Exaco Year-Round-NP All Season 2 ft. x 4 ft. Cold Frame with Dual Purpose Screen or Polycarbonate Lid

I bought this coldframe (styled a "portable greenhouse" by the distributor, Exaco) to supplement an old multi-lid Juwel coldframe that has served me well for many years.I was expecting lousy instructions based on experience deciphering this Austrian firm's previous assembly manual, and yes, you might as well not even bother with them. Exaco has a short YouTube video on assembly, and while it's confusing in its own right (the video tries to demonstrate too much at once and shows parts from confusing angles) I eventually got the coldframe assembled, though not in the "30 minutes or less" promised by the demonstrator.Quality control has evidently suffered at Juwel, as pre-drilled holes are not aligned well. As a result, it's a struggle to get the twin wall panels to fit properly, and I felt fortunate I didn't crack any while wedging them into place. The handle used to slide the top panel in and out is crooked because the screw holes were drilled at an angle - a cosmetic problem but one that should have been avoided.The ad copy for this coldframe claims that it's constructed so that the lid will stay securely open. The Exaco instructional video shows how to attach a cord (not included) so that the lid will supposedly remain open via gravity at a greater than 90 degree angle for "ease of harvest", but there's nothing to prevent the lid from slamming shut in a breeze and maybe resulting in damage - and in fact the manual warns you not to leave the lid open unattended.I'd have expected thicker and better quality twin wall panels for this price. How well they'll hold up outdoors remains to be seen.On the plus side, the built-in screen for the lid is a nice touch (though I suspect it will contribute to overheating in warm to hot weather), and the overall construction appears solid enough for multi-season use.Given the low quality of competing products, Juwel coldframes may be about the best you can expect in a commercial model, which is all the more reason to find a good plan online or in a gardening book and build your own, using lumber and an old window frame.

If this item were half the price, THAT would be about right. Although the box was not damaged, metal pieces inside were bent and needed to be fixed. The assembly directions were not easy to follow and I have assembled many items over the years. Finally, it seems pretty flimsy for the price. As of now, I would not buy another. PS It is NOT a suitable coldframe for northern climates in my opinion.

Plants and seeds love it.

Pieces do not fit together. 1 star is too much of a compliment for this