Hot Tub vs. Spa — EcodesignSD

Building my own hot tub/ spa or buying one?

So you made the decision to get a hot tub or spa. If its just for you, the whole family or maybe a boost for your air bob bookings, there is lots to consider before making the final decision. This process can be a bit overwhelming and it is hard to know which resources are trust worthy. Well this post will hopefully give you some guidance by listing the main pros and cons.

First of let’s focus on the differences between hot tubs and spas. People seem to use both words interchangeable but this is really the main difference between the both of them: Hot tubs are portable features and installed above the ground. Hot tubs can be installed anywhere indoors or outdoors and moved at any point if desired. Spas on the other side are built into the ground features and many times an addition to a pool.

Pros of a hot tub:

easy to install and can be used within hours
cheaper than a spa
all in one unit equipped with everything you need to enjoy your new addition to the home
you can drain it and move it
it fits in small yards
energy efficient
easy replacement of parts

Cons of hot tubs:

standardized size which fits usually 5 people
can be an unpleasant focal point in your outdoor space
very limited in shape and design
not a good resale value even if the hot tub is only 1 year old
not as comfortable as a customized built spa

So as you can already tell the biggest disadvantage of a hot tub is the limitations. Hot tubs are very standardized in size since they need to be able to fit through a regular door size when tilted to the side. That means hot tubs can’t be deeper than 36”. Leg room is also one of the main complaints when purchasing a hot tub. If you have more than 2 people in there, it can get cramped and turning the relaxing experience into an awkward “too close for my comfort” situation. Hot tubs may be cheaper than a built in spa but they also wont last as long and as mentioned their resale value is very low. A built in spa adds property value to your home.

This is your Pros and Cons for a spa:

Pros:

esthetic feature to your indoor or outdoor space
completely customizable in shape, material and size
can be a great add on to your existing pool

Cons:

more expensive than a purchased hot tub unit
must be built by a professional and takes days until ready to use

It really comes down to how you want to use your hot tub or spa and if you want to commit to a permanent addition to your home or a feature that you can remove at any point.

Here are some of our jobs featuring spas and hot tubs: