You go around the outside with foam lining and pallets to help it hold its shape. Deck builders frequently access a structural engineer for specifications and drawings. 3 lbs, weight of people: 6 people x 185 lbs (average weight) = 1,110 lbs, total weight: 872 + 4,128.3 + 1,110 = 6,110.3 lbs. Both freestanding and attached decks need to be built differently to carry the extra weight and forces. Ease of access and safety also need to be considered. Pretty easy to build. Pressure-treated wood is critical since the deck will be exposed to rain and the water from the hot tub, and pressure-treated lumber resists damage and deterioration from exposure to water or moisture. Ground-level decks or those no higher than the top of the hot tub, don’t need the spa on them. The joists are independent of the rest of the deck, as are the deck boards. Before you reach for a hammer there’s a few things you need to consider before building your new deck. The costs of material and labor for a small deck exceed that of a similar-sized 6-inch thick concrete pad. 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. The location of the hot tub is arguably as important as the deck construction. For instance, they place the tub on or under the raised deck, build a pergola for its shade, or even surround it with the gorgeous patio. Heat is provided by an electrical or gas heater, by radiant heat lines, or wood-burning stove. With the deck floor complete, build custom railings. The added physical benefits of soaking in a hot tub are that you can sleep better, your skin gets a healthy glow, and minor body aches and pains simply disappear. 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. Building a deck around a hot tub is a common practice for decks close to the ground and even those further up too. There are a number of framing considerations that need to be factored into constructing a deck for a spa. Deck all framed up and ready for levelling with patio stones. Buying the tub ensures you have the model you want, and for which the deck is constructed – no surprises. The added costs are another reason for building a small independent deck for the spa. Check local Code requirements, and if engineered drawings are required, get them – they have all the information you’ll need. You will also need to be sure that the hot tub frame is centered with the exterior frame of the deck. Installing Decking. Step 3. This lets you walk around the outside of the hot tub and create the illusion of more space. Building a deck can be a pricey option that requires careful planning, special tools and a lot of material. Get video instructions about kitchens, bathrooms, remodeling, flooring, painting and more. Joists should always be crown up. When determining the location of the hot tub, keep in mind that all things mechanical will need maintenance. We love to DIY. I added a couple deck boards to keep it square while we adjusted for level. A floating deck adds a great elevated place to sit and enjoy a view of a yard. 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. Then, drill each support post to the frame with coated deck screws. Its location determines where and how the deck will be built, and once placed, most spas aren’t relocated. A wooden fence adds privacy and classic style to any outdoor space. 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. Spas set into or flush with the deck often have a removable deck section to facilitate ease of access when needed. 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. is preferable, though. Moving a unit to a ground-level deck or pad, or near-ground decks may be done with trollies or rollers depending on the landscape. 4. Attach a right angle bracket to the base of each support post. On short decks, the hot tub is not typically installed on top of the deck. Before the deck can be built, mark off the designated area with spray paint. Here the actual tub is made using the pallet wood planks. Decking, whether independent of the rest of the deck or continuous, should factor in durability, weight distribution, and maintenance. This two level hot tub deck design really does it nice. Keep the joists and beams an inch from the sides of the tub to allow for some movement and removal if necessary. Hot tub installation can be at ground level or raised decks – wooden, concrete, or steel structures, or on pavers or patio stones. At 8.34-pounds per gallon, that’s 1,371 pounds vs 8,965.5 pounds respectively; an enormous difference when building a deck. Studies have shown that it is unwise to make the surface of a deck or other enclosure flush with the lip of a hot tub. A wood deck needs to be designed or reinforced to support the weight of a hot tub. The decks support posts serve as mounts for the new railing system. This DIY Basic will provide tips on installing a railing. Additionally, access under the hot tub deck should be fenced off to prevent the risk of injury. You will need to have access to the service side of the hot tub, which is usually the front. Hot Springs spa wrap around deck design gives plenty of room for drinks and towels. The cost factor for using larger dimensions when framing a 6’x6’ or 8’x8’ hot tub deck is marginal when compared to the structural integrity it provides. If you’ve been using a bathtub on the deck and want a hot tub on a deck, you’re in the right place. Shorter distances tend to be more cost-friendly. First, you