How Long Do Covers Last?

[Reese]

...Am I a sucker or, are those covers all they're (Arctic salesman) saying it is...

It depends on what they were saying .  I believe the "trick bracing" is a plate molded into the foam.  It is a good cover, but I guess how much to value it depends on whether you plan to use it as a dance floor.  I  personally wouldn't base a purchase decision on the cover, but if everything else is equal... :-/.  There are multiple threads that address this, among other Arctic marketing points.   Most of them are in the "Dead Horse" section, because the discussions became rather heated.

 

[Astropin]

Here is my new cover:http://www.be-lite.com (Except sized for a Hot Springs Grandee). Had some issues getting the right size but those got worked out at no cost to me. Been using it for about a month now and it appears to be a very nice cover that should last a very long time.

 

[Tman122]

I have no idea who makes the covers for Great Lakse but I got almost 5 years out of my standerd GL cover. They offered an upgrade that I opted not to get as I felt further investigation was required. I bought one of Docs covers about 5-6 months ago and it seems to be better constucted than the original GL cover, and yes I did opt for an upgraded version this time as I feel it is one of the most important things you can do for an effiecient operating tub. Reflective heat shield inside, full seam seal and extra inches of thickness......way cool doc. I also like the inside pull straps and the stitching seems well above average. The fit was also perfect. I dout you can stand on it but that seems like not so good of an idea no matter what. Besides it adds to the weight for removal.

 

[bwbski22]

those belite covers look like they dont insulate well at all.  how much do they cost?  i really dont like that they dont have a skirt on them.  they look like they would be good if i lived in florida, but my tubs in vermont.

 

[lets]

Be-lite offers two thicknesses of covers. The thicker cover, according to the manufacturer, is R-14. They're also rated at holding 1000 pounds of weight.

Arctic has a rather unique cover. They use a different type of foam core than everyone else. While other covers use a foam core that's sliced from large blocks of foam (expanded polystyrene), theirs is "cast" as an individual perfectly shaped piece for their cover. I believe it's technically extruded polystyrene. Extruded polystyrene is stronger, and more insulating (when comparing equal thicknesses and densities) than expanded polystyrene.

 

[mattNY]

Huh, that's interesting.  Extruded polystyrene is the same stuff my crown molding is made out of

 

[Bama]

Dr. Spa...
My LA Spa Paradise H-2,  has a big ole cover, which comes in 3 sections.
I feel as though because of the size of this thing that it will not last as long as a cover for a small tub.  What do you think?
Do you have covers available for my tub?

 

[lets]

3 piece covers tend to be problematic because one of the panels is made of flat foam. The flatness doesn't allow water to run off, allows puddles, causing the cover to sag, enlarging the puddle, eventually causing it to break. I have a design for a 3 piece fully tapered cover, but unfortunately, it tends to strengthen my business partners feelings that I'm totally wacko  ;D It will work, really it will, but, he runs the cover manufacturing so I have minimal say  :'( . Ok, so we do offer a 4 panel cover that's fully tapered. It's made from a combination of 6" to 4" tapered foam and 4" to 2" tapered foam.

 

[anne]

I was vey impressed by the cover that Arctic Spas was touting. The guy actually stood dead center on top of the cover and I didn't see it move!
And yes, I did lift the cover up and inspect for any "trick bracing".
Forgive my lapse in memory but, if I recall correctly it was actually warrantied for several years.
Am I a sucker or, are those covers all they're (Arctic salesman) saying it is.

Tubless in Bristol (Formerly Skellman)

My 2005 Arctic cover looks as good as new, but it has only been outdoors for about 1 year. It is warrantied, I think, for 5 years, like the rest of the tub. I actually really like that I can climb on the thing without any concern, as it makes washing it a lot easier. It seems to do a great job at insulating, but I dont have ownership of another brand to make any comparisons. It is certainly heavy!

 

[WHY_NOT]

Does being able to stand on a cover really signify how well it insulates?

 

[WHY_NOT]

Here's a very unique hot tub cover.

