7 Things to Consider Before Investing In an Outdoor Spa
Insider tips and tricks to get you on your way to the perfect outdoor spa for you and your family
Spas can be a great way to relax, rejuvenate, socialise, rehabilitate and reward yourself for surviving the busy schedules of life. Taking time out to relax in the warmth of a spa with the soothing jets massaging your tired muscles is something we all come to expect in holiday mode, but having this creature comfort at your back door? Well, that is a very exciting proposition – and very possible, too. There are many spa options on the market today so the big question is where and when do you start, and what do you need to be careful of. Here are seven things to consider when it comes to choosing an outdoor spa.
REMEDIAL SPAS
Remedial spas are often purchased off the shelf from spa specialists, and are made from fibre glass and composite materials. The beauty of these spas is that they can have laid-back daybed-style seats, moulded chairs and many more strategically-positioned jets than a concrete-style spa.
These portable spas can be lifted into many pre-existing places, such as concreted areas, crushed rock bases and paved zones, and can be positioned onto decks (but you’ll need to make sure the deck has been engineered to take the weight).
These spas can also be positioned into decks or can be dug into ground level, but you will also need to make sure you maintain easy access to the service panel and ensure there is drainage in the hole. Another great thing is that entertainment systems such as TVs, sound systems and lighting features can also be integrated.
The real trick for the portable spa option is to make it look integrated and stylish. Often building or digging them in is not viable, so sitting them on a deck or paving can look a little underdone. We will discuss how to make a portable spa look good later on in this article.
Remedial spas are often purchased off the shelf from spa specialists, and are made from fibre glass and composite materials. The beauty of these spas is that they can have laid-back daybed-style seats, moulded chairs and many more strategically-positioned jets than a concrete-style spa.
These portable spas can be lifted into many pre-existing places, such as concreted areas, crushed rock bases and paved zones, and can be positioned onto decks (but you’ll need to make sure the deck has been engineered to take the weight).
These spas can also be positioned into decks or can be dug into ground level, but you will also need to make sure you maintain easy access to the service panel and ensure there is drainage in the hole. Another great thing is that entertainment systems such as TVs, sound systems and lighting features can also be integrated.
The real trick for the portable spa option is to make it look integrated and stylish. Often building or digging them in is not viable, so sitting them on a deck or paving can look a little underdone. We will discuss how to make a portable spa look good later on in this article.
AESTHETIC SPAS
If you choose to build a concrete spa, the options for aesthetic impacts opens right up. Often concrete spas are integrated into a pool project, but they can also be built as an independent structure, although they are a lot more costly than a portable option. If you have a concrete pool, you can add a spa at any time, but make sure you choose a reputable pool builder as it can be tricky. Concrete spas can also be built in or sit out of the ground. One great trick is to create a four-sided, wet-edge spa and tile it black, which creates a mirror-like reflection pond feature. You can also add a concrete, paved or deck plinth to the side of the spa to place drinks and nibbles if required.
The downside to a concrete spa is that you will need more space than a portable spa, as the equipment is all independent and needs to be hidden away. Apart from the additional costs, the other thing that concrete spas don’t often offer that portable spas do is moulded seats and beds with as many jets. This is where portable spas offer much more.
If you choose to build a concrete spa, the options for aesthetic impacts opens right up. Often concrete spas are integrated into a pool project, but they can also be built as an independent structure, although they are a lot more costly than a portable option. If you have a concrete pool, you can add a spa at any time, but make sure you choose a reputable pool builder as it can be tricky. Concrete spas can also be built in or sit out of the ground. One great trick is to create a four-sided, wet-edge spa and tile it black, which creates a mirror-like reflection pond feature. You can also add a concrete, paved or deck plinth to the side of the spa to place drinks and nibbles if required.
The downside to a concrete spa is that you will need more space than a portable spa, as the equipment is all independent and needs to be hidden away. Apart from the additional costs, the other thing that concrete spas don’t often offer that portable spas do is moulded seats and beds with as many jets. This is where portable spas offer much more.
