Hot tub covers / spa covers - How to select the right one for you

Location

The most important factor to consider is where you live and the location of your hot tub. Consider the amounts of sun, cold, rain, wet snow and snow your spa cover will receive. Each of these parameters is a factor in selecting the correct spa cover, so you get the best value for your dollar.

For example, if you live in a temperate climate, lets say Florida, you will be more concerned with rain than with the insulation to keep you heating bills low. If you live in Buffalo, you will need to consider both cold and snow loads. However, if you live in Buffalo and a gazebo covers the hot tub, the only consideration will be the covers ability to insulate and keep the heat in.

R-Value = Insulation efficiency

The R-value of a spa cover is a numerical calculation that tells the insulation factor of the spa cover. The higher the number, the better the spa cover will keep the heat in and the cold out, and keep your heating bill down.

The R-value of a spa cover is determined by two factors, the thickness of the cover and the density of the foam core.

Foam Core Thickness

Spa covers come in varying thicknesses. Most covers are thicker in the middle and thinner at the edges so that rainwater will run off of the cover. This is called the slope?. Typical spa cover slopes are 4in to 2in, 5in to 3in and 6in to 4in.

The R-Value is calculated by multiplying the R-factor of the foam density times the thickness of the foam. For example, if the slope is 5in to 3in or 4in thick on average, the R-Value would be the R-Factor times 4. The thickness of the cover is a larger factor in the overall R-Value than the density as will be explained below.

Foam Core Density

Spa covers come in varying densities of foam cores. Typical densities are 1.0 pound, 1.5 pound and 2.0 pound. The pound? means the number of pounds of raw material is used per unit when the foam is made. The foam will be exactly the same thickness for each density, but the foam will be denser and therefore stronger.

R-Value Calculations

Thickness is the critical factor for overall R-Value of a spa cover. Keep in mind that the spa cover as a whole is a different R-Value calculation. The spa cover core is only one of the elements of the overall cover R-Value. The examples below are ONLY for the spa cover foam core, and will show that the cover thickness is a more important factor than the spa cover foam density.

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5in to 3in slope spa cover with 1.0 pound foam

Average foam thickness = 4in

1.0 pound foam R-factor is 4.17 at 40 degrees F

R-value of the foam only would be 4in X 4.17 = 16.68

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6in to 4in slope spa cover with 1.0 pound foam

Average foam thickness = 5in

1.0 pound foam R-factor is 4.17 at 40 degrees F

R-value of the foam only would be 5in X 4.17 = 20.85

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Now, if the same 5in to 3in slope cover is upgraded to 2.0 pound foam:

5in to 3in slope spa cover with 2.0 pound foam

Average foam thickness = 4in

2.0 pound foam R-factor is 4.76 at 40 degrees F

R-value of the foam only would be 4in X 4.76 = 19.04

The 5in to 3in spa cover with 2.0# foam has a lower R-Value than the 6in to 4in with 1.0# foam!

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