What to use as a Window?

[madamwlf]

I bought a 4x8 lean to shed for a good price and I'm converting it to a coop. There are no windows in it and I want to at least cut one window but what do I use as a window. I could cover it with wire but what about in the winter? Is there any way to cover it to keep the cold out? Thanks. This place is awesome!!!

 

[elmo]

Sure! The simplest thing to do is use a piece of wood (maybe even the piece you cut out to form the opening), hinge it at the top, and prop it open with a stick. Then in the winter you can just take down the stick and fasten the flap shut.

If you want light, too, you can go hunting for an old wood sash window. Cut your opening so this window will fit, then hinge it at the top, etc.

 

[madamwlf]

The window will be used more for light. In the summer time I would just open the doors to the coop to allow air in.

 

[briteday]

You could have a cut out "window" covered with hardware cloth in the summer, then just have a piece of plexiglass or some sort of rigid plastic to cover the opening in the winter.

 

[teach1rusl]

Quote:

Yep...simply screwing a piece of plexiglass over the opening in the winter is your best bet. That way you get to take advantage of winter sun. Fabric stores also sell very heavy clear pastic vinyl. You could staple that up over the opening too, although I'd advice you to make a simply wooden frame to screw on over the stapled rectangle/square for better hold.

 

[Luke13:34]

I've discovered something cheaper than plexi.. go to the lighting section of your big box home improvement store. they have pebbled plastic sheets that you put in the bottom of those rectangular box lights. They are a nice thickness... easy to work with but not too flimsy.

 

[oldchickenlady]

I found 2 trailer house windows at a salvage place for $10 each. I put hardware cloth on the outside over the screen, then nailed some 1x4 around for trim. I can open or close and still get light. Remember you still need ventilation even in winter, but you don't want drafts blowing directly on your chickens. Mine have a window right behind their roost, so they can see what time to get up!

 

[33yardbirds]

You can also keep an eye out for homes getting replacement windows. The contractors just throw the old ones in the dumpster, they don't care if you want one.

 

[rebecky1305]

Mine are from an old camper. They were easy to install and work great. Plus they were free.

 

[onthespot]

or buy something like these and inset them, backlit at night, for effect.