DIY Small PVC Cold Frame Plans

DIY Small Cold Frame

Cold weather will not be a problem in your raised bed garden with these cold frames!

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Whether you're protecting your peonies, hibiscus, tomato plants from the cold season, or simply keeping your adorable pets from trespassing into your growing plants, here is your solution. This great PVC project of a small cold frame is 40" wide and around 43" high.

If you already have a greenhouse, but you are still missing some spots to protect, cold frames are the perfect solution to this problem. Add your desired material to the laterals according to your needs: fabric, plastic or acrylic, you name it.

Let us guide you step by step in building this small, cold frame.

Ideal for: Gardening, farms, raised beds, gardens, and more.

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Instructions

A note before starting -

Please understand - the below diagrams are genuinely and carefully designed to help you navigate the build process. However, we don’t include specific recommendations for which tools, hardware, or products to use. These truly are “DIY” designs.

As such – a significant portion of the build-process will be up to you, the builder. So please know, there is no “right” or “wrong” way to assemble any of our designs! If you need to depart from the instructions, or rearrange things along the way, feel free to.

The only thing we ask: please be safe! And of course, there’s no shame in asking an expert for help or seeking guidance from your local professionals at any time.

And please: enjoy the process!

Small PVC cold frame 3D render, second view

Small PVC cold frame 3D render, third view

Small Cold Frame Assembly Steps

Step 1. Assembling the Front Frame of a Small Cold Frame

This DIY project is incredibly easy and enjoyable to build. First of all, make sure to measure, mark and cut as precisely as possible. Also, make sure to clean each piece so it glues firmly in the next step. For this first step, you'll need:

Four 1” 3 - way

Two 1” tube - 40.18” tube

Two 1” tube - 25.11” tube

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To build the front frame of this cold frame, grab a 1" 3-way and place it in the connector hole facing your right the 1"tube - 40.18" long. This tube on it’s other edge will connect to another 1” 3-way.

Make sure you use solvent cement on the 3-way and PVC tube so it glues together firmly.

We will now work on both ends of the tube so we can double check our frame is even on each side.

The 1" tube - 25.11" tube will be placed in to the 1" 3-way connector. Please see the diagram above for reference.

Then grab the last two 1" 3-ways and place them at the end of each of the 25.11" long tubes. It's important that the free connector holes of all the 3 -Way are facing your way and remain free. You'll then place the 1" tube- 40.18" long into the 3- way connector holes that face each other.

With this last step, you have your frame ready to look like a rectangle.

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Step 2. Building the Back Frame of the Cold Frame

Now on to the next step, you'll also need to build two of these. For this step you will need to have near you:

Two ½” x 1” Nipple black steel

Two ½” male to female elbows

Two ½” x 1” bushing

Two 1” 4-Way

Two 1” tube - 40” long

Two 1” tube - 25” long

Two 1” 3-way

Let's start with the upper row of the diagram. Please refer to this graphic to determine which piece connects with what. And remember that you need solvent cement for these pieces and it dries fast.

Grab the 1/2 " x 1" Nipple black steel and place it in the 1/2 " male to female elbow. We suggest doing the same with the parts that correspond to the right side.

You will then connect the elbow to the 1/2 " x 1" bushing and then to the 1" x 4-way bushing on the other side. Once you have this same part assembled to the right, connect both through a 1" tube- 40" long tube.

We should have two connecting holes facing down on our 4-way connector. You will place the 1" tubes- 25" long on both sides, followed by a 1" 3-way that will create the corners of the frame. Finally connect these 3-ways to each other with the 1" Tube - 40" long.

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Step 3. Fixing on Together the Main Frames

In this step you'll connect your main-frames that look like rectangles. You'll need:

Four 1” Tube - 33” long

Place each tube in the free connector holes of the elbows, and you're done.

See the diagram above to double-check where the tubes should be placed.

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Step 4. Making the Top of a Small Cold Frame

The top of your cold frame has the following parts:

Two 36” x 18” arch

Three 1” Tube - 40” long

Two 1” Tube - 33” long

Two 1” Cap slip

Two Rube - 5” long

Two ½” x 1” bushing

Two ½” Male to female elbow

Four 1” 4 - Way outlet

Two 1” Tee slip

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Please consider referencing the diagram above.

The 36" x 18" arch will have in the middle the tee slip and on it's end the 1" 4-way outlet.

To close the arch, connect the 1" tube - 40" long to the connector holes of the 4-way outlet facing each other. The tube is about 40'' long.

Two arches must be assembled the same way. These two arches will then connect together through a 4-way outlet. Place the 1" tube - 40" long into the superior tee slip and the 33" tube will be placed under the arch.

Then place the other 40” long tubes on each edge of the arches to form a rectangle as a base.

All the parts must be fixed together using solvent cement to glue them firmly.

Once you have the arches and base as a rectangle, take care of each edge. On the free connector hole of each 4-way outlet place a PVC tube 5'' long and then the 1" cap slip. Once you do each corner, the top is ready.

For the final touch, add the material that will suit your needs best - fabric, plastic or acrylic.

How do you feel about this PVC project? Tag us on TikTok to see your final results!

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Build this DIY Wooden Plant Shelf

Are you into woodworking? This Plant Shelf is incredibly useful and is so pretty! Once you've grown your plants, grab a pretty pot and show them off! Find the free 3D model for this wooden plant shelf, list of parts and access the step-by-step guide to make it a reality. Enjoy the process!

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