I tried restoring my glass greenhouse, but it went WRONG! {+ Potting Bench}
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- Опубліковано 11 лют 2025
- Hi all 👋This week, I turned to trying to restore the larger greenhouse by pinching glass from the smaller one as you suggested.
However, I found cutting glass was harder than it looked.
I also needed to make the quickest and cheapest potting bench in an afternoon because hovering over my table saw hasn’t been doing any good for my back.
Feel free to take a screenshot of my free cutting list from my Sketchup design and use it for yourself using CLS 38mm x 63mm structural timber and cut down 2400mm lengths of tongue and groove cladding to overhang the tops.
🪛Things I Used:
*As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases made through links.
➡️ Vintage Shaw oil filled glass cutter - this is the closest type I could find - geni.us/EA4i7 [Amazon]
➡️ Jet washer geni.us/gH50GeW [Amazon]
➡️ Jet washer spinning brush attachment geni.us/VUV9D [Amazon]
➡️ Snow foam lance/gun kit for K4 pressure washer amzn.to/4azwnNV [Amazon]
➡️ T square geni.us/ao72bK [Amazon]
➡️ Mitre saw geni.us/IJ3Lhj [Amazon]
➡️ Mitre saw stand - www.etsy.com/u... [Amazon]
➡️ Impact driver - geni.us/Rjo60E [Amazon]
➡️ Combi drill - geni.us/fN8isKn [Amazon]
➡️ Speed square - geni.us/NtApKR [Amazon]
➡️ Washing up bowl geni.us/DGBk [Amazon]
➡️ Riddle geni.us/QMdCTBB [Amazon]
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Do you think it's fit for the bin?
Definitely not. Our society scraps things too easily. A bit of work (and lots of frustration) and you have revitalised the old greenhouse. That has got to bring a good deal of satisfaction.
Nah - Its all fixable - you got this!
Nope it looks spot on 😊
Looking good. Just an idea...could you use the extra greenhouse glass to make cold frames? Might be a use for some of the large offcuts of wood too?
Do you mean the glass cutter or the greenhouse? The cutter probably needs new blades.
The greenhouse? Meh. I spent weeks fixing mine and used it for a couple of months years ago. It's a lot of work and I'm not good with plants.
Didn't hear you mention new rubber gaskets though? Those wouldh make it more weatherproof.
(Oh, and my tip for using full panes and the broken bits for the remainder is below - it worked for me.
Glass cutting tips: clean the glass before cutting. makes a big difference. A solid bench, with a thin blanket under the glass (helps with even pressure on the cutter). WD$) on the cutter roller, + keep it clean. Good job!
I was going to say the same.
Thanks! I did sponge most of the cut side down off camera, but probably wasn't as thorough as I could've been because after cleaning the first two and it messed, I was worried I'd be wasting my time 😅
@@outfoxthefox yes because when the glass is clean, it gives the cutter a smoother run
@homie3461 this is so important to break it on a straight edge of a table. Otherwise it’s uneven pressure. Have you added some mineral oil to your cutter? It’ll make a much nicer score. The score needs to be done in one long run. And wear eye protection please!
Oh it just looks fabulous and that bench is top class :) Hans looks so so happy too fab job all round :)
Thanks so much, Claire! Trouble is, I just want to spend all my free time in there now 🤣
I would suggest you get yourself an automatic window opener for the greenhouse. As someone said already, it only takes one day to scorch your crops! You can get them online for about £20 I think. We got one years ago and it's definitely come in handy.
Good idea. Didn't know this was a thing. I'm going to order one for my wife :)
Bayliss Autovent - it's an automatic green house window opener. Mechanical so no batteries/electronics to worry about. I retro fit one to our mini green house after having things overhead after a lie in. Opens the window when it's hot and closes it when not.
