Are you considering adding a hot tub to your poolscape? Not sure what type you should choose?
There are several types of spas or hot tubs available to buyers today, and sometimes it can be difficult to decide which is the best for you. Hot tubs can be used for therapy, exercise, aesthetics, or to simply provide a soothing sound in the pool area and a place to warm up. The easiest way to determine the best hot tub for you is to consider how you want to use it.
Do you want a warm water spot to congregate in that is easy to maintain? If this is the case, you want to consider a spillover type spa in conjunction with your pool. The benefit of the spillover, is that you only have to maintain one body of water and are only heating the hot tub when you plan to use it. One added benefit is the soothing waterfall sound that the spillover creates. You don’t have to deal with a cover for the hot tub with this type either. If you’re after a more dramatic look, the spillover spa can be raised above the pool. While you only heat the hot tub when you’d like to use it, you cannot heat the pool and the spa at the same time. The spillover spa will also need to be winterized along with the pool unless the mechanicals are in a heated space. This option also offers the least in the way of hydrotherapy or jets. Spillover spas can start around $10,000 and go up from there depending on options and features.
If you’re interested in a hot tub that can be used all year, a separate, independent hot tub may be best for you. There are two options for separate hot tubs – self-contained (portable) or custom build. The self-contained hot tubs have a simple setup, most times involving placing the tub on a deck or patio and connecting the power and filling with water. They can be set into vaults to give a more custom look while allowing access to the controls and wiring. The portable hot tubs offer the most in terms of comfort and massage or hydrotherapy abilities. These units start around $3,000 and increase based on size, people capacity and features. Custom installations can range up to $30,000 (with the hot tub) depending on materials and accessories.
The second type of separate hot tub involves the installation of a shell (either thermoplastic or concrete) and placing the mechanicals for the spa in a remote location. If you plan on using this type of spa in the winter, the mechanicals will need to be in a heated location. This option works best for those who are driven by aesthetics. These hot tubs start around $10,000 with a thermoplastic shell but can go up to $50,000 when custom concrete is used.
Both options for the separate hot tubs do create another body of water for you to maintain. And they require a cover that will need to be removed before each use. These options should also be drained and refilled periodically to keep them clean, safe and in working order.
No matter which type of hot tub you decide is best for you, it will be a welcomed addition to your poolscape. It gives parents a place to relax while kids enjoy the pool and can extend your pool usage by providing a “warmer” for those cooler days.