 1950's Lord and Burham greenhouse, and used a lot of the original glass. I know it wasn't tempered. I had to buy some new glass. I wonder about the comment tht most GH glass being rated Low E. Is that only for glass being manufactured today? What was the difference in the old glass versus new glass?
Related Discussions
Treated Wood Greenhouse Frame
Q
Comments (34)
BruceC, you were wondering about a durable gloss white paint that could be used on treated lumber. I would like to suggest you try my trick. Buy a five gallon bucket of oil based white gloss barn and fence paint (available at most farm stores) and add a gallon of boiled linseed oil. The linseed oil will thin down the paint, and give you a good primer coat. Put on a couple of them if you have time, and then finish with a coat of Latex. The Latex will last a lot longer and will not peel off of the lumber. Too often folks put latex directly onto unprimed lumber and it fails. (I've even had it fail on "pre-primed" materials that I bought as "pre-primed".) Just remember the rule that Latex can go over Latex or oil base, but oil base can never go over Latex, and oil base must always coat raw wood before the Latex. There was also a question about lumber cupping and warping. The best suggestions I can give you on that are air circulation and moisture prevention. Birdwidow recommended setting your stack up off the floor on spacers (4x4's, or concrete blocks with 2x's across them) which will help you cut down on the lumber wicking moisture up from the bottom, also when you stack your lumber place "splinters" or "stickers" in between each layer of lumber. (Splinters or stickers are just one bys layed across each layer to help aid in air circulation). If you do this your lumber, stacked inside a weather tight building, will dry out a lot quicker. In fact down in Florida you ought to be able to dry out green (fresh cut) lumber within a year or two using this method, and have it test almost as dry as kiln dried. I am sure my advice might have those who disagree with me, but it comes from having a Father, a Grandfather, Uncles and god knows how many other relatives in the carpentry and lumbering industries. Plus the other good old fashioned way, try and fail on my own.
...See More
Help: How to treat 14' x 16' window wall in industrial loft building
Q
Comments (9)
Here's a teaser! Two side by side motorized drop shades with Somfy motors. Phifer 1% openness in nearly white color. Opened to halfway right now... can retract all the way up or go to the floor. Two little things still need to be resolved... first is that the Somfy motors appear to have different quality though they are the same product. One moves twice as fast as the other. Not a very magical or elegant solution. Anyone experience this before? Second is that the weight bars on the bottom are a little too wide and bump into the walls / each other when moving... gotta trim them.
...See More
Need help treating a window
Q
Comments (2)
Hmmm...it showed me my photo when I posted. Thanks for the alert. I tried three times to upload it with no success. Tomorrow I'll try sizing it down some more and uploading again.
...See More
Help with window treat witn mansard roof
Q
Comments (2)
James, you are right; this is a highly unusual window install in a mansard, what I call a "reverse dormer". I'd seriously consider building a proper dormer that juts out, even if you leave the window where it is, but you could also move the window out, and create a deep sill inside. This involves peeling back some of the shingles and reflashing, so get a pro if this is more than you can handle DIY!
...See More
poppa
18 years ago
No offense but... you can do everything in the world with trying to prevent all injuries in all situations and end up doing nothing.

If you use normal common sense, plain ol glass is fine. yes, it could break and someone gets cut. At the same time, you could drop a big ol' pane of tempered glass on your head and break your silly neck. will it overheat or be too bright? Maybe. If it does you use a shade something or other. I used a sheet of poly stapled to the inside frame and it worked pretty well. The only special treatment needed was to cut the panes all to the same size, makes building the frame that much easier.. :-)

I drove by the old house this weekend and saw that greenhouse still standing with no broken windows - bout 8 years now...

Poppa
nomadh
18 years ago
I'm doing the same thing and at least some is tempered. On a side note I was just offered what was called "solar glass". It seems it came out of some type of big flat box that had solar cells in it or maybe water pipes , still finding out details. Designed to capture heat or light. It is diffused single pane. I already have some nice double pane houshold glass and am wondering how much better this glass may be. Anyone know how to find this out? It may cost me $200 to get it because its a state away so I need to know before I pay for shipping. BTW there may be more than I need and its in Phoenix so if anyone else is interested let me know. The panes are 8' x 4' tempered and diffused. He called it "solar glass" but I'm not finding a good definition.
Thanks, Damon

Related Stories

DECORATING GUIDES Go for a Greenhouse Effect With an Exotic Conservatory

By Samantha Schoech

Cultivate a rarified hothouse feel with or without all-glass walls; these inspiration photos and product picks show you how

Full Story

PRODUCT PICKS Guest Picks: Pretty Packaging for Homemade Holiday Treats

By Mariko Jackson

Keep fragile baked goods and candies intact and in style with these boxes, bags, tins and plates

Full Story

DECORATING GUIDES Treat your Home to the Tropics

By Shawn Gauthier

Create a paradise escape with plants, rattan, and ocean-inspired decor

Full Story

ARCHITECTURE Style Divide: How to Treat Additions to Old Homes?

By Mitchell Parker

One side says re-create the past; the other wants unabashedly modern. Weigh in on additions style here

Full Story

DECORATING GUIDES Treat Yourself to Spring Blooms in Winter

By Susan Duane

Get a jump on spring with a fragrant pot of paperwhites and other bulbs indoors

Full Story

BUDGET DECORATING Simple Pleasures: Treat Yourself to Cut Flowers

By Laura Gaskill

Enjoy priceless beauty with just a few inexpensive stems — and you don’t need fancy vases, either

Full Story

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING See a Family Greenhouse Grown From Scraps

By Annie Thornton

Can-do resourcefulness and less than $400 lead to a new 8- by 8-foot home for plants on a Tennessee family's property

Full Story

WORKING WITH PROS 3 Reasons You Might Want a Designer's Help

By Apartment 46 for the Home

See how a designer can turn your decorating and remodeling visions into reality, and how to collaborate best for a positive experience

Full Story

BATHROOM WORKBOOK Standard Fixture Dimensions and Measurements for a Primary Bath

By Steven Corley Randel, Architect

Create a luxe bathroom that functions well with these key measurements and layout tips

Full Story

147

HOUSEKEEPING When You Need Real Housekeeping Help

By Becky Harris

Which is scarier, Lifetime's 'Devious Maids' show or that area behind the toilet? If the toilet wins, you'll need these tips

Full Story

Help with treating window glass for greenhouse use.

Comments (4)

weebus

tstrees

Related Discussions

poppa

nomadh

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US