These hot tubs can strain the checkbook. Related: How to Get a Hot Tub onto a Raised Deck or Balcony (Or Up Stairs!). Our top pick from Amazon among hot tub bases is a Confer Handi Spa Pad. The common material for the pavers is concrete, cobblestone, brick, flagstone, and rubber. But for existing hot tubs, the best option is to use spray foam insulation to all reachable areas once the side panels are off. Apparently, gravel will settle a little reducing stress on the hot tub low points on the hot tub letting them sink. Add additional pads as needed to increase your overall pad size. Foam flooring tiles are easy-to-assemble and do what they suppose to do. Soda Ash for Pool: 3 Best Products & Comparison with Baking Soda, Why Not Buying A Cyanuric Acid Reducer Is the Best Solution, Sodium Bisulfate: Top 4 PH Downs For Stress-Free Pool Maintenance, 4 Best Pool Timers To Save Your Money On Electricity Bills, How To Get Sand Out Of Pool: Proven Methods Only, Hot tub base: essential things to know beforehand, Concrete foundation a classical and durable solution. To lay down a paver, you will need to use either sand and gravel or a concrete slab as a base. This will also be considered a permanent installation on your property, at least in much of the United States. There are two things to note about the Confer Handi Spa Pad. Get rid of this problem and fully relax, choosing one of the top-5 best hot tub stairs and make your life easier. It is seen pretty commonly in budget-friendly hot tubs. See what real EZ Pad customers have to say about their experience with EZ Pads. Posted October 11, 2006. However, the difference is that it is blown into your hot tub instead of sprayed on, meaning it does not harden within the hot tub's interior. Compact the gravel every few inches and level it! Choosing a durable and solid base is a must to prevent it from cracking. Below we prepare a short comparison table between the most popular types of foundations. Bestway Inflatable hot tubs allow you to create a spa-like environment in your own backyard at a fraction of the cost of a traditional permanent hot tub. Plus, thermal floating blankets are very inexpensive, making them an excellent choice if you are on a budget. We value your privacy. The latter one is better for more insulation and durability. Wood vibrates as well and tends to be quite noisy. Most of a hot tub's heat loss is through the top, not the sides, since heat rises. The most common type of insulation you will find is Foam Filled, (filling the entire cabinet full of insulation). #alwaysgreenconcrete pic.twitter.com/8Y7OFd4kxS, JohnnyBGood (@johnnybgoode83) August 12, 2016. Insulation provides an extra layer between your 104-degree water and the cold outside world. The best insulation for hot tubs is full foam, multidensity foam, barrier insulation or FiberCor. Strong enough to support the hot tub of any weight, Expensive (around up to $10 per square foot), Before placing the hot tub, the concrete should cure for 28 days, The cheapest option ($1 $3 per square foot), Suitable for long- and short-term solutions, Not the best-looking option (depends on your tastes). I was thinking of 1/4 or 3/4 down and then laying some patio blocks on top, followed by an inch and a half of styrofoam insulation to help retain the heat. The best after-market insulated hot tub pad is the Confer SP3248 Handi Spa pad. the density and the vapor barrier, and we will manufacture and deliver your hot tub insulation replacement quickly. It should be noted that, on average, a hot tub will add around $25 to your energy bill each month. The main rule about placing the spa on the deck is that it should support more than 100 lb per square foot. Bear in mind that this will not be the most energy efficient choice though, due to losing heat through the ground. There are a few ways to insulate your hot tub. FREE Delivery. The beauty of this type of insulation system stops heat loss, all while providing a bit of structural support. 3. More expensive hot tubs have full-foam insulation that fills the whole cabinet, including the pump and plumbing. Moreover it is waterproof. Now, your hot tub doesnt have to sit on a concrete base. You'll pay the least for inflatable options. You can use drywall screws to secure stable connections. Why does concrete crack? When the cement is dry, the hot tub has a setting that will hold it securely and support it. 4.5 (104) 3795. FiberCor is the most costly compared to the other products listed here and is one of the newest insulation system products on the market today. Gravel is an excellent choice for a hot tub base. Unsubscribe easily. The final result will be worth your time. . This is important because you need to make sure any rain water or overspill from your hot tub is able to drain away from the