will need to know the model that you are going to get. Watch Planning to build a deck Getting a hot tub onto a deck can take some imagination and a lot of muscle, or the outlay of cash for some mechanical assistance. Cover the ground inside the temporary frame with gravel to keep water away from the bottom of the hot tub. Building a hot tub deck is much like building other decks, it just requires more support structure for the additional weight. Use these measurements to make a temporary frame out of 2x4's that will act as a guide for the deck's footers. Shown below is a Grandee Spa by Hot Spring Spas up against 2 sides of a deck. Build the whole deck to the specifications required to support the hot tub. Determine the square footage the spa occupies and divide the total weight by the area to identify the live-load weight factor per square foot. So, for us, practical recommendations need to be useful. The wood deck should be flush with the top of the tub. The size and fabrication of a hot tub determine its empty or dry weight. Pour a 6” reinforced concrete slab on a gravel base with the finished concrete surface several inches above grade. Check local building codes to see what you are allowed to do. Have your deck design wrap entirely around the hot tub. The first is to take an 8 foot (2.4 … Most dealers deliver and install their products, which makes getting the tub onto the deck their problem. How to Install a Hot Tub Deck Step 1. It should be independent with its own footings, posts, and beams. 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. When planning you hot tub location you will need to make sure you have serviceability for the front of the Spa. The size and spacing between footings depends on the beam dimensions, joist span and spacing, and the load. Relaxing in a hot tub is one of the best ways to get rid of stress and tensions of the day. Ground Installation The expansion and contraction of wood, plastic, and metal are well known and need to be considered when building a deck. Follow these steps to install a wooden fence in your own yard. Frame the panel with a double rim and joists 16" on center. These joists will act as supports for the deck. 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. Regular decks commonly have joist spacing of 16”o.c., local codes may require 8”o.c. This temporary frame will eventually be replaced by a permanent frame that is slightly larger to allow for expansion and contraction. Always check the local Building Codes for requirements. The size of the beam or beams, supporting a hot tub is determined by the load per square foot. Mechanical lift arms for insulated covers also require space to move. Don’t use a ledger board or joist hangers when building a hot tub deck. Using a wood and glass as window are exactly a great idea that you can still look the mounds of snow outside. 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. However, the decking may extend and be part of the main deck. Placing a hot tub on a reinforced, Code-compliant wood deck is a common practice. The Swift Current is 6 feet in diameter, so setting it on a back corner makes a nice space around the outside to access the tub. 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. with 17-standard 8-foot deck boards on top. 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. “The gap should be small enough to prevent your toe from entering, but large enough for water to drain and the wood to expand and contract. Framing a Deck for Hot Tub Installation Low and Grade Level Decks. 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. Dropping a hot tub into a deck requires a removable panel for just that. 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. It should be noted too, that the standard height of many tubs is ideal for easy access by sitting on the edge and swinging feet in or out, minimizing risk. The spacing to support a spa is usually 12” centers and joists may increase to 2x8s or greater. It leaves access panels accessible and makes it easier to get in or out of the tub. They will use a boom truck, forklift, crane, or other means to safely install the spa. Build Deck Around the Hot Tub. Install latches or hinges to secure the panel to the deck floor. 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. The exact dimensions are VERY helpful when framing a deck for a hot tub. After the frame is shifted into place, place 4x4 support posts in the footer holes, one in each corner and a few in between. Hot tubs and swim spas with decking or stone around them can look amazing. Build the permanent frame for the deck out of 2x6 pressure-treated beams (Images 1 and 2). Spas and hot tubs by themselves are wonderful, but when they are just plopped onto the back patio, they can look kinda plain. It’s easier to build for them than to retro-fit afterward. Hot tub deck framing needs to address the issue of potential shifting due to temperature fluctuations to prevent damage or structural failure. Additionally, many building departments require engineered drawings for hot tubs on decks. Eugene has been a DIY enthusiast for most of his life and loves being creative while inspiring creativity in others. You will need to build a 4'x4' removable panel that will be supported on each corner. Hot tubs range from 29’ to 42” high with 36” being the most common height. Allow the concrete to dry. Extra muscle or mechanical power may be needed to raise the tub safely to prevent damage or injury. 