Use brackets to maintain location on the beam and intermediate blocking for spacing and to prevent twisting. The load the deck under the hot tub needs to support 3 to 5 times the regular load rating for a deck. Access to mechanical systems needs to be planned for as maintenance will be necessary. The exact dimensions are VERY helpful when framing a deck for a hot tub. The height and diameter or length and width affect the water capacity and the number of people a spa can accommodate. The size and spacing between footings depends on the beam dimensions, joist span and spacing, and the load. The expansion and contraction of wood, plastic, and metal are well known and need to be considered when building a deck. A hot tub full of water and people can easily exceed 3 to 5 times the load rating of a regular deck. Wooden decks don’t commonly need to carry that additional weight and aren’t designed to. Learn how to make a deck complete by installing a hot tub. 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. Especially if the hot tub or swim spa is being installed as part of a new build or garden refurbishment. Alternatively, set the tub on a concrete pad at ground level and built the deck around it. To build such a hot tub deck, a perfect square must be determined. Temperature extremes and moisture not only affect people; they impact structures too. Locate the spa to take advantage of the views, trees, and the sun without obstructing views from inside the house. They can be sunk fully or partially below the deck surface, or have a raised section built partially around them. It should be independent with its own footings, posts, and beams. First, you will need to know the model that you are going to get. The deck area that supports the tub is usually framed separately to carry the additional weight, while the rest of the deck frame is for lighter loads. By the end of it, the hot tub looks nice and costs almost no money to build. The joists are independent of the rest of the deck, as are the deck boards. Behind the Spa there is a privacy wall. Chilly winds circulate around building corners and can decrease enjoyment and increase heating costs. It may be more practical – and less expensive – to leave the tub on the ground and build next to or around the tub. Install latches or hinges to secure the panel to the deck floor. Most wooden decks are built to support between 40 and 50 pounds per square foot. 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 size of the beam or beams, supporting a hot tub is determined by the load per square foot. In this guide, we’ll look at how a hot tub deck differs from a regular deck, different types of decks for a tub, and framing considerations. You will need to build a 4'x4' removable panel that will be supported on each corner. Decks built ground level up to 2 feet off the ground can support up to 100 lbs per square foot; sufficient for most hot tubs. These joists will act as supports for the deck. 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. Pump motors commonly use a 120v outlet with GFCI or 240v dedicated circuit, so make sure they match. This DIY Basic will provide tips on installing a railing. The location of hook-ups to power the pump and heater may affect the tub location and orientation. No matter what your choice is, enhancing the look of your hot tub is a must since it will the major focal point of your outdoor space. Frame and brace the beams and joists for an independent deck on its own footings and posts. 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. Another impact of the height is getting the tub up onto an elevated deck. It also means there are no surprises with availability, hook-up requirements, or location of access panels. And then it is covered with blue parachute stuff to make the swimming pool more charming. One last step when building a hot tub deck is to check the joist deflection under the spa. If you plan to place the hot tub in a location that was previously lawn, you have two ways to do this. 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. Because the posts are set in concrete, first drill pilot holes, and then secure the brackets with concrete screws. Identify any structural needs like post and footing size and location, beam size and spacing, joist dimensions, span and spacing, and any alterations to the ledger board. It’s easier to build for them than to retro-fit afterward. 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. Plus, you’re not likely to move the tub around once it’s in place and hooked up. Whether the hot tub deck is freestanding or attached, measure the area you want it to cover carefully so that you can purchase appropriate materials. The posts support the beam and transfer the load to the footings. Before you reach for a hammer there’s a few things you need to consider before building your new deck. This temporary frame will eventually be replaced by a permanent frame that is slightly larger to allow for expansion and contraction. A 3-1/2 to 4 inch slab is usually sufficient, experts say; however, larger … 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. Hot Springs spa wrap around deck design gives plenty of room for drinks and towels. Shown below is a Grandee Spa by Hot Spring Spas up against 2 sides of a deck. Footing, post, beam, and joist sizing, span, and spacing are required structural information for building a hot tub deck. So, for us, practical recommendations need to be useful. Setting a hot tub on material that can settle over time, like gravel or timbers, is not a good long term solution. 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. 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. Construct an independent deck for the hot tub at the same level as the main deck. Especially if you want to build it yourself. Then, shift hot tub frame until the corners line up with the nylon string. We’ll make some recommendations and discuss what to consider when building a deck for an outdoor spa. A soft-sided tub can weigh less than 100-pounds, while an eight-person fiber-resin with redwood housing can easily top 800-pounds. As for spaces between the deck and the hot tub, you need to factor in, among other things, soaker safety and lumber longevity. Eugene has been a DIY enthusiast for most of his life and loves being creative while inspiring creativity in others. 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. Tiered or step decking is also an option and provides a variety of access heights into the water. Lots of room for a table, chairs and umbrella. Determine how much extra room will be needed to allow for the deck to expand and contract. Build a Raised Platform around the Spa This deck building option is often used in a situation where you cannot recess your hot tub down into a deck but that is the functionality you want. Building a deck can be a pricey option that requires careful planning, special tools and a lot of material. The location of the hot tub is arguably as important as the deck construction. Prevailing winds are another consideration when locating a spa. Check the local Building codes or with a structural engineer to make sure the design will carry the load. Hot tub location and deck design may include privacy screens, an enclosure, pergola, or other considerations. Regular decks commonly have joist spacing of 16”o.c., local codes may require 8”o.c. This is our full set of plans for a deck with a hot tub. To determine the pounds-per-square-foot (psf) the deck must support, add the weight of the empty tub with the weight of the water and people it is rated for, and then divide it by the area the spa covers. But decks 2 feet or higher will need added support. An 8’x8’ tub full of water and people can exceed 7,300-pounds and an inflatable 4-person one about 3,700-pounds. Use these measurements to make a temporary frame out of 2x4's that will act as a guide for the deck's footers. It is designed to fix in a metallic tub which would carry water. Then, drill each support post to the frame with coated deck screws. You go around the outside with foam lining and pallets to help it hold its shape. Frame the panel with a double rim and joists 16" on center. Then, use a backhoe, shovels and rakes to clear the area of brush and debris. Instead, a... Other Considerations. The deck boards are water-resistant and provide a level or near level surface. Placing a hot tub on a reinforced, Code-compliant wood deck is a common practice. Hot tubs and swim spas with decking or stone around them can look amazing. Exact measurements for the tub are essential. 