 

[anne]

Does being able to stand on a cover really signify how well it insulates?

No, but insulation and *durability* would be the two most important factors I can think of in a tub cover. I agree that it is a sort of silly salesman gig, to have someone jump up and down on a cover, but it does make a point.

 

[Astropin]

those belite covers look like they dont insulate well at all.  how much do they cost?  i really dont like that they dont have a skirt on them.  they look like they would be good if i lived in florida, but my tubs in vermont.

As Dr.Spa mentioned the one I have is rated at R-14 which is the same as the cover that came with the Grandee. I live in Michigan and the tub is outdoors. I like that this cover can withstand the elements a lot better and hold up to 1000 lbs. of snow & ice. There is a rubber gasket the runs around the entire cover and forms a seal with the tub. I get a good seal with it (no visible steam anyway and it's really cold out there).

 

[Graybeard]

I believe the "trick bracing" is a plate molded into the foam.

You're correct.

Arctic has a rather unique cover. They use a different type of foam core than everyone else.

It's also unique in that the foam core is sealed in Mylar rather than polyethylene.

Does being able to stand on a cover really signify how well it insulates?

LOL.  Heck no.  The fact that it's 5" thick gives you the insulation.

Still, it is reassuring to know that if the cover is properly locked down and the kids crawl up on it, it's safe.  I like the photos, they illustrate that safety aspect well, though with everybody kneeling it spreads the weight.

But I wouldn't recommend dancing on it, not because it wouldn't hold up, but because you'd be apt to dance off the edge.  

 

[Steve]

The fact that it's 5" thick gives you the insulation.

Hey Tom (you still owe me lunch...)

Lemme throw something out to you; I agree that Arctic makes a great cover and a great product. No question. I also believe there's a safety factor that all cover manufacturers should recognize. That said, when it comes to insulating properties, is a 5" cover more energy efficient than say a 3 or 4”?

Let me pose it this way...

I had a cover here in Edmonton that was a 3-2" taper with 2lb foam polyurethane wrapped. Now I never suggested anyone dance on it but from an insulating aspect, the snow never melted on the cover, I never had icicles and it trapped the heat in extremely well. The spa operated at less than a dollar per day and I got 5 years out of it.

My question is, once a cover has a high enough R-value to perform this way, does the thickness become redundant after a certain point and the selling feature then become strength?

I save the tough ones for you!

Steve

 

[Graybeard]

Hey Tom (you still owe me lunch...)

As I remember it, you were buying...   PM me, okay?

My question is, once a cover has a high enough R-value to perform this way, does the thickness become redundant after a certain point and the selling feature then become strength?

This threatens to move the topic into Dead Horse territory, though it's a good question.
 
The first answer is yes; different manufacturers will set different levels of "redundancy".  Each inch of insulation adds more thermal efficiency, but it's at a decreasing rate.  Readers are invited to check the dead horse topics for more information.

We haven't felt it economical from a manufacturing standpoint to exceed 3" of foam on the walls (the cedar is a relatively good insulator as well) but on the cover we believe that the extra insulation makes sense.  

I would say the answer to the second part of your question is No.  The strength comes from the embedded metal channels rather than (or as well as) from the thicker foam.

 

[happycamper]

i purchased my hot tub cover from The Cover Guy and we got almost 7 years out of it. Its still pretty light and I'm very impressed with it. I will be purchasing my next one through them as this is the longest i have had a cover last!

 

[Jacuzzi_Jim]

Its funny how some covers last longer than other covers from the same manufacturer.  I have seen covers last 2 years and some last as long as 6 or more.  Suppose a lot depends on how the consumer takes care of it, most really don't. 

 

[ndabunka]

The original that came with my '03 Jacuzzi J-370 lasted 7 years.  I "just recently" replaced it with one from one of this site's sponsor's, Robert's Hot Tubs and I expect it to last another 7 years.

 

[lets]

Artesian has excellent covers.....


Why did this thread come up a one with new responses?