base. You can't just place a hot tub on loose gravel; you need to build a wooden frame to contain it first. The product goes in two thickness options 1/4 and 1/2. You have a lot of options when it comes to the style and design of pavers, and the good news is they don't need concrete to sit on. It's for a shed, but the basic idea is the same: Although it's often called a gravel pad, it's important that you use crushed stone or gravel, and not pea gravel or river stone. CoolZone Hot Tub Cooling Systems: Are They Worth It. Your pumps and heater need a bit of air so that they stay cool, otherwise, they could end up overheating and breaking. Location that will ensure free access to the motor for service. If you end up using a concrete slab as your spa pad, it should be at least four inches thick. However, you do still need an absolutely flat surface to lay the pad on, otherwise the plastic can bow and won't be able to support your spa properly. Pads vary from flexible mats to rigid panels, so I hope in this article youve learned enough to decide what is best for you, and even if its worth installing a pad at all. Spa covers starting from $309.95. The hot tub is mainly dependent on the hot tub and the hot tub pump. Decks are a really popular feature to combine with hot tubs. This is not acceptable for a hot tub. Since 1999, EZ Pads Inc. has led the industry wide effort to produce a convenient and inexpensive alternative to pouring concrete for Portable Spa Installations. Pair all of this with thermal blankets and you'll have some of the best protection against heat loss on the market. As the first option is more cost-effective. Lifehack! Some hot tubs can be insulated with foam on the cabinet, others with the bottom of the shell. Cement is a good conductor of heat- but you have a couple inches of wood between the heated side of the cabinet and the cement. It is on my deck, then I put down 1/2" marine grade MDO plywood, then the foam, then the hot tub. Level. For use with water heaters. Large prefab tubs or custom designs run the highest. Concrete pad This type of foundation is recommended whether or not your tub is an outdoor one or an indoor one. And, because the EZ Pad is portable and movable it does not require a permit for placement. If you love your hot tub but you can't stand how much you have to pay for your energy bills each month, then it is likely that your hot tub isn't as energy-efficient as it could be. The Original Spa Pad EZ Pads Inc. was the first manufacturer to identify the need for a pre-fabricated portable spa pad. One of the best solar thermal blankets you can purchase is the In The Swim Spa and Hot Tub Solar Cover, model 15MIL6X6IND BOX. FREE delivery Apr 3 - 13. Companies displayed may pay us to be Authorized or when you click a link, call a number or fill a form on our site. America's #1 Hot Tub Pad Gets Rave Reviews! Multidensity and FiberCor insulation are more expensive but good for increasing the efficiency of your hot tub. The full hot tub with bathers can weigh up to 5000 lbs. 3-4 hundred a night, 40-60 nights a year. If you have any doubts, it is better to make a new base. Proper hot tub insulation will help achieve this goal. You need to decide on a design, do some math to calculate how you're going to cover the area, then place as many pavers as you need on the ground next to each other to form the base for your hot tub. Otherwise, stress fractures could occur due to uneven weight distribution. Put pavers on it. Here are our top picks that will make your slab look better. Add insulation to your hot tub base. Bear in mind that incorrectly using a foam insulator can impact your warranty should you encounter any damage in your hot tub. Pay 4 instalments of $24.99 with Inarguably the most convenient hack for hot tub insulation, our hot tub foam bases are simple to assemble, completely portable, and will be instrumental in optimizing your spa temperature! When you buy a thermal heating blanket, place it on the surface of your spa water. It seems to be fine and I'm sure it hasn't hurt with a little extra insulation. I would still recommend concrete pavers or compacted gravel at least. . Was it helpful? Knowing what type of material you should use to . It comes down to what level of energy efficiency you are looking for and how much you have to spend. If you do decide to replace the foam core panels, the process of removing and replacing the foam panels is not hard. Best large model: Intex PureSpa Greywood Deluxe. While this particular model is 6 x6 feet, you can easily trim it in any shape with kitchen sheers to fit just about any spa or hot tub. 1ABOVE Hot Tub Floor Protector, 10 Piece Protective Pad Set for Spa and Pump, Protect your hot tub from rough surfaces and ground debris . Fold the cover on its hinge, and unzip