FeF Attached Greenhouse
Door Frame
This document is an integral part of the Modular Greenhouse System. See MGS Index for additional information and context.
The Open Building Institute
this is a custom Module.
it differs from standard MGS modules.
This module was customized for the FeF Attached Greenhouse install. Due to constraints in the height of the building, it was necessary to reduce the height of wall and door modules from the standard 8 ft to 7 ft.
Module ID
Name: FeF Door Frame
Version: 1.0 (10/15)
Status:
Design: complete; Prototype: done; Testing: not done
Requires: MGS Glazed Door
Compatible With: FeF Wall, FeF Glazed Wall w/ Vent, FeF Glazed Wall, FeF Fixed Window.
Used In: FeF Attached Greenhouse
Dimensions: 84” x 48” x 5.5”
Weight: ~ 84 lbs (frame) + ~34 lbs (door)
Cost of Materials: $49
Build Time:
Tools: electric saw, drill
Index
Overview
this module is a door frame. it requires a compatible door module.
see the “module id” for information about compatible and required modules.
door frame
door
Overview
this frame has a slightly recessed lip.
lip
Overview
compatible door modules have a flat side and a protruding side.
protruding side
flat side
Overview
a compatible door module fits into this frame like a lid on a box.
Overview
the overlapping lip on both modules - lined with insulating foam tape - provides a seal against drafts.
lip
lip
Overview
the recessed side of the module faces the exterior. it has a 3” deep space for the addition of a screen door.
screen door space
exterior
Overview
the flat side of the module faces the interior.
interior
Overview
the door opens to the interior in order to accommodate a screen door on the exterior side.
it can open to the left or right, depending on which side the hinges are placed.
Dimensions
Door Frame Module
84”
48”
81”
45”
(1) 7” x 81” x ¼” sheet of chipboard**
(110) star drive 2.5” screws (t20 or t25)
(3) door hinges
(12) star drive trim head screws (t10 or t15) (optional)
(2) magnetic catches (optional)
(1) door handle (optional)
(1) slide latch (optional)
*In this module, the 2x2s must be exactly 1.5” x 1.5” and may not be replaced with 1x4s ripped in half.
**This is just a spacer, it can be replaced with another ¼”-thick sheet material - plywood, foam core, waferboard, particle board, melamine, etc.
Materials
(1) cut-off or electric hand saw (circular, jigsaw, etc.)
(1) table saw (optional)
(1) drill
(1) star drive bit (t20 or t25)
(1) star drive, trim head bit (t10 or t15)
(1) ~⅛” drill bit
(1) measuring tape
(1) pencil
Tools
Cut the 8 ft 2x6 boards into:
Cut the 6 ft 2x2 board to:
Cut the 8 ft 1x4 boards to 81” long
Cut the 7” x 81” sheet of plywood into:
Lumber Cut List
To create a structure, modules must be fit together - often side by side - as tightly as possible. For this reason, it’s important to ensure that no screws heads or tips are sticking out of the frames.
Guidelines
Make the Frame
Frame: Outer Frame
assemble (2) 81” 2x6s and (2) 48” 2x6s into a frame so that the outside of the frame measures 48” x 84”
96”
48”
2x6 - 93”
2x6 - 48”
Frame: Outer Frame
align
align the bottom of a corner first, fasten it with a 2.5” screw.
then push and/or pull the the top edge until it’s aligned as well. fasten it with another 2.5” screw.
2.5” screws
Frame: Outer Frame
repeat
repeat the previous step on the other 3 corners of the frame.
Frame: Front Face
place (1) 93” 1x4 inside the frame, flush with its top face.
either have someone else hold it in place or support it from the bottom using a couple 4.25”-long pieces of the 2x4.
1x4 - 93”
prop up using 4.25” pieces of 2x4
Frame: Front Face
on one corner, make sure the 1x4’s face is flush with the top face of the frame.
pre-drill - to avoid cracking the board - and fasten it to the frame using (2) 2.5” screws.
flush
2.5” screws
pre-drill
Frame: Front Face
repeat the previous step to fasten the other end of the 1x4.
repeat
Frame: Front Face
pushing and/or pulling as needed align the 1x4 with the top of the frame - making sure it’s flush.
pre-drill and fasten it using 2.5” screws.
flush
2.5” screws
pre-drill
Frame: Front Face
repeat the previous steps to attach another 81” 1x4 to the other side of the frame.
repeat
1x4 - 93”
Frame: Front Face
flip the frame so that the 1x4s are now at the bottom.
Frame: Inner Frame
place the (2) 3.5” x 93” strips of plywood over the 1x4s.
plywood - 3.5” x 93”
Frame: Inner Frame
place the (1) 93” 2x6 over the plywood.
verify that it’s flush against the plywood and the side of the frame.
1x4 - 93”
flush
Frame: Inner Frame
make sure one end of the 2x6 with the edge of the frame and fasten it using (3) 2.5” screws.
flush
2.5” screws
Frame: Inner Frame
repeat the previous step for the other end of the 2x6.
repeat
Frame: Inner Frame
pushing and/or pulling as needed make sure the 2x6 is flat against the plywood beneath it and the frame.
fasten it using 2.5” screws.
2.5” screws
Frame: Inner Frame
repeat the previous steps to add another 81” 2x6 on the other side of the frame.
repeat
2x6 - 81”
Frame: Outer Frame
finish fastening the outer frame by adding (1) more 2.5” screw on each corner.
2.5” screw
Frame: Inner Frame
fasten both 2x6s to the plywood and 1x4s underneath them using (3) 2.5” screws.
2.5” screws
Frame: Inner Frame
insert a 34” 2x2 in between the 2x6s. align it with the 2x6s and make sure it’s flush with the edge of the frame.
align
2x2 - 34”
flush
Frame: Inner Frame
fasten the 2x2 to the frame using 2.5” screws.
2.5” screws
Frame: Inner Frame
repeat the previous steps to attach another 34” 2x2 on the other side of the frame.
2x2 - 34”
repeat
Install the Door
Door
flip the frame so the 1x4s are facing up.
Door
fit a compatible door module - with its largest side facing up - into the frame’s opening.
Door
once in place, the face of the door should be at the same level as the face of the frame.
there should also be a ⅛ to ¼” gap between the door and the frame around it. this is to allow for wood expansion.
small gap
Door: Quality Control Step
verify that the door is centered on the frame.
the small gap around it should be identical on all sides of the door.
even spacing
Door: Install the Hinges
place the hinges flat - one in the middle and the other two approximately 7.5” from the bottom and top edges of the door.
fasten the hinges to the door and frame - making sure the small gap around the door remains even all around.
7.5”
7.5”
Door: Quality Control Step
carefully raise the module to its vertical position.
verify that the door opens and closes smoothly.
You may now add door hardware such as a handles, sliding latches and/or magnetic catches.
This hardware should be added to the interior side of the door - in order to leave space on the exterior side for a screen door.
Add Door Hardware
Hardware: Add the Interior Corners
if you wish to add magnetic catches, attach the 45º 1x4 leftover pieces to each corner of the interior frame - using 2.5” trim screws.
note that the 2 triangles on the hinges side are for aesthetic purposes only. you may skip them if you want.
The End!
Remember to handle, transport and install this module carefully to avoid damage to the glazing.
It’s best to tape or latch the door to the frame for transportation and installation.
After the module has been installed, you may remove the rest of the glazing’s protective film.