Hot Tubs, Hot Item
After a hot day at work Americans, like many of their British counterparts, unwind. The big difference is where and how they do it.
Over in the States it's standard practice for people to go home and jump into a myriad of bubbles to ease aching muscles and get rid of tension. They also do it to relax, and they do it alone or with friends, in the height of summer or the depths of winter, in broad daylight or under a canopy of stars.
Hot tubs are commonplace in American backyards – or gardens as we call them. They are also popular in Australia. But it's a myth to suppose it's climate rather than culture that makes them a desirable item because hot tubs are a hot item all year round in Canada and Finland.
The idea of water being used for therapeutic or recreational purposes is not, of course, new. The Greeks were soaking in communal hot baths in 500 BC, and the Romans too enjoyed a wallow in water. We took the plunge in England around 800 BC, and spas and baths even received royal patronage. Elsewhere, and in different ways, having a good soak caught on in Germany, Spain, Turkey and Egypt. In Japan hot-water bathing in wooden vessels has been part of the nation's culture for aeons.
In the last 50 years, while natural hot springs and hydrotherapy pools have remained popular, the birth of the Jacuzzi (named after its Italian inventor) meant you could indulge in this luxury in the comfort of your own home. But now that Jacuzzis are becoming something of a standard indoor feature, the focus is again on outdoor bathing.
Up to now, homeowners with generous gardens have opted for swimming pools as the ultimate status symbol. But not every garden can comfortably accommodate one. Another downside is the cleaning and maintenance, and in winter heating an outdoor pool can put a fiscal chill in the thrill of a daily dip.
From an economic point of view, owning, heating and maintaining a hot tub is within the means of the average homeowner. A hot tub is also ideal for those with small to average gardens and little or no enthusiasm for exercise. The bonus of owning a hot tub or spa, apart from lying back and thinking of nothing, is the scope for turning it into a feature.
Hot tubs can be as basic or as sophisticated as your requirements and budget dictate. They come in DIY-kit form, customised format from a professional manufacturer and installer, or as a bespoke item with designer surround. If you want to go the whole hog as some of our cousins over the pond do, you can have your hot tub "featurised" not just with stylish cabinet and matching decking but a decorative gazebo. Even then it will take up less space than a swimming pool.
Before choosing your hot tub you should be clear in your mind as to what you want from it. The number of jets a tub has relates to its therapeutic effectiveness for massaging aching muscles. Other technical points to look at are horsepower and insulation and, if children are around, consider safety. Ensure you can cover and lock the hot tub, or that it has an electronic setting for use by adults only. Higher on the agenda for homework are issues like site location, installation and warranty (to cover product, parts and maintenance).
From the point of view of aesthetics, a timber surround with decking is very much in vogue. More attractive than cold concrete or paving, decking is ideal for providing a level surface where there are ground variations, and wood feels good under bare feet. If the timber is sourced from sustainable forests it gets the environmental vote, and its versatility lends itself to a variety of laying styles, including diagonal, herringbone and parquet.
Two of the favoured timbers for decking projects are California Redwood and Southern Yellow Pine. Both are American Softwoods, harvested from managed forests. There are actually 10 different species of American Softwoods (see info panel at end). Most are from the Western and South Eastern States and eight of the commercial species available are as strong as some traditional hardwoods like oak.
American Softwoods' European Marketing Director Eddie Pearce described the term "softwood" as a misnomer as it refers to a tree's origin rather than its strength.
"Softwoods are woods from conifers like pine, fir and spruce while hardwoods, like oak, are from broadleaved trees. In terms of strength many of the commercially grown American Softwoods are comparable with Hardwoods. Pressure treated, kiln-dried Southern Pine in particular offers exceptional strength and stability. It lends itself well not only to decking but all manner of structural, industrial and commercial applications, and is perfect for projects involving ground and water contact. As a result, sales of Southern Pine in the UK and Europe have steadily risen over the last 25 years," said Mr Pearce.
In terms of decking projects incorporating hot tubs or spas, an important point to bear in mind is load bearing. A hot tub when full could weigh more than 3,500 pounds and both California Redwood and Southern Pine decks can easily withstand such weights.
In addition, the deck boards will stay in place, resisting warping, cupping, splitting and checking.
As to choice of timber from a visual point of view, the deciding factor is down to personal choice on colour, grain and texture. California Redwood has a very beautiful rich colour, while Southern Pine has a warm, golden hue. A great advantage of their natural beauty is that it is not necessary to paint these woods as both age attractively and keep their handsome appearance. To maintain the original colour tones the application of a water repellent sealant is all that is needed, while periodic cleaning will preserve the wood.
"Decking schemes, whether incorporating a swimming pool, hot tub or built-in barbecue and leisure amenity area, need to blend into the landscape as well as suit the style of home. Outlandish colour schemes seem to be a current trend and can be dramatic, but they are hard to live with once the novelty has worn off. Also, a good deck can last for 25 years if properly looked after and if it is brightly painted it may not appeal to a prospective property buyer. The natural beauty of wood, however, lasts and lasts, and Southern Pine and California Redwood are two American softwoods that have both tactile and visual appeal."
Decking stains are an alternative more natural colour option to bright paints and these will need to be re-applied every couple of years. But for minimum maintenance it is hard to beat the pure beauty of California Redwood and Southern Yellow Pine, both of which lend themselves well to a diverse range of decking styles and features.
Currently riding high in hot tub fashions in the States are Cabanas. One company in Ukiah, California, (www.bestgazebo.com), has a choice of 15 different styles. The Shoji Spa Mount with solid Redwood tongue and groove roof has removable sliding shoji panels and offers easy spa cover removal. The Entertainer, as its name suggests, thinks of everything. The eight-foot enclosure has privacy panels, a skylight in the solid roof, a bar and two stools. Little wonder American workers rush home to their hot tubs!
Case Studies
