Hot Tub

What Every Buyer Needs To Know Before Buying A Hot Tub

• Size

  Choosing the right size is key. Hot tubs typically can seat anywhere between two and 12 people. Measure up the space in your outside space and consider who is going to use your hot tub. Will it be mostly for gatherings? Or for smaller groups? Whatever purpose you want it for, it must fit in your garden, and this will be the main limitation.

• Seating

  Seating in the hot tub is key, and choosing between upright and lounge seating is a main choice. Some hot tubs provide both, or seats that can be reclined to a lounge setting. If you can, test the seating before buying the hot tub, to make sure that it is comfortable.

• Maintenance Costs

  Consider the maintenance costs. On top of the additional electricity, a hot tub will require, there is the ongoing expense of the filtration system and its replaceable elements.

• Permanent or Temporary

  Will the hot tub be permanent or temporary? The most expensive hot tubs are those that require groundworks with external filtration and a special link to household electrics. The cheapest are inflatable, plugging in to a simple domestic socket. Between the two are above ground hot tubs that can have attractive decking built around them and that have their own in-built filtration systems.

• Material

  Acrylic, inflatable or timber? There's a wide choice of types of hot tub. Those with acrylic construction are by far the most popular and may require a permanent platform of some sort. Inflatable hot tubs are cheaper and ideal for smaller spaces, but require repeated effort to be put up - plus storage when not in use. Pricey timber hot tubs recall the long tradition of spas. They're more expensive, need a permanent siting and also require more after-care.

• Installation

  Always remember that the initial hot tub installation is just the first part. All hot tubs need continuing care to keep them in a usable condition.