Spa covers

Cover Valet Spa Cover Technical Details The Cover Valet makes lifting your spa cover a breeze! Made of powder-coated steel. Zinc coated hardware. Pneumatic pistons. Product Description Cover Valet - for Hinges up to 90 Inches "hould have bought one when I bought the tub" I didn't think that I would need a lift when I bought my tub. That was a mistake. The cover valet was so simple to install and easy to use. My wife can now get the cover on and off without any help. It also acts as a wind guard in which I strategically placed it where it would block the cold winter winds. I should have purchased it many years ago! ===================== Spa Covers Spa Covers are an economical solution to saving power and retaining the heat in the water. By using a spa cover the heat that would normally dissipate from the water when left uncovered, is captured under the cover and due to this, there is a lot less power required to reheat the pool. There is a big range of spa covers and also a big variance in their prices. The higher quality spa covers can cost quite a lot more than their cheaper alternatives, however they might work out more economical over time as they are better at retaining heat and saving energy. As well as the obvious power savings that can be gained by having a spa cover there are the additional benefits of cleanliness and safety. By having a spa cover the water in your spa will remain a lot cleaner when not in use and this will save money on chemicals. Spa covers also add safety to your spa with most covers able to hold the weight of a small child should they ever venture onto the cover. Many authorities are now insisting that spas are either fenced or covered to help with child safety and a spa cover is often a cheaper and more appealing alternative than fencing off the area surrounding the spa. There are many accessories that can be purchased for the premium model spa covers such as remote control systems that will cover the spa at a touch of a button. These accessories can add considerably to the cost of the covers but make the use of them very simple and convenient. Most spa covers are made from vinyl with added support from a steel or aluminum frame. The premium covers have additional heat saving insulation materials to help retain more heat in the water and reduce power costs. When you are buying a spa cover it is wise to check the consumer comparison sites on the Internet to see what is available in the price range that you can afford. By shopping around you might be able to get a higher-grade spa cover for the same price as the budget models, particularly if you are buying direct from the manufacturer. Graeme Ramsey is a writer for many publications and offers home improvement advice with Spa Covers http://www.spa-covers-resources.info/ A hot tub is a large home-made or manufactured tub or small pool full of heated water and used for soaking, relaxation, massage, or hydrotherapy. In most cases, they have jets for massage purposes. Hot tubs are usually located outdoors, and are often sheltered for protection from the elements, as well as for privacy. There are two different styles of hot tubs: Simple wooden-staved soaking tubs One piece plastic tubs (usually referred to as spas) Hot tubs are usually heated using an electric or natural gas heater, though there are also submersible wood-fired heaters, as well as solar hot water systems. Hot tubs are also found at natural hot springs; in this case, the water may be dangerously hot and must be combined with cool water for a safe soaking temperature. Water sanitization is very important in hot tubs, as many organisms thrive in a warm, wet environment. Maintaining the hot tub water chemistry is also necessary for proper sanitization and to prevent damage to the hot tub. Wooden tubs This style of hot tub is constructed with wooden staves and steel bands very much like a very large Barrel (storage). The staves are usually made of redwood, cedar, or teak, with most older tubs made of redwood. Wooden hot tubs are often quite deep (90-120cm, 36"-48"), and can be inset within a wooden deck for ease of entry. Inside the tub, wooden bench seating is common, forming a ring around the inner circumference of the tub. One piece hot tubs One piece spas, also known as unibody spas, are formed as one piece with shapes that provide a variety of seating arrangements within the tub. Each integral seat is often equipped with one or more water jets that allows water to be directed at parts of the body. The water flow may be aerated for additional effect, and some or all of the jets may also automatically move or rotate, providing a massage-like effect. Although wooden tubs were the most common type of hot tub in the 1970s, one-piece hot tubs now dominate the market as they are less expensive to manufacture, easier to install, and more energy efficient. In America, these kinds of tubs are also incorrectly referred to as Jacuzzi or Whirlpool tubs, though both are brand names. One piece spas are usually shallower than wooden tubs, usually being 80-95 cm (32" to 36") in height to fit through doors and narrow hallways. Cranes are occasionally used to place one piece spas in a backyard or other location that does not have adequate clearance for carrying the tub. Spas usually have between one and four water pumps, with one circulation pump serving the heating and filtration water loop and the other(s) driving the hydrotherapy jets. Sophisticated computer controls are now common and many tubs now are equipped with extensive lighting, sound systems, and even flat panel televisions with DVD players. [edit]Construction of a one-piece spa The spa shell is the exterior of the tub, and is composed of a surface and an understructure that are bonded together during the manufacturing process. The surface is the source of the color, look and feel of the spa, so it should resist deterioration due to the sun, spa chemicals, or normal wear and tear. Some high-end shells have special coatings to make them more stain resistant or have anti-bacterial ingredients molded into the shell material. There two primary methods used for manufacturing one piece spa shells: vacuum forming of an acrylic base by placing the sheet over a mold and heating with an overhead heater while pulling a vacuum on the mold rotational molding: involves placing polyethylene powder in an aluminum mold which is then heated and spun in a large oven so that the plastic melts and takes the form of the mold. The understructure of the shell provides the strength needed to support hundreds of gallons of water and the weight of the bathers (the cabinet is not normally part of the weight-bearing structure). The substructure is generally made of FRP (commonly called fiberglass), though some companies use ABS or other plastics. Some manufacturers build a self-supporting shell, while others use secondary supports of wood or metal under the seats or in high-stress areas to reduce the amount of FRP required. Some companies use a perimeter frame of wood or metal to support the rim. The plumbing of the spa consists of several distinct systems: A pressure system delivering water to the jets A suction system returning water to the pumps. A filtration system: the plumbing has to incorporate a filter system to help clean the water. Some models use a separate small 24/7 filter pump while others use programmed settings of the main pumps. Induced air: The jets may use a venturi effect to incorporate air into the water stream for a lighter massage effect; this requires another set of hoses. Some models use an air blower to force air through a separate set of jets for a different "bubbly" massage effect; this is a separate system from the induced air. An ozone system: ozonation is a common adjunct to water maintenance, and if installed will have its own set of hoses and fittings. The spa cabinet is the skirting around the hot tub, and serves as both an enclosure for the plumbing and a decorative wrap. For many years, spa cabinetry was made of wood, most commonly redwood or cedar, and this is still a popular choice. Wood cabinets require regular maintenance, though, especially in climates where they are exposed to severe weathering. Synthetic materials are increasingly popular because they are seen as requiring relatively little maintenance to keep their appearance.