Monday, June 2, 2014

Planning for a Spa

Spa or hot tub? In-ground or portable? This guide will help you maneuver through these tough decisions.



Whether you are planning a backdoor retreat or an indoor getaway, you'll need to consider a variety of issues before you purchase and install a home spa or hot tub.

Although less involved than planning for a pool, installing a spa or hot tub isn't a task to be taken lightly.



Key issues you'll need to think about include:




  • Should I get a spa or hot tub?



  • Do I want a portable or in-ground unit?



  • Will it be indoors or outside?



  • What level of disruption will the installation entail?



  • What zoning restrictions will I face?



  • How will my insurance be affected?



  • How can I keep my family and guests safe?






The general distinction between a hot tub and a spa is construction. Hot tubs, first popularized in California, are made of wood. Spas come in a rainbow of shapes and sizes. Most portable spas are made of acrylic while most in-ground varieties are concrete.



Portable spas average between $2,000 and $12,000, depending on size and features. In-ground spas average between $15,000 and $20,000. It is often more cost-effective to build them in conjunction with an in-ground pool.

Aside from costs, the advantages and disadvantages of portable and in-ground spas vary.



Portable Advantages:




  • Portable units can be installed and running within a few hours.



  • These all-in-one units come equipped with the spa, support equipment, and skirting that hides the equipment.



  • Easy to install. They can be operational in a matter of hours.



  • Suitable for small yards.



  • You can take it with you if you move -- unless you have built it into a deck or patio.



  • Typically very energy efficient.



  • They often have more jets than their in-ground counterparts.



  • Because of the standard shapes and sizes, purchasing accessories like covers is easy and economical.






Disadvantages:



  • Difficult to disguise, many portable spas become an unwanted focal point of a landscape, sticking out above the surface.



  • You are limited to the size and shapes offered by manufacturers.








In-ground Advantages:



  • An in-ground spa can add a dramatic effect to your yard.



  • You can customize their shape and size.



  • They can easily be integrated into a deck or patio.



  • Teamed with a pool or other features they can turn your yard into a dramatic landscape.








Disadvantages:




  • They are more costly because, essentially, you are building a miniature pool with water jets.



  • They must be built by a professional.



  • The more features, such as additional jets, increase the cost because of the construction and additional fittings involved.








Read more: http://www.bhg.com/home-improvement/outdoor/pools-spas/planning-for-a-spa/



Visit us: http://energyhousefresno.com/



from energyhouse http://energyhouse.livejournal.com/10835.html

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