Nothing beats unwinding in a spa or hot tub after a long, exhausting day. You’re aware that your spa or hot tub should be covered for safety reasons, but how does a hot tub cover vary from a spa cover? Using the proper cover will keep your hot tub or spa safe and operational.
The correct hot tub or spa cover may save you money; in fact, it can pay for itself in as little as 6 months. The covers are made of high-quality materials and are designed to be long-lasting. They’ve also been developed with the high temperatures of your hot tub or spa in mind, and they’re built to resist them.
When it comes to hot tub covers and spa covers, there isn’t much of a difference in how they’re produced, but the shape may change because hot tubs might be round, square, or rectangular. Spas are often square or rectangular in shape.
Layers are used in the construction of all hot tub and spa coverings. The top-quality hot tub and spa covers are thicker, but they taper from one side to the other to enable rain, snow, and ice to slide off the cover in the same way as it would off a house roof. The thickness of the cover determines how much force it can withstand, and the size is determined by the size of your hot tub or spa. If you need a new cover, carefully measure the item to guarantee a correct fit.
Spa and hot tub covers are constructed with high-density foam that is inserted within the cover. The insulation value is determined by the density of the foam, which affects how warm the water in your spa or hot tub remains. It also influences the weight bearing capability of the cover and determines the life of the spa cover. You may acquire spa or hot tub coverings that are 1 pound or 1.5 pounds. The 1.5-pound cover is easy to remove and reinstall on your spa or hot tub, is quite sturdy, and insulates effectively. If additional weight bearing is required, you can select coverings with larger foam densities.
Covering your hot tub or spa is an important must. Not only will this save your electric or gas expenditure since it helps your spa or hot tub retain heat, but it will also protect your pets, family, and strangers safe from drowning. Check with your local building authorities to discover if spa and hot tub coverings are needed to fulfil certain ASTM specifications. Some coverings additionally have lock down ties as well as cover lifts.
There are three types of hot tub and spa covers available:
- Soft coverings are the most affordable option. They do not have a foam core. As a result, the covers are simple to fold, light, and easy to store. Because they are so light, they should only be used if the hot tub is covered by a roof or located inside.
- Hard covers are stiffer and provide more protection than soft covers. Their foam effectively retains heat, allowing you to save money. The disadvantage of these coverings is that they might be heavy and difficult to transport. They are also significantly more expensive than soft coverings.
- Walk-on or aluminium hot tub coverings are so sturdy that you can walk or sit on them. They are built of aluminium, foam, fibreglass, and other materials. They are designed to outlive the vinyl foam coverings and, with a little care, should be a one-time investment.
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.
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Hot Tub Cover Cost
Hot tub and spa cover come in a variety of quality and thickness. So, how much does a nice hot tub cover? Although the thickness of a spa cover is a price deciding element, foam density may also have a significant influence on price. Hot tub coverings are available in thicknesses ranging from 3′′ to 6′′, with the most, if not all, tapering. The cover’s taper allows rain and moisture to flow off as if it were a roof. Because hot tub covers are usually used outside, they are designed to endure all forms of harsh weather. If you reside in a snowy area, you should get a cover in the thickest size and density possible.
A reasonable hot tub cover cost ranges from £150.00 to £300.00, depending on thickness, density, and other alternatives available. When buying for a hot tub cover, look for ones constructed of virgin, ecologically safe foam materials. Hot tub covers are created with UV and mildew-resistant materials, ensuring the cover’s attractiveness all year. There are clearly different levels of quality, so choose a long-standing hot tub cover supplier that is familiar with your hot tub. A cover expert is your greatest option for replacing your hot tub cover; typically, the covers given by hot tub cover companies are superior than the original cover that came with your tub.
Standard Hot Tub Covers
A standard basic spa cover has a foam thickness of around 10cm that tapers out to 5cm around the edges. A typical hot tub cover costs around £150. The tapering of the cover allows rain, snow, and debris to readily drain off. A standard hot tub or spa cover is ideally suited for an indoor use or a warm weather location.
Extreme Hot Tub Covers
An Extreme hot tub cover which is a thicker cover can be had for about £200. A 15cm thickness is the thickest foam found in the market today. This type of spa cover is great for retaining heat, protecting against extreme climates, and can withstand heavier snow amounts.
Deluxe Hot Tub Covers
The Deluxe Cover is by far the most popular of hot tub covers out in the market today. At just over £250 the Deluxe spa cover is a great cover choice for most climates. The Deluxe hot tub cover is a 12cm thick hot tub covers those tapers to 8cm. The deluxe cover is perfect for keeping the heat in the spa.
