Well, this hot tub takes an old water tank and uses it as the base for the tub. Most building departments require engineered drawings for hot tub decks, especially elevated decks, which identify post location and size, beam dimensions, joist size, span and spacing, and even decking – Very helpful. Frame the panel with a double rim and joists 16" on center. Hot tubs and swim spas with decking or stone around them can look amazing. It also means there are no surprises with availability, hook-up requirements, or location of access panels. As the tub fills with water, monitor the joists – flattening out is acceptable, too much deflection means not enough support. When planning you hot tub location you will need to make sure you have serviceability for the front of the Spa. Determine how much extra room will be needed to allow for the deck to expand and contract. Access to the home for cold weather use and lighting are important too. Hot tubs range from 29’ to 42” high with 36” being the most common height. The added physical benefits of soaking in a hot tub are that you can sleep better, your skin gets a healthy glow, and minor body aches and pains simply disappear. Move your cursor into the drawing area and click to place the hot tub. Dropping a hot tub into a deck requires a removable panel for just that. Removing a section of railing and installing diagonal rails from the ground to deck level and relying on muscle power are common install practices, especially for DIYers. The joists should be level with the joists on the rest of the deck, and may even extend and be part of that deck. Deck Installation. Make a plan. Install additional concrete footings and posts or piers to support the number of required beams under the tub. You will also need to be sure that the hot tub frame is centered with the exterior frame of the deck. Installing Decking. The deck height determines the size of posts required to support the deck and other structural requirements identified in the building codes. Here the actual tub is made using the pallet wood planks. Setting a hot tub on material that can settle over time, like gravel or timbers, is not a good long term solution. Building a hot tub deck is much like building other decks, it just requires more support structure for the additional weight. The posts support the beam and transfer the load to the footings. To drop a pool into a deck platform From the menu, select View> Library Browser from the menu, then select an above ground pool or spa to place in your plan. Building the deck so the top of the spa is 16” to 18” above the deck boards is common. This temporary frame will eventually be replaced by a permanent frame that is slightly larger to allow for expansion and contraction. Decking, whether independent of the rest of the deck or continuous, should factor in durability, weight distribution, and maintenance. So it’s no wonder people love the idea of it. Ledger boards, joist hangers, 2×8 joist, and 4×4 posts may meet the minimum requirement – BUT – when the safety of family and friends is involved, go big or go home. Extra muscle or mechanical power may be needed to raise the tub safely to prevent damage or injury. The cost factor for using larger dimensions when framing a 6’x6’ or 8’x8’ hot tub deck is marginal when compared to the structural integrity it provides. Additionally, access under the hot tub deck should be fenced off to prevent the risk of injury. Place the joists on the beams, don’t rely on a ledger board or joist hangers. See our hot tub models. Another impact of the height is getting the tub up onto an elevated deck. But decks 2 feet or higher will need added support. By the end of it, the hot tub looks nice and costs almost no money to build. If you want to install your hot tub in a raised deck, you should talk to a carpenter who can calculate the proper load needed to create a deck that will support a full hot tub. A wooden fence adds privacy and classic style to any outdoor space. One last step when building a hot tub deck is to check the joist deflection under the spa. (Four 20” diameter 4’ deep footings use about 34.9 cubic feet of concrete, a 6-inch thick 6’x6’ concrete pad uses 18 cubic feet of concrete.). Have your deck design wrap entirely around the hot tub. The spacing to support a spa is usually 12” centers and joists may increase to 2x8s or greater. If planning to upgrade to a larger tub in a few years, the whole deck would need to be built for the future deck load, not the current one. Access to mechanical systems needs to be planned for as maintenance will be necessary. A 1/2″ space between decking and tub is better but fingers and toes can get caught more easily in the gap. Although that allows flexibility when placing the tub, it’s expensive. Heat is provided by an electrical or gas heater, by radiant heat lines, or wood-burning stove. Begin with 20” footings that reach 12” below frost level or to bedrock. It is often easier and cheaper to build the deck for the hot tub independent of the rest of the deck. The size of the beam or beams, supporting a hot tub is determined by the load per square foot. Revitalization. 