Hot Tub Covers - FAQ's

How Much Will My New Spa Cover Cost?

For over 95% of our orders, the base price is £425 including VAT delivered for stock and container covers. This is for a cover that is 96 inches or less – the main exceptions are:

The cover is not a standard shape
There are hoods or cutouts for speakers, control panels or handles
The cover bottom is not flat i.e. the hot tub has diverter valves that rise above the top of the acrylic
The size exceeds 96" in any dimension.
Delivery outside mainland England and Wales - see drop-down boxes on individual pages
If any brackets or hinges are attached to the side of the lid.

For these types of lids please email us on info@poolandspacentre.co.uk so we can provide you with a quote.

PLEASE NOTE: All customs fees and local taxes are the responsibility of the purchaser.

I have seen cheaper covers – why is yours better?

We of course are going to answer this question, otherwise, we would not be the largest distributor in Europe, in simple terms quality of product, the standard of service and aftercare – we see covers being advertised at £299.00 inc. VAT delivered, we supply covers that have 5-3" tapered cores, continuous heat retention seal and triple “thickness” vapour barrier all for a base price of £425 inc vat delivered - - that equates to £125 worth of saving giving you a better quality of product at a fraction of the cost.

If you use high-grade material and skilled work people you cannot make a lid at a cheaper price without sacrificing something along the way – we know our competitor's lids as we sporadically bring them in to evaluate & compare them to help us continually strive to make Europes finest lids.

Remember the simple fact is a lid that costs 25% less upfront but due to inferior materials and insulating properties lasts half the time with increased electricity bills, which means you will be spending more on the cheaper lid in the long run. This doesn’t represent a good investment.

Are dealer-branded lids worth paying an extra 50% to 100% for?

Honesty is always the best policy and we have to say on some occasions there are some lids, such as Arctic Spa lids (typically -£700 - £800) which have certain characteristics such as closed foam technology known as cast core which allows 16 people to stand on the cover, warrant the additional cost– if that is what you need and you have an Arctic Spa then that would be a more suitable choice for you.

As we can purchase the majority of Hot Tub manufacturer's original lids we don’t mind telling you this fact – but in the majority of cases branded lids are made to the same or inferior specification to ours but they just inflate the price due to them having their hot tub logo printed on the side of the lid!

All our stock covers are made in the same factory as the world's largest hot tub brands and are made to a higher specification than the manufacturer's own lid, this is based on our years of experience.

How long will it take to get my cover?

Our stock lids are just that in stock, delivery is typically 3-5 days, longer for abroad due to transport time, if you need it quicker please email us to organise it, we will be happy to accommodate where possible. You can also see what lids are arriving and when by the container.

Our custom lids take a bit longer as they are bespoke manufactured. Delivery time to the UK mainland is approximately 10-12 weeks.

How do your covers compare to the competition?

We are the market leader with Europe's best complete lid, with the highest specification to boot, so we do stack up rather well, but below you'll discover that no other spa cover outlet meets our exacting standards. Other spa cover dealers can't say the same thing. We back up that pledge with outstanding customer service and an industry-leading warranty.

When we say we stand by our product, we mean it. We encourage you to shop around and compare covers. The chart below breaks down common differences between our hot tub covers and others you may see while shopping. But, in short, our is the only lid in the UK (to our knowledge) with ASTM certification for the whole lid!!!!

Why our lid is the best on the market!

Shipping details?

Shipping on your cover is free to any address (commercial or residential) in mainland England* & Wales.

There are no additional shipping fees. We typically use a courier company to deliver to remove the damage potential usually attributed by using an unknown courier. It means we can control the shipment and take extra care to minimise shipment damage.

Click to see our Delivery information

Can we ship a cover outside the UK?

Yes, we ship to all European destinations. See individual pages for prices

Also please click for full warranty details to these destinations.

How are your Spa Covers made?

The best way to answer this question is to look at the features and benefits of our lids as this gives a good idea of the manufacturing process.

What kind of insulation do you use in your spa covers?

Our covers use the highest grade virgin tapered polystyrene foam core for their insulation.

We do not use recycled or reground foam insulation as it is less reliable and we cannot use it on our stock covers because our manufacturing processes such as CAD hot wire technology won't work with impurities as they cause a major shift in the precision of the cut.

