Assembled Warre Hive Lid

Finish your Warre hive with the classic pitched-roof appearance of the Assembled Warre Hive Lid from Hornsby Beekeeping Supplies.

Designed specifically for Warre equipment, this lid combines traditional styling with practical features intended to help manage heat and condensation around the upper section of the hive.

It can sit over either the quilt box or upper hive box with a slight overlap, creating a distinctive roof that looks equally at home in a backyard apiary or garden setting.

Classic Warre Roof Design

The pitched shape is one of the most recognisable visual features of a traditional Warre hive.

Unlike a compact Langstroth migratory lid, the roof creates a more pronounced upper profile while protecting the hive components underneath.

The design also includes an integrated inner board, preventing bees from freely entering the hollow pitched-roof area.

This keeps the roof functioning as a protective top rather than becoming another space for comb construction.

Roof Opening for Airflow

A ventilation opening in the roof helps hot air escape during warm conditions.

Air movement at the top of the hive can assist with temperature management and may help reduce condensation around the upper structure.

Ventilation should still be considered as part of the complete hive design. Colony population, entrance size, bottom-board type and local weather all influence how bees manage their internal environment.

Pair with a Warre Quilt Box

The lid is particularly well suited to use with a Warre quilt box.

The quilt sits between the occupied hive bodies and the roof, providing space for breathable insulating material.

Together, the quilt and pitched lid create a top section designed around buffering temperature and allowing moisture to move away from the colony.

This is a distinctive feature of the Warre system and differs from simply placing a standard flat roof directly above frames.

Protect the Timber for Longer Service

Hornsby Beekeeping Supplies recommends painting or otherwise treating the timber to improve longevity.

The roof is exposed directly to sun, rain and weather, so regular inspection and maintenance are worthwhile.

Check joints, surfaces and ventilation openings periodically and renew suitable exterior treatment when required.

Key Features:

• Classic pitched Warre roof
• Ventilation opening
• Integrated inner board
• Slight overlap over quilt box or top hive box
• Compatible with Hornsby Warre equipment
• Timber treatment recommended

The lid is also included within Hornsby’s complete Warre hive package, but purchasing it separately makes it easy to replace an older roof or build a hive from individual components.

Order the Assembled Warre Hive Lid from Hornsby Beekeeping Supplies. For help with complete Warre setups or replacement components, call 02 9477 5569 or email info@hornsby-beekeeping.com.