Do you live next to a Nosey Nellie or a Talkative Tom? Trying to relax in your hot tub in full view of the neighbors isn’t exactly relaxing. Or maybe your hot tub area faces an uninspiring alley, garage, or train tracks. Thankfully you don’t need to fence in your entire yard to create a private oasis. Here are five ways to shield against prying eyes and create hot tub privacy.

1) Pergola

A wood pergola is a lovely way to create a beautiful shelter. Incorporate slates on any side that you want screened. You can customize the pattern to look like diamond garden trellis, vertical or horizontal panels, or small open squares. This allows sunlight and any breezes to pass through while providing a discrete retreat.

If you want to totally enclose your hot tub, add a gazebo. Some customers go with solid walls while others prefer mesh screens or opaque resin. If you like winter soaking, a gazebo even helps protect your hot tub area from snow and hard winds.

Another great fact about pergolas or gazebos for hot tub privacy is that they can be built later. While considering structure construction in preparation for your hot tub might make things slightly easier, it is completely feasible to add one down the road, as well.

2) Half Wall

One of the simplest options is to build a freestanding wall. This solution serves as a mini fence that discourages onlookers. It can be constructed of natural wood or composite materials. What’s nice is that these walls can double as a storage rack if you add hooks or shelves. Privacy and a place to hang your towels – now that’s smart!

3) Outdoor Curtains

Borrow an idea from outdoor patios and hang curtains around your hot tub. These heavy-duty fabrics withstand the elements and are supported by sturdy rods. You can choose any color to match your decor. They also have the added bonus of creating shade, which can be welcomed on sunny days. You’ll feel like you’ve escaped to your favorite tropical resort.

4) Hot Tub Cover

That’s right, your hot tub cover can provide, well, cover! Your cover lifter can multitask as a partition when it’s in the open position. That’s because it provides several feet of vertical privacy. All you have to do is position the lift to open on the side of the hot tub you want to block. Both of our hot tub brands: Marquis Spas and Hot Spring Spas offer cover lifter options that can solve this for you!

5) Tall Landscaping

There’s nothing like a row of hedge bushes or leafy trees to create a nature barrier! Many garden centers and nurseries carry dwarf trees and petite evergreens that are ready to plant. Even with just one growing season, you can establish a beautiful line of ornamental grasses – some grow up to 8 feet tall!

Looking for ways to surround your hot tub with a little more privacy? Follow us on Facebook! We love to share creative ways that our customers have decorated and incorporated hot tubs into their outdoor spaces. You might just find inspiration that works for your home too!

Do you remember the story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears? She kept trying beds until she found the “perfect” fit. Setting your hot tub to the ideal temperature can feel the same way! Sometimes all it takes is a willingness to experiment. Luckily there is a range of degrees where you can find just the right warmth for your hot tub.

98-100 Degrees

If you aren’t sure where to start, go for the lower end. Some people prefer temperatures that hover around 98.6 degrees, our average body temperature. Think about how toasty you like your showers or baths. If you like them a little on the cooler side, you’ll probably enjoy a hot tub that has a milder feel.

Lower temperatures are also fantastic on scorching days. Or maybe you just worked out and want the benefit of keeping your muscles loose without feeling overheated. Plus little kids and the elderly may be more comfortable in this range.

101-104 Degrees

Most hot tub users love soaking in the low 100s. This temperature span is the default for most models but that’s for a good reason! Water elevated above our body core feels marvelous. It’s a great way to soak away tension, both physical and mental. And especially if you love winter soaks, this hot water level is an amazing contrast between the chilly air.

Never Higher than 104 Degrees

A friendly reminder – there’s a good reason there’s an upper limit to hot tub temperatures. Just like hot weather can be deadly to humans, so can water that’s too hot. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission states hot tub water should be kept at around 100 degrees and no higher than 104 degrees:

“Soaking in a hot tub with water heated to 106 degrees Fahrenheit, for example, can raise human body temperature to the point of heat stroke (or impairment of the body’s ability to regulate its internal temperature). These conditions can be fatal even to fully healthy adults.”

