A guide to choosing the right size spa for your home

 

Australia is often called the “lucky country”, a country of diverse natural beauty and endless wonder. Being a country known for its world-class beaches, it is no surprise that Australians have a love affair with the water. Whether it’s a long weekend barbecue,  spending time with the family after work, keeping fit, swimming competitively, or recovering after a day on the footy field, spas and hot tubs are a part of the Australian way of life.  With spas so heavily ingrained in Australian life, you can be sure there’s no better way to relax and play than with a Sapphire Spa.

Australians are known for their hard-working nature, love of beer, and kickback attitude, and Sapphire Spas builds on this foundation. We’re an Australian-owned and operated business designing and building the best spa pools and swim spas. We have a hardworking team of Australians creating spas designed to handle Australian conditions.

How Big is a Spa Pool?

The available space is one of the biggest limiting factors when designing or upgrading a backyard. This is true of balconies, bathrooms, and anywhere else you might want to turn into your private resort. Between paths, access, plants, and a trampoline or entertainment area, even the largest yards require good planning to make the most of the space available. This leads to the many different spas available across the Sapphire Spas range.

Spas come in many shapes and sizes, and there is sure to be a spa design that will fit into your space! With large spas measuring approximately 2.7m x 2.3m and weighing up to 2 tonnes, there is no way that these spas will fit into a small house or yard. These incredible 8 to 10-person spas are huge and designed as the centre point of a happening pad. Despite the allure of a giant spa that will fit the entire basketball team (your team and your opponents simultaneously), the most common size of spa pool is about 2.4m square, weighing between 1.5 and 1.7 tonnes. They usually fit between 5 and 7 people and are the spas you most commonly see on decks or under a pergola. You also may have heard this spa style referred to as a “jacuzzi”. Though this is the name of a brand, it is not a type of spa.

The next size down is compact spas. These spas are perfect for small spaces like an apartment or townhouse. They come in sizes as small as 1.6m x 1.6m and weigh only 510kg when full! That's half the amount of the next smallest size! However, you will be delighted to know that despite their smaller footprint, they offer all the same creature comforts and features as the larger spa models. This tiny spa model is known as the mySpace model and seats just 2 people. It was designed with a convenient corner shape to save on space. It will fit into most large bathrooms and ensuites (Make sure you accurately measure your available space before purchasing one of these great space saving spas. Sapphire Spas doesn’t offer just one small spa; they have multiple other sizes in the compact range, seating up to 4 people in just 2m x 2m of space. These larger compact spas weigh significantly more than the mySpace model, so you must ensure that your foundation is strong enough to hold the spa's weight. With one of these compact spas in your home, you will feel like you have your own mini hot spring available to you all year round (minus the horrible crowds!).

 

How much room do you need for a Spa Pool? 

When planning where to put your new spa, there is much more to consider than the available space. For example, spas are a great way to add a touch of luxury to your private escape and can be sunk into the ground to complement an in-ground pool seamlessly. More commonly, they are installed on a purpose-built foundation above ground (at ground level). Further, in some cases, they are installed in raised settings such as on decks, balconies, and even rooftops. Make sure you know what to do to place your spa where you want it. A deck needs to be specifically designed and built. A concrete foundation will have a specific thickness, etc.,

Sapphire Spas has a great pre-delivery guide to help aspiring spa owners prepare their foundations. This helpful guide details everything you need to know and consider when planning where and how to install a new spa pool.

Does a Spa Require Clearance Around Other Obstacles?

Some spa models can be installed against other objects. However, this is strongly advised against. Because spas are self-contained with no external plumbing or utilities, proper servicing requires access to all sides of the spa cabinet. Therefore, you should have at least 0.5m of clear space on all sides of your spa to allow adequate access for servicing and repairs. In addition to the 0.5m of space, we recommend allowing at least 1.6m of clearance on the front side of your spa to allow room for stairs and plenty of room for your spa servicing requirements.

What foundation does a spa pool require?

Even compact spas can weigh more than you might expect. For example, the myPartner spa pool weighs 1070kg when full, not including occupants. Ensuring every user's safety and keeping your spa in pristine condition requires a sturdy foundation. You should never install a spa pool on a soft base, such as directly on the ground, dirt, gravel or sand. Instead, we recommend installing spas on a professionally laid reinforced concrete slab of at least 100mm thick and the pad should extend 200mm further than the spa on all sides. 

 

Can a spa be installed on a deck or patio?

Yes, you can install a spa on decks and patios. However, you should consult a structural engineer when installing a spa on any existing foundation, deck, roof or other structure. These structural checks ensure the planned location is strong enough for your spa's safe installation and operation. If you build a deck flush with the top of your spa, ensure you leave access points to the sides of your spa for service and repairs.

 

Can a spa be installed on pavers?

Yes, you can install most spas on pavers if you prepare the site appropriately. However, pavers are recommended only to be considered as a last resort, and we don't advise they be used for spas outside the compact range. Pavers must be installed level to ensure the surface is flat and clear of obstructions. You also need to ensure pavers are installed on a properly prepared and well-compacted base. For example, concrete or cement mix and crusher dust.

 

How are spas delivered and installed at location?

Spas are usually delivered to their location by crane truck. It is important that you consider the size of the spa you have ordered and the access to your property (e.g. roads, lanes and accessways) as well as the space available on your property to move your spa into position. Spas can be placed on their side to fit through gateways and tight spaces. However, make sure you consider the increased height clearance required to move the spa in this way. It is important to discuss any specific delivery issues or requirements with your sales professional when purchasing your Sapphire Spa.

 

Get into your new spa today

Don’t you want to enjoy your free time as much as possible? A compact spa from Sapphire Spas is the perfect addition to any home or lifestyle. We understand the value and importance of expert advice and excellent customer care at Sapphire Spas, so we have carefully selected all our retail partners. Our careful selection of retailers means that when you choose a spa from Sapphire Spas, you can be sure that you are getting quality advice from industry professionals.  Use our handy store locator to find a Sapphire Spas dealer near you. If life is too busy to drop into a store, contact us online and request a callback at a time that suits you.

  

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