Roof Temperature Tests

Roof Test September 1, 2024

Note: These are only indications from one test with empty boxes and will have to be tested a few more times to be confirmed. Boxes with live colonies of stingless bees will show different results as the brood will be insulated by the surrounding nest structures.

  • Six empty 33mm thick hoop pine box painted white
  • Temperature sensors inside the top of the box in the honey super.
  • Boxes are placed in full sun from 10am and receive full sun until 2pm.

Photo above taken at 1pm. Note the roof overhang and shade on the box, from left to right:

  1. Small tin roof
  2. White cottage roof – 15mm thick pine
  3. Large PVC roof – 10mm pvc
  4. No roof
  5. Small PVC – 10mm pvc
  6. Foam cover white 30mm thick

Chart below: The boxes are 33mm and painted white. This provides some pretty good insulation from the sun. There’s only a few degrees between each box and roof.

There’s not much difference between the large pvc, small pvc and cottage roofs, even with a bit more sun on the side of the box. The box is white and reflects the heat so there’s not enough difference between these three roofs to be able to conclude any one roof is better than the other.

The Foam covered box painted white was the coolest. I’m not a fan of foam covers but the tests show it performs really well and I’d say it’s a significant difference compared to the standard roofs.

The tin roof appears to have added heat compared to the box with no roof at all. Keeping in mind that the sensor is in the top of the box and normally the brood area would be insulated by the honey super section anyway. In extreme temperatures in full sun the honey super could become warmer but may not have any significant effect on the brood area.

Don’t panic! Results will vary in different conditions and temperatures so don’t worry if you’re currently using a tin roof. The brood will be insulated by the honey super and nest structures and most hives aren’t kept in full sun anyway.

If the boxes were dark coloured hardwood then the sun on the side of the box may make more difference.


Roof Test 2025

Boxes:

  • 4 empty boxes, 33mm thick hoop pine, painted white
  • The sensors are in the base box
  • Boxes placed in full sun from 7am til 3pm.

Roofs:

  1. 30mm thick foam cover
  2. No Roof
  3. Small Tin Roof
  4. Large Wood Roof

Chart below: A great day for testing with a max of 36.5c. The No Roof and Tin Roof are very similar. The big roof is slightly better. The foam cover has made the biggest difference. There was a lot of sun on the side of the boxes this day so the roofs seem to make minimal difference.

The sensor position on the first day is in the base of the box. The next day I changed the sensor position to be in the middle of the box and suspended by tape so it wasn’t touching any wood and got pretty much the same results so I think the previous day results are still valid.

Keep in mind that a box with a full live colony will get different results. I have colonies in full sun with the brood and honey pots that were 36c on the 36c day.

Despite the impressive results for the foam cover I wont be adding them to all my hives as I don’t think it’s necessary but If you get some extreme temperatures in your area it might be worth it.

Hivecraft - Australian Native Bee Supplies

Native bee boxes available at www.hivecraft.com.au

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