Cold Frame

[mellor]

Hi All

I'm embarking on the creation of a couple of cold frames and have decided to build them with 'cavity' style
wall (sounds posh but it aint, just a baton on the inside and a bit of t & G) Anyway was hoping to fill the cavity with something to act as insulation for the winter.

Any Suggestions

[mellor]

[Deb P]

Polystyrene? Recycled packing from white goods?

[cornykev]

Ditto.

[supersprout]

Depends on design and how long you want the cold frame to last - straw?

[kt.]

Bubblewrap?

[MrsKP]

Polystyrene? Recycled packing from white goods?

first thing that sprang into my head as i've been breaking up chunks of it all morning to act as crocks for the barrel tub.

;D

[Melbourne12]

Hmmm.  My guess would be that you're better off simply leaving an air gap.  In a small gappy sttucture like a cold frame, whatever you put inside the cavity will get pretty wet over a period of time.  Not only will the insulating properties diminish, but when the weather warms up it'll act as a wonderful home for moulds and mites.

Why not build it single walled, and simply use bubble wrap, fleece, or straw around the outside as a temporary measure?

[Tee Gee]

I'm with melbourne on this one, line it with bubble wrap leaving a cavity in the process.

After all a coldframe is a form of greenhouse, particularly the glass sided ones and usually most people line their greenhouses in this fashion.

One word of warning on the lids though, if you are lining them as well, this will reduce the light getting in and it is this the plants will be in more need of.

Personally I don't bother lining mine because by the time my plants go into the cold frame they can stand the cooler temperatures.

Light is key!!

[mellor]

Cheers for the info folks

I knew i should pick some brains before i did owt.

Ta

[Ted_H]

I'm also planning to build a cold frame using an old window frame as the opening light and solid wood sides (a recycled pallet).

Do I make it with a solid base, or is the base left off and it just placed on the ground?

If its just placed on the ground is it just earth,or straw, or anything else???

[cacran]

I have got an old patio door. Can I make a cold frame using this as a lid? Possible with loose bricks so that if all else fails, I can just move it. I am not sure how I will be able to lift the lid on a regular basis to water the plants though. any ideas?

[mellor]

all i used for mine was two old windows for the lid.

four posts about four foot each and lots og t & g that i acquired!!!

At the mo its just on bare uneven ground but obviuosly the posts are dug in. will probably empty a couple of bags of sand into the bottom to get a level then i'm done!

[cornykev]

I'm going to use a book case we are getting rid of with two leaded glass doors, layed on its back with easy opening don't know what to lay it on though or if it needs insulating.   ;D ;D ;D