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6 Easy Ways to Build a
Do It Yourself Cold Frame

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Posted 10.12.25

You can build a do-it-yourself cold frame quickly with very little (or no) cost.

A cold frame acts like a miniature greenhouse, but it is built low to the ground to protect plants from wind and cold. It’s a small, enclosed structure that traps sunlight and warmth to extend your growing season — perfect for hardening off seedlings or growing cool-season crops longer. You can use a cold frame to grow tomatoes and other plants year-round.

You can purchase a cold frame to suit your needs. But you can also build a do-it-yourself cold frame for very little time and cost.

Here are some of the easiest and most practical ways to build a cold frame depending on your time, materials, and budget.

6 easy do-it-yourself cold frames

1. The Old Window Cold Frame (Beginner Favorite)

Best for: Reusing materials and quick assembly

What you need:

• 4 pieces of scrap lumber (2 x8s or similar) – or several cinder blocks
• An old window or glass door (hinged top)
• Screws or nails
• Optional: bricks or pavers for the base

How to build it:

• Build a simple rectangular box from the boards or cinder blocks (no bottom).
• Place the box on level ground or over a garden bed.
• Attach the old window to the top with hinges so it can open for ventilation.
• Tilt the frame slightly southward for more sunlight.

Why it’s easy: You can build it in less than an hour, mostly with reclaimed materials.

2. The Straw Bale Cold Frame

Best for: Quick, temporary use in early spring or fall

What you need:

• 4 straw bales
• 1 clear plastic sheet, window, or old storm door

How to build it:

• Arrange the straw bales in a rectangle to form the walls.
• Lay the window, plexiglass, or clear plastic across the top.
• Tuck in any gaps to reduce drafts.

Why it’s easy: No tools are required! Plus, at season’s end, the straw can go straight into the compost pile.

3. The Plastic Storage Bin Cold Frame

Best for: Small spaces, patios, or balcony gardens

What you need:

• A clear plastic storage bin (with or without the lid)

How to build it:

• Turn the bin upside down over your plants.
• Prop open one corner with a stick or rock during the day for airflow.
• Close it completely at night to hold in heat.

Why it’s easy: Zero carpentry — just flip and go. Plus, this cold frame is portable.

4. The PVC Pipe Cold Frame

Best for: Lightweight, easy-to-move option

What you need:

• PVC pipes and elbows
• Clear plastic sheeting
• Pipe clamps or zip ties
• Optional: wood base frame for stability

How to build it:

• Assemble a small hoop structure from the PVC pipes.
• Stretch clear plastic sheeting over the frame.
• Secure with clamps or zip ties.
• Weigh down edges with bricks or soil.

Why it’s easy: Lightweight and customizable in size. You can use this cold frame over your existing garden plot or your raised beds.

5. The Pallet Cold Frame

Best for: Gardeners who like recycling

What you need:

• 2–3 wood pallets
• Hinges and screws
• Clear plastic, window, or old shower door

How to build it:

• Use pallets for the side walls and back.
• Attach the clear top with hinges.
• Fill in gaps with scrap wood or plastic for insulation.

Why it’s easy: Most materials are free, and assembly is straightforward with minimal cutting.

6. The Raised Bed Cold Frame

Best for: Dual functionality – gardeners who have (or want) raised beds can use them year-round.

What you need:

• Raised bed frame
• Clear top (an old window or piece of clear acrylic)
• Hinges and screws
• Weather stripping (optional)
• Bricks or scrap wood (to prop the window for ventilation)

How to build it:

• Position the window or sheet of acrylic over the raised bed.
• Attach hinges
• Seal gaps by adding weather stripping around the edges

Why it’s easy: Set it on your existing raised bed and use the bed year-round.

Bonus tip for building a do-it-yourself cold frame

Position your cold frame facing south or southeast, with the back slightly higher than the front (about a 5–10° tilt) to catch more sun. Open it on warm days to prevent overheating. The slope will also allow excess rain and moisture to run off.

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