How do I measure my hot tub cover?

Measuring your existing hot tub cover for a replacement is not difficult but it is very important. We can rarely make hot tub covers based on the make and model of your tub because the manufacturers change their designs so often that it's very likely that the cover you receive won't fit properly and, therefore, it won't insulate properly.

But don't worry, we have the simple tips to ensure that your cover fits perfectly.

HOT TUB COVER MEASURING TIPS

When measuring for a new hot tub cover, there is one important thing to remember

IT HAS TO BE BIG ENOUGH TO FIT!

A bit too big is much better than too small

Make sure the measurements are big enough. It is okay for the cover to be a bit big. It still does it's job. However, a cover that is too small will never insulate properly.

Don't forget that, even though your hot tub might look square, it might not actually be square, so always measure both the length and width to confirm that they are either the same or different. Always err on the side of adding surface area to the cover and don't skimp on the measurements.

You need to specify the length along the hinge and and the length perpendicular to the hinge when you order. Get these the correct way round because these measurements will determine if the hinge is at the centre of the longest side or the shortest side. Unsually it's in the centre of the longest side, but not always.

Hot tub covers can fit in one of two ways. The most common is a cover that fits only over the acrylic shell (in most hot tubs, the acrylic shell comes out further than the wood or plastic skirt) and in this case, you should measure either the dimensions of your current cover, or, if that is missing or doesn't fit well, from the outside edge of the hot tub shell.

However, if your hot tub resembles the diagram below, with a wood or plastic sill on the outside of the acrylic shell, and you would like your new hot tub cover to cover both the shell and the sill then, obviously, you must measure from the outside of the sill. The cover will perform equally well either way, as long as it is big enough to fit completely over the hot tub shell, but if it covers a wooden sill from the elements then the wood will survive much longer.

X - You should specify your skirt length to be a bit more than this.

Y - Outside dimension of the acrylic shell. This is the normal measurement to specify unless you have a sill and prefer your cover to fully enclose it, in which case specify measurement Z.

Z - Outside dimension of the hot tub cabinet.

measuring hot tub cover radius

Above is an illustration of the best way to measure the corner radius.

Measure the distance from the imaginary corner, A, to the point at which the curvature stops, B.

Round down any dimensions of cut corners or radius corners. If the radius is too big (ie there is too much curvature) or if the cut corner is too long, the cover will never fit the corner properly. But if the curvature is a bit too small (or the cut is too short) that is absolutely fine; there will just be a slight overhang at the corners which actually makes the cover easier to get on and off.

If your cover corners aren't perfectly rounded or cut at 45 degrees then that is not a problem, but you will need to send us a template work with.