Many
hot tub and spa covers are available on the Internet and in your local
stores. How do you go about selecting the cover that meets your needs?
The following guide covers the attributes that make up a hot tub
or spa cover to help you choose the best cover for you at the best
price.
Foam Thickness
Today all spa covers are tapered so that rain, snow, and ice will run
off easily. You will find covers ranging in thickness from a 3" x 2"
taper to a 5" x 4" taper. The thickness of the foam determines load
capacity, which is the most important aspect of thickness. The thicker
the foam, the more load the cover can bear. For example, a cover with a
4" x 2" taper can withstand approximately 75 pounds of load capacity
before breaking. A 4" x 3" spa cover can withstand 125 pounds of load.
Lastly, a cover with a 5" x 4" taper can withstand a load of 250 pounds.
As with everything, there are tradeoffs; the greater the load capacity,
the heavier the cover. The most important consideration is your climate.
If you have a heavy snow load, you need a heavy cover. Also, if your spa
is at deck level, and people are probably going to walk on it, you will
need a 5" x 4" hot tub cover. If your spa is indoors, a 4" x 2" taper
will be adequate. The best cover for most conditions is the all-season
hot tub cover with a 4" x 3" taper. It has a great load capacity and a
manageable weight.
Foam Density
Foam density, measured by pound per square inch, plays an essential role
in the insulation value and load capacity of a hot tub cover. The three
levels of foam density used today are 1 pound, 1.5 pounds, and 2 pounds.
The lower the poundage, the more open are the cells of the foam,
resulting in a lower R-value, a lower weight capacity, and a higher
saturation point. These three elements are important in your spa cover’s
performance. The foam density determines how many years of service your
hot tub cover will provide. The higher the density of the foam, the
longer it will take for your cover to become waterlogged. In addition,
the higher the density of the foam, the lower the operational costs will
be. If only for this reason, regardless of your climate, get a cover
with the highest density foam available, which is 2 pounds.
Vinyl
The vinyl used in today's quality spa covers is 32 ounces and treated
with ultraviolet and mildew inhibitors. This allows them to last longer
with more hours in direct sunlight and keeps mildew from growing on your
cover. Always make sure the cover you buy is made with marine-grade
vinyl. With the new treatments on marine-grade vinyl, fading is minimal.
If you wish, you can choose a darker color to accent your yard.
Scrim
Scrim is the material on the underside of your spa cover. The main
function of scrim is to protect the foam core from moisture. Many
different types of scrim are available, ranging from cheap mesh to the
latest reflective full backing. Full scrim is recommended for the
underside to protect your foam core. There are also different types of
full scrim. Some are water repellent and some aren’t. The best scrim is
reflective scrim, as it deflects the radiant heat from your spa back
into the spa and reduces your heating costs. More importantly,
reflective scrim is water repellent, which saves your foam core and adds
years of service to your cover.
Poly Wrap
Poly wrap is used to create a moisture barrier around the foam core.
Most poly wraps are 3 mils thick and are vacuum and heat sealed. The
first thing to consider is the thickness. Don’t accept any poly wrap
that is less than 3 mils thick. If possible, buy poly wrap 6 mils thick
or a double vapor seal. This is the best investment. Beware of taped
poly wraps, as they won’t stand up to the moisture in your spa, and
they’ll cause your hot tub cover to become waterlogged.
Locks
You have the option of using two or four locks to secure your hot tub
cover. Four locks are recommended, as the reports of accidental drowning
in spas among small children have been increasing. It’s best to put one
lock in each corner for maximum safety. This will also keep your cover
in place during high winds. Over the years, make sure that you install
new hardware for your locks, as the plastic will wear over time. Try to
put your locks in a different location, as the original location will be
worn.
Reinforcement
A spa cover should have a reinforcing c-channel made either of aluminum
or galvanized steel. Galvanized steel is slightly stronger, but a little
heavier. This is a minor tradeoff, as either material is sufficient.
Cover Protection
You can protect your hot tub or spa cover in many ways. The best way is
to cover it with a cover cap, which is a tarp-like cover with an elastic
hem. It will protect your cover during the winter. Floating solar or
thermal covers will also work. They will protect you spa cover from
harmful chemical condensation that would otherwise corrode the underside
of your spa cover. Hot tub and spa cover lifters will make removing your
cover a one-person job and reduce wear and tear, thus prolonging the
life of your cover. Last, keep your cover clean and conditioned.
Specially formulated hot tub cover cleaners and wipes are available for
this purpose.
Always consult a doctor. The opinion above is just that, an opinion.