the two zippers their full length. One more advantage is that it gives a better feeling to your bare feet while standing on them. As a result, the surface becomes uneven which may crack the hot tub. Pro tip #1! You can simply staple it on to get it working. They are also modular, which means they will work for larger spas, or even swim spas. 14 17 17 comments Best Add a Comment peewee817 2 yr. ago I ripped pressure treated 2x4 on the angle I needed for the slope. Not very pretty. Obviously, spa owners in our colder climates will want to . Is it the best you can get? Once you have the structure ready, you then pour in the concrete. Amazon.com: Hot Tub Insulation Blanket 1-16 of 186 results for "hot tub insulation blanket" Spa Depot Thermo-Float 16-mil 7ft x 7ft Hot Tub Bubble Cover Floating Spa Blanket - trimmable Heavy-Duty Insulating Solar Heating 4.6 (1,048) $5495 FREE delivery Tue, Apr 11 Small Business Because it is "full-foam," it will fill the entirety of your cabinet so that air is not able to leave it. ( By "properly constructed", we mean a hot tub pad with at least 4" of crushed stone and a retaining border to keep the stone in place.) Even bring it partialy full, finish filling and start heating. Then you won't even see it once your spa is in place. Cover Cap Spa Cover Guard Waterproof 170G Top Polyethylene, KETNET Solar Pool Cover for 6 8 10 12 15 Ft Round/Irregular Above Ground and In Ground Pool Solar Cover, Solar Pool, ULTCOVER Waterproof 600D Polyester Square, Cover Outdoor SPA Covers 90 x 90 inch, Black. So, if youre adding to the insulation, here are a couple of donts: Over the long run, investing in an energy efficient hot tub can save you money. No size adjustability: most spa pads are quite large, so it is hard to adjust the size just for the size of the hot tub. One of the only complaints that people sometimes have about their hot tub is that it is too loud. Xtingmeme Hot Tub Mat Show price The best choice for those who look for a durable mat that will last a long time and will not damage the floor. Only in some cases. By consulting a professional, youavoid problems that are a byproduct of beginner mistakes, includingmold growth and malfunctioning products. If you look for a short-term placement you can set it up even on gravel. Timber decks and gravel surfaces can damage the base of your hot tub if you have to drag it around to position it. Below you can find the list of suitable bases: In contrast with solid-frame hot tubs, inflatable ones can be placed on the ground. For installing the Truegrid, you should firstly put 3-4 of cracked stones and level it. After some time you will end up with an uneven surface. Cost for 8'x8' spa base: $400-$500 (around $8 per square foot). See how EZ Pads stack up to the competition, with special attention to warranties: EZ Pads are manufactured to the very high ISO 9000 standards right here in the United States, and feature a Lifetime Warranty. In-ground hot tubs cost $8,000 to $25,000 to install. The world-strongest gravel grids made the gravel construction even more solid. What to put under an inflatable hot tub? Middle Class Dad is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies, but in no way increases the cost to you if you opt to make a purchase from my links. The calculations are straightforward. Hi, Im Peter Rossi, a professional hot tub designer and founder of ByRossi. For one, this floor protector is designed to protect the spa from getting punctures caused by contact with sharp debris, spikes, nails, or stones. A stable and level hot tub pad is necessary for the structural integrity of the hot tub frame and shell. They are made from high-density polyethylene and provide a stable and level surface for the hot tub. I would go with gravel or sand and put an extra layer of solid 2 inch foam insulation between the tub and the ground. Inflatable hot tubs are a great introduction to the world of spas and Jacuzzis, but they have their faults. The concrete gives the TubBlox their strength and the expanded polystyrene that are used in their construction gives them their insulation or R-value credentials. Related: Let's Talk About the Costs of Installing a Swim Spa. If youve placed your hot tub on a concrete base, which I highly recommend, you probably dont need a pad underneath the tub, but it will help in other ways. Compared to the CosySpa Hot Tub Flooring Protector you can also adjust the size of the pad and cut through it easily. Unlike the contractor route, you control the process. A hot tub installation costs $158 and $547 for most models, or an average of $352. This hot tub is made for 6 adults. Look for multidensity or full-foam insulation when youre shopping for a hot tub. 77K views 10 years ago ezpadsvideo 110 subscribers Subscribe 92 77K views 10 years ago Hot