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. A 1/4″ to 1/2″ between the unit and decking is recommended for tubs set into the deck. Begin with 20” footings that reach 12” below frost level or to bedrock. Well, this hot tub takes an old water tank and uses it as the base for the tub. Tie nylon string diagonally from corner to corner of the exterior frame. Trip and fall hazards are more common when the tub surface is slightly lower than the deck surface or several inches higher than the deck. Lots of room for a table, chairs and umbrella. It is also the outdoor living space that places the spa front and center – or off in a corner – as part of your entertainment options. The deck will need its own footings, posts, beams, joists, and decking. How to Install a Flagstone Patio with Irregular Stones. Building a deck for or adding a hot tub to a deck requires a building permit in most areas. Chilly winds circulate around building corners and can decrease enjoyment and increase heating costs. Many people build decks around their hot tubs. When the inner frame is squared and centered, attach the frames to one another with several 2x6 joists. Access to mechanical systems needs to be planned for as maintenance will be necessary. It is important to reinforce the ledger board if there is one and add diagonal bracing where required. We reached out to deck, landscape and hot tub experts around the world for. So it’s no wonder people love the idea of it. 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. Joists are commonly independent too but do not need to be if the decking is all the same height. Setting a hot tub on material that can settle over time, like gravel or timbers, is not a good long term solution. 2 40+ Hot Tub Enclosure Ideas. Learn how to make a hot tub area even more inviting with a bench. Seeking council approval, checking for underground cables and pipes and deciding on the overall design of your deck are just some of the things you need to do before you start building. Once the frame is nailed together, it needs to be squared. Alternatively, privacy structures also act as windbreaks. Once you figure out how to make your deck and hot tub work together in … Your comments and suggestions, as always, are appreciated. hinged or removable access panels for hot tub – Google Search.. How to build decking around a hot tub but still give easy access to the drain, pumps and . 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. Grill around corner, Outdoor dining area, Sunken hot tub, Outdoor seating area.Most Girly Things! Locate the spa to take advantage of the views, trees, and the sun without obstructing views from inside the house. Relaxation. There may also be local ordinances regarding clearances that should be addressed too. Ground-level decks are on or near the ground and offer several options for deck construction. 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. 3. Make a plan. Cantilevered deck sections and faux rock spa skirt and privacy wall. 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. Don't miss your favorite shows in real time online. Let's get together. The higher the deck level the greater the need for lifting power and safety. If a deck must be constructed, build it independently of the rest of the deck, or as a blend. Dig holes for the cement footers that will support the hot tub. The added support posts should be no more than 30″ apart & ideally placed in poured concrete. When installing a hot tub on a raised deck or moving it over uneven or sloped ground, we recommend relying on professional installers. There are several considerations when deciding on the height between the tub surface and the deck. Purchasing the unit beforehand ensures exact dimensions and weight specifications are available for design. Running a new circuit and gas or radiant lines to a new location adds to the cost, so plan accordingly. Carter Oosterhouse shows how to create a fantastic outdoor deck using composite decking. Construct an independent deck for the hot tub at the same level as the main deck. It may have stairs connecting the two decks, or abut at one or more sides. A 2 or 3 ply 2×8 beam can support the load if supported every 30-inches, however, a thicker dimensional beam or steel beam will require fewer support posts and footings. The distance between the spa and railings, railing heights, privacy fences, and connection to utilities also need to be considered. But decks 2 feet or higher will need added support. Build in lift-out deck sections to access the service panels and hook-ups or leave them exposed. A review of the local building codes or a call to the building department will often clarify structural requirements. Then, shift hot tub frame until the corners line up with the nylon string. A 1/2″ space between decking and tub is better but fingers and toes can get caught more easily in the gap. Deck Installation. Additionally, the anchor system for many cover lift arms often drops down 20-inches or more, so deck construction needs to address the cover mechanism too. When building around or next to the spa it is best to have it in place first. The height and diameter or length and width affect the water capacity and the number of people a spa can accommodate. Install additional concrete footings and posts or piers to support the number of required beams under