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bath

corrected for whirlpool bath

Hot tub in a Canadian ski resort

A hot tub is a large tub or small pool full of heated water and used for soaking, relaxation, hydrotherapy, reading, or meditation. In most cases, they have jets for massage purposes. Hot tubs are frequently located outdoors, although they may be sheltered against sun, rain, wind, or snow.

There are essentially three different styles of hot tubs:

Simple wooden-staved soaking tubs
Fiberglass-reinforced plastic spas (whirlpool tubs)
Bathtub-sized indoor units

1 Soaking tubs
2 Spas
3 Construction of Home Spas
4 Commonly Used Terms
5 Bathtubs
6 See also

Soaking tubs

This style of tub is constructed much like a very large barrel with wooden staves. The water within is usually still, circulated only for the purposes of heating and filtering it. The tub is often inset within a wooden deck and is entered from that deck. Seating within the tub usually takes the form of wooden benches or a seat that forms a ring around the inner circumference of the tub.

The tub is filled once at system startup and is then maintained in much the same manner as a swimming pool. In simple designs, chlorine is used as a disinfectant. More sophisticated designs use an ozone generator, reducing the amount of chemicals needed to disinfect the water. The tub is heated by electricity or, occasionally, natural gas or propane, or rarely, wood fires.

Spas

This style of tub is very different from the wooden soaking tub. These are usually less deep and manufactured from fiberglass-reinforced plastic formed into shapes that provide a variety of seating arrangements within the tub. Each seat is usually equipped with hydrotherapy jets that allow a forceful flow of water to be directed at various parts of the body. The water flow may be aerated for additional effect and some or all of the jets may also automatically move or rotate, causing the changing pressure of the water on the body to provide a massage-like effect.

These tubs may be free-standing or recessed within a surrounding deck. If free-standing, they are usually entered by climbing a short staircase of one or two steps and then stepping over the side of the tub onto one of the seating areas. A common misconception with hot tubs is that they need external plumbing when in fact most modern units are self contained and consequently only need filling with water.

Although Jacuzzi is probably the best known brand name of spas, the company now concentrates on making bathroom fixtures. The spas currently sold under the Jaccuzzi brand name are actually made by Sundance. Other spas are manufactured by a wide range of mostly-boutique (small production) vendors.

Effective insulation greatly improves the energy efficiency of a spa. There are several different styles of spa insulation: some manufacturers fill the entire cabinet with foam, while others insulate the underside of the shell, the inside of the cabinet, or both. Not surprisingly, many manufacturers advertise the superiority of their approach to insulation, but few independent side-by-side comparisons are available.

Spas usually have several independent water circuits with one providing heating and filtration and the others driving the hydrotherapy jets. Sophisticated computer controls are now common and many tubs now are equipped with extensive lighting, sound systems, and even flat-screen televisions with integrated DVD players.

Construction of Home Spas

The Spa Shell

The spa shell is significant because it is a very visible part of the spa and you want it to stay looking nice. More importantly, though, you want it to remain intact and leak-free because unlike other mechanical components, the shell cannot easily be replaced or repaired if problems develop.

The shell is composed of a surface and an understructure that are bonded together during the manufacturing process. The surface is the source of the color, look and feel of your spa, so it should resist deterioration due to the sun, spa chemicals, or normal wear and tear. Some high-end shells have special coatings to make them more stain resistant and even anti-bacterial ingredients molded right into the shell material.

The understructure of the shell is the source of its strength. It is the main reinforcement for the shell, and if it is of poor quality the shell will tend to bubble, crack or even delaminate and come apart. If the understructure is not built with sufficient strength and durability, the shell will be unable to withstand prolonged pressure from the heavy weight of water in the spa.

The Cabinet

The spa cabinet is significant because it is the other very visible part of your spa. If the cabinet deteriorates or otherwise decays in some manner, your hot tub will become an eyesore and may even fail structurally.

For many years, spa cabinetry was made of wood, most commonly redwood or cedar, and this is still a popular choice today. The quality of wood has a direct effect on the color and overall look of the cabinet, and on its longevity. Wood cabinets require regular maintenance, though, especially in climates where they are exposed to wind, rain, snow, or the drying effects of hot sunlight. Typical maintenance includes staining the wood annually, plus taking precautions to keep water from pooling and standing in contact with the wood, which can cause it to rot.

Synthetic materials are becoming very popular because they require little or no maintenance to keep their handsome looks. Early versions of synthetics looked very “plastic” and cheap, but modern synthetics have a rich, elegant look that spa owners really like. Coupled with their easy care and long life, synthetics are thought by many to be the wave of the future in spa cabinetry.

Whatever material you choose for your spa cabinet, it is important to select a cabinet style that allows easy access to internal components such as pumps and heaters. A fully removable panel is best, but a standard access door is acceptable in most cases. The easier it is to access internal parts, the less you will pay in labor charges for any repairs that may come along.

Seating And Jets

The style of seating you choose is a very personal decision. Some people like to have a relaxing lounge seat and dedicated therapy seats, while others prefer a combination of bench seating and therapy seats. For most spa buyers the choice is driven by their intended uses for a spa.

For instance, if hydrotherapy will be the primary use then it is important to buy a hot tub with therapy seats in the appropriate shape and jet configuration for the body area that will be the focus of therapy. If socializing and entertaining are at the top of the priority list, though, then it is important to buy a spa with seating that makes it easy to accommodate groups of people and facilitate conversation. Bench seating is usually a good choice for buyers with this use in mind.

Spa jets, both their position and their function, are another important choice that is personal in nature. Buyers primarily seeking hydrotherapy benefits from a hot tub usually favor multi-functional jets that provide varying massage movement and intensity. However, buyers who are more interested in using their home spa or hot tub for entertaining or other social purposes often prefer standard jets, in varying quantities and positions.

Commonly Used Terms

Home Spa – generally made with an acrylic shell; surrounding cabinet may be made of wood or synthetic materials; can be used to describe an above ground, in-ground, indoor or outdoor spa.

Hot Tub – name originally given to the earliest spas that were typically round, made of wood, and located outdoors; now is commonly used interchangeably with the phrase ‘home spa’.

Portable Hot Tub/Portable Home Spa – name for any hot tub/home spa that is pre-assembled and sits above ground; actual size and features of a portable hot tub vary widely, from small portable hot tubs that weigh only a few hundred pounds and are quick to set up to large tubs that weigh several thousand pounds and require specific installation methods and electrical wiring.

Jacuzzi® Hot Tub – Brand name Jacuzzi® is a well-known manufacturer of home spa systems; "Jacuzzi" is often used as a generic reference to any home spa or hot tub

Bathtubs

Much smaller spas are now commonly available for installation within an ordinary bathroom. Resembling conventional bathtubs, they are filled afresh for each use, don't contain any heating or filtration mechanisms, and usually contain just one hydrotherapy water circuit. They may accommodate one or sometimes two people simultaneously.