This is the setup most beekeepers start with — and stick with. Two 10-frame deep boxes form the brood chamber: the queen lays here, the bees raise their young here, and the colony stores the food it needs to get through winter here. When the colony is ready to produce surplus honey, you stack medium supers on top (sold separately). That's the system. It works.

We build these from solid cypress — not pine, not poplar. Cypress is naturally rot-resistant without chemical treatment, dimensionally stable, and handles wet springs and hot summers without warping. The 7/8-inch boards are thick, smooth, and precision-cut so every box stacks flush. We've used pine. We went back to cypress.

What's Included

• 2 × 10-frame deep brood boxes
• 1 × screened bottom board
• 1 × inner cover
• 1 × telescoping outer cover
• 1 × wooden entrance reducer
• 20 × grooved top/bottom deep frames (10 per box)
• 20 × double-waxed black plastic deep foundation sheets

What's Not Included

This kit covers the brood chamber — everything a new colony needs to get established. It does not include honey supers. Once your bees fill both deep boxes (usually by the end of the first or second season), you add medium boxes above for surplus honey storage. A queen excluder goes between the brood boxes and the super if you're using one. Hive stand, bees, and protective gear are all separate.

Assembled, Unassembled, or Painted?

All three options are the same kit. The difference is how much work you do when it arrives.

• Unassembled: Ships flat-packed. You assemble and nail everything yourself — figure a couple hours. Good if you want to inspect each piece, customize joinery, or already have assembly materials on hand.
• Assembled: Built with staples, ready to stack. Install the frames and foundation and you're done. This is what we'd recommend if you're not sure.
• Assembled and Painted: Same as assembled, plus white primer and a UV-resistant topcoat for outdoor protection. Best option if you don't plan to paint it yourself before installation.

Unassembled saves a few dollars. Assembled saves an afternoon. Neither is wrong — just depends on your situation.

Key Features

• Solid cypress throughout — naturally rot-resistant, no treatment required. Holds up outdoors longer than pine or poplar under comparable conditions.
• 7/8-inch board thickness — thicker than standard, better insulation, more structural rigidity over time.
• Double-waxed foundation — bees draw comb faster and more evenly on this than on thinly waxed alternatives. The double coat matters.
• Screened bottom board — improves airflow through the brood nest and makes varroa mite monitoring easier during inspections.
• Standard Langstroth sizing — compatible with all 10-frame equipment from any supplier. Nothing proprietary, nothing that locks you in.
• Precision-cut joints — boxes stack flush. Gaps at the joints create bee space problems and pest entry points. These don't have them.

Product Details

Watch: 8 or 10 Frame? Deep or Medium Boxes? A Guide to Choosing Your First Hive Setup

Related Reading

• Should I Start With All Medium or Deep Boxes?
• Should I Start With 8 or 10 Frame Equipment?
• Cypress vs. Pine for Beehives

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