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Hot Tub Covers: The “Must Have” Hot Tub Accessory

Spa Covers are essential to maintain hot tub heat, keep out debris, and provide a safety layer to prevent children from unsupervised use.  When buying a new hot tub cover, you want to choose a cover that will be insulating, custom fitted and have strong  locking straps.    Today buying a hot tub cover involves a few options you will want to know about and consider before placing your cover order.

In the past, the early hot tub covers were flat and 2 inches thick.  The huge problem with a flat spa cover is that if it is outside, it will suffer the weight of rain and snow, eventually sagging in the middle.  Once a hot tub cover is regularly in contact with the water on the inside of the hot tub the constant soaking is going to cause the styrofoam core to absorb water. Your cover becomes almost impossible to remove, even with a cover lifter. Heavy, falling apart spa covers are no fun. You may be replacing yours right now because that cover is waterlogged and  weighs a ton.  The good news is there have been many design improvements to try and solve the problem of water absorption and collapse.   Plus improvements in marine vinyl and UV inhibitors, have increased the life span of the outer vinyl skin of your hot tub cover as well.

These improvements have created more options so ordering a hot tub cover online or even with a dealer will involve making decisions on the thickness and taper of the cover as well as  the foam density.  Before you order, you might want to get familiar with these options so you can make a good buying decision based on your needs. The following is some help in choosing from the available options for hot tub covers.

Choosing Thickness, Taper and Foam Density

Today, the best hot tub covers are tapered.  In fact, you typically have more than one choice on your spa cover’s taper.   In terms of cover price, usually the least expensive is the 4″ to 2″ taper.  Even the 4 to 2 is a big improvement over  flat!  Other popular tapers are the 5″ to 3″ and a REAL tough guy the 6 to 4. The widest part of the hot tub  cover’s taper is at the seam or hinge. This is always in the middle of the  tub and gives the hinge something to lean against:  it’s opposite on the other side.   The outside taper works great for water runoff.  Since the middle is essentially crowned,  water runs off instead of puddling.  The thicker tapers are great for outside hot tubs that may be subject to snow loads. The really good spa covers reinforce their high stress areas with a galvanized C channel for extra stability. Be sure the one you order has this important reinforcement.

Each of the spa cover tapers above have foam density options too.  Foam density is selected by pound of density.  The weight bearing aspects of the cover will change with higher foam densities. So does the R factor and  does the weight of the spa cover. The most common foam density choices  are 1lb, 1.5lb, and 1.75lb and 2lb.  The 1lb options is often your standard choice. The  1.5 foam density will notch up your options and price.  Price increases with foam density options.   Is foam density worth the extra money when buying a spa cover?   It depends on your family, your lifestyle and where you live.  If you experience bitter winters?  It is definitely worth the extra money for the extra strength and R factor.    If you live in warmer climates, you can probably get by with the 1 lb density on a 5 to three inch taper.  The 1.5 density is extra insurance.

Protecting the Styrofoam: How Much Do You Need?

The styrofoam insert in a hot tub cover is subject to much abuse.  It is constantly bathed in steam laden with chemicals, varying pH levels and is very subject to absorbing water.  Wrapping the core with plastic wrap has been the answer to this old problem.  SpaCover manufacturers use clear plastic wraps to  protect the styrofoam.  This wrap should be heat sealed to be effective.  Some manufacturers offer the option of a double wrapped core.  This is double protection, and worth the extra bucks. Be sure that this wrap is at least 6 Mil thick!

Look for Quality Marine Vinyl and Colors

Most manufacturers do not allow a choice of the grade of marine vinyl.   They choose their wares and colors and go from there.  All marine vinyl is not created equal however and you should look for covers made with marine vinyl in the 30 oz category.  UV inhibitors should also be a component of the vinyl from the cover maker you choose.

As far as spa cover colors go, there are at least 12 different colors available, enough choices for any designer pallet!

The “Flaps”

The part that hangs down from  the cover over your hot tub flange is called a flap.  These should fit to the bottom of your hot tub  flange.  Make sure you take note of measuring instructions for the flaps.  Usually up to 6 inch is standard,  over 6 inches will incur an additional charge.