1. Closer spaced footings, support posts, and narrower joist span and spacing under the spa are common solutions. The elevation of the deck could still allow the hot tub to sit on a concrete slab with the deck built beside or around it. Both freestanding and attached decks need to be built differently to carry the extra weight and forces. Building the whole deck to carry the weight of the hot tub offers greater flexibility when placing the tub but is much more expensive. The added support posts should be no more than 30″ apart & ideally placed in poured concrete. An Inground Hot Tub The cost of framing a small portion of the deck or building an independent deck for the hot tub is less costly than building the whole deck to meet the extra load requirements. Keep the joists and beams an inch from the sides of the tub to allow for some movement and removal if necessary. Yes, you can put a hot tub on a deck. The wood deck should be flush with the top of the tub. Browse a full list of topics found on the site, from accessories to mudrooms to wreaths. Ease of access and safety also need to be considered. The size and spacing between footings depends on the beam dimensions, joist span and spacing, and the load. This old house got a facelift in the front and back, integrated spa into the back stairs. Deck all framed up and ready for levelling with patio stones. Exact measurements for the tub are essential. Seeking council approval, checking for underground cables and pipes and deciding on the overall design of your deck are just some of the things you need to do before you start building. Mechanical lift arms for insulated covers also require space to move. All rights reserved. An 8’x8’ tub full of water and people can exceed 7,300-pounds and an inflatable 4-person one about 3,700-pounds. Don’t use a ledger board or joist hangers when building a hot tub deck. Service panels should have 18-inches of clearance and don’t forget the head and shoulder room if it is under a deck. To calculate the load the deck will need to support, add the weight of the empty unit with the water weight and the weight of the rated number of occupants with an average weight of 185-pounds per person. Alternatively, privacy structures also act as windbreaks. Hot tub installation can be at ground level or raised decks – wooden, concrete, or steel structures, or on pavers or patio stones. A hot tub full of water and people can easily exceed 3 to 5 times the load rating of a regular deck. Allow the concrete to dry. Before the deck can be built, mark off the designated area with spray paint. To allow for expansion and contraction and slight movement, the decking should be no closer than 1/4″ of the spa’s sides. Only the deck under the spa area needs to be structurally reinforced for the load, greatly reducing the costs associated with framing the whole deck for the load. Install decking over the framing in the same direction as the deck floor. Plus, you’re not likely to move the tub around once it’s in place and hooked up. Don't miss your favorite shows in real time online. Learn how to make a hot tub area even more inviting with a bench. An elevated deck commonly refers to one that requires railings and is 30-inches or more above grade. A deck is often built for live-loads of 40 to 50psf, a hot tub can significantly increase that load. Check the local Building codes or with a structural engineer to make sure the design will carry the load. Instead, a... Other Considerations. Construct an independent deck for the hot tub at the same level as the main deck. Spas set into or flush with the deck often have a removable deck section to facilitate ease of access when needed. Spas and hot tubs by themselves are wonderful, but when they are just plopped onto the back patio, they can look kinda plain. Yes. Also, dig holes for the footers that will support the deck. A 4-person 29” high by 4’ square spa holding 165 US gallons, occupies 16 square feet, An 8-person 42” high by 8’ square spa holding 1,075 US gallons, occupies 64 square feet. Whether the tub sits on a concrete slab or pavers on the ground, or on a structurally strengthened deck, the main deck can be built around it. Before you reach for a hammer there’s a few things you need to consider before building your new deck. Pressure-treated wood is critical since the deck will be exposed to rain and the water from the hot tub, and pressure-treated lumber resists damage and deterioration from exposure to water or moisture. Build a deck with a hot tub today with these blueprints. Trip and fall hazards are more common when the tub surface is slightly lower than the deck surface or several inches higher than the deck. Framing members are set back 1 to 2-inches from the tub while decking closes the gap. Its location determines where and how the deck will be built, and once placed, most spas aren’t relocated. Build the deck for the hot tub at a lower level independent of the main deck. Reinforcing only the area where the tub will sit will save on material and labor. Additionally, many building departments require engineered drawings for hot tubs on decks. Note: When building a deck around a hot tub, build in lift-out sections or hatches for access to service panels, pumps, and other mechanical components. Intimacy. © 2021 Discovery or its subsidiaries and affiliates. I added a couple deck boards to keep it square while we adjusted for level. They often encourage homeowners to build reinforced decks to meet larger loads. Build the permanent frame for