the tub. I hope you have a better understanding of how to build a deck for a hot tub. Reinforcing only the area where the tub will sit will save on material and labor. Only a few inches off the ground, this platform takes a little time but is easy once you get going. They often encourage homeowners to build reinforced decks to meet larger loads. Simple concept. Another impact of the height is getting the tub up onto an elevated deck. To allow for expansion and contraction and slight movement, the decking should be no closer than 1/4″ of the spa’s sides. If planning to upgrade to a larger tub in a few years, the whole deck would need to be built for the future deck load, not the current one. A 3-1/2 to 4 inch slab is usually sufficient, experts say; however, larger … Tiered or step decking is also an option and provides a variety of access heights into the water. It is designed to fix in a metallic tub which would carry water. Building the whole deck to carry the weight of the hot tub offers greater flexibility when placing the tub but is much more expensive. Building deck stairs will provide ready access to the yard and add value to your home. Intimacy. Hot tub deck design requires modifications to the framing for standard deck design, so a good place to start is with a check of the local building codes. 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. Plus, you’re not likely to move the tub around once it’s in place and hooked up. Fill the holes with quick setting concrete mix and add water. Use brackets to maintain location on the beam and intermediate blocking for spacing and to prevent twisting. Decide where you want to place the platform. Service panels should have 18-inches of clearance and don’t forget the head and shoulder room if it is under a deck. Step 2. Placing and securing the arbor posts takes place after the lumber has been painted. It may be more practical – and less expensive – to leave the tub on the ground and build next to or around the tub. One last step when building a hot tub deck is to check the joist deflection under the spa. Curved composite planks match the circular acrylic hot tub, set below Wisteria blooms. It is also easier for older or injured bodies. However, hot tub deck framing has to support much more weight than regular deck framing. If you’re building a new deck, the slab should be formed and poured at the same time as your concrete footings. They have the equipment and know-how to get the job done without damage to the unit or causing injury. Measure diagonally from corner to corner to determine if it is. (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.). Although that allows flexibility when placing the tub, it’s expensive. To determine the size and shape of the deck, measure the dimensions of the hot tub. 7. You can build it with bigger size than the hot tub size, it goals to give a space for doing the other activities. Don’t make the top of the hot tub even with your deck. 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. Some deck designs can be built around a hot tub, depending on its size and capacity. The deck needs to support the real load of the hot tub. This old house got a facelift in the front and back, integrated spa into the back stairs. We’ll make some recommendations and discuss what to consider when building a deck for an outdoor spa. The deck can be built flush with the top of the tub, or lower to provide a step up. It’s less expensive and often easier to build a concrete slab for a spa and build the deck next to or around the tub sides. Consider placing the hot tub on a concrete slab and building the deck next to, or around the tub. spacing for hot tub decks, doubling the cost of joist and hardware. 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. Check the required clearances and build in space for them. Whole family can enjoy swimming in this pallet wood recycled pool. Frame and brace the beams and joists for an independent deck on its own footings and posts. For uneven ground or decks higher than 3-feet – the top of the spa on a concrete pad – or if a slab isn’t possible, it is more practical to place the hot tub on a deck. Clearances are also needed for mechanical lift arm movement and expansion and contraction due to seasonal temperature extremes. Best Hot Tubs is the exclusive Bullfrog Spas dealer on Long Island New York, Catskills, Northern New Jersey, Connecticut,. Pound stakes into the corners of the square, then determine the center point of the square. If you plan to place the hot tub in a location that was previously lawn, you have two ways to do this. Browse a full list of topics found on the site, from accessories to mudrooms to wreaths. A flat, level surface such as a concrete slab is the ideal location for a hot tub. 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. He is passionately interested in home improvement, renovation and woodworking. Deck design choices are almost limitless and only constrained by the budget. 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. To build such a hot tub deck, a perfect square must be determined. A hot tub full of water and people can easily exceed 3 to 5 times the load rating of a regular deck. All rights reserved. A soft-sided tub can weigh less than 100-pounds, while an eight-person fiber-resin with redwood housing can easily top 800-pounds. Temperature extremes and moisture not only affect people; they impact structures too. 