Decks and Hot Tubs: Types of Material You Should Consider

Woman in a hot tub

Decks and Hot Tubs: Types of Material You Should Consider

Nothing says luxury like a hot tub duck — it’s a spot that’s designed purely for relaxation and entertainment. Today, most hot tubs come with pergolas, gazebos, and built-in benches to meet homeowners’ increasing demands.

Installing a hot tub on your deck, however, requires serious planning and decision-making. Remember that a hot tub requires appropriate electrical connections and plumbing. To achieve this, experts recommend installing a new deck to accommodate your new hot tub in Utah.  This ensures that the deck can support the tub’s weight and withstand constant usage from its owners.

To start your project, here are some great materials you can use for your new deck:

Synthetic Composite and Polymer Materials

These include wood fiber, recycled plastics, and non-recyclable petroleum products. Synthetic composite and polymer materials, according to experts, offer extreme durability but require minimal maintenance. Since the wood fibers are covered in plastic, they are adequately protected from a range of harmful elements.

The material will, however, tends to absorb a lot of heat when exposed to the sun, so they should come with shades. Hot tub decks made from synthetic composite and polymer scratch easier, compared to other types of materials.

Pressure-Treated Wood

Pressure-treated wood is often made of fir, pine, and spruce wood that’s treated with chemicals containing copper. Take note, however, that the preservatives don’t penetrate the material; instead, they settle on the surface, giving the wood a protective layer. The decking is recyclable and inexpensive. The downside, however, is that the wood tends to warp and split easily.

The average lifespan of pressure-treated decking is fifteen years. With proper maintenance and cleaning, though, you could enjoy your deck longer.

Western Red Cedar

Woman relaxing in a tub

This is a naturally insect-resistant and 100% recyclable material that contains no chemical preservatives. Its long and fine wood grain provides the deck with stability and makes it crack- and warp-resistant.

Western red cedar lasts for about thirty years and requires no protective treatments. If you want to stain the wood to suit your color preference, though, you have to re-stain the panels every 2-3 years. Else, the wood will develop a gray color.

Ipe Wood

This is a natural hardwood that comes from Brazil. Decks made from ipe wood last for 40-50 years. They require very minimal maintenance because the wood contains no knots that expose its inner layers to damage. The only thing you have to do is oil your deck once or twice a year to keep its beautiful appearance.

Take note that, even after you’ve chosen an ideal material, there’s still a long way to go. The installation isn’t an easy process, and it should be done by a professional. An expert can provide various deck design options that suit your needs and preferences. He or she can also recommend the perfect material for the hot tub deck you envision. All this does seem like a lot of work, but once the hot tub deck is finished, you’ll see that the hassle and fuss were worth it.

 

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