National Frames and Wax Foundation

Beehive Frames and Beeswax Foundation

Build new frames, replace old brood comb and prepare supers for the honey season with our range of beehive frames and wax foundation. Shop British Standard National brood frames, super frames, wired and unwired beeswax foundation, cut-comb foundation, plastic foundation and frame-making accessories.

Choose from flat-packed, pre-wired and fully assembled frames for different levels of preparation. Our collection includes DN4 National brood frames, SN4 National super frames and selected Langstroth foundation, with products from Thornes, Thomas Apiculture, Denrosa, ANEL, Bientec, Kemble Bees and other specialist suppliers.

National brood and super frames

National brood frames fit inside the deep brood box where the queen lays eggs and the colony raises young bees. National super frames are shallower and are used in honey supers for storing surplus honey.

DN4 and SN4 are common British National Hoffman frame patterns:

• DN4 frames are deep National brood frames with self-spacing Hoffman side bars.

• SN4 frames are shallow National super frames with self-spacing Hoffman side bars.

Hoffman side bars help maintain the correct spacing between combs without separate plastic spacers. Always check the exact frame specification required by your hive, as National brood, National 14 × 12, National shallow and Langstroth frames are different sizes.

Flat-packed, pre-wired or assembled frames?

Flat-packed beehive frames are economical and convenient to store, making them a good choice for beekeepers who are comfortable assembling their own equipment. Accurate construction is important so that every frame remains square and sits correctly inside the hive.

Pre-wired frames arrive assembled with supporting wire already fitted. Beeswax foundation can then be secured to the wire using an electric embedder or another appropriate method.

For maximum convenience, choose fully assembled frames with wired wax foundation. These are prepared for placement in the hive, although each frame should still be checked before use.

Wired and unwired beeswax foundation

Beeswax foundation is an embossed sheet with a worker-cell pattern that guides bees as they draw new comb. It encourages straight comb and allows frames to be removed easily during inspections and honey extraction.

Wired foundation contains reinforcing wires within the wax sheet. This additional support is useful in brood frames and in honey supers that will be spun in an extractor.

Unwired foundation is commonly fitted into frames that already contain support wires. It can also be used for certain comb-honey applications where wire-free comb is preferred. The foundation and frame-wiring system must be compatible.

Foundation for cut-comb honey

Thin cut-comb foundation is designed for producing sections of edible honeycomb. Its lighter construction makes it more pleasant to eat and avoids wire running through the finished comb.

Use cut-comb foundation in suitable shallow super frames and avoid applying treatments that are incompatible with comb intended for direct consumption. Strong colonies and a good nectar flow generally produce the best results.

Plastic beehive foundation

Plastic foundation provides a rigid, reusable alternative to traditional wax sheets. Unwaxed plastic foundation usually benefits from an even coating of clean beeswax to encourage bees to accept and draw it.

Plastic sheets are available in different colours. Darker foundation can make pale eggs and young larvae easier to see during brood inspections, while lighter colours provide a traditional appearance in honey supers.

Frame-building tools and accessories

Complete your setup with frame nails, gimp pins, wire, wiring needles, wire tensioners and frame spacers. Correct assembly helps frames withstand repeated inspections and the forces created during centrifugal honey extraction.

Gwenyn Gruffydd is a family-run beekeeping business in West Wales. We manage more than 400 hives and draw on our practical experience to supply dependable bee frames, wax foundation and frame-making equipment for beekeepers across the UK.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between DN4 and SN4 frames?

DN4 is a deep British National brood frame. SN4 is a shallow British National super frame. Both use Hoffman-style self-spacing side bars, but their depths are different.

Do I need wired foundation?

Wired foundation provides extra support and is useful for brood comb and extracted honey frames. Unwired sheets are suitable when support wire is already fitted to the frame or when producing certain types of comb honey.

How often should brood frames be replaced?

Many beekeepers replace a proportion of their oldest brood comb regularly rather than changing every frame at once. Comb that is damaged, excessively dark, misshapen or contaminated should be prioritised for removal as part of a planned comb-replacement programme.

Does wax foundation fit every type of hive?

No. Foundation must match the frame format and depth. Check whether you need National deep, National shallow, National 14 × 12, Langstroth deep or another specific size before ordering.

Can bees build comb without foundation?

Yes, bees can draw natural comb without full sheets of foundation, but frames require suitable guides and careful management. Foundation helps encourage straight, removable comb in the position required by the beekeeper.

Are frames supplied assembled?

It depends on the product. Frames may be supplied flat packed, assembled and pre-wired, or fully assembled with foundation already fitted. Check the individual product description for the exact preparation level and pack quantity.