Sewing and Stitching

Sewing and Stitching is not equal from cover maker to cover maker and most do not offer options. It’s important that you take note that not all companies sew the same way! Since the stitch is what keeps the hot tub cover together, you want to know that your hot tub cover is well sewn.  Don’t buy a hot tub cover that is NOT triple stitched for strength in all of high stress areas: seam, handles, and locking straps.

Where Do You Want Your Locking Straps?

The locking straps should not be an “option”  They should be standard equipment.  Most manufacturers will have a standard location for them but can be  flexible where they are located.   It will probably be impossible to match up existing strap locations exactly.  But hardware is always included with the cover, and the receivers for the straps are very easy to install.

Cover Lifters: Easy Help with Your Hot Tub Cover

You’ve got one right?  If you don’t, and it’s because you didn’t want to spend the money  know that the price has come down on basic cover lifters.  You can get them for 99 bucks now.  Some of the economy models however do not work with every shape hot tub.  If you have a rectangular hot tub you’re probably  safe with a 99 dollar one.  If you want more bells and whistles they certainly exist.  There are piston assisted cover lifters, sliders, folders, and cover lifters that can actually stow your cover.  Popular brands include  Covermate,  Cover Valet, Cover Rockit, and the Cover Caddy.  They definitely make life easier and protect the cover itself from the stress of dragging, flopping it open and dropping it.

Do You Have a Waterfall or  Speakers?

If you have a raised waterfall or popup speakers on your hot tub, there will be additional charges to accommodate them, and they must be accommodated. If you don’t include them on your spa cover  order, your cover will not fit, so it is essential they are noted on the spa cover order.

A Word About Shipping and Receiving Your Spa Cover

Listen up because this is IMPORTANT!  Shipping you your spa  cover is a very significant cost of your cover order.  Even if freight is “FREE”  It isn’t free to the manufacturer. They’ve merely covered the cost when pricing the cover, sometimes at a loss of actual shipping charges.  What you need to keep in mind is that when the trucking company receives the spa cover and pick it up, they sign that there is no damage.  This means that IF your cover has visible damage when it is received, the trucking company is the responsible party.  If there is any damage to the box or the cover within you MUST refuse the shipment.  It is the only way the manufacturer can get reimbursement for the damage.  Because of this, it is very important you are available to receive your spa cover yourself and inspect it immediately for damage.  Spa covers are delivered by common carrier.  They are too big for  UPS or FedEx.   Don’t take a chance of having the trucking company deliver without your presence.  The manufacturer cannot accept claims for damage for which they are not responsible!

Investment in a New Hot Tub Cover Will Pay Off

Getting a new hot tub cover will make your life a lot easier. You’ll save money on electricity and perhaps will use your hot tub even more.   A heavy cover is no fun to deal with.  Considering that many folks use their hot tubs for hydro therapy and rehabilitation, the last thing you want to have to do is wrestle with your hot tub cover. You’ll get a lot more benefits from your hot tub if you actually use it instead of thinking that you just don’t want to go out and take the cover off!

Yes, a good hot tub cover is an investment. You’ll be spending between 250 (bare bones) and perhaps 400.00 for your cover.    But nothing rejuvenates a hot tub more than a new spa cover in one of  14 colors!  With the changes in design and advance planning of available cover options, plus understanding and selecting the right options for your needs,  you’ll find that the new advances in spa  covers will pay off and  last longer under the same conditions.   Warranties for spa covers are now in the neighborhood of 5 years.  That speaks loudly to the change in quality.   As always,  cover abuse, will reduce the life of your hot tub cover.   They are not designed to bear the weight of humans, or dogs, or horses, or llamas and the warranty does not extend to problems created by overweight conditions of snow load.  Remember, warranties are for defects in materials or workmanship, not for a German Shepard chasing a cat across your spa cover.

Where To Buy a Great Spa Cover?

There is really not any one place, there is not just one spa cover manufacturer that makes a quality hot tub cover.   As you search, just keep in mind what you learned  about the options and other aspects of ordering. There is a company, HydroPro Sales Inc, who specializes in Cover Brokering.  They represent a number of manufacturers and make sure you get the best quality and the best shipping rate.  Even though many online companies say “free shipping”  the shipping cost is added into the price and is a considerable portion of the cover cost.   They make sure you are A)  getting a cover from a good quality company and B) that you are getting it with the best freight rate for your area. They mainly perform this service for hot tub dealers, but they will help individuals as well.  You can check them out at HydroProSales.com.

Have an interesting day all!

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