# Flow box with viewing window **URL:** \ **Category:** Flow Hive\ **Created:** [June 19, 2015, 1:52am UTC](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/flow-box-with-viewing-window/2402 "2015-06-19T01:52:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![noddyc43](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ce73a5/32.png) [@noddyc43](https://forum.honeyflow.com/u/noddyc43)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2015, 1:52am UTC](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/flow-box-with-viewing-window/2402/1 "2015-06-19T01:52:19Z")
Hi All not sure if the flow boxes that come with the flow frames on the standard have the viewing windows as per the promotion videos? If not i am looking at adding the windows in on the side of the box so the kids can see what is happening without too much disruption to the hive. Am looking at 1mm polycarbonate. Will adding that 1mm on the inside of the box on the one side affect the bee space for them to work effectively? ---
**Author:** ![DextersShed](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.honeyflow.com/dextersshed/32/405_2.png) [@DextersShed](https://forum.honeyflow.com/u/DextersShed)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2015, 1:57am UTC](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/flow-box-with-viewing-window/2402/2 "2015-06-19T01:57:42Z")
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**Author:** ![noddyc43](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ce73a5/32.png) [@noddyc43](https://forum.honeyflow.com/u/noddyc43)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2015, 2:06am UTC](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/flow-box-with-viewing-window/2402/3 "2015-06-19T02:06:56Z")
mmm haven’t thought of that. Am keen to adapt some Warre principles to the Langstroth though like the quilt with wood shavings for ventilation so may not be having a crown board. ---
**Author:** ![sara](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.honeyflow.com/sara/32/696_2.png) [@sara](https://forum.honeyflow.com/u/sara)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2015, 2:14am UTC](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/flow-box-with-viewing-window/2402/4 "2015-06-19T02:14:33Z")
Because the windows look so COOL! And because I figure you can see the ends of the frames from the theft window. I want a window too, and plan for a quilt as well, for our damp foggy San Francisco weather. Dexter you are being entirely TOO practical! ; -) ---
**Author:** ![QueenB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/97f17d/32.png) [@QueenB](https://forum.honeyflow.com/u/QueenB)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2015, 3:54am UTC](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/flow-box-with-viewing-window/2402/5 "2015-06-19T03:54:24Z")
Through the clear end-frame view, you can see when the honey is ready without opening up the hive. This is from the flow hive promotion, so there should be a clear wnd frame window! ---
**Author:** ![Rodderick](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.honeyflow.com/rodderick/32/15174_2.png) [@Rodderick](https://forum.honeyflow.com/u/Rodderick)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2015, 5:18am UTC](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/flow-box-with-viewing-window/2402/6 "2015-06-19T05:18:15Z")
Hi Andrew, I have done exactly that to be rid of my condensation problems causing black mould across the top of the super frames. Its still early days but it appears to be working. The quilt prevents the moisture dripping down on to the bees and chilling the brood as well as providing extra insulation from the elements. I have previously inserted ventilation holes but the bees propolis this up. ---
**Author:** ![Valli](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.honeyflow.com/valli/32/159_2.png) [@Valli](https://forum.honeyflow.com/u/Valli)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2015, 6:17am UTC](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/flow-box-with-viewing-window/2402/7 "2015-06-19T06:17:40Z")
I got a couple of foam quilts for mine thinking about cold Midlands (UK) weather and it has been known to get to -15ºC with wind chill in winter ---
**Author:** ![noddyc43](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ce73a5/32.png) [@noddyc43](https://forum.honeyflow.com/u/noddyc43)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2015, 6:27am UTC](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/flow-box-with-viewing-window/2402/8 "2015-06-19T06:27:48Z")
Thanks for the feedback Rodderick about the initial results. Sound promising. For those that want to know a bit more here is the blog that got me thinking down that path. > **[Warre-ing the Langstroth](http://www.naturalbeekeeping.org.au/2012/01/warre-ing-langstroth.html?m=1)** > > Natural Beekeeping using Permaculture in Victoria, Australia ---
**Author:** ![Rodderick](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.honeyflow.com/rodderick/32/15174_2.png) [@Rodderick](https://forum.honeyflow.com/u/Rodderick)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2015, 6:57am UTC](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/flow-box-with-viewing-window/2402/9 "2015-06-19T06:57:25Z")
Thats the one Andrew, and you can use stock standard materials from any bee supply shop and hardware store. I wrote a short post on a facebook group just last week on how it’s done. > **[Rodderick Rouseabout](https://www.facebook.com/groups/ozurbanbeebuffs/permalink/1119974138019198/)** > > Am a bit worried about condensation build up and water dripping down over the brood, so we are trying out a quilt to see if this fixes the problem. ---
**Author:** ![noddyc43](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ce73a5/32.png) [@noddyc43](https://forum.honeyflow.com/u/noddyc43)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2015, 7:22am UTC](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/flow-box-with-viewing-window/2402/10 "2015-06-19T07:22:02Z")
Hi Rodderick. Sorry im not on Facebook is there another other way to read it? Keen to see it. Did you get get a gabled roof. I guess it is must to allow space for air circulation above the wood carvings. Any way back on topic any word from the flow team about the window on the boxes when the ship? ---
