When planning you hot tub location you will need to make sure you have serviceability for the front of the Spa. Types of Decks where Hot Tubs can be Installed, Practical Recommendations for Spa Deck Framing, Buy the Hot Tub and Take Exact Dimensions, I65 gallons x 8.34 lbs/gallon = 1,371 lbs, Total weight = 120 + 1,371 + 740 = 2,231 pounds, 1075 gallons x 8.34 lbs/gallon = 8,965.5 lbs, Total weight = 1,120 + 8,965.5 + 1,480 = 11,565.5 lbs, weight of water: 495 lbs x 8.34 lbs/US gallon = 4,128. You will need to have access to the service side of the hot tub, which is usually the front. It also means there are no surprises with availability, hook-up requirements, or location of access panels. Ground-level decks or those no higher than the top of the hot tub, don’t need the spa on them. Keep the joists and beams an inch from the sides of the tub to allow for some movement and removal if necessary. Hot Springs spa wrap around deck design gives plenty of room for drinks and towels. Building a deck around a hot tub is a common practice for decks close to the ground and even those further up too. 15 Hot Tub Deck Surround Ideas. A hot tub is a great way to relax or entertain any time, any season. Reinforced concrete footings need to go to bedrock or 1-foot below frost level, whichever occurs first. The joists are independent of the rest of the deck, as are the deck boards. Framing a Deck for Hot Tub Installation Low and Grade Level Decks. If the ground is uneven or a pad won’t work, there are other options. Only a few inches off the ground, this platform takes a little time but is easy once you get going. Shown below is a Grandee Spa by Hot Spring Spas up against 2 sides of a deck. As for spaces between the deck and the hot tub, you need to factor in, among other things, soaker safety and lumber longevity. Hot tub installation can be at ground level or raised decks – wooden, concrete, or steel structures, or on pavers or patio stones. Building the deck so the top of the spa is 16” to 18” above the deck boards is common. “The gap should be small enough to prevent your toe from entering, but large enough for water to drain and the wood to expand and contract. The deck height determines the size of posts required to support the deck and other structural requirements identified in the building codes. When the inner frame is squared and centered, attach the frames to one another with several 2x6 joists. The deck boards are water-resistant and provide a level or near level surface. Trip and fall hazards are more common when the tub surface is slightly lower than the deck surface or several inches higher than the deck. Learn how to make a deck complete by installing a hot tub. See our hot tub models. Spas set into or flush with the deck often have a removable deck section to facilitate ease of access when needed. Once the frame is nailed together, it needs to be squared. There may also be local ordinances regarding clearances that should be addressed too. Removing a section of railing and installing diagonal rails from the ground to deck level and relying on muscle power are common install practices, especially for DIYers. The height and diameter or length and width affect the water capacity and the number of people a spa can accommodate. For uneven ground or decks higher than 3-feet – the top of the spa on a concrete pad – or if a slab isn’t possible, it is more practical to place the hot tub on a deck. Here you will add on a second deck level built around the top of the hot tub that will give you the same desired effect. The weight is made up of the dead-load or building material, and the live-load is made up of people and furniture or snow. On short decks, the hot tub is not typically installed on top of the deck. Joists are commonly independent too but do not need to be if the decking is all the same height. The cost of framing a small portion of the deck or building an independent deck for the hot tub is less costly than building the whole deck to meet the extra load requirements. It is important to reinforce the ledger board if there is one and add diagonal bracing where required. with 17-standard 8-foot deck boards on top. The deck area that supports the tub is usually framed separately to carry the additional weight, while the rest of the deck frame is for lighter loads. Its location determines where and how the deck will be built, and once placed, most spas aren’t relocated. This two level hot tub deck design really does it nice. Begin with 20” footings that reach 12” below frost level or to bedrock. 3 lbs, weight of people: 6 people x 185 lbs (average weight) = 1,110 lbs, total weight: 872 + 4,128.3 + 1,110 = 6,110.3 lbs. If you want to install your hot tub in a raised deck, you should talk to a carpenter who can calculate the proper load needed to create a deck that will support a full hot tub. Step 2. Attach a right angle bracket to the base of each support post. The size and water capacity of the tub need to be available for load calculations when designing the deck, especially if the tub sits on a deck. A hot tub full of water and people can easily exceed 3 to 5 times the load rating of a regular deck. Use 6×6 posts and notch them to support at least two double 2×12 beams. The next one is also a very creative pallet wood hot tub idea. To build such a hot tub deck, a perfect square must be determined. Pour a 6” reinforced concrete slab on a gravel base with the finished concrete surface several inches above grade. Both freestanding and attached decks need to be built differently to carry the extra weight and forces. The first hot tub enclosure that is good for winter is an enclosed hot tub room. If you found this guide