hot tub privacy enclosure

For those of us who live in close proximity to our neighbors, it can sometimes feel like the lack of privacy provides TMI for the nosey people next door. If you have a hot tub located on a balcony, deck, patio, or in-ground behind a two-story home, you might be directly in your neighbors’ line of sight.

Without privacy, enjoying your hot tub might feel a bit more difficult. The good thing is, great privacy isn’t hard in the slightest. From creative landscaping to DIY fencing, there are so many ways to build your own private oasis so that you can sink deep in the womb of hot water hydrotherapy.

Come dive in with us as we explore the many ways you can create your own sense of hot tub privacy in your backyard.

Hot Tub Privacy Fencing

One of the easiest and likely most obvious ways to create a bit of hot tub privacy is with a fence installed around your hot tub. There are plenty of fence types to choose from as well, from privacy screens to garden trellises, meaning you’ll be sure to find the right option for your aesthetic choices.

While we love the look of traditional wood fences, it should be noted that these are incredibly vulnerable to heat and moisture. If you decide to go with a wooden fence, do know that you’ll have to maintain it. If you’re not into the idea of performing routine maintenance checks, we recommend going with vinyl fencing. It may not be as sturdy or aesthetically pleasing as wood fencing, though it is completely moisture resistant, perfect for if you’re trying to keep your fence within close proximity of your hot tub.

If you’re in the market for a non-traditional option, you may choose to go with a fence made of metal, galvanized steel, composite materials, or chain link. Of course, it really comes down to your taste and how you want your backyard oasis to look. Do keep in mind that fences are wonderful solutions for hot tub privacy, though they may not totally work with your existing landscape, which is why you may want to consider some other options.

Consequentially, however, you may find yourself needing to pick up fallen leaves out of your water or clean sap off of the shell of your hot tub every now and then. Also, a large tree can take years to grow. you might not want to wait three years to enjoy a bit of hot tub privacy and we don’t blame you. Luckily, there are a few options for those who need privacy now.

Bamboo is one of the fastest-growing plants out there. you’ll be able to create an entire wall of bamboo for hot tub privacy in as little as three months. You will need to be sure to take care of it though, as bamboo can grow out of control fast and start taking over your yard. We recommend speaking with experts down at your local nursery to get a better idea of how to manage bamboo before growing it.

If you’re looking to grow trees, we recommend going with willow or poplar hybrids. These gorgeous trees can be found at just about any nursery and they have been known to grow more than 12 feet per year.

As a good in-between, we recommend going with hedges. Evergreen hedges in particular help reduce noise and block out views. While there are plenty of hedges that you could choose from, we highly recommend going with leylandii. This hedge is one of the fastest-growing around. Many say that it grows up to three feet per year. As with bamboo, you will need to make sure to trim it every once in a while to make sure that it does not get out of control, though also to make sure that you’re encouraging growth.

Not only will trees, hedges, or other types of plants help elevate your space and create a more cohesive yard landscape for your hot tub to sit in, but it is also one of the most natural ways to create hot tub privacy. The main downside is that trees and plants require a bit of extra love and time to get to the point where they act as an enclosure. If you don’t have that kind of patience to spare, fencing might be a better choice for you.

Privacy From Above

While fences, plants, and privacy screens block out views from the sides, they are no good for those who need privacy protection from an aerial perspective. You may live in an urban environment with high-rise apartments stacked over your yard or a suburban home on a slope with your neighbors looking down on your property. If a fence or privacy screen won’t cut it, you might consider going with a pergola, pavilion, or gazebo.

While all of these enclosure ideas provide the same protection from above, they are stylistically different due to the way the trusses are structured. To support the roof of a pavilion, for example, you will see evenly-spaced triangular trusses. Gazebos, on the other hand, utilize a single three-dimensional truss that supports the roof from a singular point. The truss on a pergola has rafters that are evenly spaced.

A pergola may not be a great option if you want to block out rain and sun, though you have a lot of neat options for decorating them with various wall materials, such as hanging lanterns or vines.

We recommend choosing the enclosure you want based on the way in which you intend to make use of your hot tub. For example, if you want privacy around a hot tub to turn it into a full-on entertainment space, gazebos and pavilions are the way to go. Both of these structures come with completed roofs, meaning you get full protection from the sun and rain. A gazebo or pavilion also allows you to create unique lighting that sits above your hot tub, perfect for times when you want to soak at night. More information can be found on our “hot tub privacy ideas” page.

Do note that when you have a gazebo or pavilion structure, you will need to come up with a way for rising steam to escape. Otherwise, steam will rise out of the hot tub and collect on the top of your gazebo or pavilion enclosure before dripping down. To keep a gazebo free from moisture, people often install fans.

In the case that privacy is the only thing you need, we recommend going with a pergola. Pergolas are easy to build and incredibly lightweight. Thanks to the open design of pergolas, you won’t need to worry about how you are going to let your steam escape from your hot tub privacy enclosure.

Of course, not every home has an ample amount of space to host these kinds of structures. Plus, not all hot tub owners will like the idea of investing a ton of money into a structure like the ones above. The price can vary pretty widely depending on what you choose, so it is important to do your research and lay out the pros and cons of each.

Unique Hot Tub Privacy Products

Regardless of where your neighbor sits, you’ll be able to get the best form or convenient privacy using an umbrella.

For protection similar to hedges, you may consider going with a removable privacy wall or privacy screen. Privacy screens and privacy walls are one and the same. The great thing about using a hot tub privacy screen is that you get total blockage from onlookers, as well as noise reduction. Your typical screen won’t weigh much more than 20 pounds, meaning you can set it up and take it down as you need.

If you need something smaller than a traditional screen, you may choose to go with hot tub privacy panels, which you can purchase through many hot tub manufacturers.

You may also consider going with a simple hot tub cover lifter. Hot tub cover lifters are great for a number of things. Beyond acting as a privacy wall between you and your neighbors, cover lifters can also protect your hot tub or spa from unwanted debris. Unlike regular covers, cover lifter mechanisms are incredibly easy to use and lift, perfect for an enhanced hot tub experience.

Additional Benefits of Creating a Hot Tub Enclosure

Protected hot tubs tend to last much longer than hot tubs that are left unprotected. Remember, exposed hot tubs are left at the mercy of the elements. Just as someone might want to place a carport over their driveway so they don’t have to shovel snow during the winter, they also might want to place an enclosure down so they don’t have to clean snow off of their spa.

If you’re growing plants, around your spa, you may also consider planting mosquito-deterrent plants, such as citronella. Incorporating citronella or other kinds of natural deterrents into your enclosure design can help fend off pesky bugs that appear at night so that you can enjoy your hot tub experience more deeply. If you have a gazebo or pergola, you may even be able to design it in a way where you can hang bug-deterrent items like citronella candles.

Final Thoughts – Creating Privacy For Your Hot Tub Area

You should also make sure that you leave enough room for your regular maintenance routine. Consider the need to replace any parts in the future or empty the water in your spa. If you create a hot tub privacy fence that blocks your drainage points, for example, you’ll have an issue.

If you choose to go with a more complex enclosure, such as permanent walls or a built-in gazebo, you may want to consult a contractor to help you with the design.

All-in-all, creating well-deserved privacy for your spa should never feel like a chore. You likely invested a fair amount of money into your spa and you should be able to enjoy it to the fullest. Follow our tips above to elevate your home spa experience.