Probably, the first question that comes to mind is, what’s the distinction between a hot tub and a spa? As far as our article and the majority of non-industry experts know, there is none. Nevertheless, you should know that for some persons, these terms mean different things. Hot tub vs spa difference.

However, a more important question for the householders is whether to buy an inground or above ground hot tub. And for what it’s worth, is a hot tub (also known as spa) a reasonable choice in your situation? Below you can find a short review of the distinctions to help you understand this buzz topic.

Inground spas

An inground hot tub is similar to an inground pool and has almost the same benefits and disadvantages. As well as inground pools, they can blend in perfectly with almost any surroundings. Instead of cluttering up your house, they can even make it look better.

On the negative side, inground spas are more costly to set up and maintain. Installation price differs significantly based on the materials and lots of other factors; however, the lowest possible price is $10.000.

Moreover, inground hot tubs have many of the same security and responsibility problems as inground pools. This may not be a significant issue if you already own an inground pool, or is going to get one. But for the people who are considering a separate hot tub, it’s essential to consider your local legislation and find out the consequences of an inground installation.

Above ground hot tubs

An above ground hot tub provides almost the same health and relaxation advantages as its inground analogs, but a much smaller price. Apart from the less expensive portable options (the price of which doesn’t exceed $1000), above ground hot tubs usually cost about $5000-6000.

In addition to the price, the other main benefit of above ground hot tubs is that they’re quite problem-free. You can set them up on any smooth surface and move them somewhere else in the future. Installation is pretty fast, and since they’re interim structures, it’s not improbable that you’ll find yourself fighting against local construction codes.

You should know that above ground spas usually don’t add much visual attraction to your side yard. Actually, choosing location is usually about finding a secluded spot.

Well, which hot tub is the best? Hot tub vs spa difference.

As always, the correct choice is based on your particular circumstances. Yes, your financial position is a very important factor, but it’s not everything. Below you can find some of the most widespread situations people deal with, and how they affect the decision on what kind of spa to buy:

Installation of a new pool. As indicated, building an inground spa becomes cheaper if you’re already having a new pool set up. The same builders that set up your pool can also build the spa within the same project. In addition, the pool and jacuzzi may also share such things as a water pipe, heating and security installations.

Older pool. If you already own a pool that has to be renovated, installing an attached spa is a quite cheap way to do it. But if you’re just aiming at increasing luxury and fun, an above ground spa might be a more reasonable choice. It’s less expensive and provides more variants of location.

Separate hot tub. If you still don’t have an inground pool and aren’t considering buying one, purchasing an inground spa can make you face many complications usually related to pool ownership (security legislation, authorizations, etc). However, the cost of an inground spa is appealing if you see it as an alternative to installing a pool. If not restricted by a current pool planning, another cool option is to embed an above ground hot tub in a deck.

Cold season. If you’re going to use your spa in a cold season, you’ll certainly want it close to your property. Based on the planning of your backyard, this may dictate an above ground hot tub that you can situate next to a backdoor.

Indoor spa. If you’re considering a purchase of an indoor spa, the choice between an above ground and inground option is less significant than problems of location and ventilation.