If you’re in search of a new hot tub cover, you may not have realized all of the different options available to you. It’s important that the hot tub cover you buy is reliable and right for your spa. Heat rises, therefore the hot tub cover you choose must be successful in keeping the heat inside the tub.
Today, we’re going over the most common hot tub covers and what they have to offer.
Standard Covers
A traditional hot tub cover must be measured to fit your spa. When buying one, you should ensure that the measurements you have for your hot tub are accurate. The features that a standard cover comes with are a foam core, a vinyl covering, a vinyl skirt for heat retention, a centre seal, safety latches and reinforced handles. These covers have a high insulating value and minimal water absorption. When looking for these hot tub covers, ensure that they have at least 3” to 4” of tapered foam for optimal insulation. If you live in a colder climate, you should spend the extra money on a thicker layer of foam.
However, without a lifter, these can be difficult to take on and off your hot tub. Over time, a standard hot tub cover will absorb water, making it even heavier to lift. This also means it will need to be replaced once it becomes unusable. When purchasing a standard cover, it’s important to ensure that the vinyl used is marine grade. Marine grade vinyl is a strong material that will work well to keep heat in. Other vinyl material will not do the job as effectively.
Smart Covers
Smart covers are generally easier to operate than standard covers. They are lighter and will not retain water due to its design. Rather than a vinyl covering, smart covers are designed with rigid polymer deck surfaces. Inside, there are aluminium casings holding the foam insulation. Smart hot tub covers will also have a heat seal to ensure that no heat escapes through the edges of the cover. The cover lifts that come with this cover make lifting this cover easy. The ease of using a smart hot tub cover and its zero water retention make it appealing to a lot of hot tub owners.
When purchasing a smart cover, you’ll have to ensure that you treat the surface with care. Although the polymer surface is durable, you will want to ensure that it doesn’t develop any cracks.
Soft Hot Tub Covers
If you’re looking to buy a soft hot tub cover, you must ensure that it is well-built. This means it must be double-stitched, have fibreglass panels and have heat-sealed insulating foam inside. Soft hot tub covers are typically less expensive than hard shell covers and more lightweight. Making it easier to take the cover on and off.
Hard Shell Hot Tub Covers
If you live in an area where it frequently snows, you may want to consider a hard shell hot tub cover. You may be sacrificing the ease of a soft cover, but this cover will be more durable and will withstand harsh weather. These hot tub covers are typically more expensive than soft covers. However, a hard shell hot tub cover will likely last longer, meaning you won’t have to spend money replacing it as often.
Niagara Hot Tubs Can Help
Choosing a hot tub cover isn’t always easy. Every hot tub and home are different and this is why different covers exist. If you need help choosing the right cover for your spa, feel free to get in touch. Our experts can help ensure that you make the right decision when it comes to your hot tub cover.
