Finding the best place for your new hot tub
Before you order your new hot tub you need to think about where you are going to have it installed. Our eco-friendly, wood-burning hot tub needs to be outside. And if you want to take advantage of the LED lighting and air bubble system that comes as part of the package, then you will also need a low 240v power supply. If you are not too fussed about using them then you can basically position your tub anywhere that's within hose-pipe distance of a water-supply. You also need a supply of wood to keep the burner going. But if you purchase the Supreme Steps these include an integrated wood store, as well as a sturdy hand-rail. Most importantly, think of the view from your hot tub. When you are relaxing in your hot tub after a stressful day, gazing across fields of sunflowers is definitely going to help improve your mood.
Before you order, here are a few other elements to consider to help ensure you get the best all-year-round use from your new hot tub.
Convenience
Hot tubs can go anywhere you want - near a pool, on a deck, or on your patio. When you are choosing the ideal spot for your hot tub think about how often you'll use it. Remember, that unlike an outdoor pool, your hot tub can be used all year round. If you've got a pool then it makes sense to install the hot tub nearby, because you have probably already got plumbing and electrics installed. When it's too cool for the pool you can soak in a lovely warm hot tub instead. Also think about the convenience of having it close to the house. At night or in the winter do you want to be walking 200 metres across a dimly lit garden when you are wet and it's cold outside? Our Burford Deluxe hot tub comes with coloured LED lights built in. For a little more ambience some strategically placed, solar-powered lights will help create the perfect setting - and light the path back to the house!
What about the weather?
French summers can be incredibly hot and the benefit of having a Burford Deluxe tub is that you can use it to cool down as well. So when you are thinking about the location for your hot tub, do you want it in full sun? In which case we would suggest putting it in a south-facing spot, so you can take advantage of the maximum hours of sunshine. And maybe have a gazebo or parasol to shield you from the sun now and again. Having a good supply of cold drinks near the hot tub is also a bonus - so that you stay hydrated, obviously!
If you live in a windy location too much wind can make sitting in the hot tub a little unpleasant, so you could place it near a fence or an outbuilding that could act as a windbreak. If it's big enough, your wood store could also double-up as a changing room if it's close enough.
Privacy
What happens in the hot tub stays in the hot tub. And what you do in your tub is your business, not your neighbours. Bear this in mind when you are looking for the right spot in your garden. If privacy is important, think about building a fence or gazebo. Landscaping can also help make the hot tub more private. If you have a few small trees and shrubs strategically placed around the tub this can help to keep it more private. We like to have a few scented plants, like lavender or honeysuckle, because the scent they give off in the summer just adds to the sense of peace, tranquillity and relaxation.
Staying safe
Our hot tubs come with a solid fibreglass cover which means it can be secured when it's not in use. From a safety perspective, when the lid is installed and locked into place this will avoid any mishaps, especially if there are unsupervised children in the vicinity. If you have children or grandchildren, you should position your hot tub where it can be seen from indoors and outdoors.
Delivery and Installation
At Hot Tubs in France, delivery and installation is included in the price, but please bear in mind that we are a small team. We need to get our van and trailer as close to where you want your hot tub as possible. And don't forget to mention if there are any barbed wire fences, and long uphill or down hill slopes! We want to ensure that we can successfully deliver your order so we will ask you if there are any obstacles which might slow us down. On the rare occasion that we think access is going to be difficult, we might ask you to arrange extra man power, but we will confirm this when you make an enquiry.
Bear in mind that a hot tub full of water weighs approximately 1 tonne, and with 6 adults you could be talking nearly 2 tonnes. So we recommend that your tub is positioned on a solid gravel, concrete or wooden base. As well as supporting the weight it also helps to keep the tub nice and level. This needs to be set up before we arrive to install your tub, so we always give you plenty of notice to get your set-up absolutely perfect.
And just one final note, for the optional use of the Air Bubble and LED light systems you will need a low 240v power supply. Our installation team is great, but they are not qualified to install electrics so this isn't included in the installation. Hot Tubs in France always recommend that you employ a registered tradesperson to do this type of work.
Any other questions?
I hope this has helped you decide where you want to put your new hot tub, but if you have got any other questions just get in touch. We are always happy to advise on the best location for your tub because then you will get the best use out of it, all year round.