What You Need to Know Before Installing a Hot Tub or Spa in Your Backyard
Our Austin Architects Review the Top Considerations to Keep in Mind Before Installing a Hot Tub or Spa
Our Austin architects have been receiving more and more requests for elaborate backyard designs, and what backyard retreat is complete without a hot tub or spa? Homeowners are seeking luxurious spas as another outdoor amenity in addition to oversized patios, outdoor kitchens, sunken fire pits, and pools. To help you create the ultimate backyard retreat, our Austin architects share everything you need to know before installing a hot tub or spa.
Pool and Spa by DK Studio
3 Benefits of Backyard Hot Tubs and Spas
If you are considering adding a backyard hot tub or spa to your home, you’ve come to the right place. The first step of the process is reviewing the benefits of hot tubs and spas. Here are our Austin architects’ top favorite things about backyard spas.
1. Relaxation
The way we view our homes today is different than in past decades. Homeowners now consider their house a retreat. Hot tubs and spas provide a relaxing place to unwind after a long day.
2. Entertaining
The demand for at-home amenities has increased as we shift to more entertaining from our abodes. Hot tubs and spas provide a fun place to gather for family and friends.
3. Wellness
Hot tubs and spas also offer at-home wellness opportunities. A dip in the spa has been shown to aid in muscle workout recovery, circulation, and stress reduction.
4 Types of Hot Tubs and Spas to Upgrade Your Backyard
Next, you need to decide what type of hot tub fits your needs and home style. Here are the four main types of spas to consider for your backyard.
1. Above-ground Spa
Above-ground spas are also known as portable or prefabricated hot tubs. Rather than being built into a pool or patio, above-ground spas are separate, movable units. They are typically made out of wood, metal, or fiberglass. Above-ground spas need a stable slab to sit on for support, so it is important to consider site orientation and access ahead of time. Our Austin architects have also designed decks around above-ground spas to give them a more custom look and feel.
2. In-ground Spa
In-ground spas are custom made for their location and can either be stand-alone or connected to a pool. Like a pool design, in-ground hot tubs will be finished with plaster, tile, or another type of liner. Building an in-ground spa can be more expensive than installing an above-ground spa depending on the design choices made.
In-ground Spa by DK Studio
3. Swim-spa Combination
Swim-spa combinations blend the exercise opportunities of a pool with the relaxation of a spa. These hot tubs have a larger design and mechanics that produce a current that allows you to swim in place. Swim-spa combinations are great options for those short on backyard space.
Pool and Spa Combo by DK Studio
4. Cowboy Hot Tub
Cowboy hot tubs are the Texan take on a spa, and they are quickly becoming a popular option here in Austin. This type of hot tub is made out of a metal stock tank or trough and outfitted with a water pump and heating element. Depending on the size of the tank, a cowboy hot tub can accommodate between one and four people. Unlike traditional spas, cowboy hot tubs don’t typically have jets or built-in seats.
6 Considerations When Installing a Hot Tub or Spa in Your Backyard
Adding a spa to your backyard may be a bigger job than you think. Here are six important things to consider when planning a hot tub installation.
1. Indoor-outdoor Connections
To achieve cohesive indoor-outdoor living spaces, you need to consider indoor-outdoor connections. First, think about the flow between your indoor entertaining spaces and your spa area. Is there a direct path? Are there sightlines to the spa? Next, consider the aesthetics of the spa. We design pools to match home styles, and spas are no exception.
Indoor-outdoor Living by DK Studio
2. Views
Spas are made for relaxation. So, why not relax with a view? Place your spa to position yourself for the best view in the yard. You will be thankful that you thought ahead once you’re able to kick back and take it all in.
3. Privacy
When building your backyard spa, consider your neighbors and any privacy concerns. It may be beneficial to tuck the spa into a private corner of the yard or add a privacy wall or hedges to conceal it from view.
4. Proximity to Other Amenities
Consider proximity and access when deciding on the final location of your spa. Will it be connected to the pool or sit in a separate area? Is it near other outdoor amenities like an outdoor kitchen, fire pit, or outdoor shower? Does it offer easy access to essential rooms of the home? For example, it may be beneficial to place the spa close to a mudroom or off of the home gym.
Pool and Spa Proximity by DK Studio
5. Sturdy Foundation
As architects, we know the importance of a sturdy foundation. Above-ground hot tubs carry a considerable weight once filled with water and people, and they require a solid foundation. Placing a hot tub on grass or an unsound deck can lead to problems down the line.
6. Easy Access
Finally, you need to establish easy access to the spa itself. It should be placed near other home amenities and have a substantial zone around the spa for gathering. Consider if you will create a patio, deck, or additional steps. A spa placed by itself at the far end of the yard may feel unwelcoming and cumbersome, limiting use.
Why are Backyard Hot Tubs and Spas Trending Again?
The last time backyard spas were trending was the late 80s and early 90s. So, why are hot tubs and spas trending again three decades later? Today, people are spending more time at home and see the value of investing in resort-style amenities, especially those that get us out of the house. As a result, upgraded backyards are becoming sought-after retreats. Our Austin architects agree that a backyard spa is a welcomed addition to any modern home.