why cedar

Back

why use western red cedar?
characteristics & properties of western red cedar
benefits of real cedar
real cedar history
real cedar certification
sustainability & the environment
biophilia
forestry facts
why use yellow cedar?
products

Back

siding

Back

introduction
siding home
siding gallery
design & spec
siding grades
siding calculator
prep & install
preparation
pre-building
tyvek drainwrap
general installation
finish & maintain
choosing a finish
how to finish
care & maintenance
restoration
siding profiles & trim
bevel
trim boards
board & batten
shingle panels
tongue & groove
lap or channel
decking

Back

introduction
decking home
decking gallery
design & spec
decking grades
decking span charts
span tables
decking calculator
prep & install
fasteners
stairs & railings
finish & maintain
choosing a finish
how to finish
care & maintenance
restoration
deck projects
roof deck
ground level deck
raised deck
uphill sloping lot deck
outdoor

Back

introduction
outdoor home
outdoor gallery
design & spec
diy plans
pre-built kits
design tips
span tables
prep & install
preparation
fasteners
finish & maintain
choosing a finish
how to finish
care & maintenance
restoration
fences
fence construction
fence specifications
pre-built fence panels
indoor

Back

introduction
indoor home
indoor gallery
design & spec
design tips
prep & install
preparation
finish & maintain
how to finish
care & maintenance
indoor projects
saunas
doors & windows
tongue & groove paneling
blinds & shutters
timbers

Back

introduction
timbers home
timbers gallery
design & spec
grades & specs
span tables
prep & install
preparation
installation
finish & maintain
how to finish
care & maintenance
restoration
diy projects
membership

Back

our members

Back

executive members
retailers
partners
tertiary manufacturers
certified cedar distributors
certified cedar distributors - usa
certified cedar distributor - canada
architects
international associates
why become a member?
membership levels
membership benefits
membership faq
cedar school registration
join the wrcla!
member support
resources

Back

gallery
videos
blog
documents
*new* yellow cedar
gallery
about us
architects & builders
member login

USA & Canada

Deck Planning for Your New Hot Tub

Sign up now for our DIY Project Newsletter

Utopia Cantabria on deck at night

Utopia Cantabria on deck at night

The addition of a hot tub to any home is an exciting event. Hot tubs frequently become home-life hubs for many families. A place to relax and reconnect with friends and loved ones. Sometimes a place to recover from physical activity or even injury. Often a retreat from hectic schedules and busy lives.

Deciding to add a hot tub to your home is the first of several steps a new owner must take. There are quite a few jobs to do in order to prepare for its arrival. An experienced spa dealer will be able to walk you through the entire, step-by-step process and even provide detailed pre-delivery instructions that will make the task very manageable.

Following are a few of the major considerations that you may need to work through.

Where should my new hot tub go?
Some homeowners like the idea of placing their hot tub in a remote area of the back yard. While there may be privacy advantages, be sure to consider usability. As a rule, the more accessible your hot tub, the more it will get used regardless of weather.

Once you’ve identified one or several places where you might want your hot tub, measure and mark off that area. This will help visualize the spa and its surroundings. Will there be enough room to move around all sides of the hot tub? Is there space for steps if you need them? Can you get to the hot tub’s access panel? How about the view?

Is my existing deck sturdy enough for a hot tub or do I need a new one?
If an existing deck is the ideal location for your hot tub, be sure to have a licensed professional inspect the existing structure. Obviously hot tubs and the hundreds of gallons of water they contain are very heavy. Before your hot tub is placed on a deck, you must make sure the deck is structurally able to support the weight of the filled hot tub and the maximum number of people that it accommodates.

If designing a new or replacement deck, make sure that the plans account for adequate a load capacity. Again, your local dealer can provide you with weight specifications and, possibly, scale renderings that will greatly assist you and your contractor with planning and design. And make sure you choose a durable & long-lasting building material for your new deck. There are some gorgeous high-performance woods, including naturally beautiful & rot-resistant Western Red Cedar, to use in construction of a tasteful, personalized deck.

The delivery path
An often overlooked but potentially frustrating issue for delivery of any large household item is getting to its final location. Is there a wide enough delivery path from the road to the selected space? Is there enough vertical clearance between the path and the eaves of the house, wires or cables, tree limbs? Have you accounted for the height of the dolly?

Electrical considerations
It’s highly recommended that you have the electrical work done professionally so that you can enjoy your hot tub to its full potential, for years to come. Most hot tubs run off 220 volts, which a licensed professional can easily install for safe use any time of year. Also plan for additional outlets and lights you may want while enjoying your spa.

Tech tools
As you embark upon the design process, you may want to use an online tool to help with the planning. Caldera Spas offers a 3D Deck Design Tool, an interactive, step-by-step deck planner that you may find useful.

Making an investment in preparing for delivery of your hot tub is well worth it, and will result in a hot tub you and your family will enjoy for years.

Shelly Roberts
Caldera Spas
www.calderaspas.com
Brand Manager