Hi! No, I'm not an expert in cutting glass, but one thing I know for sure from professionals is that the glass panes need to be as clean as possible before you cut them. This is for the simple reason that only then can the Diamant or Videa cutting tip form the correct crack. And only when you hear that deep crunching sound while cutting can you be sure that the cut is 100%. Good luck and I can't wait for your next videos.
Brilliant job Vikkie. Old glass and sun rotted plastic are not nice to work with but you did a great job. Bonus that the dog likes it too.
Well done for persevering Vikki, you got there in the end, like most things in life there's a knack ,when is Dad starting his channel ? 😉
You're not alone, Laura Kampf got in a right pickle trying to cut glass !
Glad you put up the short, I hadn't got round to this as I thought it was going to be 40 mins of GH repair, but seeing the potting bench made me want to watch ! The bench was much more in your comfort zone and looks great, I know exactly what you mean about height ! I have an old Belfast sink in mine and it's so useful even if it drains into a bucket !
Well done you have made a amazing job on the greenhouse, and on your land clearing it , brilliant job thank you for sharing your journey, Tracy 😊
Thank you so much ❤️
Good job Vickie - all coming along nicely! I was a bit worried with Hans in the greenhouse whilst you were installing the panels in case of any mishaps though!
Well done on the glass cutting, and sorting the greenhouse.
My dad had a greenhouse and somehow managed to break the bottom corner of one of the pieces of glass along the bottom of the side. Someone gave him a grapevine so he planted it outside and trained it into the greenhouse through the broken corner. That way it was watered by the rain, but the grapes were protected from the birds.
I used to cut glass for a living. After you scored the glass lay the underside over wooden dowel or your straight edge😮 and just snap it off. There is no need to do all that tapping.
Also you don't want the glass to fit tightly in your channels because the glass will expand and it may crack it.
And there are special cutting blades for a plastic sheet. You scored in snap it much like you do glass.
You should be so proud. It looks good and will be great for your plants. Maybe you can make the other one your potting shed.
Good job with your starter seedlings. I need to get a move on and start planting.
Great work done there Vikkie those shelves fantastic and your glassing was also a good job done
Well done Vikkie, looks a lot better now it’s complete! Maybe remove the glass from the second partial greenhouse and cover with thick polythene for a poly tunnel for fruit! That way you get some spare panes of glass if there are any mishaps 😊
Cracking job on the greenhouse Vikkie! Well done. 😊
Thank you much. And like what you dud there 😅
@@TheCarpentersDaughterUK
Smashing!
😆
The smaller greenhouse seems to be in pretty bad shape. You could dismantle it, store the spare usable parts and use the flooring pavers for a path to the one so beautifully restored. Nice job!
From my experience- make sure the glass is clean before you score, or the cutter will skip. I only tap on curved cuts, just grip both side of your line and twist confidently, you will get a clean cut. Alternatively, put something like a thin metal rod under the score and press down on both sides. Good luck!
Hi you have saved a lot of money 💴 learn as you go cheapest way and good for your family ❤love your new bench l would love 🥰 one of these thank you 🙏 for sharing this beautiful work 😘 xx
Thanks so much! And yes, I totally agree. I know some have suggested get a polytunnel instead, but I think I'd be running before walking. I may not be any good at growing vegetables, and this set up has been far cheaper for us to dabble and get a feel to see if I like it!
Thanks again for watching ❤️
Well done vikkie your determination and patience shows nothing beats you go on lass !💪🏻👍🏻
I learned glass cutting years ago from an chap who did it for his entire working life. The trick is to dip the cutting wheel in oil before making the cut. Glass actually heals as soon as it's cut. The oil lubricates the cutting wheel and stops the healing process. The glass then cleaves with the smallest tap on the underside. 😅
Top job. Looks like a really relaxing space & productive too. Having a proper glass greenhouse is so much better than the flimsy polycarbonate ones.
