Is Full-Foam Insulation Really Best for Hot Tubs?

Arguably the most significant factor in hot tub quality and durability, hot tub insulation is extremely important. Like anything that makes a huge impact on price, hot tub insulation types can come with plenty of opinions and misinformation. Be sure to do your homework before you take any one person or company’s word for it.

Leakage Issues and Full-Foam Hot Tubs

Some hot tub sales professionals may cite issues with fixing leaks as a down side to purchasing a hot tub with full-foam insulation. However, full-foam insulation actually reduces the chances of leaks (we discussed the many benefits of full-foam insulation in a previous post); when repairs are needed, though, a trained technician should be able to locate the site of the issue and correct it, regardless of the type of insulation used.

Like any high-quality, luxury item, the price of repairs is far from the deciding factor when you’re making your purchase, anyway. By its very nature, a higher quality item will stand up better to typical wear and tear. At the same time, it is true that addressing any issues with equipment will require more time and labor than other types of tubs.

Rodents and Full-Foam Hot Tubs

While insulation might logically seem to mean there’s a greater chance of rodents making their home in your hot tub cabinet, in reality, this is really a non-issue. Not only does a full-foam hot tub include a layer of high-density foam sealing the bottom of the hot tub cabinet, but the synthetic materials used are not at all attractive to rodents and other wildlife; the kind of small, warm home they seek will be more easily found elsewhere.

Overheating and Full-Foam Hot Tubs

Insulation helps retain the temperature of the water in your hot tub, along with protecting the equipment in the walls of the cabinet surrounding it. Any issues of overheating have to do more with the engineering and quality of those components than the insulation used. In reality, the higher-end which the hot tub is, the less the chances of overheating, regardless of the type of insulation used.

Covers and Full-Foam Hot Tubs

Any reputable hot tub manufacturer will include not only cabinet insulation but also a quality cover. Some will also include a base pan or plastic sheeting to seal the bottom, thereby reducing ground contact. More importantly, though, they will include a pump shroud and blanket. A reflective blanket for winter use will be helpful for those who live in extremely cold climates, but that won’t keep the water actually hot. A fitted cover is what will actually keep your hot tub water at the desired temperature while also protecting it from debris. If you have a quality cover, you really don’t also need a floating blanket.

At the end of the day, full-foam hot tubs also vary in the density and quality of the insulation which is used. Typically, the more you pay up front for a well-insulated hot tub, the less you’ll pay over the lifetime of your spa in energy and repairs.

Lyon Financial

Since 1979 Lyon Financial has made the backyard resort dream come true for over 400,000 families across the U.S. Through our solid relationships with more than 3,000 pool contractors and our continued commitment to putting our clients first, we have built a reputation as the first choice in providing pool financing solutions. For more information, visit lyonfinancial.net or call (877) 754-5966 today.