Hi Daddys Girl,
I am too, transitioning from traditional bottom entrances to the Hive top this year with advice from Brian D. Bray and Michael Bush ( Distinguished Forum Members here). I am taking my cedar reversible bottom boards, cutting them to match the length of the deeps, turning the 3/8 side down for the front opening, sealing the joints and painting the exposed areas. For the bottoms, I am using the Slatted Rack with #7 hardware cloth or wire mesh stapled to the bottom of it. The Brood Deeps will then sit between those two components.
The hive will sit on a concrete slab ( homemade) elevated by 4 concrete bricks which are about 4 inches high. I have completely removed the Telescoping outer cover and the the Inner Cover. With the new setup, The girls will have better ventilation, protection from skunks, less traffic for the foragers to the supers. Winters will have the ventilation which will eliminate condensation and the top entrance should be clear of any accumulation of snow.
Hope this helps,
BeeHopper :-D