Pexiglass hive body?

[Delmer]

Since its so dag gone cold outside and I have no idea how things are going in my hive... I'm just wondering if anyone has ever made a hive body entirely of plexiglass?  It looks like you can get it up to 1" thick.  I think it would make a pretty cool observation hive.  Biggest drawbacks I see are  a) typically its dark in a hive and this would be bright all day and b) I have no idea if it has the same insulating qualities of wood. too hot in the summer and not enough insulation properties in the winter.

[contactme_11]

It would work but you would need to make some kind of cover or curtain to block most of the light because:
A. bees would start to build propalis to block out too much light.
B. sunlight in the summer would melt the wax.
insulation wouldn't really be a factor but condensation might

[Robo]

I have a deep that I use for school presentations, but would never consider using it for real.  Too many issues to deal with.
http://robo.bushkillfarms.com/frames-and-frame-assembly/
You'd be better off to put a window in a wooden box like they do with some TBH.   Be forewarned though, it won't help much because the cluster will be buried in the middle frames out of sight.   There is a reason observation hives are only one frame wide

[Michael Bush]

I have built them with Plexiglass sides and an insert to close them.

http://www.bushfarms.com/beesobservationhives.htm#pictures

But it works best with foundationless or the foundation blocks your view anyway.

[Delmer]

Good points-  thanks-  I guess I was just trying to figure out a way to peer inside without disturbing them this winter.  I guess I'll just sit tight and wait for a warm day.

[Paraplegic Racehorse]

Build your boxes with plexi or lexan!

Just put a second set of boxes surrounding them - along same idea as the "lifts" of the WBC or CDB hives. Should solve most of the heat and light issues, anyway.