Welcome to our forum.
Thanks so much for chiming in again - I appreciate it! Yes, I am working with a contractor who will be digging down at least 6-9" then filling with gravel. I have been trying to research it and it sounds like it may be simpler and safer to have the tub resting at grade with the deck surrounding it, rather than consulting a structural engineer to be sure the deck can support the load. Does that seem like a good approach to you?Alternatively, it seems we need lots of concrete footers going down below the frost line, which is 30" here. I'll either be using Ipe or a composite, depending upon cost. I think neither splinter - like you, prefer real wood but we'll see about cost and the look of the trex or other composite.
Thanks, AO. This is definitely the direction I am leaning. Do you know (or does anyone know) whether a round Nordic tub will need access to just the front panel or to the whole tub?Thanks!
Building the deck up to the lip of the spa... how do you get in? Do you get down on your hands and knees first and slide in or do you try and step down into the spa from a standing position?