Hot Tub Covers

7 things need to consider before buying Hot Tub Covers

2009-06-18T13:00:00.000-07:00

Hot Tub Covers

Yes, I already can collect 7 things on it. If we flashback to the last decade, people use different types and ways of material to close spa tub, the transformation that they use is started from wood planks, to plastic tarp, to rocks, and also more advance material like Styrofoam. And also move to, as plastic bubble covers mostly. This all transformation is use to keep their hot tub clean and the water warm.
Let's explore the anatomy of a spa cover and its important components: the Foam Core, the Vinyl Covering, the Heat Seal, the Safety aspects, and what holds it all together.

The Foam Core
The foam core interior is the heart of the spa cover. Foam cores provide strength, rigidity and insulation for the cover. The life of the core is directly related to its strength and how it is sealed. Ask your hot tub dealer to show you how the plastic seals around the core. This is critical to an effective vapor lock seal around the foam core for longer life. Adding a taper to the hot tub cover allows for efficient water run off—very helpful in wet climates. A 3.5" to 2.5" taper provides a strong cover, especially at the corners where lesser taper can weaken long-term stability of the foam.

Most hot tub covers are built with standard EPS foam core of 1.5 lb. density, tapered 3.5" to 2.5", delivering excellent strength and insulation. A 2.0 lb. density provides extra durability and insulation, useful for larger spas. The foam cores are only as strong as they are reinforced. Support is critical at the midpoint (hinge) of the cover, for added strength along the spine of the foam cores. A minimum of 16 gauge non-corrosive, reinforcing channel will ensure long life even through repeated use.

The foam core is the mother thing that you need to consider in buying a new hot tub cover. It will provide strength, rigidity and insulation for the cover. Ask your dealer about this thing.

The Vinyl Covering
First of all, let me tell you something, vinyl hot tub cover is the latest invention of hot tub covers industry. By this new standard the energy saving will efficiently saved, heat conservation and safety element. Today almost every hot tub sold is shipped with a cover.

Ok, lets we started. First of all before buying a hot tub covers, you must make sure the vinyl should pass an accelerated UV test for 1500 hours of UV resistance, and be treated for mildew resistance, chlorine resistance, and a -40 degree cold crack. Tub made with at least 25 ounce, durable marine grade vinyl, treated to resist the impact of UV rays and extreme temperatures. From this, our hot tub cover will give us the best proper maintenance for a beautiful appreance and years of maximum performance. All factors above you must consider in buying the hot tub cover because it will exposed to sun, rain snow, chemicals and more that will decrease the ability of that hot tub cover.

Another thing that you must consider to buy hot tub covers that paste with vinyl because, at the bottom of the hot tub cover is exposed to stress of chemical. Because of you use the vinyl type of hot tub covers, it will formulated to withstand on going exposure to these harsh environment.

Hot Tub Covers Design.
The weft structure creates an interlocking of fibers to protect the foam core and its plastic seal. The cover should have at least one or more drain holes on each underside half of the cover to control water accumulation between the core and the bottom vinyl. Better manufacturers dress their drain hole with a scratch resistant, color coordinating grommet.

Labeled as a Safety Cover.
Every product that produce will more confirm follow the safety rule if that product was inspected by a third-party. ASTM Safety Cover Standard F1346-91 is standard label that must followed by manufactures, make sure that hot tub covers labeled on it.

Hinge Seal
Basically this thing will prevent heat loss at the hinge. So, without a seal at the inside and outside of the cover hinge heat loss will happen. So, make sure you ask the manufacture about this problem.

Warranties
Depending on place or environment that you put the hot tub cover, you must acknowledge that good cover manufacture will you 3 or more years in warranty.

Dealer Support
A good manufacture will concern about their product. Not just make money but not care enough about customer need. Make sure, there is also include plan that covered by manufacture after you buy hot tub covers. So, it much easier for you to solve any problem on hot tub covers that you buy before. Recommend, if the time that you can ask them free help in warranty period.

Tip 1
Make sure you know what you need to know when buy a new thing for you. This method will prevent bad thing especially on money loss factor. Make sure in your mind, dealer is like an enemy for you. Because what ever it takes this dealer must sale to you. So the conclusion is dealer’s objective only to sale product but not the one that concern your life.

Tip 2
They can also order you an original factory replacement. Your local dealer has an established relationship with the hot tub manufacturer, a valued investment in working with you and in your community. Wherever possible, we suggest you purchase your hot tub cover from your local dealer. When you visit your local dealer, you know what product you are getting and you know how they will care for you.

Tip 3
Hot tub covers insulating capabilities are assessed using what we call "R-value." The general rule is that the higher the R-value of a hot tub cover, the better.

Tip 4
If the foam is damaged there isn't a cheap and easy fix. If the vinyl is damaged then the fix is easy and cheap.

Hot Tub Covers

Hot Tub Covers Related Video

2009-06-18T12:52:00.000-07:00

Hot Tub Covers

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Hot Tub Covers

How to repair hot tub cover?

2009-06-18T12:49:00.000-07:00

Hot Tub Covers

Trouble shooting your hot tub problems by your own hands is totally outrages. However you are advice to call your dealer if you are still in warranty period. If not, just buy some expert to do the work and learn something from it. Don’t just waiting he or she repair it while you watching television or else.