SOCIAL SPAS
If you’re mostly after a social spa, you have the option of both portable and/or concrete. It’s more about where you position the spa and what you put around it that will create a social catalyst. Placing a spa close to the main entertaining areas and giving the space inside the pool fence other functions – such as built-in bench seats, fire pits and ice buckets – will give the spa a multifunctional appeal. The portable, raised spa, again, has some benefits as the people in the spa are on similar eye level to those outside the spa. And let’s not forget that some of the portable options have built-in TVs and sound systems!
If you’re mostly after a social spa, you have the option of both portable and/or concrete. It’s more about where you position the spa and what you put around it that will create a social catalyst. Placing a spa close to the main entertaining areas and giving the space inside the pool fence other functions – such as built-in bench seats, fire pits and ice buckets – will give the spa a multifunctional appeal. The portable, raised spa, again, has some benefits as the people in the spa are on similar eye level to those outside the spa. And let’s not forget that some of the portable options have built-in TVs and sound systems!
2. Safety
The next biggest consideration is safety. It’s a good idea to acquaint yourself with pool regulations as they apply to all spas of any shape and size. For starters, all spas are required to have a 1200-millimetre-high non-climbable barrier with a self-closing gate that complies with the Australian Standard AS 1026. You will also need to consider surrounding structures, such as climbable ledges within 900 millimetres of the fence, and boundary fences.
Also note that all spa installations require a building permit to be carried out – a safety barrier and water should not be added until the barrier is passed as compliant and safe.
The next biggest consideration is safety. It’s a good idea to acquaint yourself with pool regulations as they apply to all spas of any shape and size. For starters, all spas are required to have a 1200-millimetre-high non-climbable barrier with a self-closing gate that complies with the Australian Standard AS 1026. You will also need to consider surrounding structures, such as climbable ledges within 900 millimetres of the fence, and boundary fences.
Also note that all spa installations require a building permit to be carried out – a safety barrier and water should not be added until the barrier is passed as compliant and safe.
3. Size
Contrary to popular discussions, size does matter … but bigger is not necessarily better. Think about how many people you will be catering for; if you only need a spa for two, don’t oversize your selection as you will need to run the spa, heat the spa and maintain the spa, which all costs money. If you entertain with large groups or have a large family, then you will need a bigger spa. Generally speaking, a 2 x 2 metre spa will comfortably sit six and be a little tight for eight, but manageable.
Contrary to popular discussions, size does matter … but bigger is not necessarily better. Think about how many people you will be catering for; if you only need a spa for two, don’t oversize your selection as you will need to run the spa, heat the spa and maintain the spa, which all costs money. If you entertain with large groups or have a large family, then you will need a bigger spa. Generally speaking, a 2 x 2 metre spa will comfortably sit six and be a little tight for eight, but manageable.
4. Position, position, position
Spas are a permanent invitation to enjoy the great outdoors, so make sure you position it as a focal point from an important vista. Tucking a spa down a dead side or around a corner will hide your investment and create a feeling of separation to the spa and its users. As previously mentioned, the closer it is to the main entertaining space, the better it will be for parties and the more you will use it. Another thing to consider is how far away it is from the home – make sure it’s not too far, as there is nothing worse than being all warm and cosy in a spa and dreading the rush back to the house on a cold night.
Spas are a permanent invitation to enjoy the great outdoors, so make sure you position it as a focal point from an important vista. Tucking a spa down a dead side or around a corner will hide your investment and create a feeling of separation to the spa and its users. As previously mentioned, the closer it is to the main entertaining space, the better it will be for parties and the more you will use it. Another thing to consider is how far away it is from the home – make sure it’s not too far, as there is nothing worse than being all warm and cosy in a spa and dreading the rush back to the house on a cold night.
5. Technology
Imagine the convenience of being out for dinner or on the way home from a kids sporting event and knowing there’s a spa waiting at home for you, ready to go. Well, that is very possible, as many spa control systems are now wifi compatible and can be operated via a mobile device. There are also automatic water management systems to keep the PH and chemical balance right, along with in-floor cleaning, auto levelling and the like. Gone are the days of being a slave to your spa. Heaters have also come a long way; these days, you can heat a large spa up to 38 degrees Celsius in 20 to 30 minutes.
