If your hot tub cover has become worn or is holding on to a lot of water you will need to start looking for a new one. You might be wondering if they come in universal fittings or if hot tub covers have to be specially measured for each hot tub. A universally fitting hot tub cover would be most convenient, but is there one out there? I decided to do some research and find out.
So, Are Hot Tub Covers Universal? Hot tub covers are not universal. All hot tub covers do essentially the same job but each individual one cannot be used for every type of hot tub around. A hot tub cover is specially designed for the type of hot tub it is protecting.
A hot tub cover is usually designed to fit the tub’s specific measurements. To ensure that your hot tub cover is suited for your particular tub you must first measure the tub and check its dimensions against the one you are thinking of purchasing. The materials used for hot tub covers also tend to be chosen specifically for the type of hot tub that it is protecting. Not all hot tub covers will sufficiently protect the hot tub beneath if they are not the right material for the tub or the accurate size measurements.
The Differences Between Hot Tub Covers
When looking to buy a hot tub cover for your own specific type of hot tub, it is essential that you choose the right one. As previously mentioned, just using any cover will not effectively protect your hot tub. If your hot tub came with a cover included in the package then you may be in luck as these tend to be specifically designed for your individual make and model tub and will be measured accurately to ensure that the entire tub is protected.
However, if your tub does not come with a cover included, the cover is damaged, or the cover is not designed to be used with your tub then you may need to buy a new one.
There are three main types of hot tub covers, each one with their own series of advantages and disadvantages.
Soft Hot tub covers – The first type of hot tub cover is named the soft cover. These soft covers are usually made using a sturdy and reliable vinyl fabric. This material is then stretched across the hot tub’s top and fastened securely in place by straps made from rubber.
A light air-filled pillow made from vinyl floats underneath the cover. This pillow reduces the amount of rainwater build-up that may occur over time. Covers made from this lightweight vinyl material make them easier to put on the tub and strap down.
These covers can also be used for a variety of sizes of tubs as they can usually be stretched to cover as much of the area, as necessary. These covers also tend to be on the cheaper side, only coming in at around $150-200 on average. However, these covers are not designed to be thermal, making them fairly unsuitable for tubs that can reach high heat.
Hard Hot Tub Covers – Another popular type of hot tub cover is the hard cover. The materials used to make these covers is what gives it its name. Vinyl is wrapped around foam cores, creating a much tougher cover that seals the tub more tightly. Hinges are usually placed along the center of the cover, allowing users to fold it back onto itself.
These hard covers must be made to fit the specific dimensions of the tub due to their more sturdy and immovable nature. This does mean, however, that these covers can be difficult to move, especially by just one person. These covers, due to their efficient sealing qualities, are often used for tubs with higher heat ranges.
Aluminium hot tub covers – The final primary type of hot tub cover is the aluminium cover range. These aluminium covers have much of the same features and properties as hard covers, having a foam core at its centre. This core is not wrapped by vinyl, however, but wedged between two separate aluminium plates.
These covers provide the lightweight feel of soft covers with the sturdy and reliable functionality of a hard cover. Unfortunately, aluminium covers rarely come with decent straps, meaning that it often falls into the water beneath. These covers are also fairly expensive, usually setting you back around $1200-1500.
6 Things To Look for When Choosing A Hot Tub Cover
When choosing a hot tub cover that is suited to your specific model, you should be on the lookout for several key things.
Cover Material – The first aspect has already been mentioned above briefly. You must be sure of the material you want your cover to be made from. Each material/combination of materials has its own various functionalities. For example, covers made from vinyl tend to be more lightweight yet do not insulate hot tubs effectively.
Core material – The vast majority of hot tub covers have a foam core. This foam core can vary in terms of thickness and size. The weight of this foam core affects something known as the R Value. This R value is a measurement for the tub’s energy efficiency. Similarly, the thickness (also referred to as the core’s density) of foam determines how much weight and pressure the cover can withstand.
When looking for a hot tub cover it is fairly important that you know what weight you want it to be. Covers usually range from about 1 pounds to 2. The two-pound cover will insulate the tub more efficiently and will offer a greater weight-bearing capacity.
Waterproof membrane – It is also important that you make sure the foam core of the cover is sealed properly. If a cover is not sealed entirely this can cause it to take on water, eventually leading to a whole host of issues. This often makes covers heavier within a very short amount of time, making them very difficult to remove or move. Water-logged cores will also lower the overall effectiveness of the cover’s insulation which can cause a price increase in your electricity bills.
Quality Hinges – You should also make sure that the hot tub cover has effective hinges at its center. Perfect hinges should not allow any heat to escape through the cover’s mid-section but should also still be loose enough so that you can easily move it when you need to.
How it looks – When searching for your ideal hot tub cover it is easy to get overwhelmed in seas of meaningless statistics and useless jargon. But there is something that should not be forgotten when buying the cover: how it looks. You should choose a cover that appeals to your eye, choose a one that fits your tub’s general aesthetic, or just choose one that you think looks fun and inviting. Just because the cover is completely functional does not mean that it has to be boring.
UV Resistance – There are a few little details that you may want to look out for when buying a hot tub cover. One such detail is finding out if the cover is resistant to UV. UV rays cause fading, so you may want to get a cover that protects against that. The quality of the cover should also, obviously, be researched.
There are a variety of cover quality levels ranging from single stitching to reinforced stitching. Find a cover that suits your personal needs for an affordable price. If you have small children or pets, you may want to invest in a safety lock that ensures that the cover cannot be removed with unlocking it first.
