Do you need a new hot tub cover? If you’re tired of constantly stopping your old hot tub cover from falling apart using glue and duct tape, it’s time to invest in a new cover.
After all, there’s only so much you can do to remedy a worn-out hot tub cover. Whether shopping or browsing online, you should know how to measure your hot tub cover to fit correctly.
We’ve got that covered if you don’t know how to measure hot tub covers. This article will help you figure out how to determine the correct measurement for your hot tub. So grab your measuring tape now!
5 Steps To Measure A New Hot Tub Cover
The following five steps will help you how to measure the dimensions of a tub so you can buy a replacement hot tub cover that fits accurately:
Measure From Lip To Lip
Hot tubs have different shapes. Nevertheless, you must measure the spa cover from lip to lip. You can also measure the external dimension of the acrylic since they’re the same.
Afterward, add up to 1″ to the length and width, giving you 1/2″ of the measurements around your hot tub cover.
Measure The Skirt Length
The skirt refers to the bottom flap that hangs from your spa cover. It protects the hot tub surface and helps retain heat. However, it will push your hot tub cover up if you don’t measure the skirt length correctly.
If you’re using wood rail, measure from the edge of the wood rail to the top of your tub acrylic. If possible, keep your skirt length short rather than extended to avoid bunching.
If you are not using a wood rail, add 1/2″ to the measurement from the top of the hot tub to the bottom.
Get The Radius
This is the step that hot tub owners are concerned about: measuring the curved edge of a hot tub. But don’t worry; there are tools to help you determine a hot tub’s radius, such as carpenter square.
If you have a square hot tub cover, you need to measure from the beginning of the bend to the imaginary edge of the square.
Generally, a smaller radius is safer than a larger one. Remember that the hot tub’s radius will always be an even number, and a smaller radius indicates that your tub’s corners are more square.
Add Half An Inch To The Measurement
When taking length and width measurements of hot tubs, make sure to convert them into inches, and don’t forget to add a half inch (.5) to every side. Take note that it’s better to be slightly over than slightly under when taking measurements.
The hot tub cover will still fit if your measurement is too long. However, if it’s a half-inch too short, it’s not guaranteed to fit your hot tub in the summer.
Measure Different Hot Tub Covers
Hot tubs have different sizes and covers, some of them include the following:
- Round Hot Tub Covers: The round spa cover is simple to measure; you only need to measure the cover from lip to lip. You can also measure all over the seam if your old hot tub cover is still intact. You’ll need nothing more other than the skirt length measurement.
- Square Hot Tub Covers: The square cover is the easiest to measure. Simply measure your hot tub from the lip to the lip, and get the length of the skirt.
- Rectangular Hot Tub Covers: Get the dimensions of the rectangular hot tub cover the exact way you would for a square cover, but ensure to specify the direction of the fold. Some hot tub manufacturers will cut the longest part of the two sides if you don’t give them suggestions.
- Octagonal Hot Tub Covers: Like other hot tub covers, measure the octagonal cover from lip to lip. Additionally, measure one side of the cover from point to point and get the length of the skirt.
Getting The Right Hot Tub Covers?
It’s crucial that your replacement hot tub cover fits perfectly, or else you won’t get your money’s worth. The wrong hot tub or spa cover can cause you several inconveniences, and your tub will suffer from the following:
- Heat loss
- Hot tub components will wear out faster
- Unbalanced water chemistry
- Safety hazards (for kids and pets)
Conclusion
When measuring hot tub covers, be certain that you know the hot tub shape so you won’t measure incorrectly.
You can always refer to the 5 steps mentioned above to get the exact dimensions of your hot tub cover. Prepare your hot tub cover measurements before hitting the shop and purchasing a replacement.
