In this section of the Warre Hive Construction Guide we will build the hive roof. It forms the covering for the whole beehive. The Warre hive roof is fairly easy to build with regular woodworking tools. Let’s begin!
Step 1: Prepare the Parts
To build a Warre hive roof we will need to cut the following wood pieces:
- 2 end gables measuring 39cm long by 21cm wide (15 3/8″ long by 8 1/4″ wide)
- 2 sides measuring 35cm long by 12m wide (13 3/4″ long by 4 3/4″ wide)
- 2 roof panels measuring 50cm long by 21cm wide (19 11/16″ long by 8 1/4″ wide)
- 1 ridge panel measuring 50cm long by 6cm wide (19 11/16″ long by 2 3/8″ wide)
- 1 coverboard measuring 39cm long by 35cm wide by 1cm thick (15 3/8″ long by 13 3/4″ wide by 3/8″ thick) This cover board can be made from 3/8″ or 1/2″ thick outdoor grade plywood.
You will also need:
- Nails or screws
- Smaller nails or screws to fasten the coverboard
Take one of the end gables measuring 39cm long by 21cm wide (15 3/8″ long by 8 1/4″ wide) and lay it on your work surface. Decide which long side of the board you want to be the top. Now place a mark on each side of the board 16cm (6 5/16″) up from the bottom. If you have a combination square or speed square, set it for 72 degrees. Place the square at the mark and draw a line towards the top of the board.
If you do not have a square, simply find the middle of the board and put a mark there. It should be around 19.5cm (7 11/16″) from either side. Now place two marks 2cm (13/16″) on each side of this middle mark. Draw some lines from these marks to the marks you put on the side of the board. Cut along these lines to create the gables. Complete this same process for the other long side measuring 39cm long by 21cm wide (15 3/8″ long by 8 1/4″ wide).
Step 2: Build the Roof
Take both of the short roof sides measuring 35cm long by 12m wide (13 3/4″ long by 4 3/4″ wide) and stand them up on your work surface. Lay one of the end gables you just cut on top of the short sides. Align the bottoms together so that the gables extend beyond the tops of the short sides. Fasten the three sides together.
Almost done! Go on to the next page where we will finish building the hive roof.
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7 responses so far ↓
Matteo // April 16, 2009 at 2:05 pm |
Hi Nick!
Thanks a lot for everything you do!!!
I have a question: why do we have to put the cover board (the one in contact with the quilt) ? It stops the flow of air and so the quilt can’t really work. What about if I don’t put it?
Thanks!!
Nick // May 8, 2009 at 1:05 pm |
Matteo – The quilt is there to provide insulation for the hive. It also helps the bees retain their Nest Scent and Heat. The cover-board is thin enough to allow condensation and moisture to escape from the hive via the quilt, but thick enough to retain scent and heat when combined with the quilt.
I would not chang the Warre Roof design, at least for one year. Just try the basic design for a year, and then see if there is anything you need to change or modify. The basic design works very well “out of the box.” Just my two cents
Wayne Richards // May 19, 2009 at 1:37 am |
Hello Nick,
Just to clarify, are we driving a nail through the ridge into the gable and leaving a ventilation gap. Can moisture transfer down the nail and rot the wood?
Thanks, am loving the website
Nick // May 28, 2009 at 9:47 pm |
Wayne – Yes, you can drive the nail into the gable, or you can drive it into the roof panels. A little water may transfer down to the wood, but if you use a paint or oil for your beehive, I don’t think it will be a huge problem.
Mikell Callahan (Calmiki) // May 29, 2009 at 2:46 pm |
Our coverboard is not thin enough to allow ventilation from the quilt through it to the roof and out. We are new at this. Our coverboard just above the quilt is about 1/4 inch thick. Why can’t we drill very small holes in the coverboard to allow moisture to escape. It seems like there is still plenty of insulation to keep heat and scent in. Calmiki on Denman Is. B.C.
Nick // May 29, 2009 at 6:37 pm |
Mikell – Your cover-board is actually thin enough to allow warm moisture to escape via the top of the hive. It will not allow air to pass through the quilt, but condensation can get out. I have the same setup on my hives, and the quilt is always dry and warm, even during the rainy season.
Kirsten // July 22, 2009 at 4:18 pm |
Hi Nick! I have a similar question about the quilt, and ours is built according to the design. I worry that the bees are getting too hot in the hive (it has been in the low 80′s here and everyday the bees beard in the late afternoon). Has anyone ever tried to put shims in between the top two hive boxes? This will allow some heat to escape, but I suppose scent as well. I have 4 boxes on now, and have no plans on adding more. The bees have honey in the top box and have drawn comb in the other two. I added the 4th because one of the hives swarmed.
Thanks!
Kirsten