Your day was long, and all you can think about now is climbing into your relaxing hot tub. But, then you see your neighbors are outdoors, and privacy has just gone out the window. Or, it’s raining out, and you’re not looking forward to sitting there getting soaked while you soak. Fortunately, investing in a hot tub enclosure will allow you to enjoy your hot tub all year without having to give up your privacy or endure the elements.
How to Enjoy a Hot Tub to the Fullest
Enclosures are the answer when you’re trying to figure out how to maximize the benefits of a hot tub. But, you have numerous options to consider when it comes to creating the perfect spa enclosure. First, you need to figure out what you want out of your hot tub experience. Are you using it for relaxation, privacy, family fun or appeal?
You may even want all these things. So, before you call the professionals in to ensure a seamless project execution with structural integrity and cohesive design, you’ll want to be clear on your intention.
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Outdoor vs. Indoor Hot Tubs
So, what’s the difference between outdoor and indoor hot tubs?
Indoor hot tub rooms require the following elements.
- Proper ventilation: Proper ventilation helps air circulate and get drawn out of the area, keeping your home healthy. Screened enclosures will help with this.
- Proper drainage: Floor drains help wandering water due to spills or cleaning the area.
- Vapor/water seals: The design of indoor hot tub rooms must withstand leaks into other areas of the room. If you’re installing a hot tub room in your home and this room is “down to the studs,” you might want to think about installing a waterproof membrane. These create a seal in the floors, walls and wall joints.
- Wall surface coverings: If your hot tub room enclosure walls require paint, ensure it’s high-gloss enamel that helps the water run off, instead of soaking in. It’s simple to clean. Don’t use wallpaper, since it is more likely to peel because of consistent humidity exposure.
Outdoor hot tubs necessitate the following.
- Small backyard decks: Decks are a practical, but beautiful, way of creating attention and appeal in small areas. There are some considerations to contemplate when building and designing a deck to enclose the hot tub. You can build backyard decks to include levels ascending to the top of your tub, making it easier for you to get into and out of your spa. You can add a powder-coated or aluminum railing to provide stability while you enter and exit your hot tub. The deck can have gates, benches or other appealing treatments creating cohesion for the whole area. You can build the sides up to any level, creating your perfect hot tub enclosure.
- Wise material selection: There are numerous types of building material for your deck enclosure. Keep in mind the material’s upkeep, durability and longevity.
Hot Tub Gazebo vs. Enclosure
While a hot tub alone can transform your backyard into a spa-like paradise, an enclosure can be an excellent enhancement for your soaking experience.
If you’re wondering whether you should invest in a hot tub enclosure or gazebo and would like to know the difference between both, keep reading. Below, you’ll learn about the pros and cons of a Jacuzzi spa gazebo vs. an enclosed hot tub
Pros and Cons of Hot Tub Gazebos
A gazebo is a freestanding structure you often see in backyards and gardens. They have a solid sloped roof rising to a central point frequently topped with a decorative finial or cap.
Advantages and disadvantages of gazebos are as follows:
Gazebo Pros
- They provide full overhead protection from rain, snow and sun.
- They often have a polished and elegant appearance right out of the box.
- They could also provide you with an outdoor seating area if they are large enough.
Gazebo Cons
- Depending on how high the railings are, gazebos provide little sideways privacy.
- They block overhead sunlight.
- Generally, they can cost thousands of dollars to buy prebuilt.
Pros and Cons of a Hot Tub Enclosure
While a gazebo is a specific type of structure, an enclosure is an umbrella term for a broader range of structures you can install to either partially or fully surround your hot tub.
For instance, one variety of enclosure is a pergola, which has no walls and features a slatted roof, unlike gazebos. Their roofs are often open-air. However, they may be covered, too. The enclosure may also refer to a freestanding privacy screen, offering no overhead cover, but do offer privacy from the side. A lot of homeowners use trellises as their privacy screens. These can double as an appealing display for hanging flowers and climbing plants.
