If you’ve ever dived into the world of British National beekeeping, you’ll know that choosing the right frame can feel a bit like navigating an ancient scroll of secret beekeeper code: DN1, DN2, DN3, DN4, SN1, SN2… and so on. But don’t worry, we’re here to break it down and keep things simple!

A Brief History of British National Frames

The British National Hive (or simply, the National) has been the go-to hive for beekeepers in the UK for decades. Designed for efficiency and ease of use, it became the standard thanks to its practical size and the availability of interchangeable parts. The frames themselves follow a logical system... well, mostly logical, where "DN" stands for "Deep National" (used in the brood box), and "SN" stands for "Shallow National" (used in the super). The numbers? They indicate design variations, mostly relating to spacing and bar thickness.

In short:

• DN frames: Brood box (where the queen lays her eggs)
• SN frames: Super box (where the honey gets stored)

Wired vs. Non-Wired Frames

To complicate things further, not all frames are created equal, some are built to support wired foundation, while others are designed for non-wired foundation (like cut comb honey production).

Frames for Wired Foundation - Ideal for honey extraction, as the wires help prevent foundation from collapsing in an extractor. These frames have grooves in the side bars to secure the foundation:

• DN4: The most common deep frame for wired foundation.
• SN4: The go-to shallow frame for wired foundation.

Frames for Non-Wired Foundation: Used when foundation doesn’t need extra support (e.g., for cut comb honey or natural comb). These frames have slots instead of grooves:

• DN1: Standard deep frame for unwired foundation.
• SN1: Standard shallow frame for unwired foundation.

Some beekeepers also use DN2 and SN2, which are self-spacing versions of the unwired frames, but in modern beekeeping, DN4 and SN4 are the most popular choices for strength and stability.

Which Frames Do We Stock?

Here at BEEtastic, we love a good beekeeping gadget as much as the next beekeeper, but we also believe in keeping things simple... at least to start with! That’s why, at launch, we’re stocking only the most popular National frame types:

• DN4: The most commonly used deep frame with a nice sturdy top bar.
• SN4: The go to shallow frame for supers, built to last and keep your honey stores in check.

Of course, we know that beekeepers have their preferences, and as we grow, we plan to introduce other frame types. So if you’re a DN1 or SN3 enthusiast don’t worry! Your time will come.

What About Langstroth?

Oh, and for our beekeeping friends who prefer the Langstroth hive, we’ve got you covered too! Langstroth is the world’s most popular hive type, and we make sure to stock frames for those who like their beekeeping with a more international flair.

Deep National (DN) Frames (Used in the Brood Box)

DN1 (Deep National 1)

Pros: Affordable, lightweight, easy to assemble.

Cons: Requires additional spacing (Hoffman spacers or castellations).

DN2 (Deep National 2)

Pros: Built in shoulders for self-spacing, more stable than DN1.

Cons: Slightly heavier than DN1.

DN3 (Deep National 3)

Pros: Reinforced version of DN1 for extra durability.

Cons: Requires spacers, more expensive than DN1.

DN4 (Deep National 4)

Pros: Stronger than DN2, thick top bar for added durability.

Cons: Heavier, slightly more expensive.

Shallow National (SN) Frames (Used in the Super Box)

SN1 (Shallow National 1)

Pros: Lightweight, cost effective.

Cons: Requires spacers or castellations.

SN2 (Shallow National 2)

Pros: Self-spacing due to wider side bars.

Cons: Slightly heavier.

SN3 (Shallow National 3)

Pros: More robust than SN1, suitable for high £stress areas.

Cons: Requires spacers.

SN4 (Shallow National 4)

Pros: Thick top bar for added strength.

Cons: Heavier than SN2.

Comparison Table