Can You Add a Hot Tub to Your Sunroom? 5 Things to Know
By Jennifer Rhodes · Updated
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Putting a hot tub in your sunroom is a great way to enjoy the view of the outdoors without having to worry about bad weather. With your hot tub in your sunroom as opposed to outside, you can use it for more months out of the year, or even year-round depending on where you live.
Hot tubs are popular for relaxation, healing muscle aches, and much more. You can enjoy those benefits with a hot tub right inside your sunroom without even stepping outside.
If you're planning on installing a hot tub inside your sunroom, here are some of the most important things to consider before you take the plunge.
1. Enjoy the hot tub in any weather
The best thing about putting a hot tub in a sunroom is you don't have to worry about what the weather is like outside before you use it.
Outdoor hot tubs are fun, but you have to check the weather first. Rain, snow, sleet, or thunder could prevent you from taking a dip when you want to.
When your hot tub is inside a sunroom, it's enclosed from the elements while still giving you a great view of your yard. This may mean that you can take a dip in the hot tub even in the cold or rain when you would otherwise be staying inside.
2. Prepare to get wet
Hot tubs are full of water, so you have to be careful about the materials used in the flooring and the structure of your sunroom to prevent damage to your home.
You want to ensure that the sunroom is built to withstand possible water exposure from splashing or spilling. Also, in the event of a leak or issue with the hot tub itself, you want to make sure that the building materials are able to be exposed to water.
I have another article on putting hot tubs indoors which is essentially what you're doing with a sunroom. It can be done, but you have to take a few extra steps to make sure the room can handle it.
It's important to consider the other furniture you have in your sunroom as well. Anything that will be in close proximity to the hot tub should be at least splash-proof as well. Choose furniture fabric and rugs that are indoor/outdoor or water-resistant to make sure they can handle a little bit of water exposure.
3. Consider the size and layout
There's nothing worse than a hot tub that is too large (or too small) for a space. Take measurements of your sunroom before purchasing a hot tub to make sure the size and shape will fit your space properly.
Hot tubs come in all shapes and sizes, so choose one that fits your sunroom and meets your needs. There are plenty of good smaller hot tubs which can be a great place to start.
If you are designing your sunroom with a hot tub in mind, you have more freedom and flexibility to make sure that the space is big enough to accommodate the hot tub that you want.
It's also important to think about things like how you will get in and out of the hot tub (see: be sure to leave enough space for steps), a logical place for the cover to go while the hot tub is in use, and how much room you need for other furniture as well.
4. Proper ventilation is key
With a hot tub running consistently at around 100 degrees, you want to make sure that your cover seals properly, and that your sunroom is well-ventilated to minimize humidity.
Prolonged exposure to humid air can cause water damage to structural materials like wood and drywall because they will stay consistently damp. Humidity is also a concern for any upholstered furniture or carpeting. Long-term humidity can cause these surfaces to stay wet, which can cause mold to grow.
Reduce the risk of damage by installing a extractor fan in your sunroom, just like you would in a bathroom. It will move the moisture outside and create a more pleasant environment you may enjoy while soaking in your hot tub. Also, make sure you have windows or skylights that open to the outside to let fresh air in.
5. Reap the rewards of energy savings
Hot tubs can drive up the cost of your electric bill if you're not careful—especially if they're installed outside. With an outdoor hot tub, you are at the mercy of whatever the weather is doing which can make heating it through a long, cold winter quite costly.
The great thing about having a hot tub in your sunroom is that it will be less expensive to heat than one that is installed outdoors because it's not subject to such extreme temperature variations.
You still will experience an increase in your utility bill with a hot tub, but it won't be as drastic as one that is outside.
In the winter especially, it won't take as much electricity to keep your hot tub heated to temperature because it's in a confined, temperature-controlled space.
Hot tubs in sunrooms: is it a good idea?
In short, yes. Installing a hot tub inside a sunroom is a popular choice and is perfectly safe to do, as long as you follow a few additional steps.
There are certain things you need to take into account to ensure that you have a space that is safe, comfortable, and relaxing so you can enjoy soaking in your hot tub.
With these simple tips, you'll be able to create a hot tub oasis in your sunroom without worrying about anything getting damaged or being in the way.