Can I Install A Hot Tub On My Deck?

With hot tubs gaining more and more popularity in homes of all shapes and sizes, it can be frustrating if your own home doesn't quite have the area for installing either at the side of your property or immediate vicinity of your back door. However, one way to get around this is to build a deck hot tub, especially if you have a lawn that is larger than average in size and rarely used.

Depending on how you're going to make use of your lawn or other similar area, there are two main options available to you when it comes to building a deck for your hot tub. If you are simply going to use the free space to sit the hot tub upon, then you will have to build a freestanding deck. This is built by using a combination of specific concrete and wood, and is a platform for your tub to be secured to.

However, with the average hot tub weighing between 700-800lbs when empty, and a staggering 3700lbs when filled with water, you need to make sure that the deck you build will support this. You also need to take into account where the nearest power supply is, as the last thing you want is for cables to be trailing all over your lawn or yard, and potentially causing accidents. Also, if you live in an area that suffers from severe ground frost in the winter, you'll have to have deeper holes dug for ground supports.

If you do choose this method, you can either arrange for a deck hot tub specialist to carry out the work for you, or if you're feeling confident enough, install it yourself. If you have some kind of Do It Yourself proficiency and are willing to put a bit of hard work in, the whole project can be completed over the course of a single day. Make sure, however, that you don't make the height of the frames or railings too high, as this can destabilize the whole structure. If unsure, there are a variety of guides available both online and in print.

The second option is to actually dig the hot tub into your lawn, much the same as you would were you to install a swimming pool, and install the deck around it. This is usually the more popular approach, as not only does it offer a more sturdy build, it also looks less intrusive as there isn't as much surface height involved. However, once again there are certain guidelines you need to follow for maximum safety. You should ensure that the relevant materials are used to allow the maximum amount of traction between deck, pool and ground, and surround the tub area itself with concrete or similar protection. There is also the option of using the same materials to join the hot tub to any patio area. Once again, if unsure, seek out the advice of an expert.