Up and down the UK, hot tubs and home spas are springing up on patios, decks, and other back garden spaces. However, in a country with such unpredictable weather, it helps to have a little extra protection to keep your hot tub safe from the elements and make it more functional all year long.
That’s where pergolas come in, and there are numerous advantages to opting for a hot tub with pergola. This guide looks at pergola for hot tub benefits and walks through some hot tub pergola ideas to help you pick the perfect one.
The Benefits of a Pergola Over Your Hot Tub
We’ll begin with a look at why you’d want a hot tub with pergola in the first place, before going on to explore the various types, styles, and materials on the market.
Why Should You Consider a Covered Hot Tub?
There are so many answers to that question. Here are just a few of the biggest benefits of a pergola above your hot tub:
- Shelter: The pergola provides a barrier above the hot tub, guarding it from rain, snow, and the sun’s UV rays, which can all damage or ruin the bathing experience.
- Privacy: If your hot tub happens to be within view of neighbours’ windows, having a pergola will give you some much-needed privacy for more relaxing soaks.
- Aesthetics: Pergolas are beautiful structures. They can make a hot tub look more inviting and elegant, and even add value to the home.
- Maintenance: With a protective pergola standing guard above your hot tub, you’ll find the tub requires less maintenance, plus the temperature is easier to regulate.
- Vibe: A pergola also has a unique ability to make a spa simply feel cosier. It creates more of an authentic, hotel-style spa atmosphere the whole family can enjoy.
Types of Pergolas for Hot Tubs – Choosing the Right One
If you’ve decided you’d like to move ahead with a hot tub with pergola, you’ve got a few big decisions to make regarding its style and design. Let’s take a look at some of the possible options.
1. Open Roof Pergolas
As the name suggests, an open-roof design is one where the roof is mostly open, with large gaps between each beam or slat of wood. These pergolas let light and air through and are more oriented towards aesthetic benefits than elemental protection. They are a fine choice for those in mild or warm areas, but less effective when it rains.
2. Louvered Pergolas
A fashionable and flexible part of backyard spa design, louvred pergolas have special roof slats that can be rotated. You can adjust them to be all the way open, closed, or in between, controlling the amount of light, shade, and protection you get. This is great for all sorts of weather conditions and year-round usage.
3. Solid Roof Pergolas
Many people hesitate between a hot tub gazebo vs. pergola, because they may want the full, solid protection of a gazebo roof, but with the style and vibe of a pergola. For those people, the solid roof design is the best choice. It gives your hot tub shelter from the sun and changing weather conditions, though you may need to invest in extra ventilation to prevent the space from getting too humid.
4. Retractable Pergolas
Another option is the retractable pergola, with a roof that can retract fully back, as needed. It’s almost like having a solid roof and an open roof pergola in one. You get the best of both worlds with the ability to switch between them to suit the weather and your mood. There are both motorized and manual opening mechanisms, with varying price levels to suit different budgets.
Material Choices for Hot Tub Pergolas
You’ll also need to select the right material for your covered hot tub. Again, there are quite a few options to pick from, and they all have pros and cons.
1. Wood Pergolas
When most people think of pergolas, they picture wooden ones. Wood is the classic, standard material for this sort of garden structure, and wooden pergolas can look very elegant and attractive. However, they will need a bit more upkeep than those of other materials, as wood needs staining and sealing to shield it from rot and weather damage.
2. Aluminium Pergolas
For something a bit more low-maintenance, consider aluminium. It’s modern, lightweight, and rust-resistant too, so you barely have to spend any money, time, or effort looking after it. A good aluminium pergola can last for several decades, in fact, so it’s often a very sound and sensible investment that brings added value to your home.
3. Vinyl Pergolas
Those who are worried about the cost of a hot tub with pergola or those who want to stretch their budget a bit further may find a vinyl pergola worth considering. Budget-friendly, but still hard-wearing and weather-resistant, vinyl is a reliable and trusty material. The only real downside is that there are only limited design and customisation options if you opt for vinyl.
4. Steel Pergolas
Strength and durability are the two key features that define steel pergolas. These structures are immensely tough, capable of lasting an entire lifetime, without even needing much maintenance. You will, however, have to invest in rust protection to keep your steel frame looking its best. It may look out of place in more rustic settings but is ideal for those with more modern or minimalist tastes.
Essential Factors to Consider When Buying a Pergola for Your Hot Tub
Next, let’s explore a few final important factors to keep in mind when picking and planning your hot tub with pergola.
1. Size & Dimensions
The best pergola for a hot tub will vary from property to property, depending on the size and nature of the space available. Naturally, if you’ve got more outdoor space to work with and a larger tub, you can feel free to invest in a grander pergola. For those who are tight on space, you’ll need a smaller model. It’s also crucial to ensure there’s enough space around the pergola to provide ventilation. Also, you may need to check local building codes regarding the size and height.
2. Ventilation & Airflow
Any outdoor hot tub with pergola needs good ventilation. Otherwise, you get all the moisture and humidity building up in one place, and that can not only make the tub less fun to use but can also cause issues with mould and mildew. Ensure your pergola has enough room around it, as touched on above, and consider adjustable or open roof designs to let air flow fluidly.
3. Lighting & Ambiance
Dressing up your pergola with the likes of LED or fairy lights, or even hanging lanterns, can make it so much lovelier to look at and bathe beneath. Some modern pergola designs actually come with LED lighting strips built right into the frame. With others, you have to hang your lights separately, which may require the work of a professional. Think about your budget and preferences to pick one that works best for you.
4. Privacy & Shade Options
A pergola on its own should provide good levels of privacy and shade, especially if you pick one with an adjustable or closed roof. However, you might want to add even more coverage. Curtains and screens, for example, could be hung off the side of the pergola for a bit more privacy. Or you could plant climbing plants around the frame to create a more natural shield.
5. Budget Considerations
Lastly, think about how much you’re willing to spend. Hot tubs are big investments, and while pergolas won’t usually cost as much as tubs, they can still be quite pricey, especially the more high-end models made of materials like steel or aluminium. Think about maintenance, too – a wood pergola may seem cheaper, but you may have to spend more on its upkeep or replace it sooner than a metal one.
Hot Tub with Pergola Maintenance & Longevity
If you want your hot tub pergola to last as long as possible, you’ll need to perform regular maintenance. The way you do that will depend on the material the pergola is made of. Wood will need staining and sealing, while certain metals will need rust protection applied. Pergolas also need regular visual inspections and cleaning to prevent big issues from building up.
Here’s a brief seasonal maintenance checklist to serve as a baseline for your own hot tub maintenance plan:
- Spring: Give your pergola a deep clean and close inspection so it’s ready for the warmer weather. Power washing may help clear out any stubborn stains or bits of mould/mildew.
- Summer: During the summer, when the tub is most in use, inspect your pergola regularly for any signs of damage, and tighten any loose fasteners.
- Autumn: Clear away leaves and other bits of debris that might fall or gather on the pergola roof, and consider putting a cover on top before the coldest temperatures hit.
- Winter: Cover your pergola if possible, and clear away snow. Keep a close eye on any icy build-up. It may help to know the snow load-bearing capacity of your pergola roof.