View Full Version : Shade Cloth Winter Windbreak
betrbekepn
10-17-2006, 09:19 PM
Has anybody used shade cloth as a winter windbreak. What density do you recomend. I read somewhere that a 45% density shade cloth blocked 45% of wind. I'm concerned with downdraft or swirl on beehives if density is too high.
[ October 18, 2006, 01:45 AM: Message edited by: betrbekepn ]
Hobie
10-18-2006, 07:56 AM
The theory sounds good, but I'd check the stretch and tensile strength. If it's not durable, it'll end up flapping and shredding. Of course, I clock 45 mph on a regular basis up here, which is why I'm planning to use straw bales.
[ October 18, 2006, 08:57 AM: Message edited by: Hobie ]
honigbiene
10-18-2006, 09:12 AM
I hadn't planned on building a windbreak, but have plenty of brush/tree branches I could use. Winters here reach a low of about -20 F. Would you recommend a windbreak?
honigbiene
10-18-2006, 09:14 AM
Whether or not a windbreak is needed will depend on the velocity. We get some wind here, but there are lots of trees, so the wind isn't bad - nothing like on the open plains.
tony350i
10-18-2006, 11:50 AM
I use something like this and it works well,
do a search with google
Paraweb Windbreak
Tony
http://www.growingtechnologies.co.uk/powys.htm
[ October 18, 2006, 12:56 PM: Message edited by: tony350i ]
Hobie
10-20-2006, 03:04 PM
The paraweb looks like it could act like a snow fence, and with poor placement, completely bury your hives in a drift. Do you get much snow, Tony?
betrbekepn
10-20-2006, 06:42 PM
Hobie
How do you plan to use straw bales and prevent downdraft\swirl\snow drift? I too get strong northern winds.
Rod Weakley
10-20-2006, 09:28 PM
Just remember you don't want to give mice a nice cozy home right next to your hives. so be careful with the straw or hay.
PA Pete
10-20-2006, 10:11 PM
I used 6 stacked hay bales (2 wide, 3 high, stacked on their sides) to protect 2 hives from NW winds last winter. I drove four 8' black pipe sections into the ground behind the bales to keep them from blowing over onto the hives - we also get some wicked gusts during the winter due to a wide-open NW exposure in my home yard.
tony350i
10-21-2006, 05:05 AM
sorry double post
[ October 21, 2006, 06:13 AM: Message edited by: tony350i ]
tony350i
10-21-2006, 05:10 AM
The one at the top of the page is as near as I can find Wright now that I am using but in black, I am in the southeast Kent off the UK and dont get much snow here.
I will have to ask the framer who got it for me what it is called, it does work well.
Tony
http://www.labelsourceonline.co.uk/scripts/prodlist2.asp?idCategory=150
[ October 21, 2006, 06:16 AM: Message edited by: tony350i ]