Our covers are ASTM approved for your safety.
Our spa covers comply with ASTM (American Society for Testing Standards) requirements that are intended to protect children 5 years of age or younger (the standards have the added advantage of helping to protect pets). Standards include specific performance tests and labeling requirements. Covers must be able to pass tests such as static load tests for weight support (275 lbs), perimeter deflection tests for entry or entrapment between the cover and the side of the spa, and surface drainage tests to see if a dangerous amount of rain could collect on the cover's surface. There are also requirements to include labeling in consumer information and on the cover itself. Labeling must contain the proper warnings (as described by the Standard) and identify the product as a safety cover.
Be careful of spa companies that only use a 1 lb. foam density cover. They are NOT ASTM approved and only holds 75 lbs.! Foam density plays a vital role in your insulation value and the load capacity that your cover can endure. The levels of foam density being used today are 1lbs., 1.5lbs and 2.0 lbs. The foam density is measured by pound per square inch. The lower the foam poundage the more open the cells of the foam are. This results in lower R-value, lower weight capacity and higher saturation points. These three points are important to the performance of your spa cover. The density of your foam will enviably determine the years of service your hot tub cover will provide. The higher the density the longer it will take for the cover to become waterlogged. The higher the density of foam, the lower your operational cost will be. For these reasons always go for high density 1.5lbs. or 2 lbs. foam regardless of your location.
Below are rough estimates of the static weight our covers can withstand without breaking.
Average size Good cover:
1.5 lb foam insulation and 4"-2" taper = 275 lbs
Average size Better cover:
2.0 lb foam insulation and 4"-2" taper = 365 lbs.
Important note: Never sit, stand or walk on a spa cover.
We use 30 oz (per lineal yard) Marine Grade Vinyl. Developed for the high wear demands of the boating and awning industries, this is the thickest vinyl used on any spa cover and it exceeds all specified requirements for “Marine Grade" and “Premium Grade" vinyl. It features mildew inhibitors, UV stabilized coloring (to help prevent fading) and it is resistant to chlorine and bromine. The backing fabric is reinforced 100% polyester mesh that will not rot, is mildew resistant and adds strength. The vinyl encasement is stitched using the highest quality #93 UV and moisture resistant bonded Dacron Polyester thread.
Specs for our 30 oz Marine Grade Vinyl:
- UV Rating & Weather Resistance: 1500+ hours
- Stabilized Pigment Rating: 500 hours
- Weight: 30 oz per linear yard
- Thickness: .038”
- Cold Crack Rating: -20°
Most spa covers must function in a very hostile environment. This includes rain and snow, searing summer heat and UV coming down from above and hot steam, chemical fumes and ozone constantly bombarding the cover bottom from below. Spa covers take a serious beating and over time, they begin to absorb moisture. The question is, what can we do to slow this down? Our first line of defense is our extra thick 30 oz. Marine Grade Vinyl encasement combined with a double laminated, reinforced bottom fabric (called a “scrim") that is chemical and ozone resistant. Inside, we use 6 mil, single-extruded, virgin bead polyethylene vapor barrier to wrap the insulation which is vacuumed of air and then expertly heat sealed (rather than taped). Our 6 mil barrier is the thickest in the industry.
