Discover the Best Wooden Hot Tubs and Enjoy the Most Relaxing Experience!
If you’re looking to add some relaxation and luxury to your home, a wooden hot tub might be just what you need. These unique tubs offer several advantages over their acrylic or inflatable counterparts, and provide a unique, more natural and tranquil experience.
In this blog article, I’ll discuss the benefits of wooden hot tubs and the different types of wood used in wooden hot tubs and tips for maintaining your hot tub. I’ll also provide links to some of the best wooden hot tubs on the market, so you can find the perfect one for you.
Introduction to Wooden Hot Tubs
Wooden hot tubs have been around for centuries, and they have become increasingly popular in recent years due to their ability to provide a luxurious and relaxing experience.
Wooden hot tubs are made from different types of wood, such as western red cedar and Alaskan yellow cedar, and they come in a variety of sizes and shapes. Wooden hot tubs are often larger than acrylic tubs, and larger models can accommodate more people than similarly sized acrylic hot tubs. Because of their depth, wooden hot tubs are often used as hydrotherapy tubs or cold plunge pools.
The Benefits of Wooden Hot Tubs
Wooden hot tubs offer a number of benefits over plastic or acrylic hot tubs.
One of the main benefits of wooden hot tubs is their aesthetic appeal. Made from natural materials, these tubs blend seamlessly into their surroundings and add a rustic, natural touch to any backyard. Some resemble wooden barrels. In contrast, acrylic and inflatable tubs can look out of place, can look cheap or tacky, and lack the charm of a wooden hot tub. Additionally, cedar, teak and other woods emit a pleasant aroma which adds another therapeutic element to your bathing experience.
Wood hot tubs are assembled on site which means materials can be easily carried to any location. Acrylic hot tubs on the other hand are big and bulky. A common 8 foot square acrylic hot tub can be difficult to maneuver into hard-to-reach areas of a yard or deck.
Further, a wood hot tub can be customized to fit any space unlike its acrylic counterpart. One-piece acrylic hot tubs come in the standard square-shape.
Wood hot tubs make better use of available space. Because wooden hot tubs are deeper, a smaller diameter hot tub will seat the same number of people as a square hot tub.
Wooden hot tubs are more environmentally friendly than acrylic spas. When it’s time to throw it away, the natural wood is biodegradable unlike acrylic.
Types of Wood Used in Wooden Tubs
There are a number of different types of wood used in wooden hot tub construction. The most common types of wood used in wooden hot tubs are western red cedar and alaskan yellow cedar. Other woods, such as redwood and teak, are also used in wooden hot tubs.
Western Red Cedar
Western red cedar is the most popular type of wood used in wooden hot tubs. It is a softwood that is naturally resistant to rot and decay, making it an ideal choice for outdoor hot tubs. A western red cedar tub is very durable and will last for many years. It is also a beautiful wood, with a warm reddish-brown color that adds a natural beauty to your outdoor space.
Alaskan Yellow Cedar
Alaskan yellow cedar is another popular type of wood used in wooden hot tubs. It is a softwood that is naturally resistant to rot and decay, making it an ideal choice for outdoor hot tubs. Alaskan yellow cedar is also very durable, meaning that your hot tub will last for many years. It is also a beautiful wood, with a golden yellow color that adds a natural beauty to your outdoor space.
Other Woods
In addition to western red cedar and alaskan yellow cedar, other types of wood can also be used to construct wooden hot tubs. Redwood and teak are two of the most popular options. Redwood is a softwood that is naturally resistant to rot and decay, making it a great choice for outdoor hot tubs. Teak is a beautiful hardwood that is a very durable wood, making it a great choice for wooden hot tubs. Cypress is another option and is known for its ability to withstand the elements and resist decay.
Heating Options
When it comes to creating the ideal water temperature, there are different heating options available, but the most common type of heater is an electric heater. Natural gas, propane and even wood-fired heaters are other options, but electric hot tubs are the most popular choice because of ease of installation and connection. Natural gas requires gas lines to be installed which can be expensive and may limit where you can locate your hot tub. Propane heaters work like a gas grill. You need to connect a propane tank to the heater and hope you don’t run out of propane while you’re soaking! Wood-fired heaters are the most inconvenient option. You control the temperature of the water by the number of logs you put in the stove, and you must monitor the temperature constantly to make sure it doesn’t overheat. And if the water starts to get too cold, you have to jump out of the tub and toss more logs in the heater. That doesn’t sound relaxing! It’s easy to see why electric heaters offer the best experience.
There are two types of heaters, the external heater and the submersible stove heater.
External heaters usually use a process known as thermal syphoning. Thermal syphoning heats the water relatively slowly compared to a submergible stove, but the process can be faster with the addition of an electric pump. The main advantage of this heating system is they are located outside the hot tub and therefore do not take up any of the space inside the hot tub.
Submersible stove heaters heat water far more effectively than external heaters. Since the heater is submerged, the heat it creates goes directly into the water, unlike an external stove heater that loses some of its heat output to the air around it.
Maintenance Tips for Wooden Hot Tubs
Wooden hot tubs require some special care and maintenance to ensure that they last for many years. While chlorine can be used as a sanitizer, it can be harmful to the wood over time and can decrease the life of the hot tub. Ozone and ionization systems are better sanitization options because they do not harm the wood and are better for the environment. Adding a filtration system will also help keep the water clean and help extend the life of your hot tub. A cover will help keep leaves and debris out of the hot tub and make maintenance easier. Great Northern makes their wooden Roll-Up® cover made of slats of red cedar which makes for a perfect aesthetic match to a wooden hot tub.
In addition, you should also make sure to keep your wooden hot tub covered when not in use. This will help to protect the wood from the elements, as well as reduce the amount of evaporation from the hot tub. You should also make sure to clean your hot tub regularly with a mild detergent and warm water. This will help to remove any dirt or debris that may have accumulated in the hot tub.
Where to Buy Wooden Hot Tubs
There are a number of different wooden hot tubs on the market, and it can be difficult to decide which one is best for you. To help you make an informed decision, I’ve compiled a list of wooden hot tub retailers and manufacturers that sell high quality products.
Best Wooden Hot Tubs
Overall, a wooden hot tub offers a unique and relaxing experience that can’t be found with a conventional hot tub. With their natural beauty, simplicity and durability, these rustic tubs are a perfect choice for anyone looking to add a touch of luxury to their home.
In my opinion, wooden hot tubs are the best hot tubs for relaxing in a beautiful, outdoor tranquil environment and enjoying the therapeutic benefits of hot water (with a gin and tonic or glass of wine, perhaps). When choosing the best wooden hot tub for you, there are a few things to consider, such as the size, type of wood, features, and cost. While wooden hot tubs don’t have all the flashy (and sometimes tacky) accessories like Bluetooth speakers, waterfalls or LED lights, there are a number of accessories available for wooden hot tubs to help enhance your experience. Best of luck finding your ideal wooden hot tub!