Almost all house have a pet with them. Especially for cat and dog. This 2 example creature not even have a brain that can think like a human. So, don’t always believe that your pet will provide safe environment for you forever. Like an example below,

Actually this example I collect this morning on the internet.

First

Let say if your dog just tore the dog tore the vinyl top of the hot tub cover to shreds. And you can’t afford a new one right now. So what you do?

Solution
First of all don’t use a duct tape to put it back because there is no other way to repair it.
But there is another solution up to that problem, which is when you can afford one, ask your local spa store to find a "bone pile" cover that will fit your spa. They are much cheaper.

Another think if you have a problem with hot tub covers, I just find some manufacture that can afford less for you. He one of Cedar Mountain Spa Covers company, at 1-208-772-9176 if you want find one like problem above in their stock and they will send you one. Email he at stefsnyd@hotmail.com. Tell him about what problem that you knew him. Maybe this will remind him again after a long time. And also, you can him measurements of your spa and he could make a cover for you, is the styrofoam in good shape still? Just let he knows.

Second problem that I find is.
How can you repair a hole in my hot tub cover

Things you will need to repair the damaged vinyl:
1. A can of waterproof vinyl glue suitable for patching vinyl. You can find this stuff at your local pool store. Its commonly used to patch holes in vinyl pools. It should cost no more then ~$20
2. The same grade of material that your spa cover is made from, ideal the same colour. Typically, most spa covers are skinned with marine grade vinyl and your local pool store should help you with this again. Alternatively, an upholster should also help you with this. You will need enough material to cover the damaged area in order to make a patch plus a little bit bigger. So that means if you have a 2cm x 2cm damaged area make the patch bigger then the hole (like 3cm x 3cm). If your lucky they might give you some scraps for free.

Cut the patch so that it has rounded corners. This will ensure that the edges won't uncurl and the patch comes off. Apply a liberal amount of glue to the underside of the patch and flatten it down. Allow the glue to dry for at least 24hrs.

And BAM you’re done.

Adapted from yahoo answer

Hot Tub Covers

How to Select Hot Tub Covers

2009-06-04T10:19:00.000-07:00

How to Select Hot Tub Covers

Step 1

To select the best hot tub covers that adequate with your is a the location or the environment of the current situation. Consider the amounts of sun, cold, rain, wet snow and snow your spa covers will receive. Each of these basic prove is a factor in selecting the best hot tub covers, and will provide the best value for your investment.

For example, if you live in a temperate climate, lets say California, you will be more concerned with wet weather than with the hot tub covers insulation. If you live in Buffalo, you will need to consider both cold and snow loads. However, if you live in Buffalo and a gazebo covers the hot tub cover, the only consideration will be the hot tub cover’s ability to insulate, keep heat in and heating bills low.

Step 2

R-Value = A Measure Insulation Efficiency

The R-value for hot tub covers is a numerical calculation that is the measure of cover’s ability to insulate. The higher the number, the better the hot tub covers will keep the heat in and the cold out, and reduce your heating bill.

The R-value of a cover is determined by two main factors, the thickness of the foam core and the density of the foam core.

Step 3

Hot Tub Covers - Thickness

Hot tub covers come in varying thicknesses. Most covers are thicker in the middle (at the fold) and thinner at the edges so rainwater will run off. This is called the cover’s “slope”. Typical cover slopes are 4” – 2”, 5” – 3” and 6” – 4”. For indoor environments, non-sloping or flat hot tub covers can be used.

The R-Value is calculated by multiplying the R-factor of the foam density times the thickness of the foam. For example, if the cover’s slope is 5” – 3” or 4” thick on average, the R-Value would be the R-Factor times 4. The thickness of the hot tub covers is a more important factor in the overall R-Value than the density as will be explained further below.

Step 4

Hot Tub Covers - Density

Hot tub covers also come in varying densities of foam cores. Typical densities are 1.0 pound, 1.5 pound and 2.0 pound. The “pound” means the number of pounds of raw material used per unit when the foam is made. The foam core will be exactly the same thickness for each density, but the foam will be denser and therefore stronger.

Denser foam cores also tend to absorb less water as the air spaces between the foam is reduced.

Step 5

Hot Tub Covers - R-Value Calculations

Thickness is the #1 critical factor for the hot tub covers overall R-Value. Keep in mind that the cover as a whole is a different R-Value calculation. The hot tub covers core is only one of the elements of the overall cover R-Value. The example below are ONLY for the hot tub cover’s foam core, and will mathematically prove that the cover’s thickness is a more important factor than the cover’s density.

6 inch – 4 inch slope, 1.0 pound foam = R-20.85
Average foam thickness = 5 inches
1.0 pound foam’s R-factor is 4.17 at 40 degrees F
R-value of the foam is 5 X 4.17 = 20.85

5 inch – 3 inch slope, 2.0 pound foam = R-19.04
Average foam thickness = 4 inches
2.0 pound foam’s R-factor is 4.76 at 40 degrees F
R-value of the foam only would be 4 X 4.76 = 19.04

A 5–3 cover with 2.0# foam has a lower R-Value than a 6–4 cover with 1.0# foam, and typically costs more!

Wish you all the best in selecting the best Hot Tub Covers.

This articles ‘how to selecting hot tub covers’ was provide by the ehow.com.