A spa is an ideal alternative for people who don’t want to install a pool at home. Spas have also soared in popularity due to their many health benefits, flexibility and cost-effectiveness. If you’re considering a way to spend some leisurely time at home, a spa might be a great option for you.
There are a number of spas available to choose from, and owners sometimes get confused about the choice they should make. A spa is a worthy investment that increases the value of your home. We’ve curated this guide in hopes that it will help you make your decision and give you a clear view of everything a spa has to offer.
What Is A Spa?
A spa is a type of pool but much smaller than a regular pool. It is characterised by jets, warm water and comfortable seating to provide the ultimate hydrotherapy experience within the walls of your home.
They are easier to maintain than a pool and offer value in the form of numerous health benefits. Though they are not designed for swimming, spas are usable in their own way with flexible designs and types.
Things To Consider Before Choosing A Spa
Before you install a spa at your home, it is important to sit down and ask yourself some questions. Once you answer these questions for yourself, you will know whether you need a spa pool and which type would be ideal for you.
Do I Have Enough Space In My Backyard?
Spas are an optimal choice for people with less space in their backyard. Backyard pools require a larger area, while spas can be fit within a limited space. Still, it is important to consider your free backyard space, even in the case of a spa. This helps you decide which type of spa would be the perfect fit for the area.
Where Should The Spa Be Placed?
Spas can also do a lot for the aesthetic appeal of your backyard. If you want to make the most out of this, it is important to consider spa placement and how it will affect the landscape visually.
Can I Cover The Installation And Maintenance Costs?
A spa is a long-term investment and that makes it even more imperative for homeowners to decide if it is economically viable for them to get a spa at present. Its maintenance and upkeep costs are nowhere near a traditional pool, but that doesn’t mean they’re nil.
Why Do I Need It?
The purpose of your spa and what you intend to use it for, be it health or social benefits, will help you decide the spa you need.
How Often Will It Be Used?
Making an estimate of how often you will use your spa should also be done.
How Many People Will It Be Used By?
Do you live by yourself and need a spa to relax during your alone time, or do you need it to spend some quality time with family and friends?
Why Having A Spa At Home Is Beneficial
Here are all the reasons you need to invest in a spa.
Hydrotherapy
Spas offer an all-in-one hydrotherapy experience. They come with jets, warm water and a seating area to relax during your hydromassage.
Relieve Stress
After a long day at work, a leisurely 20-minute dip in the spa is enough to relieve the day’s stress. Warm water has very soothing effects on the brain and helps put the mind at ease.
Promote Muscle Relaxation
Sitting for long hours can make our joints and muscles stiff. A warm spa helps by decreasing muscle tension. It is also effective if your muscles feel cramped after a vigorous workout.
Get Better Sleep
Spas are known to be helpful for conditions like insomnia. If you’re unable to sleep at night, or you wake up groggy and without a fulfilling sleep, taking a 15-minute spa dip an hour before going to bed will help. It will also correct your irregular sleep schedule.
Reduce Arthritis Pain
Joint inflammation due to arthritis causes severe pain to many patients. Warm spas control this symptom and relieve the pain through hydrostatic pressure. Most patients report feeling an increase in joint mobility and lesser pain after enjoying a hydromassage in the spa.
Have A Quality Social Experience
Apart from personal use, spas are a great way of improving your social life and spending time with your family and friends. Warm water and close people make for the perfect bonding time.
Improve Blood Circulation
Warm water dilates our blood vessels and increases blood flow throughout our body. The increase in circulation makes a person feel much more relaxed, both physically and mentally.
Types Of Spas To Choose From
Now that you know the many benefits of spas, you will have to choose which type suits your needs the best. There are four main types of spas:
In-Ground Spa
The most common type of spa and the most expensive, in-ground spas, as their name suggests, are inserted into the ground. They’re more expensive due to their installation, which requires excavation similar to a pool, only on a smaller scale. In-ground spas are popular because of their ease of customisation. The owner can choose everything from size and shape to the colour and features of their spa.
Above Ground Spa
This spa needs no excavation and is very easy to install. An above ground spa comes as an already built unit and just needs to be placed wherever you deem fit. It can be used right away and is movable in case you ever have to move homes or want to change the unit. However, there is no scope for customisation in this type, but there are a number of designs an owner can choose from.
Swim Spa
These are slightly larger than a spa and offer enough space for a single person to swim in. Swim spas are great for couples and people who live alone. They offer dual benefits- of swimming in a small-sized pool and of enjoying a spa.
Spa And Pool Combination
This includes a spa attached to a full-sized pool. A pool and spa combination is ideal for large backyards where family members can enjoy swimming in the pool and relaxing in the spa simultaneously.
Pool owners who already have a pool can easily get a matching spa installed in an area. The combination is highly flexible and creates a very aesthetic landscape in the backyard.
Maintaining Your Spa
Like pools, spas also need to be maintained regularly to ensure their safety and longer life.
Chemical Disinfection
Chlorine is the most common disinfecting agent. It keeps the water safe and prevents the growth of bacteria or other contaminants.
Filtration And Covers
Filtration plays a crucial role in keeping the quality of your water good. Make sure they’re clean so that they don’t become a source of contamination. Covers should be fitted on outdoor spas to keep debris or insects from falling in.
Regular pH Level Checks
Maintaining an ideal pH level is important for spa water health and hygiene. An imbalance may lead to the growth of bacteria and algae.
Owning a spa comes with many pros and almost no cons. Apart from making you feel healthier, spas look beautiful when added to increase the appeal of your backyard.
