Solid Floor Insulation

Beehive Insulation

Used to improve colony survival rates during the colder months, Low-E Beehive Insulation is perfect for reducing wind chill, condensation and keeping the hive warmer in winter and colder in summer.

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Reasons our customers use Low-E Beehive Insulation

 
  

Why Install Beehive Insulation?

Improved heating efficiency

Hive Temperature Regulation

Maintaining an optimal temperature inside the hive is crucial for Bee’s survival and Low-E insulation reflects radiant heat, helping to keep the hive warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer.

Decrease energy bills

Moisture Control for The Hive

Excess moisture in a beehive can lead to mould growth and increase the likelihood of diseases within the bee colony and Low-E insulation is moisture-resistant.

improved home temperature comfort

Protection Against Elements

Low-E insulation can provide an added layer of protection against wind and weather, keeping the hive’s internal environment more stable even in adverse conditions.

Decrease energy bills

Enhanced Hive Productivity

By ensuring that the internal temperature is regulated and moisture is controlled, bees can focus on honey production and colony growth rather than survival.

Installing Beehive Insulation

Low-E PERF is a breathable foil insulation product with a patented closed-cell polyethylene core made from recycled material. Unlike many materials used to insulate hives, Low-E PERF is a fully breathable material and has a Moisture Vapour Transmission Rate of 0.11 MNs/g, making it the ideal product for insulating your hive, as any moisture build up can have disastrous consequences for the colony.

Beehive insulation.

How to Insulate a Beehive

Step-by-step Guide

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free how to insulate a beehive pdf download.

Recommended Low-E Product

Low-E PERF

Low-E PERF is patented perforated insulation designed to allow moisture to pass through while limiting air movement, making it the perfect beehive insulation material. Low-E PERF can be bought in 4, 12 & 24-metre lengths and is only 5.5mm thick, perfect for insulating beehives without requiring too much space.

low-e EZY seal foil insulation

Installing Beehive Insulation

How to Install Beehive Insulation

Download this as a PDF

Step-by-step Guide

Download PDF

Installing Beehive Insulation

Low-E PERF is a breathable foil insulation product with a patented closed-cell polyethylene core made from recycled material. Unlike many materials used to insulate hives, Low-E PERF is a fully breathable material and has a Moisture Vapour Transmission Rate of 0.11 MNs/g, making it the ideal product for insulating your hive, as any moisture build up can have disastrous consequences for the colony.

Loft Roofing Insulation

How to Install Beehive Insulation

Low-E Insulation PERF is a patented breathable foil insulation with non-toxic closed-cell polyethylene core made from recycled material. Low-E Insulation works by reflecting radiant heat back to the source. Unlike many materials used to insulate hives, Low-E Insulation PERF is fully breathable and has a Moisture Vapour Transmission Rate of 0.11 MNs/g, making it the ideal product for insulating your hive.

It does not matter what type of hive you have, simply follow these steps to insulate any hive and ensure your colony are protected from the cold of winter.

Loft Roofing Insulation
Step 1: Cut and Apply Foam Tape

The foam tape will protect the insulation from catching and tearing on the hive. It will also create a small air space between the hive and the insulation which allows air to move around the hive and moisture to dissipate.

Simply cut the foam tape into small, manageable pieces of approximately 3-4 inches in length. Apply the tape to the sides of each corner of your hives roof, making sure they meet flush at the corner. Then, apply the top pieces to each corner making sure they overlap the side pieces, so they sit flush and form a corner shape.

Beehive CornerBeehive Top

Step 2: Measure Width, Depth and Height of the Hive
Measure the width, depth and height of your hive roof and take a note of each measurement. Be sure to add 12mm to the width and depth measurements and 6mm to the height to account for the 6mm foam tape that has been applied.

Beehive Measure TopBeehive Measure Height

Step 3: Cut the Front, Back and Side Pieces
Prepare a clean and dry surface to work on and unroll your Low-E PERF. Referencing the measurements of your hive, cut four pieces of Low-E PERF, one for the front, one for the back and two for the sides. Make sure you use a straight edge and a sharp blade when cutting to get a clean, accurate cut.

TIP: The insulation is 1.25 high, so if your hive is less than 625mm high you will be able to cut 1 piece in half and use half for the front and half for the back. You can do the same for the sides.

