Choosing A Hot Tub Covers
Quite a few different types of hot tub covers are available for indoor hot tubs, outdoor
hot tubs, jacuzzi hot tubs and portable hot tubs. They serve different purposes and more than
offset their initial expense by the benefits they offer. Here are some of the different kinds
of hot tub covers that are available today. Safety covers, usually aluminum covers, usually
lift or fold away from your hot tub or spa. They are necessary in areas where the hot tub
might be accessible to children, and they prevent unauthorized or accidental entry by
children, pets, or wildlife. They are often quite sturdy and can bear a great deal of weight;
this also helps them to withstand the weight of snow, ice and water in bad weather. Most
safety covers have a layer of insulation to help maintain temperature and reduce heating
costs, and have seals and gaskets to prevent both evaporation and the leakage of rain that can
upset the chemical balance of your hot tub or spa. If you have a spa enclosure or other
protected area for your hot tub where a safety cover isn't mandatory, you will still want hot
tub covers to protect against evaporation and protect the water from windborne debris.
Roll-type covers can either be manually applied or reside on a mechanism that lets you crank
them into position; some mechanisms can be operated electronically. While roll-type covers do
not guarantee that a small animal won't fall through, and are not hermetically sealed to keep
out small particles, they help insulate your hot tub water to maintain a more constant
temperature, and save the cost of chemicals by resisting evaporation that can upset the
chemical balance. Floating blankets are the simplest form of hot tub covers and can be
desirable even if you have another hot tub cover. These blankets, which can also be cut to the
exact size and shape of your hot tub's water surface, can be cheap for hot tubs, and they help
prevent evaporation and reduce heat loss. Many people use floating blankets underneath more
substantial covers to protect the more expensive covers from fading or staining on their
underneath sides that can come from being exposed to evaporation. Also, floating blankets
are lightweight and, if necessary, disposable. Exposure to evaporation can make roll-type
covers heavier over time, as the rising steam affects them. The use of a floating blanket
limits and contains the evaporation, assuring a longer life for your hot tub covers
investment. In summary, the factors you need to consider when choosing hot tub covers are
safety, durability, insulating qualities, and energy efficiency. Aesthetic appeal is another
issue that can easily be addressed by the many colors, styles and even patterns available in
fabric covers and the various colors and finishes available in solid covers for hot tubs. |