All of the information you need to select, buy and care for the perfect hot tub for you and your lifestyle!

CABINETRY

The cabinet to a hot tub is truly what makes it self-contained and portable. In determining the quality of the cabinet you should separate it into two categories; the Interior Frame and Exterior Panels. Each is dependent on the other to provide the hot tub with structural integrity, minimized maintenance, and long lasting beauty.

INTERIOR FRAME
The interior frame is what allows you to put 300 gallons of water (approximately 2400 lbs) into the hot tub and have it last for years into the future. Properly constructed they can provide advantages of having removable access panels. It's also another area that manufacturers can skimp on quality without it being easily discernable. Frames are usually constructed of either wood or steel. Wood is the preferred method but only if the center supports frames is strong enough to sustain the weight of the perimeter coping of the spa. Center supports out of wood should be at least 2" x 4" and ideally be 2" x 6". Steel is generally less expensive for a manufacturer and is adequate for usage but you should make certain that it is protected from rusting. On large hot tubs over 10 feet long and over 45 inches deep you should only use a heavy gauge steel, minimum 14 gauge, ideally 12 gauge construction.

EXTERIOR PANELS
Since most hot tubs require a cover when not in use the panels are the most predominately viewed part of the hot tub and often determine the quality of the appearance. Almost any panel can look adequate when it's brand new sitting on a showroom floor but the quality of the construction and the material will determine how it will look as little as one year after sitting outside on your deck. Some manufacturers use vinyl on the side walls and some even have gone to imitation stone, but today over 95% of all hot tub panels are traditionally made of wood or a synthetic material designed to look like wood. Today only a few manufacturers still make real wood available, because of the amount of maintenance work required by the homeowner. Wood cabinets that are installed outdoors exposed to the ultraviolet rays of the sun need to be lightly sanded and re-stained every 3 to 4 months. Indoor spas require this maintenance to be done a minimum of once a year. If this maintenance is not performed than your new luxury hot tub could look worn and weathered in as little as one year. Quality synthetic cabinets can last for the life of the spa and look new, year after year with little to no maintenance. There are a variety of ways to determine the quality.

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