The top bar hive is the oldest and most commonly used hive style in the world. It features individual top bars laid across the top of the hive cavity. The bees build their comb down from these bars naturally, without the use of a 4 sided frame or foundation. Generally, the bars are a wooden wedge or strip with a comb guide to ensure straight comb and proper bee space. This style of bar hive is popular in natural beekeeping because it allows beekeepers to keep bees in a simpler, more intuitive way than many vertical hive systems.
Hive roofs can be heavy and hard to attach, which is why we designed a hinged roof that lifts easily out of the way. It swings in either direction and avoids bulky hinges that rust or break. CNC-cut grooves and bushings allow for smooth opening, closing, and easy removal. Its high pitch supports rain runoff, while the shingled design elevates the hive’s look.
Most available top bar beehives are too small to allow a strong colony to thrive. In our experience, colonies outgrow horizontal hives shorter than 36”. Our hive body dimensions are 40” long, 18" wide and about 19" deep, allowing ample honey stores to support the colony through winter with excess for the beekeeper to harvest. This longer hive box gives bees more room for the brood nest, new comb, and long-term colony growth, while supporting long term durability for the beekeeper. This longer hive body makes ours the largest readily available top bar hive.
Viewing windows come standard with our horizontal hives and every top bar hive we build. The window runs the full length of the hive, giving beekeepers an unhindered view of their colony without disturbing the bees. After you are done peeking at your bees, be sure to close the window. If too much light gets in the hive, your bees may choose to leave and find a new, darker hive location.
Wedge top bars are proven to promote straight comb, support natural comb building, and improve long-term durability. Ours are crafted from a single piece of wood with no glue or staples for added strength and stability. Precision milled and trusted in our own apiary for years of reliable performance, these bars help reduce the chance of crooked combs and support a cleaner hive interior.
BeeBuilt hives come standard with a 100% waterproof composite aluminum roof with reversible panels for summer and winter. Turn the light side up to reflect heat or the dark side to attract warmth. The peaked design sheds rain easily, and the durable composite never needs painting or finishing. It is a practical part of our overall hive design and helps protect the hive year-round.
We use durable, bee-friendly wood sourced just hours from our Pacific Northwest mill. All options are FSC® certified, meaning they come from responsibly managed forests that protect ecosystems, support communities, and ensure long-term sustainability. This top quality lumber helps us build durable bee hives that support thoughtful beekeeping and long-lasting performance.
Common bar hive pros include simpler inspections, less heavy lifting, and a hands-on style that many top bar beekeepers and backyard beekeeper setups prefer.
Many beekeepers choose top bar hives because bees tend to build comb more naturally than in systems that use langstroth frames or other standardized parts.
A top bar hive is not always better than Langstroth hives or a standard hive, but it can be a good hive for some new beekeepers depending on their goals.
The ideal length depends on the hive design, but enough interior space is needed for brood, honey storage, and some free space without crowding the side walls.
Top bar hives can have lower honey production, may develop cross comb along the walls, and often require more careful management than some other hive styles.
A simple, hands-on way to keep bees
If you're leaning toward a Top Bar Hive, explore the full details, materials, and options to find the right setup for you.
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Your First Top Bar Hive
Hive Placement
Beekeeping Accessories