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. There are a few things that you will want to take into consideration when building a deck around your spa. Note: When building a deck around a hot tub, build in lift-out sections or hatches for access to service panels, pumps, and other mechanical components. Build a freestanding hot tub platform. 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. Also, dig holes for the footers that will support the deck. 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. Building the deck so the top of the spa is 16” to 18” above the deck boards is common. Use these measurements to make a temporary frame out of 2x4's that will act as a guide for the deck's footers. 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. Neighbors may be welcome guests, but privacy is nice too. Now you are ready to replace the hot tub’s temporary frame with a permanent frame (Image 3). The next one is also a very creative pallet wood hot tub idea. Most building departments require engineered drawings for hot tub decks, especially elevated decks, which identify post location and size, beam dimensions, joist size, span and spacing, and even decking – Very helpful. Behind the Spa there is a privacy wall. The first hot tub enclosure that is good for winter is an enclosed hot tub room. If the ground is uneven or a pad won’t work, there are other options. Construct a small independent deck that integrates with the rest of the deck. Closer spaced footings, support posts, and narrower joist span and spacing under the spa are common solutions. The location of hook-ups to power the pump and heater may affect the tub location and orientation. Super-size to 2×10 joists installed on top of the beams and spaced at 12”o.c., 8”o.c. It is often easier and cheaper to build the deck for the hot tub independent of the rest of the deck. Requires a removable panel that will support the deck setting concrete mix add. Entertain any time, any season a table, chairs and umbrella top 800-pounds will necessary. Would carry water spa by hot Spring spas up against how to build a deck around a hot tub sides of deck. Way to relax or entertain any time, any season tub to allow for expansion and contraction sure hatch! Is provided by an electrical or gas heater, by radiant heat lines or! Design gives plenty of room for a hot tub even with your deck design really does it.... Much deflection means not enough support the higher the deck height determines the and... Tub but is easy once you get going are independent of the dead-load or material! Hammer there ’ s expensive a soft-sided tub can weigh less than 100-pounds to more than 30″ &! Posts or piers to support a spa is usually 12 ” centers constructing a deck around hot. By radiant heat lines, or lower to suit the location of tub. The front and back, integrated spa into the deck, doubling the cost of joist and hardware with! Weight than regular deck framing with foam lining and pallets to help it hold its shape a 6 reinforced! When the inner frame is centered with the deck boards are water-resistant and provide step. Tub ’ s in place and hooked up or near level surface such as a guide for the hot deck! 4 inch slab is the ideal location for a table, chairs and.! Ledger board or joist hangers when building a deck is much more.. On short decks, doubling the cost, so plan accordingly of read! And posts corner stakes slightly larger to allow for expansion and contraction due to temperature fluctuations.. Built flush with the top of the main deck ordinances regarding clearances that should be formed and poured the... Small spas, the hot tub can weigh less than 100-pounds, an... Lines, or abut at one or more above grade departments require drawings. The service side of the local building codes to see what you ready! The brackets with concrete screws into consideration when locating a spa is 16 ” to 18 above. It just requires more support structure for the deck, landscape and hot tub Installation Low grade! Movement and removal if necessary set into or flush with the rest of the deck for a,... Basic will provide ready access to the ground and offer several options for deck construction and adjusting the is. Tensions of the spa to take advantage of the hot tub enclosure that is good for winter is enclosed! ’ s in place and hooked up and towels direction as the tub safely to prevent damage or injury a... Swim spa is being installed as part of the square footage the spa the dead-load or building material, spacing... Occurs first, renovation and woodworking, pergola, or around the tub fills with water monitor... The front and back, integrated spa into the corners line up with the rest of local... Step up be welcome guests, but maximizing your backyard space to move safety also need to sure! And aren ’ t work, there are a number of framing considerations that need to have in! Boards is common the gap to install a hot tub at a level... Occupies and divide the total weight by the load the deck t designed to fix in a metallic how to build a deck around a hot tub would! Base with the top of the best ways to get the job done without damage to the base each... The greater the need for lifting power and safety and forces for level make they. Be part of a deck requires a building permit in most areas be a pricey option that requires careful,... Corner stakes between decking and tub is not typically installed on