helpful, please share it with others. Framing members are set back 1 to 2-inches from the tub while decking closes the gap. Most building departments require engineered drawings for hot tub decks, especially elevated decks, which identify post location and size, beam dimensions, joist size, span and spacing, and even decking – Very helpful. It leaves access panels accessible and makes it easier to get in or out of the tub. A 1/4″ to 1/2″ between the unit and decking is recommended for tubs set into the deck. Build a deck with a hot tub today with these blueprints. However, hot tub deck framing has to support much more weight than regular deck framing. Before the deck can be built, mark off the designated area with spray paint. In most cases, it’s easier and more cost-effective to put the hot tub foundation on the ground and build a deck around it. To drop a pool into a deck platform From the menu, select View> Library Browser from the menu, then select an above ground pool or spa to place in your plan. Make sure the hatch is secure and level with the deck floor. It is also easier for older or injured bodies. Learn how to install a deck that will properly support the weight of a hot tub. There are a few things that you will want to take into consideration when building a deck around your spa. He is passionately interested in home improvement, renovation and woodworking. Have your deck design wrap entirely around the hot tub. Building around the spa allows for standard deck construction and adjusting the height between the deck surface and the top of the tub. Then, shift hot tub frame until the corners line up with the nylon string. The costs of material and labor for a small deck exceed that of a similar-sized 6-inch thick concrete pad. You will need to build a 4'x4' removable panel that will be supported on each corner. The exact dimensions are VERY helpful when framing a deck for a hot tub. Use these measurements to make a temporary frame out of 2x4's that will act as a guide for the deck's footers. The added costs are another reason for building a small independent deck for the spa. Use these measurements to make a temporary frame out of 2x4's that will act as a guide for the deck's footers. Hot tub deck framing needs to address the issue of potential shifting due to temperature fluctuations to prevent damage or structural failure. Don't miss your favorite shows in real time online. Hot tub deck design requires modifications to the framing for standard deck design, so a good place to start is with a check of the local building codes. Studies have shown that it is unwise to make the surface of a deck or other enclosure flush with the lip of a hot tub. Building a deck for or adding a hot tub to a deck requires a building permit in most areas. Joist size and spacing for non-hot tub decks commonly are 2x6s spaced on 16” centers. Decks built within three feet of the ground can be built to carry a hot tub, or alternatively, built around or beside a concrete pad on which the hot tub sits. Alternatively, privacy structures also act as windbreaks. Plus, you’re not likely to move the tub around once it’s in place and hooked up. Deck design choices are almost limitless and only constrained by the budget. Check local building codes to see what you are allowed to do. You go around the outside with foam lining and pallets to help it hold its shape. Buying the tub ensures you have the model you want, and for which the deck is constructed – no surprises. Hot tubs range from 29’ to 42” high with 36” being the most common height. Lots of room for a table, chairs and umbrella. The load hot tub decks support includes the empty or dry weight of the model selected, the weight of the water, and the weight of the occupants. Joists should always be crown up. A review of the local building codes or a call to the building department will often clarify structural requirements. Build a Raised Platform around the Spa This deck building option is often used in a situation where you cannot recess your hot tub down into a deck but that is the functionality you want. Super-size to 2×10 joists installed on top of the beams and spaced at 12”o.c., 8”o.c. Build in lift-out deck sections to access the service panels and hook-ups or leave them exposed. Once you figure out how to make your deck and hot tub work together in … Exact measurements for the tub are essential. Building the whole deck to carry the weight of the hot tub offers greater flexibility when placing the tub but is much more expensive. An upper level with sunken hot tub and built in benches surround it. Locate the spa to take advantage of the views, trees, and the sun without obstructing views from inside the house. Many people build decks around their hot tubs. Deck all framed up and ready for levelling with patio stones. This old house got a facelift in the front and back, integrated spa into the back stairs. An elevated deck commonly refers to one that requires railings and is 30-inches or more above grade. Pump motors commonly use a 120v outlet with GFCI or 240v dedicated circuit, so make sure they match. Here the actual tub is made using the pallet wood planks. Building deck stairs will provide ready access to the yard and add value to your home. If planning to upgrade to a larger tub in a few years, the whole deck would need to be built for the future deck load, not the current one. It is designed to fix in a metallic tub which would carry water. Installing Decking. 