http://s1343.photobucket.com/user/Noel_Goetz/library/Fig%20House?sort=3&page=1
Recycled windows and doors were a great resource especially as my local glass shop tosses them out regularly. Used sliding glass doors can be had for about $10 if you have to buy them. Unfortunately I rushed in like a bull in a china shop without a solid plan in place. This ended up costing me double in professional help. (I personally played saw man and gopher). Instead of collecting windows first and designing around my materials (as I should have), I put in my foundation blocks first and my builder was then forced to design window placement around what was already in place, which not only cost me window space, but lots of aggravation, as we were constantly wasting time without a drawn out plan. First most of the glass I scrounged were odd sized most of which I had to dispose of. I should have stuck with sliding glass doors which I eventually did for the majority of the project. Don't make the mistakes I did. If you attempt to use recycled windows, make absolutely sure (that if you are using large pieces)- make sure first that for safety's sake that the glass is tempered, and try and use as much same-sized glass as you can. We used 36" x 76" sliding glass doors for the top and 3-sides. (sliding glass doors (outside of there original frames) waste little space and are very easy for (2 people) to re-frame in place. We broke one, so have an extra one or two on hand just in case. We purchased 2 x 4 pressure treated studs for the frame and for all of the rest we used cheap, but good looking and weather resistant- $3.00 per length (5-1/2" wide by 6ft. Redwood fencing) for the exterior. We cut the fencing to various widths and lengths on both a table saw and miter saw. We attached to the 2" x 4" framing, using -Porter Cable brad and staple guns- shooting crown staples for the window frames and 11/2" collated finish nails for attaching siding and finish framing to the 2 x 4 frame. For ventilation, the recycled entry door, has a large screen area in the middle, we added a sliding window above the door, and two hinged panels at the top of the (left end) of the structure. I will be filling the floor with gravel, and will water my figs and cuttings from my fish pond below.
We have an average sized city lot and because my yard area is already fenced and planted I only had a small remaining corner to work within, just above the aprx. 800 gallon pond. I had to go with a 5 sided design to get the most available space. My foundation was built to provide walking space around the sides of the grape vines I'd planted last year, or I would have had about double the available space to work with. It's a small floor plan- no more than 60 or so sq. feet but I am very happy with the results. We of course caulked the window framing, before setting the windows in, giving us a waterproof interior, but I still need to caulk the outsides of the window frames and of course wash the windows (LOL), but still it was finished enough to move plants into.
I'm trading for some used restaurant racks for the interior, which will give me more vertical growing space and I plan on plumbing the electric and a faucet as I have time and money. But for now I'm very happy. I didn't keep accurate accounting, but I think materials were well under a thousand, but when I get my Home Depot bill I can provide some numbers if any one is interested. Click on the link at the top, if you'd to see the photo's. Sorry but some of the pics are a little tilted (just like yours truly) Happy Figging! Noel