spaDepot Easy Spa Cover Measuring Installation Guide
- June 13, 2024
- spaDepot
Table of Contents
**spaDepot Easy Spa Cover Measuring Installation Guide
**
Print this guide to take with you to your hot tub.
You will need:
- Tape Measure
- Pen or Pencil
- Framing Square or Straight Edge (if your spa has rounded corners)
- A Helper (makes measuring much easier)
Decide: Measure Spa or Old Cover?
- If all of the following are true, measure your OLD COVER:
- Cover is not warped or changed shape or size since purchase.
- You are satisfied with the way the cover fits.
- If any of the following are true, measure your SPA:
- You do not have a cover.
- Cover is warped or has changed shape or size since purchase.
- You are not satisfied with the way the cover fits.
Contact us before proceeding if:
- Your spa has bowed sides, oval, elliptical, or other odd shape.
- You are unsure how to measure.
DuraTherm does not manufacture covers over 98” in any dimension, nor covers with cut-outs, integrated cover lift hardware, more than 2 panels, irregular shapes, or with any non-standard features. Contact us before proceeding if you have any questions.
How to Measure Different Hot Tub Types – Pick yours:
- Classic Cabinet
Measure to outermost points of the shell lip as indicated by above arrows.
Note: Cover skirt extends slightly below rim.
- Cabinet with Top
Measure to outermost points of the top rail as indicated by above arrows.
Note: Cover skirt extends over & slightly below rail.
- Rail In-Ground Spa
Measure to outermost points as indicated by above arrows.
Note: For rimless spas, add 6” to opening length & width for 3” overhang
on all sides.
- Round Wood Tu b
Measure to outermost points of hot tub as indicated by above arrows. Cover skirt length is normally personal preference.
Measure Correctly:
State measurements in inches, not feet. Round-up length and width to the nearest inch. A cover that is slightly larger (even 1-2 inches) than the spa will fit and function just fine, but a cover that is significantly too small may suffer some loss in heat retention. Double-check your measurements for accuracy.
Take Measurements:
CUT CORNER SPA COVER
Face spa as shown to assure desired orientation of center hinge fold. Center hinge always cuts “A” dimension in half, determining fold orientation. Take measurements in inches (not feet) and round up or down as directed.
To measure radius, your spa must have straight sides. Contact us if your spa has bowed sides. (See next page for radius measuring instructions.)
-
Center Hinge Orientation (a)
Measurements:
A __ (round UP to nearest inch)
B __ (round UP to nearest inch)
C __ (round UP to nearest inch)
D __ (round DOWN to nearest inch)
E __ (round UP to nearest inch)
F __ Radius (round DOWN to nearest inch). For square corners, enter “0”. Radius measuring tips on next page.
-
Center Hinge Orientation (b)
Measurements:
A __ (round UP to nearest inch)
B __ (round UP to nearest inch)
C __ (round UP to nearest inch)
D __ (round DOWN to nearest inch)
E __ (round UP to nearest inch)
F __ Radius (round DOWN to nearest inch). For square corners, enter “0”. Radius measuring tips on next page.
Determine Corner Radius – Spas with Rounded Corners:
It’s easier and more accurate to measure the spa’s radius, rather than the old cover. To measure, your spa must have straight sides. Contact us if your spa has bowed sides. Round DOWN to the nearest inch.
My radius measurement is:
Using a Carpenter’s Square
Place the square firmly against the spa rim at the corner. The radius is the measurement between the inside corner of the square and the point where the curve of the spa corner first touches the square (as shown by the white arrow). In the example shown, the radius is about 5-1/2”. So this figure would be rounded DOWN to 5”.
If you don’t have a carpenter’s square handy, you can use any straight edge and a ruler, as shown below.
Using a Straight Edge & Ruler
Place any straight edge firmly against the spa rim at the corner and a ruler or tape measure perpendicular to the straight edge. The radius is the measurement between the extended corner of the spa and the point where the curve of the spa corner first touches the ruler (as shown by the white arrow).
In the example shown, the radius is about 5-1/2”. So this figure would be rounded DOWN to 5”.
Why Radius Measurement is ROUNDED DOWN:
A smaller radius means that the cover will extend out further from the corner of the spa. (1/2” smaller radius extends cover by 1/4”.) It may seem counter intuitive, but a smaller radius cover will always fit over the spa corner just fine. On the other hand, a radius incorrectly stated too large, may not extend the cover far enough out. For square (non-rounded) corners enter the radius as “0”.
Measure Skirt Length:
The skirt is the overhanging flap, extending from thebottom edge of the spa cover (which is the top of the spa’s rim). A common length is 5”. For acrylic spas, the skirt should cover the exposed lip of the shell, plus about 1/2” more, rounded up to even inches.
The minimum skirt length is 2”. Covers can also be made with no skirt, in which case enter “0” for skirt length.
My skirt length is:
Measure Strap Length:
The strap length is measured from the bottom of the cover (which is the top of the spa’s rim) to the top of the latch, as illustrated. In our example, the straps are 9” long, extending 4” below the skirt.
The strap must extend at least 2” or more below the bottom edge of the skirt.
- Do not measure from bottom edge of skirt
- Do not include latch in measurement.
Note: Straps are required for safety. Due to production variations, strap location around the spa cannotbe guaranteed by any cover maker. For this reason new latches and mounting hardware are provided.
My strap length is:
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References
Read User Manual Online (PDF format)
Read User Manual Online (PDF format) >>