Spa Shell Material
A quality spa shell is the foundation for a hot tub that will last a long time.
The shell is not a place to cut corners and should be made of quality, non-porous material that withstands the daily rigor of hot water and hot tubbers.
Inferior spa shells are made out of cheap plastics that can warp or discolour.
The manufacturer may save money, but this type of savings is penny-wise and pound-foolish. Cutting back on extras such as the spa radio or television, or even the number of jets or pumps depending on what is needed can be a way to decrease the cost of a spa while not sacrificing the structural integrity.
Lucite is one of the world's largest and best acrylic manufacturers and offers several styles of acrylic sheets. The thickest (and costliest) is the ABS backed acrylic which adds an additional layer of ABS plastic to the back of the acrylic for a thicker spa shell.
Using a thicker spa shell such as the Lucite or even Aristech ABS-backed acrylic spa shell material, allows the manufacturer to pull the spa deeper. This means more legroom for the hot tub occupants - especially important in larger spas that should accommodate more people.
The old-style way of making hot tubs involved some very environmentally unfriendly methods including rolling on fiberglass manually to the back of a thin acrylic shell.
One of the best current methods for creating a strong hot tub shell is to begin with the thickest possible sheet (ABS backed acrylic) and then add a rigidizing agent as well as additional spray-on thickener and hardner to create a durable, long-lasting and deep spa shell which is then made into a wonderful spa.
These layers of additional support material insure the best possible construction of the hot tub.
The hot tub shell is pulled in a vacuum former to the contours of the spa mold or form.
It is also important, that the spa manufacturer considers safety when designing the molds rather than trying to build a visual masterpiece with many handrails and edges that jut out inevitably leading to injury if a person should slip in the tub and land on one of these portrusions. Barrier free seating assures that the parts you cannot see under the water do not end up causing anyone any injury, while also assuring more space to move about the spa.
For spa shell strength and longevity, don't settle for second rate materials, demand a proper, strong acrylic shell. Of course, you won't get an acrylic shell in a $500 spa because the material itself is very expensive. In the cheap hot tub, you will find vinyl and no seats at all, but just on-floor seating. To some extent, you get what you pay for - but don't overpay for an acrylic spa either. Just buy factory direct or through a well connected supplier!
Factory Direct Hot Tubs for Canada
See the recent hot tub sale deal currently on.
Looking for a spa, but aren't sure you are getting a good deal or aren't sure exactly what features you want in a spa? Request Free Information by Email
send inquiry to: info@buyspa.ca
**offers on this site currently only for Canadian residents with a shipping address in Canada.
If your shipping address is in the United States, please visit Hot Tub Outpost in the States or other quality online vendor.
*We refer you directly to the hot tub manuracturer, bypassing the traditional retail channels. You receive factory direct telephone support for after-sales service with the comfort of knowing you have bought directly from the factory and receive the best possible phone support by technicians that actually work at the spa factory.
Important Tips:
Never leave your unfilled hot tub uncovered in the sun, no matter what material it is made of. Bubbles can occur in corners of the shell as the plastic is heated up through the magnification and reflection effect of sitting in direct sunlight uncovered in an empty state.
Full hot tubs with open covers are not affected by this. The fine print of most spa manufacturer's warranties will exclude any warranty claim for the shell if bubbles or blistering occurs because of this. (It is ok to leave the spa uncovered if it is filled with water).
Buy an acrylic shell hot tub and avoid problems that can occur with cheap plastics such as the warping and discolouring of polyethylene shell material (which can fade or turn a different colour if the hot tub chemical balance should wander - ie. if the pH level gets too low). This type of discolouration does not happen in a quality acrylic hot tub.