I managed to find a large lean-to glass greenhouse on Gumtree a couple of years ago. Had to hire a van & drive from Cardiff to Colchester to pick it up but it only cost about £150 & was a good brand. The sellers had brought it about 30 years before & it had been sat in their garage since. All the glass was still in its original packaging & in a packing crate, so worth the trip. To buy a new one of that quality nowadays would have set me back north of a grand.
Really enjoying these videos. Keep up the good work :)
Hi Vicky, you are doing a great job. Just a tip when cutting glass, make sure its clean as you get a much better score. You can also try giving the glass a quick snapping action with the scored line on the edge of the table. Don't give up its all a learning curve.
You did a marvellous job with your green house and potting bench, Vikkie :-D Re the sliding door, it could be my eyes playing tricks on me but it looked as though the bottom rail was a tiny bit bowed up.
Thanks! And will take a look!
Hi Vikkie, you have done a good job on the green house, and the planting bench looks good solid and well built. It's a skilled job cutting glass, you done great. Well done👍
Well Done! I'm excited by your (and Mr. TCD's) progress with taming your property.
This was a really fab video, Vikki! I knew you’d figure it out. As a job for the future (as you’ve got so much to do right now!), I think the stainless steel frame would look lovely painted a sage green or a traditional farm barn green to tie in with the surroundings. As a keen potter, I’d recommend getting a small sink with a foot pump to wash your hands. The kind of ones market traders have.
As for your fruit cage, I’m not sure what type of fruits you are going for? If you are thinking hardy soft fruits like raspberries. I’d just remove all glass from the green house and store it as spares. Then I’d half board the walls and use fruit net over the top and sides.
Amazing work you're doing, please wear safety specs when cutting glass. x
I loved this video! Well done with your glass cutting.
❤
Absolutely awesome job. Trough planters may be a good idea. Can be made from scraps and basic 2 or 3 by 4 ripped in half on table saw. Less stress on the back. 😁 Are you going to get chickens? Ana White has some great plans for different styles of coops and they are free plans.
Love your enthusiasm for the project. Don’t worry about the potting shed/greenhouse conversion, we all go through that process.
Vikkie absolutely 💯 very well done your skill level is 👏👏brilliant video thanks for sharing 👍
Thank you so much 🤗
Got to admire your willingness to take on such jobs. I hate working with glass, and those aluminium clips have a nasty habit of snapping corners or cracking panes when they are put in. So well done for not cracking any.
My dad was never happier than when he was messing about with plants. He had an odd sense of humour and for years I thought that sieve you had was called a Jimmy ...
Hi Vikkie, I would take the remaining glass out of the seconed greenhouse and thighten an bug netting over it.
So you can plant for examples brassica in it safe from butterflies and whiteflies and you can even walk in it and do not have to crowls into a tunnel.
If you want to do a fall planting you can add a transparent tarp.
Wow, you are making such good progress! I'm so impressed! I started building a greenhouse out of salvaged doors a year ago and it's still not done! I was once told that you need to swipe quickly and in one sweep when cutting glass. I think the quick uniform swipe is more critical than pressure. The same when cutting tiles. It's something to do with vibrating the molecules apparently! It must feel so good to get a little pocket of your home finished. I bet you want to sit in there for ages, admiring your achievement! I love the fact you give your dog a bed in there. My dogs also have beds in every location. Keep going at this rate and you will be finished in a few years.
I wondered that about a continuous swipe, but I went off track when I tried doing it, so went for slow and steady.
And agree about beds in different rooms. That one was actually from the bathroom as he's got to follow me everywhere 😆😆😆
@@TheCarpentersDaughterUK I bet he's really enjoying life now 😄
Knowed ya get there Vix !!!. 😀😀😀👍👍👍.
The smaller greenhouse...
Look for 'Channel plastic' or Corroplast as it's also known as. It's not as transparent as glass, but it definitely lets the light and heat in, and keeps it in.
Great stuff to fill in the holes in the smaller greenhouse.
Noggins!
