Hot tubs can provide a relaxing way to unwind and take in the outdoors, but many consumers make mistakes when shopping for one. If you’re in St. Louis and looking, here are a few types and tips to keep in mind.
Smaller Tubs
Hot tubs bring many benefits to a home, from relieving stress to relieving muscle pain and stiffness and creating opportunities for family and friends to relax together and socialize. But choosing the best hot tubs St Louis possible requires knowing about all your options. This starts by understanding what options exist so that your investment maximizes potential returns.
Buyers should take great care in selecting their hot tub according to its superficial features and designs, including shell color, cabinetry finishes and outer surface coatings – these decisions don’t affect its performance or structural integrity in any way.
If your budget or bathroom space is limited, there are a few smaller hot tub options worth exploring. One such solution could be purchasing a soaking tub that fits efficiently in an alcove while still offering enough room to relax back and submerge legs beneath water.
Alternative hot tub options available to you include portable models that accommodate one or two people and can be brought outside when weather permits. Portable models tend to be less costly than their larger counterparts and often feature lower operating temperatures that reduce energy waste through regular reheating cycles.
Larger Tubs
Shopping for a hot tub requires many considerations. Of the many aspects to keep in mind when purchasing one is how much space your desired hot tub requires – this may not necessarily be possible with all models; however, manufacturers usually provide information regarding how many people the tub seats and its outer dimensions to help narrow your choices down further.
Mistakenly prioritizing price over quality and longevity when shopping for a hot tub can lead to unpleasant surprises once it arrives in your home and doesn’t perform as promised. Be sure to thoroughly research its warranty so you know exactly what services and repairs can be expected from it before making a purchase decision.
Soft-Sided Tubs
Soft-sided hot tubs differ from hard-sided models in that they do not attach directly to your deck or patio, instead resting atop it instead. As they’re more portable and easily relocated when it’s time for change of location or your homeowner decides to sell, these units tend to be sold more frequently through online stores or at trade shows and home & garden fairs.
Although lacking structure, these types of tubs are far from weak or cheap. According to this guide, they are crafted with durable materials that can withstand years of use and feature thicker shells than traditional hot tubs. Many also come equipped with reinforced vinyl liners to make them less susceptible to tears or punctures – an invaluable feature that ensures their tub will stand the test of time.
Soft-sided tub seats are tailored to individual specifications for optimal comfort and ergonomic use, offering options such as lower recline angle for those who like to lie back while they soak, extra jets for more vigorous massages, optional trays to perch drinks on and insulated foam systems similar to what would be found in house building.
Hard-Sided Tubs
Hard-sided tubs offer an appealing permanent aesthetic and are less likely to puncture than their inflatable counterparts, yet can still fit seamlessly with landscaping and save on puncturing costs. Unfortunately, hard-sided tubs may be more expensive (source: https://www.quora.com/How-much-does-it-cost-to-own-and-operate-an-outdoor-hot-tub) and also incur higher energy bills since they must remain warmer for extended periods than their inflatable counterparts.
Rigid-sided tubs tend to be more costly than their soft-sided counterparts, but they offer sleeker aesthetics that blend better into any backyard environment. Their stronger materials make maintenance simpler while they can even be anchored directly into the ground to change up its appearance without altering your pool itself.
Electric Tubs
Most hot tubs use electric heaters to heat their water, which has evolved since early hot tubs used gas heaters to warm their bathwater. There are, however, rarer models which use alternative means like solar panel systems or wood fire burners as ways to warm their tub’s bathwater.
Manufacturers sometimes employ a smaller filtration pump specifically dedicated to running the ozone and water sanitation systems, reducing wear-and-tear on the main jet pump and helping lower electricity costs. Frequent usage will have an impact on operating costs as more energy will be necessary to keep your hot tub at an appropriate temperature.
Warranty coverage should also be an important factor when shopping for a hot tub. Many top-rated brands provide warranties of up to 35 years, providing more value for your dollar. When comparing warranties, be sure to read over their terms and conditions carefully as some brands only back their warranty for one year, which might not give enough peace of mind should you invest heavily.