3. The first is to take an 8 foot (2.4 … Construct a small independent deck that integrates with the rest of the deck. The higher the deck level the greater the need for lifting power and safety. Watch Planning to build a deck Hot tub location and deck design may include privacy screens, an enclosure, pergola, or other considerations. Knowing where all access panels on the spa are located and their dimensions and the location of hook-ups is necessary when planning and framing, especially if the tub will be inset into the deck. spacing for hot tub decks, doubling the cost of joist and hardware. hinged or removable access panels for hot tub – Google Search.. How to build decking around a hot tub but still give easy access to the drain, pumps and . Dig holes for the cement footers that will support the hot tub. Heat is provided by an electrical or gas heater, by radiant heat lines, or wood-burning stove. To determine the pounds-per-square-foot (psf) the deck must support, add the weight of the empty tub with the weight of the water and people it is rated for, and then divide it by the area the spa covers. Well, this hot tub takes an old water tank and uses it as the base for the tub. A wood deck needs to be designed or reinforced to support the weight of a hot tub. For designers, the spa or hot tub is a focal point, and hot tub surrounds are used to dress it up and provide conveniences and privacy. At 8.34-pounds per gallon, that’s 1,371 pounds vs 8,965.5 pounds respectively; an enormous difference when building a deck. Another impact of the height is getting the tub up onto an elevated deck. The added support posts should be no more than 30″ apart & ideally placed in poured concrete. The location of the hot tub is arguably as important as the deck construction. Before you reach for a hammer there’s a few things you need to consider before building your new deck. Behind the Spa there is a privacy wall. Eugene has been a DIY enthusiast for most of his life and loves being creative while inspiring creativity in others. After the frame is shifted into place, place 4x4 support posts in the footer holes, one in each corner and a few in between. The cost factor for using larger dimensions when framing a 6’x6’ or 8’x8’ hot tub deck is marginal when compared to the structural integrity it provides. It should be noted too, that the standard height of many tubs is ideal for easy access by sitting on the edge and swinging feet in or out, minimizing risk. How to Install a Flagstone Patio with Irregular Stones. Fill the holes with quick setting concrete mix and add water. Renting a boom truck or small crane can prevent damage and injury and isn’t overly expensive. With the deck floor complete, build custom railings. If attached to the house with a ledger board and using joist hangers, additional lag screws are necessary, and possibly a wider ledger and bigger hangers too. Check the required clearances and build in space for them. The deck can be built flush with the top of the tub, or lower to provide a step up. Build the deck for the hot tub at a lower level independent of the main deck. The added physical benefits of soaking in a hot tub are that you can sleep better, your skin gets a healthy glow, and minor body aches and pains simply disappear. If you plan to place the hot tub in a location that was previously lawn, you have two ways to do this. Getting a hot tub onto a deck can take some imagination and a lot of muscle, or the outlay of cash for some mechanical assistance. Whether the tub sits on a concrete slab or pavers on the ground, or on a structurally strengthened deck, the main deck can be built around it. Build Deck Around the Hot Tub. Decking, whether independent of the rest of the deck or continuous, should factor in durability, weight distribution, and maintenance. It is recommended that a structural engineer be consulted when designing, or redesigning a deck for a hot tub. Closer spaced footings, support posts, and narrower joist span and spacing under the spa are common solutions. If you’ve been using a bathtub on the deck and want a hot tub on a deck, you’re in the right place. Place the joists on the beams, don’t rely on a ledger board or joist hangers. Frame the section of the deck where the spa will sit to support the greater load. Follow these steps to install a wooden fence in your own yard. In this guide, we’ll look at how a hot tub deck differs from a regular deck, different types of decks for a tub, and framing considerations. Decks built ground level up to 2 feet off the ground can support up to 100 lbs per square foot; sufficient for most hot tubs. Only the deck under the spa area needs to be structurally reinforced for the load, greatly reducing the costs associated with framing the whole deck for the load. Wooden decks don’t commonly need to carry that additional weight and aren’t designed to. Note: When building a deck around a hot tub, build in lift-out sections or hatches for access to service panels, pumps, and other mechanical components. Yes, you can put a hot tub on a deck. Curved composite planks match the circular acrylic hot tub, set below Wisteria blooms. To determine the size and shape of the deck, measure the dimensions of the hot tub. Frame and brace the beams and joists for an independent deck on its own footings and posts. Move your cursor into the drawing area and click to place the hot tub. Relaxing in a hot tub is one of the best ways to get rid of stress and tensions of the day. There are a number of framing considerations that need to be factored into constructing a deck for a spa. is preferable, though. Use brackets to maintain location on the beam and intermediate blocking for spacing and to prevent twisting. No matter what your choice is, enhancing the look of your hot tub is a must since it will the major focal point of your outdoor space. 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