(I watch 'Escape to Rural France'. Any day with noggins is a good day! )
I would have placed pieces of pressure-treated wood under the bench legs, but maybe the treatment is enough?
(Give the underside of the legs a few coats)
Love your can do attitude Vikkie. You could use the slabs from the broken greenhouse floor to create a footpath to your revamped greenhouse. When you move the small greenhouse just put membrane down with chippings on for a floor. I would have the smaller one for a potting shed and overspill seedlings.
Thanks! And very good ideas!!!!!
You can adjust the greenhouse door on the wheels at the top.
You are so brave with that glass. Well done for not giving up. I was going to suggest a window opener, but others have suggested it.When its really hot I have a net thingy to stop animals getting in, but let the air in. Can't wait for your next video.
A nice little job well done great effort with not doing it before. Deffo need some paving slabs or something outside the greenhouse especially with the amount of wet weather we have had lately .
You are just steaming through these jobs, Vikkie! Can't remember from previous videos, but assume you have a router? Perfect mounted on a pivot for those circular holes.
Thanks so much! Yes, I do, but sometimes the time to set jigs up puts me off 😅
👍👍👍.Thanks Vikkie
Brilliant work, thank for the content😀
Longtime viewer, You are strong, resourceful, and talented. You will succeed.
If you can get hold of some wet and forget spray it on the glass and all the metal read the instructions carefully . It's brilliant stuff
really enjoyed this one, you have climbed so far above all the gardening channels i usually watch, and your woodworking skills, awesome. when you market your potting bench put me down for one😊..
For those weeds in cracks .mix diesel fuel with roundup it will kill it perminent.😅
Good job. Other greenhouse or any semi-permanent structure; Use shadecloth. It can be had in varying transparencies, thickness, toughness and material, easy to handle, to cut etc.
Comes in differing widths and bought off the roll. Makes good doors and such. Big advantage - handles hail much better than glass.
Potting tubes and all sizes of pots etc can often be found in bins on landscaping jobs. If you ask, some will put them aside for you.
Great video as always Vikki, done an excellent job on the greenhouse, you have loads of patience I would of ended up with them all smashed up with temper !!! ,you getting there slowly but surely can't wait for summer to see all your produce 👍xxxxx❤
A tip i was given many years ago was when cutting old glass, clean it thoroughly with parafin first
Nah, repairable as others have said too much is thrown away for the sake of a little effort, keep plugging at it Vikkie, it's coming up well :)
Thanks!
Awww, thank you so much! You're so kind!
THe wheels on the door to the greenhouse above are adjustable, so you can raise the door to slide better. All the best.
Thank you so much. I'll have a look
Awesome video again. Thanks.
Thankyou for watching!
Thanks for a great video. You can make a compost scoop out of an empty milk bottle. Look forwards to your next video.
Also I would fit an Automatic vent opener for the Summer months.
Hi vikki you could score the line on the glass 2 or 3 times before you try and break along the line or score both sides of the glass then try break the glass along the line
Just a thought re the door. I built mine last year and the door was catching but realised I could adjust the door up slightly to clear the obstruction. Worth a look. Oh and has been mentioned fit an auto vent. I’ve put one either side. Saves plants scorching in hot sun.
Nice WORK VIKKIE ❤️ ❤❤
Well done on the perseverance, old glass is a pane😂. As one of your other commenters has said tapping is for curves, I used to do stain glass and the thumbs method is the one to go with, firm score, and only once, don't go back and make sure you run of the end, then with gloves holding where you started your score just hold either side and break just like a KitKat. Hard to explain but plenty videos on UA-cam. Enjoy your diying and keep up the good work. Hans might need some paw boots around all that rubbish.
23:34
Could do with a couple of diagonals I reckon - fair play on the glass cutting, I def dont have the gentle touch or patience!
Awesome transformation on the greenhouse Vikkie - is there no end to your talents???