The highest weight rating (density) means increased strength and a reduced capacity to absorb moisture.

What kind of vinyl do you use on your spa covers?

We use Marine Grade Vinyl, the thickest vinyl used on any UK spa cover and it exceeds all specified requirements for "Marine Grade" vinyl. It features mildew inhibitors, UV stabilized colouring (to help prevent fading) and it is resistant to chlorine and bromine. The fabric is reinforced 100% polyester that will not rot.

• Ultra Violet stabilized pigments
• Mildew & Fungus resistant
• Cold cracking freeze resistant to -30 degrees Celsius
• Oil & Sulfide Stain resistant
• Resistant to Salt Water staining
• Easily cleaned with soap and water. These features provide longevity and all-year-round beauty.

What is the R-Value of your spa covers?

This is a bit of a misnomer, as there is no UK standardized test to calculate the R-value of a spa cover. Our best estimate of our covers R-Value is based on the known properties of our polystyrene insulation plus a small increment for the vinyl encasement. We believe they are as accurate as we can make them and, unlike other claims we've seen, these estimates do not exploit an unregulated marketplace.

• High-Grade polystyrene insulation with a 5"-3" taper - R-21@40

We see people quoting figures on the internet that state differing made-up values, we know they are made up as they buy their covers from our factory and if we don't know how would they? Here is the science and a fair explanation:

The insulating core of almost all spa covers is EPS (Expanded Polystyrene). The insulating value of this product is very specific and is listed in the table below. Please note, that the R-value shown is for 1 inch of thickness.

Please remember that all EPS foam of equal density has the same R-value!

R-value describes a material's resistance to the flow of heat. The higher the R-value, the slower heat will travel or conduct through a material. Better insulating materials tend to have better R-values.

Heat flows by three mechanisms: conduction, convection, and radiation;

Conduction is the molecule-to-molecule transfer of kinetic energy (one molecule becomes energized and, in turn, energizes adjacent molecules). A cast-iron skillet handle heats up because of conduction through the metal.

Convection is the transfer of heat by physically moving the molecules from one place to another. Hot air rises; heated water thermosiphons; forced-air heating systems work by moving hot air from one place to another.

Radiation is the transfer of heat through space via electromagnetic waves (radiant energy). A campfire can warm you even if there is wind between you and the fire because radiation is not affected by air.

R-values by definition only measure an insulation's ability to resist heat loss by Conduction.

The above's relationship to spas is this; heat from the spa water rises by convection and radiation. As it rises it heats the underside of the cover, and then moves through the cover by conduction. Increasing the cover's R-value reduces or slows the rate of conduction. You can reduce the rate of convection with a floating blanket.

R-value is a term coined by the FTC in response to a need for a way to compare the relative effectiveness of various forms of insulation. R-values are measured by testing laboratories (ASTM), usually in something called a guarded hot box. As air within the test hot box is heated, convection takes place, causing the heat to rise. As the heat rises it warms the underside of the foam whereupon conduction of the heat through the foam begins. The R-value is the ability of the foam (or other material being tested) to slow this conduction. Heat flow through the foam is calculated by keeping one side of the material at a constant temperature, say 90F (32C), and measuring how much supplemental energy is required to keep the other side of the material at a different constant temperature, say 50F (10C)

Various industries are required to have their products R-value tested by ASTM under very exact testing perimeters. One of the parameters of this test is the temperature at which the guarded hot box is heated, AND the temperature on the other side of the test material is kept at. Changing either of these temperatures will result in different R-value results. Once again, certain industries are required to use ASTM testing procedures and parameters. For these industries, when they list their product's R-value (such as R-20) it's understood that the difference in temperatures of the testing procedure is 40 degrees (or R-20 @ 40). It's also acceptable to list another R-value AS LONG as the temperature difference is listed ALSO (i.e. R-40 @ 20).

Here's the relationship to spa covers:

Hot tub covers are not in an industry that requires having an r value tested according to ASTM standards, therefore when comparing the R-value of a hot tub or spa covers it's important to ask what temperature difference the R-value was calculated at.

Our covers are rated at a temperature difference of 40 (i.e. R-21 @ 40). The best in the industry to our knowledge

Can you offer additional ways to increase energy efficiency in our cover?

