How to Shop for a Hot Tub or Spa Cover

Have you ever thought of a hot tub cover as custom-made furniture?  Well, it is. A hard cover is crafted to fit the exact dimensions of your spa so you can obtain a good heat seal and save on energy costs.

My family has owned a Clearwater spa for years, and we replace our hard cover every year or two. We know it’s time to order a new cover when puddles form in the middle, it’s heavy to lift, and the foam core sags, cracks, or breaks.

Wear and tear on the vinyl is another signal that it’s time to replace the cover. Even though I clean and condition the vinyl regularly, and my hot tub is under a gazebo, the vinyl eventually gets brittle, cracked, or torn.

You can custom order a hot tub cover from Rich’s -- our sales representatives will explain how to measure your hot tub so the new cover will fit perfectly.

Here are some other important factors to look for when you’re shopping for a spa cover:

Foam Thickness

Don’t assume that all covers are created equal. While all spa covers are tapered – much like the roof of a house, so rain and snow will run off – the thickness of the foam can vary substantially.

Ask the spa cover salesperson about the load the cover can withstand. Depending on whether your spa is indoors, outdoors, or outdoors under cover, you could need a cover that bears anywhere from 75 lbs to 250 pounds (the greater the load capacity, the heavier the cover).

Foam Density

Foam density (pounds of foam per square inch) is a big determining factor in how long your cover will last, and how well it will perform. The higher the foam density, the longer it will take for your cover to get waterlogged.  A 1.5 lb foam density is considered standard in the industry.

Foam Seal

The foam core has a heat-sealed, vacuum-sealed moisture barrier around it.  Avoid a taped poly wrap, as it leaks easily. Ask what type of sealing techniques the manufacturer uses, and ask for for a poly wrap thickness of at least 3 mil.

Heat Seal Gaskets

You want to prevent heat from escaping between the space where the halves of your cover fold together. Be sure to order a cover with heat seal gaskets.

Hinge

One of the most important parts of your cover, because it gets the most use. Look for a hinge that has several layers of vinyl for added strength.

Scrim (bottom vinyl)

This material on the underside of your cover protects the foam core from moisture. To prevent your foam core from getting waterlogged, and to reduce energy costs, ask for a cover that has a water repellant, mildew resistant, reflective scrim that deflects radiant heat back into the spa water.

Top Vinyl

Make sure the cover uses marine grade vinyl, which doesn’t fade very much, and is treated with Ultraviolet and mildew inhibitors.

Sewing and Finishing

The cover should not have any raw edges or tie offs showing, and should be constructed with cotton-wound polyester thread that has been treated with UV and mildew inhibitors.

Handles and Fasteners

Look for quick-release buckles designed specifically for spas. Get reinforced locking fasteners that color coordinate with your spa cover.

Warranty

Find out if your cover comes with a warranty, what the warranty covers, and how many years it lasts.

Ready to purchase a new cover for your hot tub? Call any of Rich’s five Puget Sound showrooms to custom order yours.

**Rich's also sells CoverMate lifts (pictured above) to make it easy for your to open and close your cover. Made of high-grade, corrosion-resistant aluminum tubing and coated with an exclusive two-part powder coating process, this #1 selling lift will give you years of trouble-free performance.  Every CoverMate comes with an industry-exclusive TowelMate, designed to keep towels close by.