Why Do You Need A Hot Tub Cover?
Let’s be honest here, hot tub covers are not cheap. They probably never will be. Even on sale these things can set you back over $500. Even the cheapest, least effective options are still around the $200 mark. So, you may be asking yourself, “Do I really need a hot tub cover”.
The simple answer is, unfortunately, yes.
Whilst you can use and maintain your tub without one, the benefits of owning an effective cover far out way the initial somewhat intimidating asking price. Below are just a few of the reasons why it is important to own and use a hot tub cover.
The first, and possibly most important benefit of owning a cover revolves around safety. If you have small children or animals, then a hot tub can quickly become a hazardous place. Open bodies of water and unsupervised things don’t tend to mix well. A hot tub cover is an easy solution to this, preventing access to for those that can’t physically remove it. Safety locks are also available for those who want to take extra precautions.
Owning a hot tub cover can make your hot tub drastically more energy efficient. The vast majority of a hot tub’s maintenance cost comes directly from its need to be constantly heated. With an effective cover, these costs can be minimised as the cover will insulate the tub, keeping the heat in and subsequently keeping the temperature of the tub at an optimal level, ensuring that it doesn’t need to be constantly heated. This saves the user a great deal of time, effort, and money.
Hot tub covers can also be used to protect your tub from inclement weather. A tightly secured and fully weighted cover will ground the tub, protecting it against harsh winds. A good cover will also ensure that heavy rainfall or snowfall will not affect the tub at all. Without a cover, inclement weather may lead to hazards occurring and additional maintenance costs due to damage. Instead, save that money ahead of time and invest in a good hot tub cover that ensures no damage occurs.
If you live in a hot climate then a hot tub cover goes a long way to reduce water loss via evaporation. Similarly, the cleanliness of the water inside the tub is inherently higher when using a cover as no outside contaminants will affect the water when it is not in use. It is vital to keep the chemistry of the water inside the hot tub at a similar level between refills. Those who do not own a cover will end up emptying their tub much more frequently in order to keep the water clean.
Measuring Your Hot Tub
To ensure that your chosen hot tub cover is right for your specific tub, you must measure the dimensions of the tub. The easiest way to do this is by measuring from lip to lip. Lip to lip measuring is when you attach the tape measure to one side of the outer acrylic layer and measure the distance it is to the other outer end.
Do this for both the length of the tub and the width. This should give you a relatively accurate measurement. A commonly done practice when measuring your tub via a lip to lip measurement is to add an additional one or two inches to the final measurement. Doing this gives your purchased cover a little bit of wriggling room in case it doesn’t come perfectly sized.
A slightly trickier measurement to take is the hot tub corner radius. It is widely suggested that you use a carpenter square tool to measure this radius. Place the carpenter square against one of the hot tub’s corners, making a right angle. Measure the distance between where the right angle starts (where the two edges of the carpenter square meet) and where the acrylic lip starts to curve. This can also be done by using two tape measures or rulers and creating a right angle from them.
The Different Shapes Of Hot Tub Covers
When buying a hot tub cover you may have to choose one that has a specific shape. The shape of the cover will be determined by the shape of the tub itself. There are quite a few shape options to choose from, here is a brief rundown on just a few of the most popular hot tub cover shapes.
Square and rectangle covers are probably the most commonly bought shapes, covering the vast majority of hot tubs. Before purchasing these covers, make sure that you have measured the area of your tub (its width and length). This can be done via a simple lip to lip measurement.
Round hot tub covers are another popular shape. These covers also only require a simple lip to lip measurement to find the area of the tub. Octagon covers can be found easily online but measuring these tubs can be slightly trickier. Make sure you find a guide to help you accurately measure the area of the tub.
There are also some slightly more varied hot tub cover shapes designed for use with irregularly shaped tubs. Tubs with speaker bumps, cut outs, rails, waterfalls and controls may need a specially designed hot tub cover. This will have to be measured accurately to ensure that the cover stretches over every part of the tub whilst also maintaining a tight seal.
Related Questions
How Long Does A Hot Tub Cover Last? A hot tub cover’s lifespan can vary on a number of factors. The material used, the weight of the cover and the surrounding climate and weather patterns are all determining factors in how long a cover can last. Maintaining your cover and keeping it clean is the best way to extend the cover’s lifespan and effectiveness. Keeping your hot tub in a protective structure that offers overhead protection is a good way to keep the cover in pristine condition for longer.
When Is It Time To Replace Your Cover? You should make a point to inspect your cover regularly. You should keep on the lookout for any tears in the material and any signs of mold or staining. If these occur, then it may be time to purchase a new cover. If the cover is not sealing the tub effectively then the cover may need to be replaced as this can lead to heat loss.
Furthermore, if the binding straps are no longer maintaining a tight and secure grasp then the security of the tub may be in question. Similarly, if the cover has become heavier or it has started to sag then it could be time to get a replacement cover as this could indicate that the interior of the cover has been irreparably damaged.
How Do You Keep Your Cover Clean?
Keeping your hot tub cover clean extends its lifespan and effectiveness. Cleaning the cover should be a relatively easy task. Simple cleaning requires you to wipe off any dirt that has accumulated on top of the cover. This can be done with a wet cloth. Specific cleaning products can be bought that both clean and strengthen the cover, but this is an optional choice.
Andrew Hind
This post was created by Andrew. Enjoyer of hot tub soaking, fine cheese, music and photography.