Updating a Kitchen Window to a Greenhouse Window

If the thoughts of an herb garden in your kitchen make you feel like donning your Martha Stewart apron and sautéing some fresh veggies, then updating a kitchen window to a greenhouse window may be just what your nurturing soul needs. While kitchen gardens and herb gardens are an older concept and may look a bit outdated, they are still very fashionable in adding a lot of life and color to a window. It will not only be a great way to grow herbs right in the kitchen, but you can also grow flowers, small vegetables, and plants, year-round, without the added costs of building a greenhouse – or even walking outside to harvest your goodies.

What is a Kitchen Greenhouse Window?

A kitchen greenhouse window or garden window sticks out a bit from the profile of your home, allowing the window itself to catch more of the sun's rays. There is a shelf at the bottom of the window on the inside where you can place containers or cups that hold flowers, herbs, of tropical house plants. The biggest advantage that you will find when installing a greenhouse window in the kitchen is that it extends the growing season for your favorite herbs and veggies because you can easily grow plants inside your home that ordinarily would not do well inside. This type of window is the perfect addition to any avid gardener's home that will put herbs, edible flowers, veggies, and more at your fingertips every day of the year.

Choosing Your Greenhouse Window

When it comes to choosing your greenhouse window, you have many options, but the biggest consideration that you will need to make is whether to go with a vinyl or an aluminum window. Both options will have rounded corners for safety and to give the window a clean look. Most greenhouse windows will also have adjustable tempered glass shelving where you can set your plants and pots. Vinyl windows have an aluminum frame to make them more durable, and they install just like an aluminum window.

Either type will also have side vents that will allow you to control airflow around your herbs and plants. While either type is a good choice for your kitchen, the vinyl greenhouse window will conduct heat more efficiently so that you'll get more heat into the window, and vinyl has the ability to resist condensation in a more efficient manner than aluminum. If you go with vinyl, you can choose a white vinyl window that is white all the way to the core; this can be a good thing when it comes to maintenance. However, it is a good idea to go with a vinyl window that will coordinate with the look of your other windows.

Installing Your Greenhouse Window

You can hire a professional installer to put your greenhouse window in your kitchen, or you can do it yourself, depending on your skill level when it comes to working with tools. A great style of greenhouse window allows you to integrate your kitchen countertop so that it extends into the window, or the window can be freestanding. You can choose a window that is slightly bigger than your existing window, or you can go with one that is an exact fit. Your window can be mounted directly onto the exterior of your house, or you mount your greenhouse window using mounting brackets and a wooden frame. Follow the instructions that come with your greenhouse window to the "letter" if you are doing your own installation.