If you decide to go with a gazebo, understand you will have an obstructed view from your hot tub. You won’t be able to see your backyard completely. On the other hand, if you choose an enclosure, you can get a design with a partially opened roof that won’t obstruct views.
You’ll be able to view the surrounding area of your enclosure entirely through polycarbonate, which is clear like glass. You get a “greenhouse” effect with polycarbonate that you can appreciate in off-seasons. Because many enclosures are made from polycarbonate and aluminum, they are essentially maintenance-free.
Enclosure Pros
- Generally allow for plenty of sunlight.
- Are typically more affordable than gazebos.
- Provide a lot of sideways privacy, in the case of privacy screens.
Enclosure Cons
- Provide no sideways privacy in the case of pergolas.
- Don’t have an elegant appearance right out of the box, compared to gazebos.
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Benefits of an Indoor Hot Tub or Spa
Here are some benefits of indoor hot tubs.
- 1. Privacy: Having your hot tub inside the screened enclosure of your home shields you from nosy neighbors and gazes from other passersby.
- 2. Protection from the elements: When your hot tub is indoors, you don’t need to apply sunscreen or worry about rain, snow or wind. Airborne allergens will not be a concern, and your cover and cabinet will stay unblemished by the elements.
- 3. Convenience: While both outdoor and indoor hot tubs are convenient, a hot tub indoors means you can use it whenever you want, no matter what the season, and you don’t have to put your shoes on to get to it.
- 4. Maximize unused space: If your home is large or you have an “empty nest,” you may have extra room. You can turn unused space into a private paradise in your home by installing a hot tub.
How to Enjoy Your Hot Tub or Spa Year-Round
If you would like to relax in your tub with a glass of wine regardless of the weather, installing an enclosed hot tub will help protect your hot tub from the elements year-round.
Hot tub enclosure designs and styles will vary, and hot tub owners can enjoy them in many climate ranges. Some models and styles may include the following.
- Glass enclosure: You may also use a glass enclosure as a sunroom. It also helps retain heat during the winter or keep the room cool in the summer.
- All-wood enclosure: A completely enclosed wood enclosure is made from weather-resistant materials.
- Open-air lattice enclosure: This type of enclosure provides shelter atop your hot tub from snow and rain.
Be sure to wipe your spa enclosure down after every use, since it is more likely to collect condensation.
Even if you use your hot tub every day of the year, an enclosure should adequately ventilate the room to prevent moisture and steam from warping the building materials. By maintaining proper ventilation for a completely enclosed hot tub enclosure, you’ll prevent mildew and mold from forming in a contained, damp environment.
Protect Your Hot Tub or Spa From the Elements
If you’ve invested thousands of dollars on your hot tub, you’re going to want to keep it as long as you can. Unfortunately, if you keep it exposed to the elements, it’s going to age rather quickly. In the summertime, the sun can cause parts to become dry and crack, and when it snows or rains, some parts may warp and buckle. Any damage can impact your hot tub’s functionality. Building an enclosure over your tub will help make it last a long time.
Having a roof over your head will protect both you and your hot tub from rain, sun and snow. While a cover will preserve your hot tub from the elements, what about the cover? An enclosure will prevent any damage from happening to the cover so it can do its job — protecting your hot tub.
Enclosures withstand snow and load requirements. They have polycarbonate panels that act like a greenhouse and block out harmful UV radiation. Falling debris is a common issue with outdoor hot tubs. Pools have systems to keep twigs, leaves and other debris out, but hot tubs don’t. Debris can get into the pipes and clog the system up, making it unusable. Installing an enclosure is an outstanding way to ensure nothing gets into your outdoor hot tub.
Enjoy Your Hot Tub Outdoors While Remaining Indoors With a Four Seasons Sunroom
A Four Seasons room is a glass-enclosed variety of sunroom. Some of the primary benefits of a Four Seasons room include the following.
- 1. Brings the outdoors indoors: Enjoy year-round serenity, beauty and nature with a Four Seasons room. You’ll benefit from an outdoor living area without having to deal with pests, inclement weather or other intrusions.
