I had it to do over few years back because the hives were crushed by a fallen XVIIIth century brick wall. I got myself 3 Dadant (12 frames) deep brood boxes because it is commonly used in my area, I am used to it, and I have the opinion that a bigger brood box helps my dark-colored bees to bear with my carelessness. I had worked WBC 10 frames all-shallow boxes before, but had trouble to avoid congestion and swarming. Only wood but for a few exceptions: frames are wired (vertically), hive floors are 90% wire mesh for varroa, ventilation and spying. One-foot-tall hive stands. Inner covers made of linen cloth for ventilation. Wood slanting roofs (metal covered) with mesh-covered orifices for ventilation. Metal frame spacers. I expect the hives to last as long as me (I am 30) and I think that plastic would get old and brittle before me. I also find easier to repair wood than plastic. I have deep brood frames and shallow supers out of habit. The tangential extractor can handle both, though since varroa I avoid to extract treated frames. Vanessa Belgium (Europe); 5°E and 50°N; rainy winters; rainy summers