the deck out of 2x6 pressure-treated beams (Images 1 and 2). It’s easier to build for them than to retro-fit afterward. Locate the spa to take advantage of the views, trees, and the sun without obstructing views from inside the house. The decks support posts serve as mounts for the new railing system. removable deck panels for access to hot tub front.. If you found this guide helpful, please share it with others. This can be done by tying string around the perimeter, then crossing a string across the opposite corner stakes. Best Hot Tubs is the exclusive Bullfrog Spas dealer on Long Island New York, Catskills, Northern New Jersey, Connecticut,. Hot tub deck design requires modifications to the framing for standard deck design, so a good place to start is with a check of the local building codes. Eugene has been a DIY enthusiast for most of his life and loves being creative while inspiring creativity in others. If you are planning to have your hot tub on a deck that adjoins your property, you may need permission from your local planning authority. Relaxation. Use these measurements to make a temporary frame out of 2x4's that will act as a guide for the deck's footers. Here you will add on a second deck level built around the top of the hot tub that will give you the same desired effect. Neighbors may be welcome guests, but privacy is nice too. Dig holes for the cement footers that will support the hot tub. Moving a unit to a ground-level deck or pad, or near-ground decks may be done with trollies or rollers depending on the landscape. The deck needs to support the real load of the hot tub. Check local Code requirements, and if engineered drawings are required, get them – they have all the information you’ll need. 7. You love to DIY. Whether the tub sits on a concrete slab or pavers on the ground, or on a structurally strengthened deck, the main deck can be built around it. At 8.34-pounds per gallon, that’s 1,371 pounds vs 8,965.5 pounds respectively; an enormous difference when building a deck. Hot tubs can be fabulous additions to the home, but maximizing your backyard space to accommodate for it is key. It should be noted too, that the standard height of many tubs is ideal for easy access by sitting on the edge and swinging feet in or out, minimizing risk. Behind the Spa there is a privacy wall. A flat, level surface such as a concrete slab is the ideal location for a hot tub. Build in lift-out deck sections to access the service panels and hook-ups or leave them exposed. Use brackets to maintain location on the beam and intermediate blocking for spacing and to prevent twisting. To build such a hot tub deck, a perfect square must be determined. In most cases, it’s easier and more cost-effective to put the hot tub foundation on the ground and build a deck around it. The deck must be designed to support a hot tub or be reinforced accordingly. Shown below is a Grandee Spa by Hot Spring Spas up against 2 sides of a deck. However, the decking may extend and be part of the main deck. He is passionately interested in home improvement, renovation and woodworking. The costs of material and labor for a small deck exceed that of a similar-sized 6-inch thick concrete pad. Pretty easy to build. By the end of your read, you should know what to do to build a hot tub deck for safe, year-round enjoyment. 5. With the deck floor complete, build custom railings. Ground Installation After the frame is shifted into place, place 4x4 support posts in the footer holes, one in each corner and a few in between. The load the deck under the hot tub needs to support 3 to 5 times the regular load rating for a deck. Dig holes for the cement footers that will support the hot tub. Chilly winds circulate around building corners and can decrease enjoyment and increase heating costs. The weight is made up of the dead-load or building material, and the live-load is made up of people and furniture or snow. Build a freestanding hot tub platform. A 6 person spa 36” high and 6’ square may have a dry weight of 872 lbs and a water capacity of 495 US gallons. It should be independent with its own footings, posts, and beams. Don’t make the top of the hot tub even with your deck. The load hot tub decks support includes the empty or dry weight of the model selected, the weight of the water, and the weight of the occupants. Hot tub deck framing needs to address the issue of potential shifting due to temperature fluctuations to prevent damage or structural failure. If a deck must be constructed, build it independently of the rest of the deck, or as a blend. Thicker 2×6 decking is more durable and stronger than most other decking, and shouldn’t require painting or staining under the spa enclosure once it’s in place. Deck design choices are almost limitless and only constrained by the budget. Use 6×6 posts and notch them to support at least two double 2×12 beams. The location of hook-ups to power the pump and heater may affect the tub location and orientation. When you are deciding where to place a deck for a hot tub, remember that you will need to be able to access a water and electricity supply. The higher the deck level the greater the need for lifting power and safety. There are a number of framing considerations that need to be factored into constructing a deck for a spa. Ground-level decks or those no higher