Rowlinson Hardwood Coldframe

Having read countless reviews on Cold Frames and the frustration buyers have with them arriving in 1000 pieces, an instruction guide that is barely understandable and the requirement of an Engineering Degree to build them... I ordered this Cold Frame on the basis of a review saying it was easy to build.It arrived well packaged and flat packed, as expected. Having unpacked the item, I then spent 10 minutes wondering where the catch was in building this. To say this is easy to build is an understatement...The Main Frame, essentially self constructs... you just open it out. Push in 8 shelf brackets in to pre-drilled holes and then slot in the 2 shelves.Screw on 1 door handle on to the front door, put on the Lid, screw the Lid Hinges into the Main Frame with the supplied 4 screws. Screw on the Sliding Lid Holder (probably not what you call it) and then stand back and wonder why it hasn't taken your hours to construct and why you are not tearing your hair out in frustration with your attempt to decipher an instruction guide, that makes an Ikea Manual look like a childs book.The quality is fantastic and also for a Cold Frame... it's quite pretty. I know that isn't a prerequisite for them... but there are some awfully ugly ones out there.As Wooden Cold Frames go... there are cheaper ones out there, but for this quality of build and the fact that it takes 10 minutes to construct (you only need a phillips screwdriver)... it's well worth the extra you pay.I would thoroughly recommend purchasing this, if you are looking for a great quality product and don't want to spend 6 hours trying to construct it.

While this looks as if it will be perfectly serviceable, I am disappointed that this cold frame is not as advertised. The advertising photos show it with hinges midway on each side of the frame. This ties in with reviews which state the main body comes pre-assembled and requires only that the sides be pulled straight for it to be ready for the lid and shelves to be attached/inserted. 7 separate pieces have arrived requiring to be built into the frame, so not as easy as suggested.Will probably do the job once I get it put together. As a 66 year old single woman, however, not looking forward to that.

Generally a really good product. Pre treated.Easy to put together. Only thing was the bits that were for the shelf to rest on were hard to get in to the holes in wood. Think the holes were not drilled properly.Instructions for the bit where the lid gets held open not entirely clear.After about a year the perspex top started to split.The door had to have some repair work as the magnet on door didnt work. Had to put a door hook on.

Bought this as a Christmas present for family relation. Product arrived very efficiently and was undamaged on arrival. All the components were present upon opening the box. The main part of the frame is already assembled and simply unfolds into shape. It is then a straightforward case of screwing in the shelf holding clips, dropping in the shelves and securing the top. There are pre-drilled holes which allow the shelves to be put at different levels to accommodate your own needs. The top has the flexibility to be part open or fully open. Delighted with the product and would definitely recommend.

The plastic components (little nubs to support the shelves, the door handle) are wretched quality - brittle, poorly cast, sharp edges where they've been broken out of the injection moulds, which scratch you when you're pushing them into the too tight holes. Otherwise the build quality and assembly process are brilliant.One great improvement would be to increase the dimensions slightly to take 4 standard sized seed trays. As it is, you can only fit two, with lots of wasted space.

Not the best build quality, upon putting the shelving supports in place by opening the front door i lightly bumped my head on the top rail of the front of the coldframe and broke it.Upon further investigation it was found that it had been a manufacturing defect which was to blame (the top rail is held in place by the use of wooden dowels which mine appeared to have disintegrated and been overdrilled on the upright it was supposed to be fixed to.)I fixed it myself rather than contact their customer services as the coldframe was bought at a discount price which was £30 lower than the normal price as the box was damaged (this had no impact on the problem above)

Very flimsy. Shelf supports do not fit holes. Had to be made bigger. The door catch does not work. Not worth the money.

Very pleased with this cold frame. Well constructed and strong. Good quality wood. The lid can be raised and will remain up if required. The front also opens wide.It was very easy to put together. Because of it's hinged construction will be easily stored away - flat. Has seedlings growing on in it now.