Main steps in choosing a hot tub

Choosing a hot tub for the first time: where should I start?

Taking the first steps toward becoming a hot tub owner can seem very frustrating, but it becomes easier when you have all of your important information in one place. As with any large purchase, choosing the right tub for your needs means going through plenty of options and updates. There are so many questions to ask yourself as you discover which hot tub properties are most important. That is why we have put together a guide for you to make the perfect selection.

Decide where to place your hot tub

Many factors can make a difference – locker room access, privacy, landscaping, and views out of the tub. The surroundings of the hot tub add an aesthetic addition to your garden and should be placed on a well-prepared foundation. Place your tub on a solid foundation, whether a deck or patio with a cement base, concrete paving stones, or bricks. The tub can also be installed in your deck or patio, custom patio models offer the greatest variety of options to hide it from the public even if it is above the ground.

Fiberglass and plastic versus wooden hot tubs

Hot tubs made of wood are entirely natural. Wood is a natural material and requires maintenance. It tends to expand or shrink depending on the amount of moisture. Leakage can be expected in the first few days of use. Plastic and fiberglass hot tub models have inner linings that prevent water from escaping and also require less maintenance. These models are very customizable, so many additional parts such as SPA can be supplied upon request. Additionally, the fiberglass inner lining has tapered walls and benches for comfort, while polypropylene and wooden hot tubs have straight walls. You can choose the wooden decoration from 3 types of wood (spruce, larch, or thermo wood) that we offer or a terrace model without a wooden frame as a DIY model.

What type of wood should you choose for a hot tub?

There are 4 main types of wood that are most common among our customers. Siberian spruce, larch, thermo-wood, and sometimes oak. Each of them has different characteristics and is also different in color. Anyway, color shouldn’t be the main criterion, because all of these types of wood can be painted in your desired color. Typically, a hot tub will last over 10 years if properly maintained. However, some species are more resistant to rot or shrinkage, but they are also more expensive than the others. All wood hot tubs usually need more maintenance, but they do give you a 100% natural feel. On the other hand, wooden hot tubs can be made using spruce or thermo wood. Larch is not recommended due to its deformation properties.

Choose the size of the hot tub that fits your lifestyle and budget

Choosing a small or large tub is a big consideration. Running a smaller hot tub can be easier and more affordable but think carefully about your needs and future plans. In this case, size really matters. Usually, a larger tub will cost more to operate. A tub that holds 50 percent more water, however, does not cost 50 percent more to operate. It will usually cost between about 15 and 20 percent more. The operating costs depend on the type of heating and the efficiency, the size of the tub, and the insulation of the tub. Also, if you are considering a lined hot tub, you can choose open or closed benches, which will have an impact on water capacity as well as leg space. A reasonable size for personal use should accommodate your family and perhaps a few guests.

How do you keep the water warm longer?

You should pay attention to the insulation of the walls, floor, and lid so that the water stays warm for a longer period of time. A wooden hot tub or hot tub can only have an insulated wooden cover. Therefore, if a hot tub has no floor insulation but is in a colder climate, a thicker base should be considered. Raising the hot tub from the floor is for insulation. But if you choose a fiberglass or polypropylene hot tub, all kinds of insulation can be used. Anyone thinking of an indoor stove should consider floor and wall insulation, as some heat is lost due to the open area for the chimney.

Inside, outside or integrated wood stove – electric stove?

The main difference is that the external or integrated stove allows more space in the tub, while the internal one not only takes up space inside but also requires stirring the water from time to time. On the other hand, the outside oven needs to heat up more water, but it is possible to cover the whole tub and keep the heat inside. With a fully insulated cover, you can leave the tub in the evening, and in the morning the water temperature will still be warm enough to use it without starting a fire or just keeping the fire going for a short time as this will depend on weather conditions. The integrated stove can only be installed in the wellness model, as the inner lining has a special shape made of fiberglass and the stove is located underneath with a chimney on the side. It creates more space to sit in the tub, but you don’t need a lot of space around the tub either. An indoor stove needs heating protection and more maintenance when cleaning wooden parts trying to reach some places and loading wood directly over the tub of hot water, wood and ash can end up in the water. We, therefore, recommend placing a stainless-steel cover around the inner oven. Not only will it hold the heat, but it will also protect the water from dirt.

Electric heating

Electric heating requires less care when heating the tub as there is no need to add wood to the stove to control the fire and clean it after using the tub. Due to the legal differences between countries, you should consult a local electrician before installing an electric hot tub. We offer from 3 kW to 18 KW electric power heating, it can be set to single-phase power or three-phase power depending on the KW. Electric heating is a perfect choice when there is a shortage of wood in your area. The heater itself takes up only a little space and is equipped with a wooden cover. In general, the heating process is a bit longer compared to the wood-burning stove, but you don’t have to care for wood or cleaning from ashes. Depending on the size of your pool, you can consider a combination of wood-burning and electric heaters. This is the fastest way to warm up the water and there is always the option to only use one of them.