Common Hot Tub and Spa Materials

The earliest form of the modern hot tub, the Japanese ofuro, was made of wood. The hot tubs that appeared in California in the 1960s were made from such items as used wine tanks, oak barrels and olive vats. Tubs made out of redwood were also used. However, all of these prototypes to the modern hot tub leaked and were difficult to keep clean. Advances in filtration and chemistry have made it easier to keep tubs sanitary, while improved construction materials have largely eliminated leaks.

Today’s one-piece spas, also known as unibody spas, dominate the market. The most popular brands are Jacuzzi and Whirlpool. They are made from a variety of materials. Vinyl is one of the cheapest materials available on the market today. However, this material can be easily damaged by water that is not chemically balanced.

Another material often used is acrylic. This material is backed by a fiberglass compound. However, a major drawback with this material is that the two materials tend to separate. With this material, a good surface warranty is needed, which is usually separate from the structural shell warranty. Acrylic can also be backed by ABS plastic. This type of tub has cabinets filled with foam in order to withstand the water pressure. The drawback with the foam is that it can make repair jobs problematic.

The newest materials being used in the spa industry are thermal plastics. This type of material has proven to be structurally sound and long-lasting. With this material, as with all the others listed here, it is important to buy from an established, stable, and experienced manufacturer. Also, regular maintenance and cleaning of the tub is essential to keep it lasting.