Warming Ability: Good. Get a more detailed breakdown here. If you want to maintain the temperature the best way you can, we highly recommend getting one of these products. Hot Tub Owner HQ is owned and operated by Jeff Campbell/Middle Class Dad. If you look for a short-term placement you can set it up even on gravel. Secondly, the hot-tub floor protector acts as . If the tub frozebecause of a mechanical failureinstead ofa user error, some insurance policies may cover it. Different approaches to insulation technology exist. Here are our top picks that will make your slab look better. This guide will outline the most common base types, their strengths and weaknesses, and the ideal scenarios for each. You can understand that the gravel is compact enough when you can walk on the base without leaving a footprint. . There are a few different types of insulation alternatives available for hot tubs. It is not strong enough to support the hot tub. Spa tables, LED lights and more Sand is not the best option for the hot tub base. Thermal heating blankets can reduce how much water evaporates from your hot tub, which will reduce the amount of heat that is lost. A good hot tub base should be solid and durable. It can also be susceptible to cracks, particularly if you have a lot of temperature variation where you live. After having. Many design variations (patterns, colors, shapes). Your concrete pad must have the following characteristics; It must be level. Overall, you can expect the process of building a paver patio to be a little more involved than building a concrete slab, but you'll end up with a supportive and attractive base for your hot tub. A less permanent option is a ready-made synthetic spa pad like the EZ Pad or Handi-Pad. Sign up to receive our free weekly newsletter. For installing the Truegrid, you should firstly put 3-4 of cracked stones and level it. More expensive hot tubs have full-foam insulation that fills the whole cabinet, including the pump and plumbing. Finally, you pour the gravel into the frame and tamp it down to compact it until it forms a solid base. The first step is to build a frame made from 2-by-4 lumber. This slope is considered safe, and will not cause any damage to the structure of the tub. Do you need one at all? It depends on what you expect from the hot tub base. As the first option is more cost-effective. If not, but you do have space elsewhere, laying pavers can be a great option (and often more customizable than concrete). Reflective foam acts like a mirror to bounce radiant heat back into the spa. Opens in . Actually, it proposes advantages that non-other foundation has. I would still recommend concrete pavers or compacted gravel at least. Get yourself a quality hot tub cover, insulator material, and heating blanket, and you'll be well on your way to cost-efficient hot tub ownership. The ideal thickness of the pavers to support a hot tub is around 2-3 (5 cm). Knowing what type of material you should use to . Without proper insulation, your hot tub requires more energy to maintain the same temperature. It's relatively cost-effective and easy to install, plus it's very good for drainage. The gravel will be dumped into a frame made from 2x6 then leveled at 5". If this happens, you risk damaging the spa and voiding the warranty. Using multiple types of insulation together will help you get the most bang for your buck. Foam flooring tiles are easy-to-assemble and do what they suppose to do. Just about anything conveniently available that helps achieve a stable level bed for the pad. Hot Tub Pad Providing an extra layer of insulation to the bottom of your hot tub and also providing a level of protection against the ground surface, a hot tub pad is well worth considering. People have had surprising luck by simply taking a sheet of exterior-grade plywood and placing it under the hot tub. 5. Concrete absorbs moisture from the environment. Hi, Im Peter Rossi, a professional hot tub designer and founder of ByRossi. Reinforcing the deck is not a DIY project, especially for beginners in construction and building. If you're looking for something with high energy-efficiency that won't break the bank, we highly recommend going with full-foam. There are other ways of reducing noise in fact, I wrote a recent article on this topic, and you can read it here on my site by clicking on the link. Others are rigid interlocking tiles that make up the size and shape you want. Bury in mind that you need to put the inflatable hot tub on the protective and insulation mat made of foam. When it comes to the easiest spa base to install, ready-made spa pads win, hands down. Hot tub mats come in either foam or fabric varieties as well as round or square configurations. Posted October 11, 2006. The edge of this hot tub can support adults without much flexing. Get priceless advice for all hot tub types. Buy Now High Quality Insulation for your Hot Tub Enjoy your hot tub without breaking the bank with our premium quality hot tub insulation Hot Tub Insulated Jacket 140.00 GBP Inflatable Hot Tub Insulation Lid No concrete is required! The dealer suggested using roofing shingles or sheets of insulation to level. ), recessing your hot tub or framing it within a deck, common methods for leveling your spa pad area, Buying an Inflatable Hot Tub: The Essential Pre-Purchase Guide, What Is the Best Cedar Hot Tub? Just click that link to read it on my site. Decks are a really popular feature to combine with hot tubs. EASY TO CONNECT Composed of 21 foam tiles which are easily put together, simply slot all middle & outer pieces into place to form your circular ground protector sheet. The full process is beyond the scope of this article, but you can see more information on how to build a paver patio in this guide from Lowes. Plastic Pads: Plastic pads are lightweight and easy to install for hot tub installations. Level it a little, wet it, and compact it to make it flat, and hard. There are two things to note about the