[Brushcutter]

Hi!

I want to buy a cold frame. Im prepared to spend up to £100. I know, i could make one out of an old window but i dont have the time or the inclination right now!
So could you recommend a make/model?

Many thanks

Laurie

[Kleftiwallah]

I cannot think that anyone doesn't have the time to go the the local double glazing business and pick up a removed glass window and pick up a few bricks on the way home!     Please send me the £100:00 in a plain envelope !    Cheers,   Tony.

[st0ne5ish]

I cannot think that anyone doesn't have the time to go the the local double glazing business and pick up a removed glass window and pick up a few bricks on the way home!     Please send me the £100:00 in a plain envelope !    Cheers,   Tony.

Very funny 

[Brushcutter]

I knew id get a response like that! Thanks for your constructive help all the same 

Believe it or not i had thought about the window option but came to the folowing conclusions.
old sash route: heavy, probably half rotten to begin with, requires maintenance to stop it from falling to bits, thin glass is very easy to break, takes time to pick one up from freecycle, then make a frame etc

double glazed unit route: Heavy, They look bad enough on peoples houses let alone their gardens and allotments.

Anyway if anyone has bought one recently and is happy with it let me know!
 

[Stevens706]

If you can wait Lidl always sell alluminiun Cold Frames in the spring for about £23 see

http://www.lidl.co.uk/cps/rde/xchg/l...index_8504.htm

For details

[Brushcutter]

Thanks, that is good to know, i will have a look in the spring.
Im after one now really as i want to sow some wild flower seeds over the winter so i can have the flowers for the bumblebees in spring.

[JayG]

I'd go for an aluminium-framed coldframe as it contains more glass and therefore lets more light in. Because of that you can also stand it on a row or two of bricks or concrete blocks to give more height.

Mine was given as a present so I don't know anything else about it but I'm pretty sure it won't have been bought at Fortnum and Masons and it's still fine after several years (had to replace a glass pane but only because I dropped a hammer on it!) 

[Brushcutter]

Ticks the lightweight and low maintenance boxes too! Cheers.

[johnfh]

I was given an old shower door by a builder friend which serves the same purpose and is light to move.

[Paul Plots]

If you want something very light maybe this would be worth considering: Cold Frame Greenhouse at £25.43

Or cheaper still is the Double Sun Tunnel at £9.99 although it might be better suited to inside a cold greenhouse 

Personally I think you'd be better to spend more (if that's what you want to do) and get something that would last a little longer..Greenfingers Medium FSC Cold Frame at £22.99

As well as a couple of single frames I have one of these: Silver Aluminium Jumbo Cold Frame at (hold onto your hat) £109.99 but have had it ages and didn't pay that price!

On the plot I always knock up my own using lengths of triple layered upvc sheeting (was once our conservatory roof) and a few canes, some galvanised wire for hinges and some string. It's really easy and quick to put together and then pack away when its not needed leaving the plants in their final growing position if that's useful.

Try a Googlything search for prices and models - there's loads out there wanting to make big bucks profits!  

[Coach]

I was given an old shower door by a builder friend which serves the same purpose and is light to move.

That is what I used, with timber from the allotment shop it cost me a mere £11. 

[arugula]

I was given an old shower door by a builder friend which serves the same purpose and is light to move.

That is what I used, with timber from the allotment shop it cost me a mere £11. 

And another makes three. We got a bi-fold door so it even allows different degrees of opening for ventilation.

[noshed]

A box with a bit of plastic on the top will do.

[Brushcutter]

Thanks for all your replies.

If you want to make a cold frame the world is your oyster.
But if you want to buy one things are not so simple!
There is a lot of choice but very few reviews or impartial non-manufacturer based info for customers.
I had a look at some Gardman cold frames in a local garden centre, for the price i didnt like the build quality, the wood was stained but not pressure treated so i imagine it would rot in a few years and i would be compelled to get some Sikkens or creosote on it before using it which defeats the object of buying one.
So it came to a choice between wooden and aluminium frames. The trade off seems to be ali for better light transfer and wood for better heat retention. Same trade off with glass and polycarb for the lights.
Anyway i opted for the Halls Jumbo ali frame at £99 with toughened glass. It will stay in the garden for the time being where i can easily keep a close eye on seedlings etc.

[Paul Plots]

At £99 I'd not be in too much of a rush to move it to the allotment......