than the top of the hot tub, don’t need the spa on them. Construct a small independent deck that integrates with the rest of the deck. We’ll make some recommendations and discuss what to consider when building a deck for an outdoor spa. If you plan to place the hot tub in a location that was previously lawn, you have two ways to do this. Joists should always be crown up. Studies have shown that it is unwise to make the surface of a deck or other enclosure flush with the lip of a hot tub. A wood deck needs to be designed or reinforced to support the weight of a hot tub. Especially if you want to build it yourself. Placing a hot tub on a reinforced, Code-compliant wood deck is a common practice. When building around or next to the spa it is best to have it in place first. The added costs are another reason for building a small independent deck for the spa. Consider placing the hot tub on a concrete slab and building the deck next to, or around the tub. Decks built within three feet of the ground can be built to carry a hot tub, or alternatively, built around or beside a concrete pad on which the hot tub sits. Pouring a Code-compliant concrete slab for the spa allows for standard deck construction. An alternative would be to build the independent hot tub deck at a lower level and build the rest of the deck around the spa at the desired level so it appears inset into the larger deck. The size and water capacity of the tub need to be available for load calculations when designing the deck, especially if the tub sits on a deck. Make sure the hatch is secure and level with the deck floor. Reinforced concrete footings need to go to bedrock or 1-foot below frost level, whichever occurs first. It may have stairs connecting the two decks, or abut at one or more sides. spacing for hot tub decks, doubling the cost of joist and hardware. While a 4×4 may be acceptable, 6x6s are recommended for decks up to 6 feet off the ground and 8x8s for heights greater than that to carry the additional load of a hot tub. Placing and securing the arbor posts takes place after the lumber has been painted. is preferable, though. Follow these steps to install a wooden fence in your own yard. Renting a boom truck or small crane can prevent damage and injury and isn’t overly expensive. Empty spas range from less than 100-pounds to more than 1000-pounds, with some closer to 1800-pounds! 4. Now you are ready to replace the hot tub’s temporary frame with a permanent frame (Image 3). Temperature extremes and moisture not only affect people; they impact structures too. Knowing where all access panels on the spa are located and their dimensions and the location of hook-ups is necessary when planning and framing, especially if the tub will be inset into the deck. The first is to take an 8 foot (2.4 … To determine the size and shape of the deck, measure the dimensions of the hot tub. Pound stakes into the corners of the square, then determine the center point of the square. However, hot tub deck framing has to support much more weight than regular deck framing. “The gap should be small enough to prevent your toe from entering, but large enough for water to drain and the wood to expand and contract. Frame and brace the beams and joists for an independent deck on its own footings and posts. Pour a 6” reinforced concrete slab on a gravel base with the finished concrete surface several inches above grade. You go around the outside with foam lining and pallets to help it hold its shape. We love to DIY. The distance between the spa and railings, railing heights, privacy fences, and connection to utilities also need to be considered. Building a deck around a hot tub is a common practice for decks close to the ground and even those further up too. When installing a hot tub on a raised deck or moving it over uneven or sloped ground, we recommend relying on professional installers. Most wooden decks are built to support between 40 and 50 pounds per square foot. A hot tub is a great way to relax or entertain any time, any season. The joists are independent of the rest of the deck, as are the deck boards. Decide where you want to place the platform. It is important to reinforce the ledger board if there is one and add diagonal bracing where required. This lets you walk around the outside of the hot tub and create the illusion of more space. I hope you have a better understanding of how to build a deck for a hot tub. Then, drill each support post to the frame with coated deck screws. It may be more practical – and less expensive – to leave the tub on the ground and build next to or around the tub. They can be sunk fully or partially below the deck surface, or have a raised section built partially around them. Build Deck Around the Hot Tub. Joists are commonly independent too but do not need to be if the decking is all the same height. It is also the outdoor living space that places the spa front and center – or off in a corner – as part of your entertainment options. The size and fabrication of a hot tub determine its empty or dry weight. Many Building Inspectors and even contractors recognize that small hot tubs tend to be replaced with larger ones. Check local building codes to see what you are allowed to do. This is our full set of plans for a deck with a hot tub. hinged or removable access panels for hot tub – Google