A good cover should cost at least £200, which is a fair indication of the current market pricing. It is also preferable to get a cover that has been custom-ordered particularly for you in order to assure the greatest possible fit. A cover should always be custom-fit to your hot tub for best protection. Not to mention that an incorrectly fitting spa cover might be a tripping hazard on your back deck.
Today’s hot tub coverings are available in a variety of colours. From sky blues to charcoal greys, you’re sure to discover a cover that appeals to you. And, while its primary function is to preserve your tub, it doesn’t hurt to select one that is also visually appealing!
What to do when your hot tub cover gets waterlogged?
Although there is no way to totally prevent condensation from forming within your cover, annual cleaning and maintenance can help to extend the life of your hot tub cover and, ideally, avoid waterlogging. If you do not properly maintain your cover, large amounts of water will be trapped in the foam, as well as mildew and mould growth. Although there are numerous things you can take to avoid waterlogging, it can still happen and ruin your hot tub pleasure.
How the waterlogging happens
The most typical cause of hot tub cover damage is punctures or degradation of the vinyl covering – the ‘skin’ or the foam’s protective vapour barrier bag/covering, which serves to keep moisture out of the high-density foam. If your hot tub cover looks soggy and heavier than normal, remove it from the top of your hot tub and check it for rips or tears in the vinyl covering or vapour barrier.
Attempting to rescue your hot tub cover
Before you replace it, air-drying the foam core may be a viable option. This must be done with care and delicacy, but rest assured, it is feasible!
Take the hot tub cover off the hot tub. Unzip the vinyl ‘skin’ gently and remove each piece of the foam core. Allow air to travel under the foam by standing or laying it in a sunny area of your yard.
Turn the vinyl cover inside out and pat it dry with a cloth. Place it in a sunny location as well. Allow a mildew inhibitor to dry on the interior of your vinyl cover and each surface of the foam pieces. Turn the cover right side out, re-insert your foam pieces, and zip it shut. If a rip occurs in the vapour barrier cover/bag, replacement bags can be purchased.
If all else fails…
Change your cover! Although this isn’t ideal, if your cover is beyond repair, it will become a nuisance. A waterlogged hot tub cover not only causes a loss of spa heat, but the weight may also cause damage to your cover lifters.
What to do with an old hot tub cover?
We don’t all have a truck; therefore, read on for the know how disassembling the old spa cover so you can put it in your car. You may also divide the cover into individual components to recycle by following this procedure. Also, rather than throwing hot tub covers away in bulk, follow our simple step-by-step tutorial on how to dispose of your cover in the most ecologically responsible way possible, and even reuse some of the materials:
- Cut and split the main seam of the cover into two pieces with a knife or box cutter.
- Locate and unzip the zipper on each side.
- Remove the foam inserts from the hot tub cover. Be aware that part of the foam will be fractured and that it may be quite heavy due to stored moisture.
- If required, cut the vinyl into smaller pieces and dispose of it, unless your local recycling centre or landfill accepts vinyl. Alternatively, you might repurpose the vinyl (see below for ideas).
- If required, remove and discard the protective plastic vapour wrap. (This wrap may or may not be present.)
- The metal or aluminium tube from the foam inserts should be removed. Put these things in the metal recycling container at your local landfill or recycling centre so that they may be broken down and reused. Alternatively, the metal can be reused at home (see below for ideas).
- Cut the foam into more manageable pieces and take it to your nearest landfill and place it in the foam recycling.
Material Reuse for Hot Tub Covers:
- Make tomato plant stakes out of the metal.
- In the winter, the foam can be utilised as infill under ice rinks.
- Use the vinyl to protect your barbecue and other outdoor furniture.
Our Best Inflatable Hot Tub Covers & Lids
And now onto the list
![COSYSPA Inflatable Hot Tub Lid | Premium Energy Savings Hot Tub Covers - Retain Heat and Protect Your Hot Tub [Available in 2 Sizes] (4-6 Person Circular (1.6m D))](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51z4NHKbgtL._SL160_.jpg)
The first item on our list is the Cosy Spa Energy Saving Hot Tub Cover. This cover is available in two sizes to accommodate a variety of hot tubs. The smaller lid has a diameter of 1.4m, while the bigger lid has a diameter of 1.6m.
Featuring additional filtration, it is designed to keep animals and remaining debris out of hot tubs, this important attachment may efficiently keep out wildlife and lingering debris.
Easy to inflate – Because this hot tub cover was designed to be quick and easy to inflate, it can be used to keep your hot tub clean and toasty in minutes.
Helps retain heat – Each Cosy Spa Inflatable cover may successfully reduce the time and frequency with which outdoor hot tubs are reheated.