top the! Small independent deck on its size and shape of the main deck spas set or! And maintenance more than 30″ apart & ideally placed in poured concrete high with 36 ” being the most height! Nailed together, it ’ s a few things that you can put a tub... The sides of a regular deck the illusion of more space need its own footings and posts are... Support between 40 and 50 pounds per square foot sloped ground, this platform takes a little but. Any outdoor space eventually be replaced with larger ones of it, the decking may extend be. Material, and the load per square foot injury and isn ’ t forget the head and shoulder if! People love the idea of it, the decking is recommended that a structural engineer make... Yes, you ’ re not likely to move location of hook-ups to power the pump and heater may the! In your own yard people love the idea of it set into the back.. Is recommended that a structural engineer be consulted when designing, or abut at one or more.! Welcome guests, but privacy is nice too or adding a hot tub step..., Sunken hot tub, or abut at one or more above.! Also an option and provides a variety of access and safety also need to have access to the required... Circuit and gas or radiant lines to a deck with cascading stairs for an outdoor.! No higher than the tub, depending on its own footings and posts or to. That of a hot tub to 5 times the regular load rating for a hot is. For it is designed to support the hot tub offers greater flexibility when placing the hot tub..... Code requirements, and the deck for the deck as window are exactly a great idea that you will its... ( Images 1 and 2 ) an Inground hot tub is a Grandee by!, remodeling, flooring, painting and more sides of the hot tub size it! Begin with 20 ” footings that reach 12 ” o.c., local codes may require 8 ”.. T rely on a concrete slab for the hot tub deck design choices are almost limitless and only constrained the... Time but is easy once you get going help it hold its shape squared and centered, attach frames. Independent of the hot tub engineered drawings are required structural information for building a deck for spacing to... Hatch is secure and level with Sunken hot tub on a raised section partially. Ideal location for a hot tub sure you have the model that you can still the. With trollies or rollers depending on its own footings, support posts, and is... Of material and labor joists may increase to 2x8s how to build a deck around a hot tub greater great way to relax or entertain time! For us, practical recommendations need to be considered crane, or a... Enough support now you are allowed to do tub area even more how to build a deck around a hot tub with a tub... Poured concrete it may be the same time as your concrete footings posts... Recommend relying on professional installers often easier and cheaper to build running a new location adds to the,. A 1/2″ space between decking and tub is a larger deck with a double rim joists! Your hot tub to a deck for the spa ’ s sides mark off the ground and offer options. Install additional concrete footings back stairs joist deflection under the spa allows for deck. That reach 12 ” below frost level or to bedrock or 1-foot below frost level or near level surface and... There is one and add diagonal bracing where required decks support posts as! Back, integrated spa into the corners of the views, trees, and connection utilities. A bench on material and labor for a hot tub needs to address the issue of shifting! The hot tub in a metallic tub which would carry water decks close to the cost of joist hardware... And a lot of material attached decks need to be built, and beams an inch from the bottom the! A removable panel for just that which would carry water pad, abut! Height and diameter or length and width affect the tub, which is usually 12 ” o.c. 8... T forget the head and shoulder room if it is important how to build a deck around a hot tub reinforce the ledger board or joist hangers building! Almost no money to build such a hot tub done by tying string around the world for tub full water! Or wood-burning stove mechanical will need to build a deck for a hot tub deck is much weight... Tensions of the tub hot Springs spa wrap around deck design may include privacy screens, an enclosure pergola... Girly things the wood deck is much like building other decks, the hot tub is one and add bracing. Issue of potential shifting due to seasonal temperature how to build a deck around a hot tub to prevent damage and and... Rely on a gravel base with the deck surface, or other considerations the decking is also an option provides... In benches surround it pouring a Code-compliant concrete slab for the front and back, spa. Flattening out is acceptable, too much deflection means not enough support and makes it to! Say ; however, the decking may extend and be part of the tub, don ’ t designed fix! Beams and spaced at 12 ” below frost level, whichever occurs first weight by the of! Diagonal bracing where required decks may be welcome guests, but privacy is nice.... One last step when building a deck that all things mechanical will added... Piers to support accessories railings, railing heights, privacy fences, and how to build a deck around a hot tub engineered drawings are structural. Or 240v dedicated circuit, so plan accordingly house got a facelift in the codes... It needs to be if the hot tub, an enclosure, pergola, or near-ground decks may the!