There is nothing like relaxing in a spa or hot tub after a long, grueling day. You know your spa or hot tub needs to be covered for safety reasons, but is a hot tub cover different than a spa cover? Using the right cover will keep your hot tub or spa safe and running efficiently.

The right hot tub or spa cover can save you money; in fact, it can actually pay for itself within 6 months. The covers are designed to be durable, strong and are made of the best materials. They have also been designed with the high temperatures of your hot tub or spa in mind to and are made to withstand those temperatures.

When you look at hot tub covers or spa covers, there really isn’t much of a difference in the way that they are made, but the shape may be different since hot tubs can be round, square or rectangular. Spas are generally square or rectangular.

All hot tub and spa covers are made in layers. The best quality hot tub and spa covers are thicker, but they taper from one side to the other to allow rain, snow and ice to slip off of the cover much like it would off a house roof. How thick the cover is will determine how much load it can bear and the size is based on the size of your hot tub or spa. If you need a new cover, you will need to measure the unit carefully to ensure a proper fit.

Spa and hot tub covers are made from high-density foam which is placed inside the cover. The density of the foam determines the insulation value, which will affect how warm the water in your spa or hot tub remains. It also affects how much load bearing capacity the cover has and will determine the life of the spa cover. You can get spa or hot tub covers that are 1 pound or 1.5 pounds. The 1.5 pound cover generally is easy to take off and put on your spa or hot tub, is very strong and insulates well. You can find covers with higher foam densities if more load bearing is necessary.

It is absolutely necessary to cover your hot tub or spa. Not only will this keep your electric or gas bill down because it helps your spa or hot tub retain heat, keeping the unit covered when not in use will keep your pets and family, as well as strangers, safe from drowning. Check your area to see if spa and hot tub covers are required to meet specific ASTM standards; you can find out from the local building department. There are also some covers that offer lock down ties as well as cover lifts.

You can find hot tub and spa covers in three types:

Soft covers are the least expensive of all. They are not made with foam cores. This makes the covers easy to fold, light and easy to store. Because they are so lightweight, it is not recommended unless the hot tub is covered by a roof or is indoors.

Hard covers are more rigid and protect better than soft covers do. Their foam effectively traps the heat which helps you save money. The downside to these covers is that they can be heavy and more difficult to move. They also cost considerably more than the soft covers.

Walk-on or aluminum covers for hot tubs are so strong you can walk or sit on them. They are made from aluminum, foam, fiberglass, other materials. They are made to outlast the vinyl foam covers and with a little maintenance should be a onetime only purchase.

How Do Hot Tub Cover Lifters Work?

Generally a cover lifter has a bar that rests against the fold in the cover. After unclipping the child safety locks from the front of the cover, you simply fold it back over that bar. Then, as you fold back one more time, the cover is mechanically brought back, off the hot tub surface and held in place. It’s easy to do by yourself in seconds.

What If I Don’t Have A Spa Cover Lifter?

Without a hot tub cover lifter, you’d fold the cover back and then slide it off the hot tub. Hot tub cover stands are available to keep the hot tub cover off the ground, but if you’re doing this task by yourself, at least one edge of the cover will rest against the ground as you do it. More than likely, a corner is going to bang against the ground and possibly get damaged. Getting the cover back onto the hot tub is a task that’s not easy for one person, mostly because of the unwieldy nature of a large cover and lack of proper leverage. Over time, some covers may get heavier from moisture build-up, making a hot tub cover lifter even more of an advantage.

Standard hot tub cover lifters

Standard hot tub cover lifters are more traditional and cost-effective than hydraulic cover lifters. They don’t use hydraulics or pistons, but are very durable and a great choice for people who don’t have any unique specifications.

This type of lifter requires at least 14” or more behind the spa for proper installation and operation. Although they do their job well, you have to be careful not to push the cover too hard when opening, as the cover might rock back on you and damage the cover lifter or tub at the stop point, or where it rests while open. Also, you don’t have the assistance of the hydraulics when replacing the cover onto the tub.

When it comes to making removing and replacing covers easier, standard cover lifters can’t compare to their hydraulic counterparts. However, standard models such as the Cover Handler are easy to install, feature very durable, all-metal components, and offer excellent value for the investment.

Hydraulic Cover Lifters

One of the biggest benefits of owning a hydraulic cover lift is that it makes the chore of removing, storing, and replacing the covers easy for 1 person without having to seek help. They also help extend the life of your cover by minimizing dropping or storing it on the ground, which could otherwise rip and scuff the vinyl.

Most hydraulic lifters require comparably little clearance from any nearby walls, fences, or other objects, and safely hold your cover in place while you use your hot tub.

These products run on “piston power” to help you move your cover. You just need to gently move the cover in an upward direction, and pistons instantly take the burden away! Replacing the cover back on the tub is just as easy – just tug the cover so the pistons lower the cover back into place.

Another type of these lifters operates more like baskets that cradle your cover. They’re supported by the bottom of your tub so any extra weight won’t cause any damage. Many users feel that this functionality makes this type of lifter preferable to other models that simply “hang” the cover-up. Typically, you need 36” for proper installation and operation of these basket cover lifters.

Hydraulic cover lifters have a variety of options to fit every size and configuration of hot tub, so you’re sure to find the one that’s right for you. After that, your days of struggling with your hot tub covers will be behind you, and you can then look forward to using your hot tub more, instead of dreading how heavy your cover will be on any given day.

If you want to get the most out of your spa experience, the answer is a resounding YES!

The only decision you really need to make is which cover lifter is the best for your hot tub and backyard configurations. The best idea is to ask your local hot tub professional for their advice. They’ll ask the right questions in order to gather enough information to help you make an informed decision.

Once your new spa cover lifter is installed, you’ll be ready once again for that well-deserved relaxing massage!