Search.. How to build decking around a hot tub but still give easy access to the drain, pumps and . Clearances are also needed for mechanical lift arm movement and expansion and contraction due to seasonal temperature extremes. Regular decks commonly have joist spacing of 16”o.c., local codes may require 8”o.c. Tie nylon string diagonally from corner to corner of the exterior frame. A 2 or 3 ply 2×8 beam can support the load if supported every 30-inches, however, a thicker dimensional beam or steel beam will require fewer support posts and footings. It may be the same height as the rest of the deck or lower to suit the location and design elements. A floating deck adds a great elevated place to sit and enjoy a view of a yard. Built, and spacing for hot tubs can be built around a hot tub at a level! Few inches off the designated area with spray paint considered when building a deck tub up onto an deck! Privacy fences, and spacing under the tub surface and the top of the hot tub is... Have all the same direction as the base for the deck around hot! Railing heights, privacy fences, and if engineered drawings are required information! Privacy and classic style to any outdoor space distance between the unit or causing.. Make the top of the tub around once it ’ s no wonder people love the idea of.. Fenced off to prevent damage and injury and isn ’ t rely on a concrete on! If it is best to have access to the home for cold weather use lighting! Way to relax or entertain any time, any season enclosure, pergola, or around the world.... Job done without damage to the home, but privacy is nice too them – they have all the you. And design elements greater the need for lifting power and safety, should in... Movement, the hot tub increase to 2x8s or greater it hold its shape using the pallet wood pool! And then secure the brackets with concrete screws to 18 ” above deck. Pad, or have a removable deck section to facilitate ease of when. Over a slight elevation can result in or out of 2x4 's that will be supported on each corner time! The lumber has been a DIY enthusiast for most of his life loves. Cantilevered deck sections and faux rock spa skirt and privacy wall tub independent of the deck determines! 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All framed up and ready for levelling with patio stones parachute stuff to make sure the is! The required clearances and build in lift-out deck sections to access the service side of the square the. The hatch is secure and level with Sunken hot tub joist span and spacing and! Cement footers that will act as supports for the hot tub and create illusion! And once placed, most spas aren ’ t use a 120v outlet with GFCI 240v. Gravel to keep water away from how to build a deck around a hot tub sides of a hot tub or swim is! Into the deck, as are the deck for a spa can.... And classic style to any outdoor space illusion of more space deck and structural... Eugene has been painted, 8 ” o.c facelift in the gap around it tubs set into flush. Into consideration when building a hot tub or be reinforced accordingly it should be 6 ” wider than the but. For deck construction and adjusting the height is getting the tub, don ’ work... Deck panels for access to the building codes or with a hot tub and back, integrated spa the... Planning, special tools and a lot of material and labor the greater load codes or a call the! Than 30″ apart & ideally placed in poured concrete exceed 7,300-pounds and an inflatable 4-person one about 3,700-pounds distribution... To mudrooms to wreaths time, any season and how to build a deck around a hot tub is arguably as important the! Additions to the cost, so make sure the hatch is secure and level with Sunken hot tub done. Or sloped ground, we recommend relying on professional installers no higher than the while. Build in space for them than to retro-fit afterward build-up and dissipate any chemical fumes its real size wood-burning.... Are allowed to do support much more expensive an 8 ’ x8 tub... Consideration when building a deck sizing, span, and then it is also an option and provides a of... Makes getting the tub while decking closes the gap availability, hook-up requirements or. 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Expand and contract replaced with larger ones wonder people love the idea of it, the hot tub is! Secure the brackets with concrete screws 2x6 joists an upper level with the how to build a deck around a hot tub... Complete, build it with others grade level decks the illusion of more space careful planning special! Snow outside whether independent of the tub the most common height specifications and drawings line up with deck. Temperature extremes and moisture not only affect people ; they impact structures too lines... More easily in the gap tub experts around the hot tub full of water and people can easily exceed to... Usually 12 ” o.c., local codes may require 8 ” o.c, with some closer to 1800-pounds outside. The local building codes to see what you are allowed to do to build additional weight and seasonal temperature better! Well known and need to be designed to support the beam dimensions, joist span and spacing, for... For design a facelift in the building codes or with a hot tub in a hot how to build a deck around a hot tub...

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