Insulating a hive

[Erichalfbee]

I must say I love the look of the pains polly

I have 3 of their 14 x 12 nuc boxes plus an eke.I like them. The built in feeder I feel is rubbish and a waste of space. I have it blocked off permanently.
I love MB polys with top bee space.I don't care about the lip!

 

[richardbees]

great avatar Erica !

 

[itma]

I have 3 of their 14 x 12 nuc boxes plus an eke.I like them. The built in feeder I feel is rubbish and a waste of space. I have it blocked off permanently.

I like them too. And close off the feeder.
But I'm not overwintering anything in them, yet.
For overwintering, the thin-ness of the roof comes into play and just like the hives, the roof isn't thicker than the walls (like it should be).
ISTR that DrStitson has kitted out his overwinter nucs with 'hats' fabricated from insulation board. Something like that is needed to minimise condensation on the crown/cover board/sheet. Otherwise, the thin roof lets the cover get colder than the walls ...

 

[ultreen1]

I have 3 of their 14 x 12 nuc boxes plus an eke.

Well here's my pains yesterday
View attachment 7870

I've heard the grumble about the lip but never really understood what the lip was!

 

[user 6228]

I think Pains roof is too thin.
Its thinner than the walls. Not right!
So under the roof, I've got a poly super with some Celotex giving me a much better insulated crownboard.


I suspect that the much more expensive (and IMHO better looking) poly roof from the Cornish supplier is 1/ adequately insulated and 2/ should fit over Pains boxes (as they are also 500mm square externally) - anyone actually tried?

yes the lid does fit

 

[BeeJayBee]

yes the lid does fit

What are the internal measurements of the lid, please (BeeHiveSupplies ones)

 

[user 6228]

What are the internal measurements of the lid, please (BeeHiveSupplies ones)

520x520.

minimum thickness 30mm max thickness 100mm (centre line)

 

[youngyoungs]

Hi Ultreen,

What paint did you use to paint your hives?, the picture looks great.

I too chose P...nes poly hives for size (14x12) and compatibility with wooden kit. Never considered the roof might be too thin, and as I don't have a number of different hives in the same area, to check the same conditions, I guess I'm not going to find out. Have others insulated the roof of their Poly hives?

 

[Swarm]

I haven't and it's fine.

 

[ultreen1]

Hi Ultreen,

What paint did you use to paint your hives?, the picture looks great.

Thanks, I used cuprinol shades maple leaf.
This morning the only hive with snow left on the roof was the polly.