- 2. Adds natural light and space: A sunroom fills your home with natural light, and you can enjoy the added space.
- 3. Provides comfort: Enjoy the chilliest winter nights or hottest summer days with the patented glass technology of a Four Seasons room. It allows you to enjoy the sun during the day and gaze at the stars at night.
- 4. Suits year-round living: You can customize the sunroom design and patio enclosure to fit your lifestyle. It will enhance your home’s beauty and value.
- 5. Offers privacy: Having your hot tub in your sunroom will enable you to enjoy your spa privately. You won’t feel like you are under the watchful gaze of your neighbors when you’re enjoying your hot tub experience.
- 6. Saves on energy: Your sunroom-based hot tub won’t use as much energy to keep hot as it would if it was outdoors. It also won’t take as much energy to keep the room heated, since the hot tub will keep it warm. During the summertime, you can open your skylights, windows, etc. and experience a summer breeze while relaxing in your sunroom in your hot tub.
Enclose Your Hot Tub With LifeRoom
Four Seasons’ LifeRoom will help you entertain or relax, depending on what you’re in the mood for. You can turn your backyard into a private paradise. The customizable nature of the LifeRoom allows you to install it wherever you want to connect the outdoors with the indoors. It lets you switch from an inside environment to an outside environment in an instant due to its motorized screens.
All you need to do is press a button, and the LifeRoom’s screens will raise or lower. Let in a breeze, grab a little privacy or keep the bugs out using the remote control. You can control each screen independently, so you can see as much or as little of the outdoors as you like. Thanks to its silent glide design, there aren’t any disturbing motor noises to ruin the ambiance. LifeRoom screens keep out allergens and bugs, and will protect you from as much as 95 percent of UV rays.
LifeRoom LUXE Features
Not only can you enjoy the LifeRoom, but you can also upgrade to the LifeRoom LUXE. The LifeRoom LUXE offers all the same features of the LifeRoom, but with even more luxury.
LifeRoom LUXE offers an array of features designed for alluring outdoor living. It adds a slight glow to each screen with its blue LED mood lighting. Enjoy the ambiance while relaxing in your hot tub, or use the lights to create a festive setting for any party.
There are even built-in climate features enabling you to enjoy the LifeRoom LUXE in the cold or heat as well. The Cool Mist climate system allows you to lower the temperature as much as 40 degrees. Then, there’s the Soft Breeze Technology that will circulate the air, generating a gentle, cool breeze and a heating system to help keep you toasty on chilly days.
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Conservaglass Keeps Your Hot Tub Area Warm All Year
Conservaglass Select was explicitly made for rooms made entirely of glass using innovative glazing technology. It’s exclusive and patented for Four Seasons sunrooms. It has stay-clean technology and advanced construction techniques promising lifelong outstanding performance.
Some benefits of Conservaglass are:
- Fully tempered safety glass
- Made specifically for sunrooms
- Four to six times stronger than regular glass
- Shatters into harmless rounded pellets if broken
- Easy maintenance
- Reflects 86 percent of the sun’s radiant heat, but still allows light through
- Reflects 91 percent of the sun’s UV rays
- Reduces fabric fading
- Made for reducing glare to a comfortable level
Conservaglass excels in all essential categories, including energy efficiency, longevity, maintenance, safety and strength.
Contact Maryland Sunrooms, Your Hot Tub or Spa Enclosure Contractor
We’re Maryland’s most reputable sunroom contractors. We can handle all your installation, sunroom design and maintenance needs expertly and reliably. We have expertise in numerous home improvement projects such as patio covers, hot tub enclosures, LifeRooms and Four Seasons sunrooms.
Our friendly, innovative team of sunroom professionals will help you choose and design your alluring and high-quality outdoor covering, sunroom and hot tub enclosures. We’re committed to providing outstanding customer service with personalized, focused attention.
Julie Shetter is the Marketing Director at Maryland Sunrooms. She has over a decade of experience in the home improvement and sunroom industry.