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Pools & Spas Design Dilemma

Hot tub inside or outside of pool?

2 years ago

We are trying to finalize our pool design and we are struggling with what to do for a hot tub. I love the look of the hot tub in the corner of the pool, and I like the way it flows for people to easily go back and forth between the pool and hot tub. However, our pool is not large (12x35) so I am concerned about giving up that space, both for function and I am afraid it may look smaller. Also worried about having a corner that my rambunctions kids may bump into, and worried about the efficiency of heating a hot tub with an automatic pool cover versus the insulated cover a standalone tub would have.

The alternative would be to get a separate spa that would be inset into the deck about 12 feet away from the pool. I think it would look fine, but we would have to uncover it and turn it on., etc. separately. We are in northern CA so freezing is not a concern but there are many cooler days. Any recommendations on this dilemma are welcome. thank you

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Comments (4)

PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
2 years ago
I like a hot tub closer to the house to use in the evening and on those cooler nights when the pool is not in use . I also like it closer to the master bedroom for ease of use. But I need to see your layout and IMO that pool is just a bit larger than ours and there is no way I would give up any space for an attached hot tub.
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KATHY
2 years ago
I am the opposite, i like a hot tub farther away from the house for privacy

We have a standalone hot tub in the farthest corner from the house and a few steps from pool
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Thanks so much for your response Zuggy. Until I made the post it never ever crossed my mind that people would actually use an outdoor hot tub when it was cold out, moreover when it was snowing. Wow. I thought if it was outside you only use it part of spring and fall and the whole summer but not during the winter. I've lived in the North East never the mid-west so this is a new concept to me. Thanks for sharing. We're considering a house on a lake. If we don't get that one there is one with a pool and hot tub that is also a possibility -although, I am not really a pool person (especially since despite multiple swimming lessons I can't even float). I'm with you re having some decor to disguise the tub. P.S. Please share pictures when you are done
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Hi midwestmama and Kelly The folks at Libart are really great. When I first called them I said I was in the investigative phase and would not be in need of a unit for a few years. I was only asking for price and tech info at that time and did not wish to be hounded by anyone. They honored that for nearly a year until they had a unit "come back" to the factory. The salesman remembered me and called to see if I would be interested in the unit as it was now half price. Original owner backed out after paying 50% so all I needed to do was come up w/ the other 50%. Our unit full price would have been $105K. In order to preserve the warranty, you need to allow them to install. Our installer was AMAZING! If you go ahead w/ Libart you must insist on Bill Robinson from WIT out of Metro DC. He travels all over and does an incredible job. The cost was $11K and worth every penny. He and his crew worked for over 40 hours over 3 days to finish the job. They left NOTHING behind as far as trash; he took it all w/ him back to DC! He even refused a tip and worked thru meals that I made for the crew. Imagine eating pizza made at 6 pm finally at midnight after being on the job since 7 am?! Did I mention they installed the week before Thanksgiving when it was dark by 5 pm and below freezing every day? Anyway... our pool measures 20'X38' and we have at least 5' of decking b/ the pool edge and the building all the war around. Kelly: thanks for the info on the air heater. I actually spoke to the Libart pres the other day and he told me to get the same type of heater. Said he would put me in touch w/ a guy in Canada who would walk us thru the install when we were ready. I'm hoping to find a ventless Hot Dogg; are they truly ventless or should I buy a vent kit? FYI: the kids and I swam today after decorating for Halloween; pool temp a balmy 86, air temp not bad at around 70 w/ no sun and no other heat source other than the water! No need for a fog machine; gets nice and foggy all on it's own w/ the temp difference! Having our 1st annual Halloween pool party tomorrow; looking forward to more warm water and a lot of fun!! Happy Halloween! Joanne
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PRO
Revolutionary Gardens
2 years ago
Even if it's built to look like part of the pool, you're going to have two separate heating and plumbing systems if you want the hot tub to be an actual hot tub, as opposed to essentially a sit-spa where you're in the same water as the pool. Pricing is regional of course, but here in VA having two separate systems like that adds about $30k to the cost of the pool. So that you can use the hot tub in the winter it's usually located where it won't be covered by the pool cover. You can buy custom fit, insulated covers for the hot tub.

An acrylic spa will run you a good bit less than $30k and has more therapy jets than what you'll get with a gunite spa (at least here in the Mid-Atlantic). It just depends on your goals.
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PRO
Big Rock Landscaping
last year
If you have a photo to share that could help us visualize the space, that would be helpful. But even without a photo, there are some questions you need to answer before you decide to have the hot tub separate or included: do you want to use your pool year-round (if there are months you know you won’t use it in the winter because of cooler temps, it might be easier to have your pool and hot tub separate)? Who will be the primary users of the hot tub? If it’s your kids, you might want to keep it in the pool so you can more easily keep an eye on everyone, and the warmer water of the hot tub will help keep them comfortable. If it’s mostly adults, and you want more privacy or warmer water, you might want a separate hot tub. Who uses your pool the most, and is it worth it to them to lose out on “play space” for a hot tub? And finally, how much more do you want to spend to add the hot tub? Depending on your area it can cost anywhere from 25-40k more for that feature. If it’s important to you, then go for it! Some ideas for your future project, no matter what direction you take it:
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