Beehive MeasuringBeehive Measure Insulation Ruler

Step 4: Cut a Piece for the Roof
Using the width and depth measurements that you have already taken, cut a piece of Low-E PERF to cover the roof of the hive. Again, be sure to use a straight edge.

Beehive Cut InsulationBeehive Cut Insulation

Step 5: Tape the Pieces Together

Cut four pieces of foil tape to match the length of each edge of your roof. Next, cut four pieces of foil tape to match the longest edge of your front, back and sides.

Beginning with the pieces of tape cut for the roof, fix the top of the front, back and side pieces to the roof piece. This should give you a ‘cross’ shape with the roof piece at the centre.Beehive Insulation TapeBeehive Tape Insulation

Now sit your insulation over your hive making sure that the roof piece is well positioned to the roof of your hive. The front, back and side pieces should now hang comfortably over the correct panels of your hive. Using your remaining pieces of foil tape, join the corners of the insulation together whilst sat in position on your hive.

TIP. There is no right or wrong order in which to tape the pieces together, however we found this way the simplest. You can tape the front back and side together and then the roof. Or you can tape them all to the roof and then tape the edges.

Beehive Insulation FoldBeehive Insulation Cover

Step 6: Cut a Hole for Access
You now have a Low-E PERF wrap covering your hive. Find the entrance that the bees will use during the winter months and cut a small piece of the insulation away to allow access. The entrance to the hive is usually swapped for a smaller hole in the winter, keep this in mind before cutting out the access.

Your hive is now ready to handle the harsher temperatures of winter, whilst remaining accessible by simply lifting the Low-E PERF wrap on and off.

Beehive Access HoleBeehive with Insulation

Step 7: Weather Straps
If you need to secure your hive with straps due to high winds and storms, you can put your Low-E Insulation cover over the straps to keep your colony protected.

Beehive HolesBeehive insulation cover

And there you go!

A fully insulated cover AND wrap for your hive, that’s completely breathable, all ready to go for over-wintering. Most importantly, its non-toxic!!

…… did I mention it is made from recycled milk cartons?

Beehive insulation under

Beehive Protection in Extended Cold Periods and Extreme Temperatures

When it gets very cold you have the option of adding extra layers of insulation above and below the hive to further protect your colony from the more extreme temperatures. Although these extra steps are optional, they are worth considering if you live in colder climates.

Insulating the base of the Beehive
Using the depth and width measurements of the hive, cut a Piece of Low-E PERF to sit directly beneath the hive. Simply lift the hive and place this piece beneath.

Beehive MeasuringBeehive Lid Insulation

Insulating the crown board
Remove the roof board and take the internal measurements. Cut your Low-E PERF to meet these measurements and fit this piece into the roof board of your hive, cutting out any handles there may be.

Insulated Beehive LidBeehive Insulation Access Holes

Insulate the Bottom Board

Remove the bottom board from the hive and take its measurements. Using your blade/scissors and your straight edge, cut a piece of Low-E PERF to sit in the bottom board.

TIP: make sure you make the piece of insulation slightly smaller than the floor to ensure the floor fits back into the runners.

Insulating the bottom board will raise the level of the floor by 5.5mm. If there is a lot of waste from your hive you may want to remove and clean this on a more regular basis while the insulation is in place.

Beehive Measure BottomBeehive Measure Bottom Insert

Pitched Roof Hives

You can follow the exact same steps as above
Cut the foam tape and place it on the corners of the hive. Measure the width, depth, and height of the hive. Measure the roof from the centre to the outer edge.

Beehive pitched RoofBeehive pitched roof measureBeehive pitched roof top measure

Cut the pieces of insulation for the front, back, sides and roof. 2- Cut the pieces of insulation for the front, back, sides and roof.

Tip. You can cut to front and back to the highest point and trim to accommodate the slope of the pitched roof.

Beehive measuringBeehive measure sidesBeehive holes

Tape the front, sides and back together along the edges. And then tape the roof in place

TIP: We found it easier to tape the roof to the sides, place the cover over the hive and then tape the roof to the front and back along the pitched edge.

Beehive Taped SidesBeehive pitched coveredBeehive pitched covered angle

The last thing to do is to cut out the entrance.

And that’s it, you’re all done !!!

Loft Roofing Insulation

Download this as a PDF

Step-by-step Guide

Download PDF