If you own a hot tub, you might wonder if getting a hot tub cover is a really worthwhile investment. The truth is, it is. With a hot tub cover, you can keep chemical and heat in your tub while keeping it protected from damage, debris, and other contaminants at the same time. Aside from that, it also extends its overall lifespan.
That said, how can you pick the best hot tub cover on the market? Here’s a quick buying guide to help you:
1. Choose one that suits well with your climate
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Since your hot tub cover will be installed on top of your hot tub, you have to make sure that it can withstand the changing seasons and climate of your area without getting easily damaged due to wear and tear. In other words, if you live in an area where there are four seasons, you should go for a cover that can maintain its quality and durability amidst the changes.
Also, it’d be a good idea to look for a cover that can withstand even the harshest winters, so you should look for a cover specially designed for winter. If done properly, you’ll be investing money on the right protective cover that you can use for a long period of time.
2. Make sure it’s the right fit for your tub
Many people often end up buying the wrong sized cover for their hot tub. This is often because they failed to get the dimensions of their tub first before buying. Fortunately, you can prevent this from happening.
Before you even go shopping, make sure you measure your hot tub to get its exact dimensions and consider its shape as well. After that, narrow down your choices to the ones that can concede with these details. You should keep in mind that any extra space between your tub’s frame and the cover’s flaps will affect the amount of protection the cover can provide.
3. Consider the cover’s foam
The best foam on a cover is closed cell virgin foam as it has the ability to withstand pressure and absorb moisture at the same time. Aside from that, you should also consider the foam’s thickness and density when looking for a cover.
A cover which has a thick and dense foam can be able to maintain water temperature even during the coldest winters. Additionally, the foam should be covered with a vinyl covering so it can last for a longer time. This is important regardless of its thickness and density.
When weighing the foam cover’s density, you should keep in mind that a cover with a one-pound foam is ideal for indoor spaces, particularly an inflatable hot tub, since it won’t be able to withstand the cold weather outside. Meanwhile, a two-pound foam works best outdoors as it can easily withstand the coldest weathers apart from being compact.
4. Check the cover’s R Value
A hot tub cover’s R Value will help you save energy. In case you’re wondering, the R Value refers to the actual measurement of insulation of a hot tub cover. That said, the higher its value, the higher its resistance to heat.
If you live in a place where rain or snow usually falls, you’ll need to purchase a cover that has a thicker core since it can keep the water warmer, thus reducing your reheating needs.
5. Go for a cover with a high-quality vapor barrier
The vapor barrier is the plastic wrapping which can be found around the cores of the cover’s foam. It acts as an additional barrier which prevents water from getting into the cover’s main insulation. Although high-quality foam already has a certain degree of water resistance, having an extra barrier can definitely help.
For this reason, you should make sure that your chosen cover comes with a vapor barrier that’s thick enough so water won’t be able to get soaked into the foam. Ideally, you want to go for a vapor barrier that’s made of blue transparent plastic.
6. Go for a skirt with the right measurement
Although the skirt, which refers to the flap hanging from the bottom of the cover, is just for aesthetic purposes, it might still be able to cause certain problems if measured incorrectly. If your chosen cover is too long, it may push the cover up.
If you have a wood rail, you should measure from its top up to your acrylic spa. Meanwhile, if you don’t have a wood rail, you have to measure from the top of your spa down to the bottom of the lip of the spa and add ½ inch afterward. As much as possible, you should make sure that the skirt is a little shorter so it won’t bunch.
Conclusion
Keep in mind that a high quality cover is a worthwhile investment you can get for your hot tub. Just keep these tips in mind so you can get the best cover when you go shopping.
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