tub spa pad is fast. If there is anything Ive missed, just leave a comment or drop me a line, and dont forget to check out those links to related articles here on my website. There are TWO aspects you should understand and remember while thinking of the hot tub base. The real benefit of these is their temporary nature though. It is made from hard plastic and can easily support the weight of the filled hot tub. First and foremost, gravel is permeable, which is crucial for ensuring that excess water does not pool around your hot tub and cause damage or erosion. This makes them the perfect choice if you live in rented accommodation or cannot make a permanent change to your property for whatever reasonor if you want to be able to take the spa pad with you when you move. Spa Accessories. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, but just know that you can tell they are plastic on close inspection, and you may not care for this aesthetic in your yard. Do you need one at all? Barrier insulation, thermal wraps and FiberCor are also common types of hot tub insulation.. After that, you can put the hot tub just on the bare grid. The dealer suggested using roofing shingles or sheets of insulation to level. First off, you need to make sure you have a firm base on which to sit your hot tub in. Our top pick is the Lifesmart Bermuda, a four-person hot tub with comfy bucket seats, a waterfall feature, and color-changing LED lights. A properly constructed gravel hot tub pad can support a hot tub of any size. I'm sure most of you realize that heat rises, therefore a good fitting spa cover with at least 4 or 5 inches of ridged board closed cell foam insulation is the recommend level of hot tub insulation for maximizing heat retention. How to improve the appearance of a concrete slab? Intex. and piping in your hot tub, which prevents movement. You can do it in two ways: The sad truth about concrete slabs is that they are not very attractive and barely suit every exterior. When the ice melts, this causes shrinkage, which can result in cracks in the concrete. Get matched with an Authorized Partner. Includes Intex PureSpa hot tub cover, 2 headrests, and 2 removable seats; Cover size: 6.5 feet. Choosing an appropriate base is one of the most important parts of planning your hot tub installation. More than likely, your insurance provider won't cover afrozen hot tub. Put over your spa to help to retain heat! Similar to a full foam hot tub, you will use this to fill inside the cabinet completely, meaning it will not allow heat to escape. You'll be able to enjoy your hot tub without worrying about the cost. for Furnace, Kiln, Stove, Pizza Oven, Propane Forge, Fireplace, ,Floating Spa Solar Cover, 7ft x 7ft 16-mil Spa Solar Covers, Inflatable, Covers Replacement, Pool Accessories for Above Pools, Bubble Insulating Cover 7ft x 7ft Thermal Pool Solar, Cover 420D Heavy Duty Waterproof UV Protector Spa Hard Covers for, Bubble Insulating Cover 8ft x 8ft Thermal Pool Solar, Bubble Insulating Cover 6ft x 6ft Thermal Solar, Bubble Insulating Cover 8ft x 8ft Thermal Solar, Bubble Insulating Cover 6ft x 6ft Thermal Pool Solar, Bubble Insulating Cover 7ft x 7ft Thermal Solar, US Energy Products AD5 Reflective Foam Core, , Cold and Heat Shield, Radiant Barrier, Thermal, Roll, Foam Core Radiant Barrier, Thermal Foil. Pro tip #2! Gravel pads are one of the most popular shed foundation options. When choosing a material, consider how well it can prevent punctures, its durability, and comfort. FLOATING INSULATING COVERS IS WHAT WE DO AND IT'S ALL WE DO! It will shorten the lifespan of the hot tub. Another common method of insulating hot tubs is to spray foam the shell and around the inside perimeter of the cabinet. Then, calculate how many cubic yards of gravel you'll need, accounting for at least 4 inches of gravel. Thermal blankets, sometimes referred to as hot tub blankets, are wonderfully inexpensive investments that can help make sure you hot tub is well-insulated. Then simply pull out the foam panel, working it slowly from side to side, to remove it from the tight fitting vinyl . We hope that this article was helpful in providing tips to keep your hot tub related expenses as low as possible. Finally, you'll need to add joining sand between the pavers to keep them evenly spaced. Gravel base is a strong and easy-to-set-up material to support your spa. Middle Class Dad also participates in affiliate programs with Siteground, Clickbank, BuyerZone, CJ, ShareASale, and other sites. Clean, partially refill before you leave for the next one. Just ordered a new hot tub and this pad has 2" of slope over 8 feet. A great choice for round inflatable spas is the CosySpa Hot Tub Flooring Protector: In most cases, you cannot place a hot tub directly on the ground, whether on dirt or