cover quality

[observer]

I'm looking for advice on hot tub covers.  My hot tub is outdoors (no shelter).  A bit of snow where I live but a LOT of rain.

I replace my cover every 2 years for about 5-600 dollars; this seems exhorbitant.

No sunlight problem because I never have a cover long enough to have any sun damage.
One problem is that the covers allow rain to enter and overflow the tub; do there exist watertight covers?
Also there are birds who peck at the cover and make holes; every hole grows huge in a few weeks and looks awful.

Where can I find a good cover?  Should resist rain, have a thick layer to resist birds.  The websites never give enough information on the composition of the cover.  Also the WEIGHT is important: they should tell me the weight so I can decide if I can lift the cover or I need a lift device. 

Any suggestions?

[rosewoodsteel]

Hi Observer,

What tub do you own, where do you live and what brand covers are you using?
I just picked up a "cover" for my cover.  I had problems with sap and tulip poplar "flowers" dropping on my old Coleman spa and getting the cover dirty/sappy.  So, with my new Artic Klondiker, I decided to get a cover to protect the cover.  It cost around $60 and I'll be putting it on, tomorrow. If the birds attack it, it is a lot cheaper to replace than the insulated cover.    

[red2play]

I'm not the expert in this forum but I think I've seen a couple of cool covers.

http://www.sterlingcovana.com/prod-c3.html

http://www.strongspas.com/features/titan-hardcovers.html

[GGRANDEE]

The Cover Store at coverstore.com has a number of very good covers that will add years to your hard cover.

[Hottubguy]

Maybe look at getting a smart top from leisure concepts. They are expensive but should last 10 years plus

[Tman122]

But remember with hard covers like the smart top and the other plastic one from strong you give up almost all of your insulating ability of your cover.

[Hottubguy]

Do you know this for a fact tman?  Have you seen a smart top in person?  They claim to be as energy efficient as a regular cover. I have wondered about that with the smart top myself.

[Water Boy]

Hi Observer,

What tub do you own, where do you live and what brand covers are you using?
I just picked up a "cover" for my cover.  I had problems with sap and tulip poplar "flowers" dropping on my old Coleman spa and getting the cover dirty/sappy.  So, with my new Artic Klondiker, I decided to get a cover to protect the cover.  It cost around $60 and I'll be putting it on, tomorrow. If the birds attack it, it is a lot cheaper to replace than the insulated cover.    

Rosewood, what cover for the cover did you get? That is pretty reasonable for $60. Just curious so maybe I can recommend that to others in the future if you are happy with it.

[clover]

Observer, tell us about the covers you have bought, internet? dealer? cost?

When ordering a cover, there are things you should include which will increase cost, and are commonly neglected when consumers order, i.e. double wrap, heat sealed foam insert cores.

When using a cover, there  are thing you shouldn't do.

Birds are pecking holes in the cover?  Can you see or feel the foam insert?

[rosewoodsteel]

 
[/quote] Rosewood, what cover for the cover did you get? That is pretty reasonable for $60. Just curious so maybe I can recommend that to others in the future if you are happy with it.
[/quote]

Water Boy,
I picked it up on Amazon for $62 and some change.   Here is the link: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004FEUT80/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[rosewoodsteel]

Just to add, my total price was $62.11.   That including shipping.   

[Tman122]

Do you know this for a fact tman?  Have you seen a smart top in person?  They claim to be as energy efficient as a regular cover. I have wondered about that with the smart top myself.

It's pretty logical to speculate that 1/2" of foam will insulate 1/5th as good as 3 inches of foam.

[Hottubprosne]

We have sold the smart top and this winter we had to go out and work on the tub. the smart top had no noticeable heat loss or steam loss. I am not saying that it insulates as well as a 6 inch cover but i have had some thin covers before and did notice any usage change after a certain point it is just over kill. Case in point Watkins covers are fairly thin from the factory and they work great.

[Dr. Spa™ Ret.]

What is considered "noticeable heat loss"?

[Tman122]

Here in Northern Minnesota 6" of foam insulates better than 3" and 3" better than 1/2" Might be different where you live? We build our walls out of 2x6's rather than 2x4's so we can get more insulation in our walls. And we put 24'-36" in our attics.

Following the logic of a 1/2" is enough, I wonder why we do this?