Open Layens frame

01 · THE RECESS

The rabbet that changes the Layens management

In the traditional Layens hive, the top bars of the frames sit close to each other with no visible separation, and the bees have to go around the sides to access the space above. This frame has a rabbet on the front face that creates a free passage channel right above the frame — very useful when you place a feeder, maintenance paste, occasional super or treatment strips on top of the bars. The bee climbs up directly without fighting the geometry of the frame. For beekeepers who feed with bags or paste on top of the bars, this detail visibly reduces the time it takes the colonies to consume the feed.

02 · FORMAT

Layens 36.5 × 39.5 — the traditional Spanish format

The 36.5 × 39.5 cm Layens frame is the dominant format in amateur and traditional Spanish beekeeping, especially Galicia, Asturias, León, parts of Aragón and migratory areas. The Layens hive is horizontal, single-body (12-16 frames), with no traditional super — simpler to manage, cheaper and very robust. Compatible with any standard Layens hive, Layens nucs and queen-mating boxes. For Langstroth use 48 × 23, for Spanish Dadant 48 × 30.

03 · MATERIAL

Galician pine — the wood of the North

Made in Galician pine wood, the species typical of the area where Layens dominates. Galician pine has tighter grain and better dimensional stability than central/southern pines, so the frame keeps its geometry season after season without warping when humidity rises. Mounted with factory-drilled wiring holes. Indefinitely reusable: wax renews, wood stays.

04 · TENSION

Wired but UNTENSIONED — the detail you must not skip

Important: the frame comes with the wire fitted but not tensioned. Before embedding the wax you must tension it with a tensioner (plastic, wooden-handle or PRO pliers type). Although Layens is not centrifuged as aggressively as Langstroth or Dadant in some operations, tensioned wire prevents comb collapse in hot weather and improves overall frame resistance. If you order in quantity, dedicate an afternoon to tensioning all of them before the season.

05 · BEFORE YOU BUY