My prefabed insulation did well for me two years ago and I was only able to get one done properly last year.That hive came through strong even thought the top blew off if a storm. Your idea of a wind break sounds good. Oddly enough I get pretty good protetion from the north and north west by a large stone wall . The gusts that damaged my hives came from the west.The ground slopes down and away towards to south and west. So perhaps the wind came up the hill to do the physical damage. I have improved my cover design to assure that the bricks don't fly off. Right now is harvest for me and I am pleased so far. Location Princeton Ma just north of Worcester at about 1200 ft elevation average temperature a little lower than Worcester or the mean for the county.