I would suggest an auto window opener which automatically opens the top window when it get warms so the greenhouse does not overheat
Now that sounds awesome!!!!!! Off to look for them!
We store our potting compost in an Ikea plastic bin with a hinged lid in the greenhouse with a scoop. I think it is a 60 litre Sortera waste sorting bin.
Instead of garden beds built inside the glasshouse I would suggest making a raised bed the size of the outside perimeter to lift the whole glasshouse up. You would have to step over at the door but doing this will maximize the garden area, eliminate the inaccessible gap between the glass and the back of the planter frame, give more head useable height and most importantly lift the bottom frame out of the dirt which tends to be the first thing to rust out.
When I needed new shed windows, I went to a local glazing company, they advised I needed "horticultural glass" I assume it would normally be used for greenhouses. Quite thin, maybe 4mm but does the job.
Only cost me about £4 per window.
You done an amazing job.
Cheers! 😀
Have you tried looking at the top runner the greenhouse door hangs on. Maybe a stone or screw stopping it moving?
Vikkie that was great work and I so enjoyed the video, I was thinking you could buy one of those door screens they are cheap and also great for summer to keep flies out but air in, also your dog can go in and out as he likes as they have little magnets that shut easy. Im sure you know the ones I mean. Big hugs Dede
Thankyou for the tip, i think i know which you mean. Like weighted down, 6 inch overlapping mesh curtains?
@@TheCarpentersDaughterUK yes they just snap open and shut as you go through them, lot of people use them on patio doors, but could help in short term for you till door is fixed, xxx
@@TheCarpentersDaughterUK Ok correct term are Insect screen doors, lol, xx
I'll definately look at those, even if i fix the door, like you say, it's great for hot days.
Go for it you got this😅
Great for carrying on cutting glass 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉get more glass for other greenhouse you could need it
A pro glass cutter I know keeps his glass cuting wheel in methelated spirit an has cut many pieces of old glass for me with almost no breakages. Wipe old glas first with the methelated spirits too!
Thanks so much for the tip!
Use your cement from fire bricks to put in front of greenhouse
Have you thought about trying to get some Perspex that people are throwing out etc?
I would also say have a look into what you can use them for outside of growing things? Cold frames or growing things on? Outside of veg
I would recycle or sell the other glass house, any money from the sale could go towards other projects..what about contacting a local farmer for manure??
If you have got the wood chipper use the wood clippings around the greenhouse.
Have you got enough glat in the other greenhouse to glaze the back half? If so you can glaze the back to put you potting bench in there and jusy net the front half.
I would use the papers in the old conservatory for a pathway along the restored one
Excellent job on the glass. Those w clips are lethal. Take a look at bayliss auto vent. Ventilation is very important for greenhouses.
Thank you. Sounds like I should have left some of the broken ones in then 😆😆
And will do
@TheCarpentersDaughterUK if it's too humid in there, mould goes nuts. Also aphids will appear overnight and take over the world.
Thanks. Will keep my eyes peeled!
@TheCarpentersDaughterUK just got to your sticking door bit. Do you have two white nylon wheels on the door? They usually fail causing sticking issues. You can get these in a kit if you have. Only a few pounds.
Well done, just a thought I might not be best having your dog about near where your breaking glass.
Robbing Peter to pay Paul as the saying goes 😂 You may be best picking up a second hand greenhouse just for the glass to repair the second one, often available with a few broken panes for little to nothing. Great to see you getting the hang of cutting glass, it is intimidating but a good skill to have. I say that but all I can grow is weeds, if Mr TCD has a minute I've got plenty pushing up my paving slabs that need evicting!