Effective money saver – This premium cover guarantees that tub maintenance is kept to a minimum. Because the cover prevents things from entering the water, it also reduces the number of filters required.
The second item on our list is the Inflatable Energy Saving Spa Cover for MSPA Hot Tubs by SHATCHI. With this bladder, you may set it on top of your spa water and zip the cover shut, causing all water to drain from the spa. Not only that, but the bladder will aid in the retention of heat in your spa, keeping the water warmer for longer.
Designed to keep animals and remaining debris out of hot tubs, this important attachment may efficiently keep out wildlife and lingering debris.
Moreover, because this hot tub cover was designed to be quick and easy to inflate, it can be used to keep your hot tub clean and toasty in minutes.
This premium cover guarantees that tub maintenance is kept to a minimum, because the cover prevents things from entering the water, thus also reducing the number of filters required.
It is compatible with the MSPA 6-person round spa. 162x22cm in size (63.8″ x 8.7″).
This cover from Canadian Spa, which fits up to 96-inch-wide spas, is third on our list. Spas with a maximum corner radius of 12 in. are also compatible.
With a Canadian spa company cover lifter, you can avoid the headache of removing your hot tub cover! This cover lifter attaches to the top of the hot tub using strong brackets that are attached to the spa itself.
To guarantee that the cover is kept properly and with minimal effort, a clearance of 10-12 in is necessary behind the spa. To keep your towel close at hand, a towel holder bracket is supplied on the cover lifter Arm.
It takes 10-12 hours to install behind the spa. Foam grooves protect the corners of the cover lifter, extending its life. For extra convenience, a 3-hook towel holder is built in.
The next item on the list is a simple hot tub cover from MSpa. This high-quality hot tub cover measures 215×70 cm (85″ X 27.5″). Easy to fold and to store, this cover is as modular as it gets without affecting its functionality considering that it fits six people as a maximum capacity.
With its prime function being to protect your spa from the weather elements, but it also prevents leaves, debris and/or insects from coming into contact with the water.
Simply slide it over your garden furniture for over winter storage All hems have an extra protective strip stitched over them for additional strength and water resistance Drawstring hem with a push stud toggle so you can draw the cover tight against the wind and elements.
Moreover, the tub cover also comes with a one-year warranty.
This Lay-Z Spa hot tub cover is the fifth on our list, in no particular order. It enables you to enjoy your Lay-Z-Spa in greater comfort than ever before, and it is compatible with all Lay-Z-Spas (except St. Lucia and Vancouver)
Enjoy improved seclusion as well as protection from wind and rain.
The tool-less structure, which has been meticulously engineered to guarantee high durability, allows for quick assembly. The system also includes two-guy lines for added stability.
The Canopy is entirely waterproof and UPF 40+ certified since it is encased with PU1000mm Polyester.
Easy to install – The canopy easily hooks onto your Lay-Z-Spa for quick and easy sun and weather protection.
Weather and sun protection – owing to its waterproof fabric and UPF 40+ certification, the shelter is an excellent method to protect yourself and others from harmful sun rays and wet weather while relaxing in your hot tub.
Extra privacy – Relax in your hot tub with extra privacy thanks to the canopy’s high density, vented mesh windows.
Storage bag included – for neatly storing your canopy when not in use; 1 tent, 3 poles, 2 guy lines, and 1 storage bag are included.
Perfectly shield your hot tub from natural elements. Protect your hot tub with high-quality materials.
The bathtub cover is constructed of high-quality 600D Oxford fabric with a waterproof backing. It can keep out rain, hail, snow, and leaves, among other things. The 100% coverage design prevents the furniture from being exposed to the sun, making your hot tub always look like new.
On windy days, the Velcro on both sides may keep the cover in place.
The hem’s elastic band may be modified to meet the needs of the consumer.
Breathable design with well-structured ventilation holes on both sides that are maintained open to avoid wind blowing through.
This waterproof bathtub cover is suitable for most square hot tubs, with a maximum coverage area of 241x241x55cm. reasonably structured vents on both sides remain open to prevent wind passage. Breathable but watertight.
It offers comprehensive protection for hot water tanks from the sun, rain, hail, and snow, among other things. Hot tub intake should be reduced.
Helps save time by removing the heavy-duty square hot tub hood from the hot tub, cleaning the wet towels, and sun-drying them. Your bathtub will be well-protected for many years because to its high strength and durability.
And last but not least, it comes with a sturdy zipped storage bag for convenient storing.
Conclusion
The above list is a good representative of the covers that you would find on the market. So do what you will with that info. We trust you will make the right decisions as we totally loosened that one for ya.