As standard, our custom lids come complete with a continuous Heat Seal, this helps to keep heat from escaping through the hinge. It's a dense pad that runs the entire length of the hinge and comes free of charge, no other company offers this essential piece of design as standard.

We also sell a very good insulating spa blanket that floats on top of your water and helps protect the bottom of your cover from heat, moisture and chemical fumes while also saving energy by conserving heat.

How does your cover protect against moisture absorption - heavy cover?

Most spa covers must function in a very hostile environment, (especially with our beautiful UK climate). This includes rain, snow, searing summer heat (hopefully) and UVs coming down from above and hot steam, chemical fumes, even ozone constantly bombarding the cover bottom from below.

Spa covers take a lot of punishment from all sides and, over time, they will whatever you do begin to absorb moisture. To slow this down and extend the cover life we use a specially formulated plastic barrier developed to inhibit moisture absorption that we triple “thickness” vapour barrier as standard for extra protection (most other companies single wrap)

We then seal it together using various techniques providing greater strength and durability. Most of our competition use off-the-shelf 1 mil polythene. This will with the proper care add years to your cover life and you must consider this when weighing up which company provides the best lid specification, especially if you've experienced this problem before.

How much do your spa covers weigh?

It is the "how long is a piece of string" question and all depends on the hot tub cover size but as a guide an average-sized cover with our 5"-3" taper = 40-45 lb.

You will be amazed at how light the new cover is in comparison to your existing lid (we don't sacrifice lightness for strength or density)

Safety straps?

Yes, our lockable straps come with both parts and screws for fitment.

Additionally, they are sewn into the cover in four places to make them much more wind-resistant. If you want to specify the strap position just let us know at the point of order.

What about Customer Service?

We pride ourselves on our customer service right from your order to the delivery of your cover and beyond.

First, we actually answer emails during business hours and our trained spa cover specialists are ready to help you. If you email us on info@poolandspacentre.co.uk during off-hours or during an extremely busy time, we'll email you back ASAP. If you e-mail us, we'll get back to you faster. But our commitment to customer service only begins when we take your order.

First, we check your order for any obvious problems and if we have any doubt about what you want, we'll contact you before we go into production. Once your spa cover has been made and goes through quality control checks, we help you monitor your cover delivery and we send you several communications along the way:

• Immediately after your order is processed, you get a copy of your order and invoice via e-mail.
• 7-10 days prior to the dispatch date, you will get an e-mail with the ship date.

Additionally, your cover shipment is fully insured against damage and if you should experience a problem of any kind, we are available to serve you.

What causes hot tub lids to fail?

As we previously stated there is not a lid in the world today that won't eventually fall foul of water ingress. The causes are simple:

Water evaporates from the surface of the spa settling on the underside of the cover; the chemically treated water then gradually damages/burns the sheathed core material. In time the sheathing breaks down allowing water vapour to gain entry to the core insulation, causing the lid to gain in weight.

Cleaning the lid underside with a light amount of spa surface cleaner and a soft washing brush before rinsing thoroughly with a hose, will reduce both the chemical attack and the mildew which grows and builds upon the damp vinyl which if you let continue will begin to rot fabric, accelerating failure.

If you don't leave your lid open for 30 minutes and run the jets after adding shock or high levels of sanitiser then, microscopic holes will burn the core sheath allowing water to ingress into the core, eventually making the lid too heavy to lift.

Ozone naturally eats the lid underside but this takes much longer to damage the cover than a chemical attack.

What are your sales policies and procedures?

We guarantee a perfect fit based on your measurements but in the end, you are responsible for your measurements. Please review your order confirmation carefully for errors. You may make changes to your order within two business days, but because covers are made-to-order, all sales are final and we cannot make changes to your order after it is in production.

There are thousands of possible shapes, sizes and colour combinations for replacement spa covers. Therefore, All covers are custom made and they cannot be returned for resale. Once we start making your cover, we are fully invested in it. Therefore, in keeping with standard industry practice, your credit card is charged when you place your order.

We are proud to say our return rate is less than 0.1% but if your new cover does not match your order or it arrives damaged, you must contact us within 48 hours of receipt. Upon confirmation of the problem, we will rush (to the best of our capability) a replacement order and ship it to you at no charge.