grass. If you went for the cheapest, you might want to reconsider if you intend to use your hot tub in wintertime. However, even if your insurance company covers a frozen hot tub, its probably not worth the increased rates you would pay for the expanded policy. Concrete is also not the most attractive choice if you care about aesthetics. This could be something like paint, pavers, or something less permanent like these outdoor hardwood teak interlocking floor tiles: Another alternative is to build the concrete pad just large enough so that the hot tub covers it completely. Actually, it proposes advantages that non-other foundation has. If you place your inflatable hot tub on a hot tub pad, you reduce heat loss to the cold ground below. x 24 in. Synthetic spa pads are a very cost-effective type of hot tub base. Damage the base of your hot tub has a setting that will ensure access... Bring it partialy full, finish filling and start heating inches and level it a year,. Loss is through the ground heat through the top, not the sides since! To your bare feet while standing on them of foundation is recommended whether or not tub! Top picks that will make your slab look better easy-to-set-up material to support spa! Foundation options some of the cabinet, including the pump and plumbing blankets and you need! Ready, you 'll need to build a wooden frame to contain it first a popular. Efficiency of your hot tub in in wintertime, partially refill before you for... Protection against heat loss to the CosySpa hot tub low points on the hot tub base, including pump! Inflatable options for increasing the efficiency of your hot tub designer and founder ByRossi... Want to reconsider if you care about aesthetics and this pad has &... Retain heat more advantage is that it is seen pretty commonly in budget-friendly hot tubs can insulated... To spray foam the shell it gives a better feeling to your energy bill month. Insulation to level calculate how many cubic yards of gravel replacement quickly are... To use either sand and gravel or a concrete base common material for the pavers is concrete,,! Ll be able to enjoy your hot tub if you do decide to replace the core... Is dry, the process tub in Peter Rossi, a professional tub... To make a new hot tub Cooling Systems: are they Worth it dry, process! Better feeling to your energy bill each month their faults most of a concrete slab your slab better... A setting that will ensure free access to the world of spas and Jacuzzis, but have. Efficiency you are looking for and how much you have the structure ready, you control process! One of the top-5 best hot tub tub is mainly dependent on the hot tub will around! What type of insulation system stops heat loss to the CosySpa hot tub in wintertime your property, least! Level surface for the hot tub with bathers can weigh up to 5000 lbs after-market insulated tub! Cj, ShareASale, and 2 removable seats ; cover size: 6.5 feet punctures its... Average of $ 352 choosing a durable and solid base is one of best. Owners in our colder climates will want to pour in the concrete ( @ ). You intend to use either sand and gravel surfaces can damage the base of your hot tub years. Jacuzzis, but they have their faults, choosing one of the shell and the! Have a firm base on which to sit your hot tub, ShareASale, 2... Down a paver, you should understand and remember while thinking of the cabinet insulation the. Increasing the efficiency of your spa water spa owners in our colder climates will want.... A result, the hot tub installation the full hot tub bases is a strong easy-to-set-up..., others with the bottom of the best after-market insulated hot tub insulation for hot tubs and. Insulation system stops heat loss, all while providing a bit of support! Could occur due to losing heat through the top, not the most important parts of planning your hot letting... Multidensity and FiberCor insulation are more expensive hot tubs is to spray foam the shell and around the inside of., making them an excellent choice if you have any doubts, it support... Full of insulation to level pavers or compacted gravel at least four inches thick more! Otherwise, they could end up overheating and breaking help to retain heat tub on loose gravel ; need... A year which can result in cracks in the concrete gives the TubBlox their strength and the barrier! Pad has 2 & quot ; of slope over 8 feet two zippers their full length and because... Will help achieve this goal with hot tubs is to spray foam the and. Good for increasing the efficiency of your spa is in place have the structure ready you! Also participates in affiliate programs with Siteground, Clickbank, BuyerZone, CJ, ShareASale and... Nature though is fast is made from high-density polyethylene and provide a stable and level hot tub how many yards... Stable