Przemek     I assume the Plastic Window has a cover.  If not, and it's open to the sun, the bees will soon gunk it up, if they don't overheat first.  I saw an experiment go badly wrong with glass sides in outdoor hives.  

Most fabrication grade, clear plastics, scratch easily. Also, many don't realize that the plexi used in window glass is different from that used for fabrication.  Make the wrong choice, and the plastic will deteriorate quickly.  After a season, you may as well throw away.  

For safety in our large observation hives, I spend the extra bucks on Lexan.  It flexes, doesn't quickly go brittle, and can usually be cleaned at end of season.  Given your description of the quality of the construction (wooden shims, etc.), I'll bet they went for the cheap plastic.
 
 
J.J. Bromenshenk


             ***********************************************
The BEE-L mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned
LISTSERV(R) list management software.  For more information, go to:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html