Spas & Hot Tubs

Every year, more and more people are warming up to spas. According to the Association of Pool and Spa Professionals (APSP), almost 3.5 million families currently own a spa.

Let Douglas Aquatics help you discover how a spa can invigorate your mind and body without making a huge dent in your budget. We offer a wide selection of portable and custom Gunite spas in a variety of sizes, colors, and features to match your lifestyle. Optional features can add drama and charm, including decoratively lighting a pool and the surrounding landscape.

We carry a full line of spa chemicals and equipment. And, we can custom order your Spa Covers in a wide variety of sizes and colors.

Contact us for more information.


ANATOMY OF A SPA

Cabinet or Skirt

Synonymous terms for the box containing the spa.  Once nearly all wood, now mostly made from longer-lasting synthetic materials.  It may coordinate with steps or storage units on the outside of the spa.

Controls
Turn lights, jets, heaters (and more) on and off from a variety of places:

• Top side – standard configuration is a panel with on/off buttons for jets and lights, as well as temperature adjustment.
• In spa – auxiliary panel built into or near a seat across the tub from the main panel.  Also, some jet faceplates can be turned, adjusting that jet’s force.  Valves may also be rotated to change the massaging action.
• In house remote – a wireless or hardwired panel that may be installed almost anywhere
• Floating remote

Shell
The acrylic or thermoplastic surface of the hot tub; it is available in a wide variety of colors and styles.

• Marble – a swirled combination of a dominant color with black and/or white streaks
• Pearlescent – similar to that of marble, but lighter, whispier and shinier
• Granite – for a textured stone look
• Tile – more typical of custom construction

Equipment
Hot tub water is circulated, heated and filtered by one or more pumps, a filter and heater.  Typically, filtration, heating and water sanitizing cycles are preset by the manufacturer.

• Pumps – move water slowly for basic circulation or rapidly for vigorous massage
• Heater – contained in the spa’s inner workings
• Filter – usually a cartridge that should be accessible
• Ozonator – an automated way to rid spa water of unwanted contaminants
  

Jets
Outlets where water enters the spa to give a particular kind of massage. May target sore feet and calves, wrists and forearms.

• Swirling – spins water inside the jet for a targeted massage
• Neck – sends streams down the back of over the shoulders
• Whirlpool – moves all the water in a circular motion
• Gattling  - gives a pulsating massage over a large area
• Foot – may be positioned in the footwell or in the wall at the end of a lounge seat

Cover
Typically vinyl-covered foam

Seats
Different shapes create a variety of hot tubbing experiences.

• Lounge – a popular option that mimics a chaise lounge
• Reverse-molded – jets built into outcroppings that send water streams over shoulders or down the back
• Loveseat – built for two
• Cool-down – a simple bench on a raised area
• Whirlpool – multiple jets that create a whirlpool within a single seating area

On-Board Entertainment
Today’s hot tubs come with many options, such as:

• Pop-up television
• DVD player
• CD player
• Stereo speakers