A little late now as you have completed glazing. To cut old glass, clean, score and wipe over cut with meth spirits. For fitting roof opening panel lift it and slid over top of other panels, head throu opening using steps and work throu opening. Small green house appeared to have roof opening vent which are normally standard sizes so could have just swopped to larger greenhouse
Are them slabs in the greenhouse concrete or York if there York rip them up and sell them to support your projects 👍✌️
Use the large, intact pieces as is, and the scraps for the remainder. That's what I did - the greenhouse I was working on had 3 x 42cm panes at 42cm instead of 60cm, so I left the two at 60 and cut a narrow piece for the bottom.
Another great video you might need some heat for your seedlings
Shift all the existing panes in the smallerg/h up. Then board the bottom sections. Use that as a potting shed come g/h, and the bigger, complete one as a main gh. Forget netting it. The frames need glass in for rigidity, else they mangle in anything more than a light breeze. Fruit cage out of wood or galv poles.
Thank you so much and will look into those! I just hope the potting bench fits in there 😅 May need to trim the legs down a touch!
@@TheCarpentersDaughterUK you can use a net over one of those cheapo polytunnel frames, and reinforce with roofing battens. Make sure its 25mm pipe, or get adventurous with the blue hdpe and make a large hoop house. Semi circles are strong shapes. Netting for fruit - ''dove netting'' 25mm (1") knotted square net, 800 Denier , 6-ply, black UV treated polyethylene, best quality ive found, dovecentral. Pricey, but has lasted over 15yrs.
Personally, I would build a massive wooden fruit cage 7/8ft high, as big as you can. Netting over the outside. Then make a post and rail fence, 60mm inside the cage, to cordon and train off of and have access betweennet and railsfor maintenance. No point netting if fruit is against
the netting.
@@TheCarpentersDaughterUK if you have to lower the bench, no harm in digging a central path out of the gh to make it 'taller'. Line with the blocks, or pavers.
I use the same cutter but rather than tap, I snap using my hands on either side of the cut.
Is there a way to move the other green house and join them together to make one longer house
Well done to you Vikkie and Mr TCD, what a difference you’ve certainly pulled the stops out there guys thanks 😊
Thanks so much and glad you enjoyed 😁
@@TheCarpentersDaughterUK you both are welcome 😊
Are those Plastic shelves UV stabilised?
If not they will start to dissolve and turn brittle in the greenhouse
*Well done.... and not a cut/sliced off finger to boot. 🙂nz*
Cheers! Yes, I was well chuffed I didn't have any injuries 🤣
The Jigsaw you were using looked like it uses the EXT battery range. The Same manufacturer does a reciprocating saw using the same batteries. It's a beast and with the rough cut blades ( which aren't that dear) it will easily tackle all those branches you were struggling with. I use one for cutting up firewood and just about any other rough cutting. Think of your bow saw on steroids:)
Yes, it is! It's an Erbauer one!
Yup :) Just wasn't sure on mentioning manufacturers names on your channel. Honestly the rip saw is great. I wonder what on earth I did ( apart from burn out other saws) before I picked up mine at Screwfix. You can get one as a bare unit if you have plenty of batteries already, or pick up a set if you want to add another battery and charger.
You get a decent time from the battery as well and you will find it handy for demolition of any old wooden structures you want to take down and tree clearance, cutting up pallets etc. Well worth the money. I've even used it to cut through stubborn roots in the ground when clearing bushes
For temporary put plastic sheeting over them.
Sooo i just relise i usully spend my sundays burning my food (i dont know how to cook) as i watch Vicky build...knowing she is a famous food blooger 😁...wonder if its time to chack out the other chanel 😀. O and fun video btw :)
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
❤keep going 👍👍🙂🙂🙂
Please wear saftey goggles on when cutting glass. You're such an inspirational woman!
Is this the same stuff as bonding?
Cutting glass is alot like cutting ceramic tiles with a scribe. So when it's time to tile you'll be a pro. Mind you if you doing alot of tile it's definitely worth getting a tile cutter.
Have you thought of putting really small ball-bearings in the bottom runner for the greenhouse, to aid the door shutting?
No I haven't thanks for the tip.I'll have a look on how I could do it