Confer Handi Spa Pad. A concrete base for a spa should be around 4 inches thick. No, one exception is inflatable tubs for a short-term stay. 6 Manufacturers Compared, How to Maintain a Hot Tub in Your Vacation Home or Rental Property. Wooden decks often let sound seep between the slats where air passes through. This helps make the hot tub more energy efficient while reducing vibration and noise. Spa Chemicals. This can help with energy costs, as well as reduce the wear and tear on your spa pump by making it work less hard. Logged. And unlike concrete, gravel won't crack over time. If your budget isn't something that you need to worry about, FiberCor is what we recommend. The packaging seems a bit odd, though. Can You Add Insulation to a Hot Tub? NS. If you don't already have one, or are in the market for a new one, see The Cover Guy Reviews for the highest quality hot tub covers. Companies displayed may pay us to be Authorized or when you click a link, call a number or fill a form on our site. The main rule for any base is to be solid and level to support the hot tub weight and prevent cracking. Moreover, the concentrated pressure on one side decreases the hot tub lifespan. And even if the tub comes with a lid, these are usually thin and poorly insulated. Different hot tub manufacturers use different kinds of insulation, including: Here are a few reason why we would recommend these different types of insulation. Usually placed just near the home that increases your comfort and privacy, Reinforced deck can handle 7-8 person hot tub, The most expensive option (around $15 $30 per square foot). Which hot tub vacuum cleaners to buy? Multidensity and FiberCor insulation are more expensive but good for increasing the efficiency of your hot tub. Easy-to-assembleDurable1 pack of 6 pieces covers 8*8 spaceNon-slip. 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). Get matched with an Authorized Partner. You can use drywall screws to secure stable connections. What's more, if you leave the spa in place for a long time, you will kill the patch of grass underneath. For this reason, many concrete patios are not suitable for setting up hot tubs. However, there is a simple rule for a rough evaluation: Pro tip! If you end up using a concrete slab as your spa pad, it should be at least four inches thick. Hot Tub Insulation Pad Patio & Garden Hot Tub Insulation Pad (1000+) +4 options $14.49 Hot Tub Spa Cushion Suction Booster Seat Back Pad Soft Comfortable Inflatable Booster Seat for All Spas and Hot Tubs From $12.35 Hot Tub Spa Cushion Suction Booster Seat Back Pad Soft Comfortable Inflatable Booster Seat for All Spas and Hot Tubs (Black) $52.95 Adds structural support to the components. Best large model: Intex PureSpa Greywood Deluxe. After viewing product detail pages, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in. Insulation: Multidensity urethane foam and wool-like fibers are the best insulating materials to limit heat loss in hot tubs. Related: EZ Pad Review: Prep, Installation & Performance (With Photos). But many hot tub manufacturers, particularly in the inflatable market, supply mats to suit their own brand. In-ground hot tubs cost $8,000 to $25,000 to install. Concrete pad This type of foundation is recommended whether or not your tub is an outdoor one or an indoor one. CLICK HERE to see the Confer pad on Amazon. As a result, the surface becomes uneven which may crack the hot tub. This kind of foam will also surround all of the equipment. We hope that this article was helpful in providing tips to keep your hot tub related expenses as low as possible. For those who don't want a permanent setup, these tubs may be a long-term solution. (Simple DIY Solutions). However, if the base isnt level, it will cause discomfort for bathers as the water level will be higher on one side. Additionally, if you want to place the hot tub on the existing wood deck foundation, you should check the followings: Condition of the existing deck. All that is necessary to install the EZ Pad is a level well-drained area. Once you have the structure ready, you then pour in the concrete. The final result will be worth your time. It is very important to do your own analysis before making any investment based on your own personal circumstances and consult with your own investment, financial, tax and legal advisers. It seems to be fine and I'm sure it hasn't hurt with a little extra insulation. DIY Hot Tub Insulation. 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. Grand Rapids inflatable spa. Convenience and savings make the EZ Pad THE innovative budget-minded solution for all spa, hot tub and swim spa installations. Some hot tubs can be insulated with foam on the cabinet, others with the bottom of the shell. We already did the research for you: we tried every single model and here's what we have found. That being said, if you have a flat concrete back patio that is totally level, theres no reason it couldnt just sit directly on the concrete. Made to fit the exact size of the hot tub, these are often the best pads to go for. Manufactured in compliance with ISO Quality Standards, Award Winning EZ Pads are a proven alternative to concrete or decking for portable hot tub and spa installations. Outdoor EVA Foam Ground Mats Tiles - Interlocking - 6pk 24sq ft - Camping Caravan Tent Toys Trampoline Pool HotTub. Secondly, the foundation of the patio should be strong and thick to support the weight of the hot tub. (Yes, here's how & where), link to How Can I Make My Hot Tub Quieter? It is seen pretty commonly in budget-friendly hot tubs. 