Hot Tub Cover Thickness
For cold Canadian winters, a thicker hot tub cover saves energy!
Standard cover sizes are usually 4"-2" tapered or 5"-3" tapered. There is also a 6 inch thick walk-on style cover (heavy). You may need a cover lifter.
Cover Taper
A tapered spa cover is one that is thicker in the center than on the edges to allow melting snow and ice to runoff without pooling on top of the cover. Typically a standard hot tub cover is 3" - 2" tapered which means it is 3" thick in the middle and 2" thick around the front and back edges. Some tapered covers are 4"-2" with a steeper slope. For best performance a minimum 4" thick cover should be used in Canada. Best is 5"-3" or 5"-4", although having a thicker cover may mean also getting a cover lifter to assist with lifting it.
Floating Spa Covers
A floating cover is basically a large piece of foam insulation that floats on the surface of the water and makes an additional air barrier between the top of the floating cover and the bottom of the rigid spa cover on top. This is an additional way of saving money by creating even more insulation in the most critical direction in which heat travels - out the top.
Best Hot Tub Covers
The best hot tub covers are built well
There are a few factors that increase production costs of a hot tub cover, but are worth having. Even so, most covers will need to be replaced after about 7 years of use, some earlier. Once the inner seal is punctured, the cover becomes water-logged and heavy to lift. This is also a perfect bacteria breeding ground.
Hot Tub Cover Repair
A cover that is just starting to become waterlogged may be repaired by unzipping the vinyl cover and removing the cover inserts (foam inserts) and allowing them to completely dry out. Repair any rips or tears in the vinyl so water does not get back in. There could also be a tear in the plastic wrap around the cover insert which needs to be sealed. (at least with duct tape!)
Hot Tub Cover Care
Cover products are available on the market to keep the vinyl surface clean. It is best to hose off the underside of the cover here and there to remove residual chemicals from the underside.
Order a spa cover online and save. Shipping a bulky spa cover in Canada can be very expensive, so it is best to order a cover online with FREE Shipping.