Transforming the Equipment Barn Porch
One of my favorite pastimes is gardening. I am a very serious gardener and am always thinking about ways to improve the care and maintenance of all my plants and trees.
Here at Bedford, I have a large collection of tropical specimens. Because I live in a four-season region, during colder months it’s vital these plants move indoors where the temperature and humidity levels can be controlled. Fortunately, I am able to keep them in high-grade greenhouses, where they can continue to thrive all year long. Earlier this year, I decided to enclose a nook on one side of my Equipment Barn to provide additional greenhouse storage space and to house a few of my taller potted plants. Closing off an already existing covered area is a good, space-saving solution for keeping plants well-protected from the harsh winter elements.
Enjoy these photos.
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- This area was originally built as a covered porch outside my Equipment Barn where members of the outdoor ground grounds crew could sit during warm weather months. In the winter, however, this space gets little use, so I decided to enclose the sides to make it more functional.
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- To prepare it for the steel frames, my friends from Luppino Landscaping & Masonry created notches in the existing stone. https://www.luppinolm.com/
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- Here is a closer look at one of the notches. The notch has to be cut with absolute precision, so the frame fits perfectly in place.
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- Here is a sample piece of the anchoring frame that will surround the space on two sides and hold the glass securely.
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- Here is a view from the top – the frame fits exactly.
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- Similar notches are made in the wooden beams and moldings above. The framing will sit level and square within these notches.
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- The corner support on the opposite side is also adjusted to fit the new glass framing.
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- For this project, I enlisted the help of GlasSolutions, a family-owned business that focuses on architectural glass and metal and installation for both residential and business use. https://www.glassolutions.com/
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- The metal framing was built at the GlasSolutions offsite facility and then transported to my farm for installation.
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- Before installing any of the glass, the area is measured for the frame’s tracks. As the adage goes, “measure twice, cut once”. It is extremely important to get the measurements perfect.
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- The tracks for the frame are cut to the exact measurements right here at the farm.
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- The frame is then carefully placed into the opening, leveled and squared.
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- Here is the frame placed into the notch made in the corner wooden support.
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- All sides and corners are again measured to be sure everything is square.
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- These are plastic shims which are used under the frame for spacing and leveling wherever needed. The color indicates the thickness of the shim – 1/16th of an inch, a 1/2-inch, one-inch, etc.
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- With the frame properly aligned, the base is screwed into the stone. Caulking is used to properly seal the drilling holes.
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- Caulking is also used at the corner exterior joints and where any seepage could occur. Silicone caulk bonds and seals, so no water can enter the space.
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- The framing is then installed into the concrete foundation at the front of the structure.
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- Within a few hours, the framing is complete. The opening in the center is designed for the double doors.
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- And here is the front after the door frames are installed. The doorway will be wide enough to accommodate the large pots that will be stored in this area come winter.
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- The next day, the space is completely enclosed with glass. The crew will be able to sit here for lunch through the fall, and then the room will be used for greenhouse storage during the cold months. I am so pleased with how it turned out – it’s a great way to use the area efficiently all year long.
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