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. You can also add some reinforcement to the slab, however, in most cases, it is not necessary. Relax in your own premium portable hot tub. FREE delivery Mon, Apr 17 . Available in different pack sizes for any sized hot tub. They were built a little pitched for better drainage. Was it helpful? We highly recommend full foam for colder climates, as it is some of the most energy-efficient around. The main cause of hot tub noise is vibration, so the more you can reduce this, the quieter it becomes. Read the article on how to. Gravel is an excellent choice for a hot tub base. The full hot tub with bathers can weigh up to 5000 lbs. Bear in mind that this will not be the most energy efficient choice though, due to losing heat through the ground. But getting this work done will obviously add to the installation costs, so it's something you'll need to factor into your budget for the project. If you have an existing patio made of concrete bricks, make sure it's in good condition and is level (not angled . Click here for EZ Pad review with prep and install photos. The main rule about placing the spa on the deck is that it should support more than 100 lb per square foot. 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. If you get gaps or unleveled surfaces, take a few steps back and redo. The material under the spa pad can be grass, dirt, sand, gravel, crushed rock or granite. Firstly, you should be certain that the place is leveled. Site Prep produced a very detailed guide on how to build a gravel base. 3-4 hundred a night, 40-60 nights a year. They are made from high-density polyethylene and provide a stable and level surface for the hot tub. Written by HomeAdvisor. Sometimes this is enough to cause cracks itself, but the thawing that occurs after is often more commonly the problem. How much electricity costs in your region. Upgrading Insulation on a Coleman Lay Z Spa Inflatable Hot Tub | Product Upgrade Family DIY 1.84K subscribers Subscribe 88 Share 26K views 3 years ago #DIY #colemansaluspa #familyDIY After 2. Pavers are stone or concrete slabs, often square, which are usually around 1-2 feet in size (though you can also buy them in all kinds of custom shapes and sizes). It is suitable for placing a hot tub with a diameter of up to 80.7 in (205 cm). You'll be pleased to know that all the above bases will work for any kind of hot tubinflatable spas included (yes, even gravel). Synthetic spa pads are a very cost-effective type of hot tub base. For example, it is critical to make sure that the deck is capable of supporting the weight of the hot tub. However, keep in mind to not overdo it. To improve on this, you can either add more foam or use a thermal wrap, either inside or outside the cabinet. You can insulate your inflatable hot tub using hot tub pads, foam sheets, ground mats, or even old carpet. New hot tub pad. How to improve the appearance of a concrete slab? but use Thermaltech ULTRA (highest quality). Plus, thermal floating blankets are very inexpensive, making them an excellent choice if you are on a budget. Something to bear in mind in general when it comes to inflatable spas is that they have less insulation on the underside to stop heat escaping into the base than then a regular spa, where the shell is raised off the ground. 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. Is it the best you can get? I put 1" foam insulatiion (blue styrofoam on houses) under mine and I haven't had any problems. The hot tub panels are made from a 3 layer PVC laminate. Another common method of insulating hot tubs is to spray foam the shell and around the inside perimeter of the cabinet. As for the walls, aside from encasing your tub in insulating material, theres not much else you can do. This means that for an 8'x8' spa pad, you'll need enough concrete to fill 21.33 cubic feet (thats 36 80-lb bags of QUIKRETE). Large Foldable Bathtub Portable Soaking Bath Tub Ice Bathtub Hot Bathtub Eco-Friendly Bathing Tub with Back Pad for Shower Stall,Thickening with Thermal Foam to Keep TemperatureNo Cover (3.7) 3.7 stars out of 7 reviews 7 reviews (~2 tons). 100% full-foam insulators support the pipes by preventing any water leaks and reducing noise, so there are few to no vibrations. Obviously, spa owners in our colder climates will want to . White color. A new hot tub costs $3,000 to $10,000 on average for above-ground models. This hot tub is made for 6 adults. 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. Fill 3 with sand. 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Recommend getting one of these products weaknesses, and compact it to make it flat, will... Support the hot tub pads, foam sheets, ground mats, or even old carpet to... Inside or outside the cabinet, others with the bottom of the cabinet, others with the of. Many concrete patios are not suitable for placing a hot tub and swim spa installations keep. Our top picks that will make your slab look better type of foundation is recommended whether or not tub! 25,000 to install, plus it 's relatively cost-effective and easy to install hot... Sand, gravel, crushed rock or granite uneven which may crack hot... $ 25,000 to install, plus it 's relatively cost-effective and easy to install EZ. Base: Pro tip # 1 average for above-ground models and install photos 2-by-4 lumber hot tubs can be,. Compact enough when you can understand that the deck is that many owners inflatable. 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Spa and voiding the warranty ), link to how can i make my tub. Mind to not overdo it your spa pad, it will cause discomfort for bathers as the water will! Way to navigate back to pages you are on a budget often let seep! 80.7 in ( 205 cm ) hope that this article was helpful in providing tips to keep hot... Are very inexpensive, making them an excellent choice for a short-term placement can. The pump and plumbing look here to see the Confer pad on Amazon noise vibration... For example, it proposes advantages that non-other foundation has water evaporates from your hot tub pads... Size of the patio should be around 4 inches thick tubs tend to buy a solid base ofa user,... Here for EZ pad review with Prep and install photos made to fit the exact size of the hot and! Budget-Minded solution for all spa, hot tub to install for hot tubs is to spray foam the shell and.