Is your hot tub cover looking a little worse for wear? If it’s worn, torn, faded, or heavy, it’s time for a replacement. But with so many options out there, finding the right hot tub cover for your model and budget can seem daunting. Don’t worry – we’re here to help! At Motor City Hot Tubs, we want to ensure that you get the perfect hot tub cover that meets all your needs.
Quality Foam and Durability
When it comes to durable hot tub covers, one of the most important features is the type of foam used in the cover. The best foam core covers are made from 100% polystyrene foam, while cheaper covers are made from a variety of recycled foams known as “re-grind”. While re-grind is cheap to manufacture and allows for lower retail prices, it soaks up water quickly and can’t withstand rain or snowfall.
The Right Core for Your Climate
To ensure your cover lasts, you need to pick a quality manufacturer and choose the right foam density and thickness for your climate. As density and thickness increase, the cover lasts longer and withstands harsher climates. So, it’s important not to skimp on the quality of your cover. A thin cover won’t provide enough insulation in a rainy or snowy climate and will quickly fail under the weight of rain or snow. For a good quality thickness for indoor or mild climates, you would choose a 4″ insulation thickness. If your tub is outdoors and in a mild to moderate climate you would want a 5″ thickness cover. The Highest cover insulation thickness would be 6″ inches which offers your tub protection from most weather conditions.
Outer Cover Jacket
Less expensive spa cover jackets are made of vinyl, but better covers use marine-grade vinyl that’s resistant to sun damage. The best covers are specialized outdoor fabric, which can be up to three times stronger and weigh 25% less than marine-grade vinyl. This fabric holds up better against UV rays than vinyl.
Inner Vapor Barrier
A vapor barrier in a spa cover is the plastic wrapping around the foam cores. Quality foam is water-resistant on its own, but an extra vapor barrier around the core helps prevent water from collecting between the closed-cell foam beads. A quality vapor barrier is made of 6 mil transparent plastic.
Cover Reinforcement (C-Channel)
The center of every spa cover has two metal reinforcements, one inserted into each piece of foam. This reinforcement keeps the cover rigid and strong. Cheaper covers use aluminum or PVC material for their c channel, but a quality C Channel is made from 20 gauge galvanized steel, which is much stronger.
Strong Understiade
The material on the bottom of the cover facing the water, the scrim, is just as important as the top side of the cover. Cheaper covers use a flimsy woven mesh (like a window screen), but quality covers incorporate woven fibers laminated in vinyl, creating a strong, chemical-resistant sheet. Often grommeted drain holes in key locations allow condensed steam to return to the spa and reduce moisture buildup.
Rugged Wind Straps and Locks
Straps and locks are essential for keeping your cover secured to the tub. Heavy-duty straps and locking buckles are standard for most covers. While it may be a hassle to secure and lock your cover each time you use it, it’s important for the safety of children, animals, and your spa. Plus, local building codes often require locks on hot tubs if they’re not fenced in.
So, if you’re in the market for a new hot tub cover, come to Motor City Hot Tubs. We’ll guide you through the process and help you find the perfect cover for your needs.
