My wife calls it “vintage clutter,” but hey, it’s better than the landfill.
That’s exactly how my partner feels about the stack of old window frames I’ve got in the garage. I keep telling myself they’ll be “something” eventually, but honestly, they just collect dust and I trip over them every time I look for my drill. The idea of a cold frame keeps popping up, though. Like, it sounds simple—just lean a few frames together, right? But then I start thinking about the actual work: scraping, sealing, maybe replacing glass if it’s cracked... and suddenly I’m at the garden center buying another cheap plastic thing.
I’m curious if anyone’s actually kept a cold frame made from old windows going for more than one season. Do they hold up with all the moisture and temperature swings? Or do they just rot out and become a fancy slug hotel? I’d probably give it a shot if it’s not a total pain, but I don’t want to spend more time fixing the cold frame than growing anything in it.
Also, has anyone ever worried about lead paint on these old frames? Mine are from the 50s, so I’m a bit paranoid about sanding or scraping them too much, especially with kids around. Maybe I’m overthinking it, but the last thing I need is to turn a garden project into a health hazard.
Anyway, leaning toward just propping them up behind the shed for now... unless someone’s had a real win with this cold frame idea.
I keep telling myself they’ll be “something” eventually, but honestly, they just collect dust and I trip over them every time I look for my drill.
Yeah, I hear you. I’ve seen a lot of folks try the cold frame thing with old windows, but honestly, unless you’re sealing them up and repainting with something weatherproof, they don’t last. Moisture gets in, wood swells or rots, and before long you’ve got more mess than you started with. Lead paint’s a legit worry too—50s frames almost always have it. If you’re not set up to deal with that safely, I’d skip sanding altogether. Sometimes it’s just not worth the headache.
If you’re set on keeping the old frames, here’s what I’d do: First, check for lead paint—anything pre-1978 is risky. If there’s even a chance, don’t sand or scrape. If they’re solid and not rotted, you can seal them up with exterior primer and paint, but honestly, it’s a lot of work for questionable payoff. Most times, I just take them to the local recycling place or post them online for free—someone always wants them for crafts or garden stuff. Just not worth the hassle for most folks unless you love a project.
I tried to rehab some old window frames once, thinking I’d save a few bucks and keep things “vintage.” Ended up with a weekend covered in dust and not much to show for it except a drafty living room. Honestly, if you’re after energy efficiency, those old frames are usually more trouble than they’re worth. I just swapped mine out for new double-pane ones and my heating bill actually dropped. The old ones? Neighbor turned them into a greenhouse… so at least they’re getting some sun now.
- Tried fixing up a couple old frames from the garage last fall.
- Got halfway through sanding and realized the wood was basically crumbling.
- Ended up using one as a picture frame for some old maps—kinda cool, honestly.
- Agree about energy bills though... my place was freezing until I finally switched to modern windows.
- Still think old glass looks neat, but not sure it’s worth the hassle for actual windows.
I tried salvaging some old frames too—thought I’d just need a bit of sanding and stain, but the rot went deeper than I expected. Ended up scrapping most of them, but I did manage to use one as a sort of rustic mirror frame. Honestly, I love the look of wavy old glass, but after wrestling with drafts and condensation for years, I finally caved and got double-glazed units. The difference in comfort (and bills) is huge. Old glass has character, sure, but for actual windows... not worth the headache in my book.
I get the appeal of double-glazed—no question, they’re way more efficient. But I’ve actually had some luck repairing old sashes with epoxy consolidant and weatherstripping. It’s a bit of a project, but kept the original wavy glass and cut drafts way down. Not sure I’d do a whole house that way, but for a few key rooms, it was worth the effort. Sometimes the quirks are half the charm, even if it means a little extra tinkering every winter.