Hot Tub Covers: Buying Guide for Hot Tub and Spa Covers

Hot tub covers are absolutely essential for maintaining the performance and aesthetic of your hot tub.  Even though they can be a small additional expense, a cover is one accessory your family needs to ensure that having a spa is a relaxing experience, not a stressful one.  If you’re trying to buy a hot tub cover in Tyler, Longview, or anywhere in East Texas, stop by one of our showrooms today or give us a call.

If you’re still researching hot tub covers, consider the following:

Purpose

The purpose of buying a cover is to protect your spa from the elements.  Without protection, leaves, insects, rainwater, and other debris can (and will) fall into your spa, wreaking havoc. In addition, one of the most important jobs it takes care of is insulation.  Spas are meant to be left warm the majority of the time, and without one, your energy bill will skyrocket!

Cost

On average, when you buy a hot tub and spa cover you’re looking at a purchase of a few hundred dollars (with some exceptions).  Purchase, while not an incorrect word, is probably not the best description.  Investment is more accurate.  A well made cover will be strong, durable, and will last for years. Of course, the price will vary depending on the cover’s size and thickness.  We don’t recommend necessarily purchasing the absolute cheapest, bargain store spa covers as the quality may be subpar.

Considerations

These are the most important considerations when buying a hot tub cover for your East Texas home:

Size & Shape

Hot tubs come in all shapes and sizes. There are tubs in the shape of perfect squares, rectangles, circles, ovals, and even triangles. Some have square corners; others are rounded. Before looking at a single cover, make sure you know your hot tub’s shape, size (dimensions), and corner type (if applicable).

Thickness

Hot tub covers of the past were thin, flimsy, and a poor match for precipitation. Rain and snow would heap on top and cause the cover to sink in the middle, bending until it was irreparably damaged. Today’s covers are much thicker and stronger. The average thickness for warm and temperate climates is 4” to 6”.  However, if you live in a particularly cold climate (not Texas), you’ll need to go a bit thicker by a couple of inches.

Taper

Covers used to be completely flat.  It seems intuitive, but that’s actually what caused rain and snow to settle in the middle.  Newer covers are tapered from the middle to the outer edges, like a gable roof, only not as steep. The least expensive taper is usually 4” to 2”, followed by 5” to 3”. You may also see 6” to 4”, which is an excellent option if you can budget for it.

Foam Density

You remember high school physics, right? Density is one of the main factors that contribute the a material’s ability to insulate. The high density foams commonly found in hot tub covers are better at insulating than low density foams. The most common densities are 1 lb, 1.5 lbs, and 2 lbs.  Again, if you can budget for it, the denser option is typically the better option.

Outer Material

There are a few choices of outer materials on hot tub covers. However, we’re only going to cover (pun intended) one and that is marine grade vinyl with UV inhibitors. It’s waterproof and stands up to the sun’s harsh rays quite well. You’ll likely come across covers with fabric outers, and while they’re not terrible options, they won’t last nearly as long as vinyl. We want you to get the most bang for your buck.

Cover Lifts

With all this talk of size and thickness and density, you’ve got to be wondering – aren’t hot tub covers heavy? The answer is yes, they can be heavy. If you struggle to lift moderate to heavy weight, a cover lift could be a great investment.  These automatic lifts will open and close your hot tub with the touch of a button.  All you have to do is relax.

Care

Like most investments, some maintenance is required. A bottle of hot tub cover cleaner and protectant will serve you well. Simply spray it on and wipe it down. This will help remove dirt, dust, mildew, and even protect the cover from UV damage.

Deluxe Covers

A regular, foam cover is really all you need to protect your spa. But, if you’re looking to go beyond protection and want a really unique experience, we recommend a Covana Cover. This company makes automated hot tub covers that lift up to create a gazebo when in use. It’s really something special.