There is nothing like relaxing in a spa or hot tub after a long, grueling day. You know your spa or hot tub needs to be covered for safety reasons, but is a hot tub cover different than a spa cover? Using the right cover will keep your hot tub or spa safe and running efficiently.
The right hot tub or spa cover can save you money; in fact, it can actually pay for itself within 6 months. The covers are designed to be durable, strong and are made of the best materials. They have also been designed with the high temperatures of your hot tub or spa in mind to and are made to withstand those temperatures.
When you look at hot tub covers or spa covers, there really isn’t much of a difference in the way that they are made, but the shape may be different since hot tubs can be round, square or rectangular. Spas are generally square or rectangular.
All hot tub and spa covers are made in layers. The best quality hot tub and spa covers are thicker, but they taper from one side to the other to allow rain, snow and ice to slip off of the cover much like it would off a house roof. How thick the cover is will determine how much load it can bear and the size is based on the size of your hot tub or spa. If you need a new cover, you will need to measure the unit carefully to ensure a proper fit.
Spa and hot tub covers are made from high-density foam which is placed inside the cover. The density of the foam determines the insulation value, which will affect how warm the water in your spa or hot tub remains. It also affects how much load bearing capacity the cover has and will determine the life of the spa cover. You can get spa or hot tub covers that are 1 pound or 1.5 pounds. The 1.5 pound cover generally is easy to take off and put on your spa or hot tub, is very strong and insulates well. You can find covers with higher foam densities if more load bearing is necessary.
It is absolutely necessary to cover your hot tub or spa. Not only will this keep your electric or gas bill down because it helps your spa or hot tub retain heat, keeping the unit covered when not in use will keep your pets and family, as well as strangers, safe from drowning. Check your area to see if spa and hot tub covers are required to meet specific ASTM standards; you can find out from the local building department. There are also some covers that offer lock down ties as well as cover lifts.
You can find hot tub and spa covers in three types:
- Soft covers are the least expensive of all. They are not made with foam cores. This makes the covers easy to fold, light and easy to store. Because they are so lightweight, it is not recommended unless the hot tub is covered by a roof or is indoors.
- Hard covers are more rigid and protect better than soft covers do. Their foam effectively traps the heat which helps you save money. The downside to these covers is that they can be heavy and more difficult to move. They also cost considerably more than the soft covers.
- Walk-on or aluminum covers for hot tubs are so strong you can walk or sit on them. They are made from aluminum, foam, fiberglass, other materials. They are made to outlast the vinyl foam covers and with a little maintenance should be a onetime only purchase.
Check with the vendor who designed and made your spa or hot tub cover about the warranty available with the cover. Ensure you know what the warranty includes so you’re aware of what it covers should you have a claim.