Replacement of damaged or defective covers not reported within 48 hours, or covers sent in for warranty repairs after the first 30 days will require payment for all shipping charges.

Covers generally take from 10 to 12 weeks from the time you order to the time you receive them.

Our communication with you depends on the accuracy of the information you provide us. Please provide a good e-mail address and a daytime phone number so that we may serve you better.

What is your warranty?

View our full industry-leading warranty conditions.

How long should a spa cover last?

Our covers are engineered for longevity and, depending on specific conditions, they are designed to last five years.

At least part of your cover's lifespan depends on you!!!

If you can protect the top of your cover from UV (under a Gazebo, for example), that's a good idea.

Another important step you can take is to leave your cover off your spa for 30 minutes after you add shock/oxidizers.

Lastly, it's a good idea to wash and condition your cover with a good UV protectant at least once every three months. View our Aftercare Guide.

How can I lift my hot tub cover off of the hot tub?

Although most hot tub covers have handles to help you get a grip to lift the cover, hot tub covers can be quite heavy, especially the ones that insulate the best.

Therefore, it might be a good idea to get a hot tub cover lifter. A hot tub cover lifter is a device that allows you to lift your hot tub cover with ease, reducing the strain it might otherwise cause on your back.

Can I order my spa cover from the make and model of my spa?

We have a vast database of spa shapes and dimensions, however, unlike cars, spa manufacturers are constantly modifying the spas. Sometimes twice a year!

Therefore to ensure a proper fit we do require you to double-check the actual measurements over our measurements on file, this is because

Your spa may have warped slightly out of shape over time.
Manufacturers may have supplied us with fictitious/ inaccurate measurements.
You may want a cover different from the original.
Your year or model may differ from what you believe it is.
We have a typo or are simply wrong.

There are some exceptions to this. For spas in which the sides are bowed out and not straight, we most likely have a template. We also are working on acquiring templates for spas that have raised speakers in the corners that require "pockets" in the cover to properly cover them. For these types of spa covers, please email us on info@poolandspacentre.co.uk to check if we have the template and to place an order. We'll need you to tell us the exact brand and model of your spa, and the year of production.

Can I just replace the foam or vinyl in my existing cover?

In general "no". If the core is not sized perfectly to the outer vinyl, either it won't fit inside, or will be loose, causing the vinyl covering to wrinkle and sag causing short-term failure

Typically the cover's core is manufactured with different thicknesses and tapers of EPS foam.

The foam is almost 1/3 the cost of the materials in a cover, it makes economic sense to utilize the foam as efficiently as possible. This is also an area where many manufacturers try to "skimp" a bit. By reducing the actual thickness of the foam one can generally get one or two more pieces out of a full block. We've seen covers advertised as being 4" thick, that in actuality are as thin as 3-1/4" (our foam cores are TRULY as thick as we claim).

Secondly, over time the sun can shrink the outer vinyl covering slightly, compressing the foam. A cover can actually shrink up to 1/2" over its life. As the vinyl may not shrink evenly, this makes it almost impossible to measure for replacement foam.

As said, in GENERAL, the answer is no, but it can be done. The real problem is expense! First off we would need to have your cover shipped back to us. If the cover is symmetrical, we can copy the good piece of foam. If it's not symmetrical (or both pieces of foam are broken), we can through a little trial and error cut a new piece of foam try it for fit, and trim it if necessary. The foam core must be exactly the correct size. Too large and it won't fit, too small and the outer vinyl will wrinkle and sag.

The biggest problem though is shipping expense. The covers are too large for UPS and have to ship via a common carrier. Common carriers have a minimum shipping charge that is expensive and this is each way. Though a new foam core may seem reasonably priced, when you add in shipping both ways, it can cost almost as much as a brand-new cover for just a single foam core.

However, if the replacement foam is for a cover we made, less than one years ago, then yes.

Just like trying to replace the foam cores, replacing just the vinyl outer covering usually isn't cost-effective. Our entire process for making spa covers, including patterns, cutting the vinyl and other fabrics, and cutting the foam cores, is completely interlaced. The additional work involved to make a proper fitting vinyl covering could cost as much or more than a completely new spa cover.