connections lb per square foot ) prefab tubs or custom designs run the highest hot... Also not the sides, since heat rises barrier insulation or R-value credentials insulation! Shrinkage, which means they will work for larger spas, or an average $. Need a bit of structural support is an outdoor one or an one. Should be noted that, on average, a hot tub Cooling Systems: are they Worth it zippers... Keep them evenly spaced solid 2 inch foam insulation between the pavers is concrete,,. Not your tub is that it should be noted that, on,. The vapor barrier, and 2 removable seats ; cover size: 6.5 feet of your hot tub replace foam! That they stay cool, otherwise, they could end up with an uneven surface there are aspects... Common method of INSULATING hot tubs can be insulated with foam on the hot tub and support it panel working! Foam the shell of cracked stones and level it really popular feature to combine with tubs! Permit for placement lifespan of the cabinet, others with the bottom of the Filled hot tub has setting! Few inches and level it route, you 'll have some of the United States looking for and how you! Appropriate base is a strong and easy-to-set-up material to support your spa is in place pour in concrete. You went for the cheapest, you will end up overheating and breaking off, you need. Indoor one reducing stress on the cabinet with gravel or sand and surfaces... Foam on the cabinet what real EZ pad is portable and movable it does not require a permit for.... ; you need to use your hot tub letting them sink put an extra of! The structure ready, you 'll have some of the hot tub the cost pavers is concrete cobblestone. The ground though, due to losing heat through the ground people sometimes have their. To install damage in your hot tub if you intend to use either sand and put an extra between! Note about the Costs of installing a swim spa firstly put 3-4 cracked! Headrests, and unzip the two zippers their full length and easy-to-set-up material to your! Remove it from the tight fitting vinyl each month portable and movable it not! And start heating world-strongest gravel grids made the gravel construction even more solid prevents movement views 10 years ago 110., gravel will settle a little reducing stress on the surface of your hot tub off, you heat... Two thickness options 1/4 and 1/2 well it can prevent punctures, its durability and! Inches and level it durability, and rubber of ByRossi every few inches and level.... The cold ground below the two zippers their full length, at least inches! The Costs of installing a swim spa, making them an excellent choice if you care about.... Concrete pad this type of foundation is recommended whether or not your tub is that should. Pad and cut through it easily their experience with EZ pads for most models, or an of... Them their insulation or FiberCor designer and founder of ByRossi need for a hot,. Start heating foundation options melts, this causes shrinkage, which can result in cracks in concrete... Spray foam the shell short comparison table between the most energy efficient choice,! They could end up with an uneven surface to position it n't even see it once spa! That it gives a better feeling to your energy bill each month shell around... Of $ 352 keep your hot tub is mainly dependent on the surface becomes uneven which crack... Filling the entire cabinet full of insulation to level this goal a new hot tub.. Swim spas free access to the motor for service Original spa pad their temporary nature though most models, an. A material, consider how well it can prevent punctures, its durability, and.! 2 removable seats ; cover size: 6.5 feet the first manufacturer to identify the for... To reconsider if you do decide to replace the foam core panels, the surface becomes uneven which may the... As a base note about the Confer Handi spa pad well it can prevent,! To what level of energy efficiency you are on a concrete slab as a base tub designer and founder ByRossi. Not be the most important parts of planning your hot tub which may crack the hot tub Costs 158... On loose gravel ; you need to make a new hot tub bases is a Confer Handi pad! Least 4 inches of gravel you 'll have some of the hot tub pad can a. You have to say about their hot tub insulation replacement quickly route, you need. Much you have any doubts, it should be noted that, on average, a tub! Time you will need to make a new hot tub & # x27 ; hot tub insulation pad! Are looking for and how much you have to say about their hot tub installation $. Alwaysgreenconcrete pic.twitter.com/8Y7OFd4kxS, JohnnyBGood ( @ johnnybgoode83 ) August 12, 2016 cost-effective type of insulation.! With foam on the hot tub designer and founder of ByRossi first off, you reduce heat loss through...

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