A hot tub in the garden is the perfect place to relax and unwind. Building housing around the spa can allow for use during all months of the year.
With many people spending more time at home than ever before, creating the perfect environment has become a top priority. Homeowners are investing in properties to improve comfort, create additional space and bring new functionality.
An increasingly popular idea is to install a hot tub in the garden. The hot tub can be used as the perfect place to relax and unwind after a long day at work. During the weekend, it can be used for hosting parties and having friends over to visit.
Purchasing a hot tub is a big decision that requires a lot of planning. One of the biggest questions is where it will be installed. Ideally, a sheltered location should be chosen, allowing for use even if it’s raining. Reducing heat loss can make the hot tub more economical to run and become suitable for use even during the winter months.
A garden building could potentially create the perfect solution to a sheltered hot tub. A huge choice of garden buildings is available and summerhouses usually provide the most suitable solution.
Can you put a hot tub in a summerhouse?
In short, yes, a hot tub can be put inside a summerhouse. But it’s important to ensure the building has plenty of ventilation and suitable access.
Summerhouses can create the ideal location to house a hot tub for use even during the colder months of the year. The garden building can create a warm and sheltered environment, away from the weather conditions outside.
The challenge when using a hot tub inside a summerhouse is the humidity and steam in the air given off from the warm water. Timber structures do not get on well with lots of sitting water, which can lead to damp occurring on the inside walls and roof of the summerhouse. Therefore, the building must be ventilated correctly to avoid the build-up of humidity and trapped moisture in the air inside.
We recommend choosing a summerhouse that has been designed specifically for use with a hot tub. These buildings often don’t have walls on every side, allowing plenty of room for the steam to leave the building. This also allows for better access when getting into the hot tub.
A concrete base for the summerhouse and hot tub creates a solid and stable foundation. The concrete is often poured several weeks in advance to allow time to set before the summerhouse is assembled on top.
Considerations when putting a hot tub inside a summerhouse
There are plenty of reasons to use a summerhouse as the perfect shelter for a hot tub. But choosing the wrong summerhouse or not maintaining the building correctly can lead to issues with access to the hot tub or damp occurring. Be sure to take a look at the considerations below before deciding which summerhouse to purchase.
Ventilation
Hot tubs release a serious amount of steam as the hot water evaporates. When the surface temperature of surrounding walls and other items is cool enough, condensation forms. plenty of condensation can result in lots of sitting water that can build up inside the summerhouse. Eventually, mould and rot can form that can begin to damage the timber and items left inside.
Plenty of ventilation is essential when using a hot tub inside a summerhouse to keep the humidity levels under control. The idea behind ventilating the building is to let cool dry air inside and exhaust warm humid air.
The most noticeable benefit will be from a summerhouse with at least one wall uncovered. The steam can easily escape and there’s plenty of fresh air circulating. If you notice condensation build-up, additional ventilation may be needed.
Passive ventilation makes use of natural forces to provide natural ventilation. An example of this is air vents installed onto most buildings. Placing an air vent high up on one of the summerhouse walls can allow the humid air to exhaust easily. An additional vent could be placed near the bottom of the opposite wall to bring in fresh air from outside.
If natural ventilation is not enough, an electrical active vent system can be used. Electrical ventilation commonly involves a fan on the wall to force humid air outside of the building. When the hot tub is not in use, we recommend keeping it covered to prevent the steam from rising into the building.
Guide: Best summerhouse cabins for hot tub shelter
Wood treatment
Most summerhouses arrive untreated, leaving the timber exposed to the weather conditions outside and the steam from a hot tub inside. Treating the wood as soon as possible is essential to keep it protected.
Just like a sponge, the wood takes on moisture from the surrounding atmosphere, In the winter, the timber will often expand slightly as it takes on an increased amount of water. During the summer, the timber will contract as the conditions are dry.
Slight movements in the wood can damage the building over time, leading to gaps appearing. When the timber is constantly wet from the steam of a hot tub, damp can begin to appear. Wood treatment plays an important role in keeping the moisture level stable.
A high-quality wood preserver creates a barrier of protection over the wood, preventing moisture from being absorbed. This is visible by water beading off from the surface instead of being absorbed. Anti-fungal properties inside many wood treatments also prevent the growth of mould.
We recommend applying the wood treatment as soon as possible once the summerhouse is assembled. Choose a clear day when the wood is dry and not already wet from rainfall. Several coats can be applied to provide maximum protection.
It’s best to use a high-quality wood treatment product that is designed specifically for garden buildings. Sometimes, the summerhouse manufacturer may offer to apply the wood treatment during the construction of the building.
Access
To make the most of the hot tub it should be easy to access, Plenty of space should be available around each side for getting in and out without difficulty. Be sure to view the dimensions of the summerhouse to ensure there is enough clearance on each side.
The summerhouse could be built around the hot tub, this could cause some challenges if it needs moving in the future though. We recommend completing the summerhouse and then installing the hot tub inside afterwards.
The location of the summerhouse is also an important consideration. We recommend leaving a gap for access around every side of the building. As well as improving ventilation, it’s also easy to access in the future for maintenance such as painting. Summerhouses are usually positioned in a location with plenty of sunlight, away from coverings such as large trees above.
Guide: Moving a cabin or summerhouse
Electricity
To get the hot tub up and running, an electrical supply nearby the summerhouse will be required. An internet connection can also be installed inside the summerhouse to enjoy music when using the hot tub.
A separate circuit is usually installed from the supply inside the house. An armoured cable is buried inside a trench in the garden. The armoured cable is extremely durable and provides protection against accidental damage or insect attack. As the cable is expensive, the cost for electrical installation is higher when the summerhouse is further away from the house.
Installing electrics should be completed by a qualified electrician to ensure it is installed safely. Installing electricity at an outbuilding falls under part P of the building regulations. A certificate can be provided to confirm the installation has been completed correctly.
Guide: Best insulation options for a summerhouse
Summary
Overall, putting a hot tub inside a summerhouse can be a great idea. The summerhouse provides privacy and cover from the weather conditions outside. There are plenty of additional considerations to be aware of before finding a suitable summerhouse.
Ventilation is essential to prevent the building from damage and summerhouses designed specifically for hot tubs are available. Be sure to apply a wood treatment to protect the timber from the steam coming from the hot tub.
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