From: "Helmut E. Garz" <hommes@olympus.net>
Date: Thu, 6 Sep 2001 19:31:21 -0700
To: <BiologicalBeekeeping@yahoogroups.com>
Subject: Re: Mesh floors & insulated roofs

Top insulation
Hi Dave
When this whole dialogue started it was to prevent CONDENSATION forming
under the "Crown board". The basis idea is to install a VAPOR barrier which
is in fact this foam insulation. ( Or anything else serving the same
purpose as vapor barrier. )
Since it is conceded that temperature is not as much a factor as humidity
( Excessive) the insulation value in it self is of lesser consequence for
the bees. It is of course nice to have both features as combination. The
removable / adjustable bottom board serves well as an ventilation medium
below the SCREEN. The "crown board" it self is warmed to some measure by the
updraft from the cluster and it maintains the temperature well because of
the insulation above ,thus a condensation is not likely to occur. In fact
the so called vapor barrier is not even required since any excessive
moisture is expelled by top vents in the" inner cover ".
The Alaska member of this list brought up a very important item to think
about : of moisture ( Water) for the bees during the winter. I feel that
something is missing here. In northern climates during extreme cold , the
air is almost bare of humidity . If condensation forms above the cluster it
must be produced by the bees . There must be insulation for the condensation
not to freeze over and be of no use by the bees. All this brings many
question since at other times there is a lot of moisture in the air . What
it boils down to is the convenience to leave everything in place winter ,
summer and in between for extra worksaving. But it is also noted that
methods of beekeeping are the not same everywhere . What applies in Siberia
is not the same as in Egypt. You have some ideas on this ?
Happy beeing
Helmut