**Author:** ![Rodderick](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.honeyflow.com/rodderick/32/15174_2.png) [@Rodderick](https://forum.honeyflow.com/u/Rodderick)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2015, 8:13am UTC](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/flow-box-with-viewing-window/2402/11 "2015-06-19T08:13:19Z")
No problem, I used the following website as a guide and then made them up for a couple of 10 frame langstroths. The roof I got from a bee supply store, its really for an 8-frame hive and the next project will be constructing a Warre’ roof for the 10-frame box. > **[Make a moisture quilt for a Langstroth hive - Honey Bee Suite](http://www.honeybeesuite.com/how-to-make-a-moisture-quilt-for-a-langstroth-hive/)** > > For years I tried to reduce moisture accumulation in my wintering hives. Then, after much reading about Warré hives, I decided to modify a Warré-style moisture quilt box into something that might work on my Langstroths here in the Pacific North \[...\] ![](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/uploads/honeyflow/original/1X/391707d9e61938c25532ea33f6ea2bb0a68ae96c.jpg) Condensation causing black mould across the top of the hive ![](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/uploads/honeyflow/original/1X/0ec820edf62879c289aa26ad52df16c9479b8ba3.jpg) a couple of migratory lid frames painted up for weatherproofing ![](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/uploads/honeyflow/original/1X/be6cc6d3b1051ef1f229af6a8b9e6a8f7da12e21.jpg) any breathable material can be used, even hession or stock feed bags ![](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/uploads/honeyflow/original/1X/cd1375ac9b806494d7721d2f7800618e29a74f8f.jpg) Quilt with bark, wood shavings or even sugar cane mulch can be used, this lays across the top of the super, bees can move between frames from underneath, not over the top. However you could adapt to allow bees to walk over the the top of the frames if so desired. ![](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/uploads/honeyflow/original/1X/351477593bccf7a5709afbe540f0811b6cd263f1.jpg) Quilt on the hives ---
**Author:** ![noddyc43](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ce73a5/32.png) [@noddyc43](https://forum.honeyflow.com/u/noddyc43)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2015, 8:37am UTC](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/flow-box-with-viewing-window/2402/12 "2015-06-19T08:37:23Z")
Thanks for posting. So the top frames are in contact with the quilt? Love the chimney mate! ---
**Author:** ![DextersShed](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.honeyflow.com/dextersshed/32/405_2.png) [@DextersShed](https://forum.honeyflow.com/u/DextersShed)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2015, 8:43am UTC](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/flow-box-with-viewing-window/2402/13 "2015-06-19T08:43:04Z")
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**Author:** ![adagna](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.honeyflow.com/adagna/32/31728_2.png) [@adagna](https://forum.honeyflow.com/u/adagna)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2015, 9:18am UTC](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/flow-box-with-viewing-window/2402/14 "2015-06-19T09:18:52Z")
This is interesting I think I have just assumed the viewing window is part of the hive design, and that it would be on the hive but looking at the site and the description in the campaign there is no mention of a viewing window so now I am doubting that it actually is… ---
**Author:** ![Rodderick](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.honeyflow.com/rodderick/32/15174_2.png) [@Rodderick](https://forum.honeyflow.com/u/Rodderick)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2015, 10:09am UTC](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/flow-box-with-viewing-window/2402/15 "2015-06-19T10:09:18Z")
Yep, quilt is in contact, I have seen a few old timers use a cloth or synthetic cover to prevent burr comb up to the roof so it should be right. A touch of class with the chimney don’t you reckon. ---
**Author:** ![sciencemaster](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.honeyflow.com/sciencemaster/32/393_2.png) [@sciencemaster](https://forum.honeyflow.com/u/sciencemaster)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2015, 11:27am UTC](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/flow-box-with-viewing-window/2402/16 "2015-06-19T11:27:39Z")
I’m also planning to adapt the Warre quilt/shavings top for my new hive. I am considering using geotextile for the quilt as it’s porous, inert and not subject to rot. Does anyone know if geotextile would be suitable? ---
**Author:** ![noddyc43](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ce73a5/32.png) [@noddyc43](https://forum.honeyflow.com/u/noddyc43)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2015, 12:40pm UTC](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/flow-box-with-viewing-window/2402/17 "2015-06-19T12:40:39Z")
The gable roof and the chimney make it a real home! ---
**Author:** ![noddyc43](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ce73a5/32.png) [@noddyc43](https://forum.honeyflow.com/u/noddyc43)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2015, 12:44pm UTC](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/flow-box-with-viewing-window/2402/18 "2015-06-19T12:44:28Z")
Not sure about geotextiles but if money was not a issue gortex would be ideal considering its breathable layer on the underside and then the waterproof layer on the wood shaving side. Now where did I put those fishing waders? ---
**Author:** ![sciencemaster](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.honeyflow.com/sciencemaster/32/393_2.png) [@sciencemaster](https://forum.honeyflow.com/u/sciencemaster)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2015, 1:10pm UTC](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/flow-box-with-viewing-window/2402/19 "2015-06-19T13:10:56Z")
Great idea! I have a couple of old gortex jackets in my shed. When my Treasured Lady put them in the throw out pile a few years ago I just couldn’t bear to part with such expensive gear. Thanks for the suggestion. ---
**Author:** ![noddyc43](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ce73a5/32.png) [@noddyc43](https://forum.honeyflow.com/u/noddyc43)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2015, 5:01pm UTC](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/flow-box-with-viewing-window/2402/20 "2015-06-19T17:01:48Z")
With the flowframes and gortex in your hive you will be the most technically advanced beek in your neighbourhood! Let us know how you go with it. [Next page](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/flow-box-with-viewing-window/2402.md?page=2)