Concerning screen bottom boards, Jim said "I consider screened bottom boards to be cheap insurance.
They are cheap to make, they work well, and the way they
work is both well-understood and easy to verify yourself."
  
I agree with Jim, but go further in my views.  I cannot think of a good reason for a beekeeper to continue to use a solid bottom board.  Compared to screens, they are heavy and relatively expensive and, as far as I know, do not have any advantages.

However, in order to get present beekeepers to change and to get new beekeepers to start with screens, the publications and books will have to recommend that solid boards not be used and dealers will have to do likewise.  Dealers might also include screens in their beginner kits.  As few dealers these days are beekeepers, I predict this will take a long time.   


Lloyd
Lloyd Spear, Owner of Ross Rounds, Inc.
Manufacturer of round comb honey equipment and Sundance pollen traps