In the first month of 2024, about 6,466 homes were sold in Michigan. This is slightly higher than the 6,420 homes sold in January 2023. From this report, it’s evident that many folks are still buying houses.
While it might not be a big deal for many, some folks love having a hot tub in their home. The many benefits of soaking in these steam baths are why many choose to install one even if the home they bought doesn’t have it. You can visit https://health.clevelandclinic.org/ to find out more about these benefits. The fact that you are reading this article means you consider this installation a necessity in your home.
Given the expensive nature of hot tubs, you must take your time to carefully decide on which one to go for. To help you make the right decision, we’ll provide you with an easy guide on how to choose the right hot tub for your Michigan home. Let’s get started…
Determine the Type
No matter how different these steam baths might be, they all fall into two main categories. We have the above-ground and in ground types. The former is the most common and does not require excavating the ground before they are installed. Above-ground hot tubs are easy to install and are cheaper compared to in ground options.
Furthermore, maintaining an above-ground hot tub is not difficult. This is because you can easily access it. Folks with mobility challenges might find it difficult to get in and out.
As we hinted already, the in-ground option is more expensive. The factors that influence the cost include the need for a professional to execute the installation, excavation, plumbing, gas hookups, and electrical work. Despite being expensive, you can benefit from them in the future because they increase the value of a property. Furthermore, going in and coming out is hassle-free since most of them are built into a patio or deck.
Determine the Size
The next step is to determine the size you want. You need to bear in mind while you plan to get one of the many Rochester, Michigan hot tubs in the market that the larger the size, the more expensive it will be. Most hot tubs can contain a minimum of 2 persons, while some used for parties can contain 12 persons at once.
Moreover, the space you have in your home is a more influential determining factor compared to what you want. You might want a 12-person steam bath and even have the money to get one, but your space can only take 4 persons. In such a case, you’ll have to work with the space you have and not necessarily your preference.
What Material Do You Want the Shell Made From?
The shell refers to the outer protective layer of the hot tub. You can choose from rotomolded plastic, vinyl, or acrylic. The material you pick will greatly determine the cost. Therefore, you need to check your budget before you decide. To help you decide on this, let’s quickly run through these materials.
Rotomolded Plastic
This polyethylene material will make the steam bath portable and light. The cost is between $2,500 and $6,000. Although they don’t do so well when it comes to retaining heat, they still perform better than tubs made from vinyl.
Vinyl
You’ll see this material commonly used for hot tubs that are attached to in ground pools. This material cost ranges from $4,000 to $12,000. So, they’re more expensive than rotomolded plastic but cheaper than acrylic.
As we mentioned above, their heat retention capacity is poor. As a result, the motor has to do more work. This, in turn, can lead to an increase in your energy bill. Furthermore, compared to others, it is the least durable.
Acrylic
When it comes to durability, the other materials pale in comparison to acrylic. You can read this article to find out more about acrylic. It is one of the reasons they are very expensive and have an average cost range of $4,000 to $16,000. Hot tubs made from this material cannot be repositioned easily because of how heavy they are.
Furthermore, the installation of one of these can be quite challenging. Therefore, the services of a professional is required. However, the temperature retention and durability of this material make it worth it.
Decide if you Want Extra Features
You can choose to add extra features and accessories to your hot tub. As you might expect, this will only increase the total cost of the steam bath. Examples of accessories you can add include jets, audio, lights, steps, headrests, etc.
Conclusion
After deciding on all of the above, you can then go to the store or online to make a purchase. Don’t forget that you can customize a hot tub to match your taste. So, then just pick one that’s already made if you can afford a custom-built hot tub.