Pros,
Our spa is an unusual shape. The online company we bought the last cover from has gone out of business. Do I have a chance of finding a manufacturer that can make a cover to fit my tub?
Pamela Evans – Indianapolis, Indiana
Hi Pam,
Yes, most manufacturers can make a cover that will fit your tub. Below, we will cover some of your alternatives and advise how to simply make a template that will insure you receive a properly fitting spa cover.
With some unusual shapes, it is not possible to geometrically define the shape of the hot tub. The hot tub to the right is just one example. Yes, you can measure the overall length and width, and then provide the radius for the two rounded ends, and that would likely get your cover very close to fitting perfectly.
The other alternative is to make a template and send it to the manufacturer. This can be done quite inexpensively by purchasing a plastic painter’s drop cloth at your local hardware or paint store. They can usually be purchased for around five dollars.
Unusual shape hot tub spa
Next, spread the template out so it completely covers the hot tub and try to center it as best as is possible. Begin taping the plastic to the cabinet, working your way completely around the hot tub. This will keep the plastic from moving when you start the next step and will keep the wind from removing it.
Next, use a Sharpie or permanent marker of some type and trace around the top of the hot tub, being careful to trace the very outside edge of the acrylic. The line on the template is what will be used to size the cover when it is made, so be sure not too trace around the center of the acrylic lip, but trace either the very outside corner, or even trace the side of the lip of the tub at the very top.
Looking at the illustration to the left, you can see how the lip flares out just a bit. The Pros recommend tracing around that outermost lip edge, so the skirt will hang down to encompass the lip and enclose the entire top of the tub and it’s cabinet.
Should you make a template, BE SURE to label the top of the template so the cover is not made upside down. In the case of the illustration to the left, that would not work at all and a new cover would have to be ordered.
Happy Tubbing!
Ethel Elliott
