wooden hot tub
Should You Purchase a Wooden Hot Tub?
Wooden hot tubs were the original hot tubs. They’ve been used around the world for thousands of years for relaxation and therapeutic purposes.
In the United States, wooden hot tubs didn’t become popular until the 1960s, then quickly fell out of fashion as fiberglass and acrylic models entered the market in the 1970s. However, wooden hot tubs are making a resurgence today, as many consumers enjoy the natural look and rustic charm.
Wooden hot tubs range in price in price from about $2,500-$9,000 depending on size, heating source, the type of wood and accessories. Read on to learn more about what you can get at different price points.
About Wooden Hot Tubs
Wooden hot tubs can be gas powered, electric powered or wood fired. Gas and electric models are more expensive upfront and they cost more to operate. However, they’re much easier to use.
Wooden hot tubs typically sit above ground. They have bench seating, not contoured chairs and loungers like acrylic spas. They’re typically deeper than acrylic spas and have few, if any, jets, underwater lights or digital controls. Most are about 5-6 feet in diameter, seating 4-7 adults comfortably.
Redwood is the most popular material for wooden hot tubs. It is extremely resistant to rot and decay and does not splinter. Cedar is popular too because it is almost as durable. Cypress, oak and teak are also used for wooden hot tubs.
Wooden Hot Tub Prices
The price of a hot tub is most heavily influenced by the heating source, but size and materials also play a factor.
- Gas-powered wooden hot tubs usually cost $5,000-$10,000, but very small and basic versions start at about $4,000.
- Most electric-powered versions range in price from $4,500-$9,000, but basic versions (with a single-speed pump, for example) start at $3,000.
- Wood-fired wooden hot tubs tend to cost $2,500-$5,000.
Wooden hot tubs are sold with a heater, pump and filter, but you always have the option to upgrade to more powerful versions. Upgrading to a more powerful heater can cost as much as $1,000-$2,000, while upgrading to a pump with multiple speeds might add $100-$200 to the total price.
Covers are typically sold separately, ranging in price from $500-$1,000. Adding an ionizer costs about $600, while lights cost $100-$200 each.
Most gas and electric hot tubs cost $20-$40 per month to operate, while wood-fired tubs might cost just a few dollars per month. A $100-$200 cord of wood could power the tub for years.
A lawyer never retires. So I would just say that I am not as active as I used to be. Now I simply dedicate myself to fishing, my hobby, and my grandchildren. For Business Finance News I write about legal aspects of mortgage policies, mostly regarding the rights of policyholders. I also have articles about personal injuries.