Imagine the convenience of being out for dinner or on the way home from a kids sporting event and knowing there’s a spa waiting at home for you, ready to go. Well, that is very possible, as many spa control systems are now wifi compatible and can be operated via a mobile device. There are also automatic water management systems to keep the PH and chemical balance right, along with in-floor cleaning, auto levelling and the like. Gone are the days of being a slave to your spa. Heaters have also come a long way; these days, you can heat a large spa up to 38 degrees Celsius in 20 to 30 minutes.
6. Hidden costs
Buying, installing and running a spa can take its toll on your wallet, so consider the following additional expenses before committing to a purchase.
For starters, you will need power – up to 20 amps for a spa alone and 40 amps for a pool and spa combination. You will also need a sewer back point for a concrete pool or swim spa, in case you have to dump the water or backwash the filter. Gas is another consideration as some spa heaters require between 200 to 400 megajoules of gas, which is a lot of consumption, and can be an expensive exercise just getting it to the pool equipment area. Portable spas can have an electric heating system built in but concrete pools and swim spas rely on gas. Portable spas also often have to be craned in, which, again can be expensive. And don’t forget the cost of the pool fence!
Buying, installing and running a spa can take its toll on your wallet, so consider the following additional expenses before committing to a purchase.
For starters, you will need power – up to 20 amps for a spa alone and 40 amps for a pool and spa combination. You will also need a sewer back point for a concrete pool or swim spa, in case you have to dump the water or backwash the filter. Gas is another consideration as some spa heaters require between 200 to 400 megajoules of gas, which is a lot of consumption, and can be an expensive exercise just getting it to the pool equipment area. Portable spas can have an electric heating system built in but concrete pools and swim spas rely on gas. Portable spas also often have to be craned in, which, again can be expensive. And don’t forget the cost of the pool fence!
7. Features
There are some pretty cool spas around and you can have a lot of fun designing your dream spa. Large acrylic windows can add that wow factor and really make the spa the central focal point all year round. Built-in decks and floating seats around a portable spa can also really create the feeling of integration to a once standalone feature. Floating concrete plinths, glass mosaic tiles, spillovers of four-sided wet edges are features that can really take it to another level. If you opt for a portable spa, you could always upgrade to a swim spa and add in a swim jet and a small plunge pool straight off the shelf. The options are plenty, and throw in some colourful towels on permanent towel racks, an ice bucket with some champagne, a few friends and family and your spa is sure to bring many years of joy and pleasure.
There are some pretty cool spas around and you can have a lot of fun designing your dream spa. Large acrylic windows can add that wow factor and really make the spa the central focal point all year round. Built-in decks and floating seats around a portable spa can also really create the feeling of integration to a once standalone feature. Floating concrete plinths, glass mosaic tiles, spillovers of four-sided wet edges are features that can really take it to another level. If you opt for a portable spa, you could always upgrade to a swim spa and add in a swim jet and a small plunge pool straight off the shelf. The options are plenty, and throw in some colourful towels on permanent towel racks, an ice bucket with some champagne, a few friends and family and your spa is sure to bring many years of joy and pleasure.
TELL US
Do you have an outdoor spa? What do you love about it?
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Do you have an outdoor spa? What do you love about it?
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Bubbles Anyone? Outdoor Spas and Hot Tubs Done the Aussie Way
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Before diving headfirst into a spa purchase, the first thing you should ask yourself is: what are the main elements and functions I require (or want) of a spa?
For example, do you need remedial massage for sports recovery or health reasons? Or, are you simply wanting a visual feature? Do you want it to provide a social activity, which brings friends and family together? Or, is it all of the above?
The spa you choose will determine whether or not you can fulfil your functional wish list, so do your research and choose wisely. The biggest decision for most people will be whether to choose a portable, prefabricated spa or a built-in situ concrete one. To help you decide, I’ll explain the different ‘types’ of spas available, depending on your requirements, and the advantage and limitations of each.