Thankfully, all modern hot tubs have safeguards that limit the temperature from spiking above these presets. You can always keep a separate thermometer on hand as a backup though, just for peace of mind.

60 Degrees with CoolZone

If you really want a unique hot tub experience, try the CoolZone System by Hot Spring Spas. This feature allows you to significantly lower your water temperature – all the way down to 60 degrees!

Imagine a sweltering day in August and slipping into chilled but not freezing water. Or alternating between a sauna and immersing yourself in balmy water. CoolZone is also a great option for anyone who is heat sensitive but still appreciates soaking.

Is it time to buy your first hot tub or replace an old model? We carry Hot Spring Spas and Marquis Spas. Come visit us Monday-Friday from 10am-6pm or Saturdays from 10am-4pm to see which models are available!

A quality hot tub can last for 10-20 years. It’s pretty amazing to think you’ll experience thousands of hours of relaxation! But like any machine, you’ll eventually need to replace your hot tub. How do you know when to “throw in the towel” though? Here are four signs that your spa is at the end of its life.

1) Repair After Repair

All hot tubs require maintenance. But just like a car, repairs become more frequent and expensive as the tub gets older. Mechanical parts are some of the first to wear out. These aging components often cause performance issues. You might hear unpleasant noises whenever the tub runs or notice that the water takes longer to heat up. Your spa may also have difficulty maintaining temperature. Some of these problems are easy to fix, but if they keep reoccurring, then they might not be worth the money.

It’s also possible that your tub shell will begin to fail. For example, cracks or blistered acrylic may start appearing. Sometimes the cabinet begins to rot or fall apart. These exterior defects can cause serious problems because they allow water to seep into your spa interior, damaging electrical equipment and insulation.

2) Not The Right Size

Another common reason to get a new hot tub is to change the size! Sometimes families find that a 4-person spa is just a little too cozy once there are kids or grandkids. Or a couple loves to entertain but has more friends than hot tub seats. Owners might also move to a new home and realize that a bigger back yard means they can finally upgrade their hot tub.

But sometimes “downgrading” to a smaller tub is exactly what you need. We see this a lot with empty nesters who no longer need 8-person capacity. When it’s “just the two of us,” a cozy 2- or 3-seat spa is just the right fit.

3) Limited Features

There’s a huge difference between a hot tub built in 2000 vs. 2020 – we’ve come a long way in two decades! There are a ton of enhanced features and unique options that simply weren’t available 20 years ago. Just think about how much LED lighting has improved in that time.

There are plenty of good reasons to want a recent tub model. For starters, many have quieter pumps and jets. Color-changing lights and improved audio systems also add a whole new ambience. And the variety of water features such as fountains and waterfalls have also expanded.

Plus digital controls have made huge leaps and bounds. Today’s built-in and detachable displays make it easy to adjust your spa functions. Marquis and Hot Spring even have apps that allow you to monitor and change temperature. It’s pretty cool to schedule maintenance cycles right from your smartphone.

4) Dated Look

The average kitchen or bathroom remodel is every 10 years – sometimes you are just ready for a change. Maybe your cabinet is faded from the sun or you simply don’t like the shell color anymore. You have more choices than ever to pick a hot tub style that suits your aesthetics.

We particularly love Marquis Environments, which are modules that create a true outdoor living space. And the Hot Spring Highlife Collection has six modern cabinet styles: walnut, driftwood, bronze, brushed nickel, sandstone, and shale. Both manufacturers offer coordinated accessories such as umbrella shades, handrails, steps, and storage.

Finally, eco-friendly customers will be happy to hear that a new hot tub is more energy efficient. Major engineering improvements in insulation, pumps, and heaters make a huge difference. A lower electricity bill is good for your wallet and the environment.

Visit us Monday-Friday from 10am-6pm or Saturdays from 10am-4pm to see which hot tub model is right for you!