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. Frame the section of the deck where the spa will sit to support the greater load. Step 3. Pound stakes into the corners of the square, then determine the center point of the square. 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 design choices are almost limitless and only constrained by the budget. The slab should be 6” wider than the tub for repositioning and to support accessories. A review of the local building codes or a call to the building department will often clarify structural requirements. Cover the ground inside the temporary frame with gravel to keep water away from the bottom of the hot tub. Below is a larger deck with cascading stairs for an open access concept. If a deck must be constructed, build it independently of the rest of the deck, or as a blend. You love to DIY. 5. Dig holes for the cement footers that will support the hot tub. Deck builders frequently access a structural engineer for specifications and drawings. Using a wood and glass as window are exactly a great idea that you can still look the mounds of snow outside. If attached to the house with a ledger board and using joist hangers, additional lag screws are necessary, and possibly a wider ledger and bigger hangers too. Before the deck can be built, mark off the designated area with spray paint. Make a plan. Attach a right angle bracket to the base of each support post. (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.). If the ground is uneven or a pad won’t work, there are other options. Here the actual tub is made using the pallet wood planks. A floating deck adds a great elevated place to sit and enjoy a view of a yard. Relaxation. Buying the tub ensures you have the model you want, and for which the deck is constructed – no surprises. The size and fabrication of a hot tub determine its empty or dry weight. Many people build decks around their hot tubs. Get video instructions about kitchens, bathrooms, remodeling, flooring, painting and more. Don’t use a ledger board or joist hangers when building a hot tub deck. A deck is often built for live-loads of 40 to 50psf, a hot tub can significantly increase that load. It leaves access panels accessible and makes it easier to get in or out of the tub. The higher the deck level the greater the need for lifting power and safety. Build the deck for the hot tub at a lower level independent of the main deck. Additionally, access under the hot tub deck should be fenced off to prevent the risk of injury. Also, dig holes for the footers that will support the deck. Dig holes for the cement footers that will support the hot tub. 4. Browse a full list of topics found on the site, from accessories to mudrooms to wreaths. When planning you hot tub location you will need to make sure you have serviceability for the front of the Spa. Building the whole deck to carry the weight of the hot tub offers greater flexibility when placing the tub but is much more expensive. 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. Framing a Deck for Hot Tub Installation Low and Grade Level Decks. 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. Many Building Inspectors and even contractors recognize that small hot tubs tend to be replaced with larger ones. When installing a hot tub on a raised deck or moving it over uneven or sloped ground, we recommend relying on professional installers. Some products have access panels on one side, others on multiple sides, so unless you plan to move the tub every time it needs to be drained or serviced, plan ahead. If you’re building a new deck, the slab should be formed and poured at the same time as your concrete footings. Tubs near the middle of the house tend to feel less wind. Make sure the hatch is secure and level with the deck floor. Now you are ready to replace the hot tub’s temporary frame with a permanent frame (Image 3). Running a new circuit and gas or radiant lines to a new location adds to the cost, so plan accordingly. At 8.34-pounds per gallon, that’s 1,371 pounds vs 8,965.5 pounds respectively; an enormous difference when building a deck. This old house got a facelift in the front and back, integrated spa into the back stairs. Pretty easy to build. Your comments and suggestions, as always, are appreciated. Super-size to 2×10 joists installed on top of the beams and spaced at 12”o.c., 8”o.c. Access to removable panels for service and space for the mechanical lift arm for the insulated cover to operate also needs to be factored into the placement. The deck needs to support the real load of the hot tub. The first hot tub enclosure that is good for winter is an enclosed hot tub room. Build Deck Around the Hot Tub. with 17-standard 8-foot deck boards on top. Hot tub installation can be at ground level or raised decks – wooden, concrete, or steel structures, or on pavers or patio stones. Ground Installation Ease of access and safety also need to be considered. Carefully Consider the Gap Between the Deck Boards. This hides the bulk of the hot tub body and hides its real size. 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 added costs are another reason for building a small independent deck for the spa. 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. Build the permanent frame for the deck out of 2x6 pressure-treated beams (Images 1 and 2). You will need to have access to the service side of the hot tub, which is usually the front. Learn how to install a deck that will properly support the weight of a hot tub. 15 Hot Tub Deck Surround Ideas. 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. A 29” high by 4’ square tub may hold 165 US gallons, while a 42” high by 8’ can hold 1,075 US gallons. Place the joists on the beams, don’t rely on a ledger board or joist hangers. Decide where you want to place the platform. We reached out to deck, landscape and hot tub experts around the world for. is preferable, though. Build a deck with a hot tub today with these blueprints. 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. Yes. 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. The decks support posts serve as mounts for the new railing system. 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. Joist size and spacing for non-hot tub decks commonly are 2x6s spaced on 16” centers. 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. There may also be local ordinances regarding clearances that should be addressed too. 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 is recommended that a structural engineer be consulted when designing, or redesigning a deck for a hot tub. Products, which is usually sufficient, experts say ; however, hot tub is determined by the of... 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