Minneapolis Landscape Design Ideas: Hot Tub
If you've ever dreamed up a patio idea with a hot tub, let me tell you-- I like the way you think! A hot tub adds a very pleasant dimension to your outdoor living space. It's one of our favorite patio design accessories, along with a firepit or fireplace, or a sitting wall. Hot tubs aren't for everyone, but if it is something you have on your wish list, we can work with you to create an attractive landscape design that will include one. We will also navigate the unromantic city code and inspection aspect of adding a hot tub to your Minneapolis-area patio for you. Once we have a design you like and a construction contract, we'll handle all the hard stuff so you can focus on swimsuit-shopping and buying umbrellas to put in your drinks!
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The Design
There are usually only one or two obvious spots to put a hot tub in your yard which combine easy access from the house and privacy from the neighbors. If necessary, we can use plantings to create some extra privacy as well. Then we need to consider how to best run the electrical from your house to get to the hot tub. There are code limitations about how many turns the buried conduit can make on its way to its destination, so some consideration is required ahead of time. Happy city inspectors make for a happy project for everyone involved.
In addition to aesthetics, we will design the area to accommodate the hot tub size, access to the hot tub mechanicals, space for cover storage, location of hidden electrical connections, and space to clear snow so you can use it in the winter. You may also want additional lighting to get to and from the hot tub.
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Installation
Coordinating with the electrician adds a small challenge to the installation process, but we're used to it. You can use your own favorite electrician, if you have one, or we have a couple we like and trust to work with. The most critical elemants are proper trenching of the buried conduit, and pinpoint location of where it comes up through the patio. The electrician also places grounding wire around the hot tub, which ends up underneath the pavers.
The paver patio surface itself must be built to manufacturer's specifications (see page bottom), which typically call for a little less slope than we build into our regular patios. This calls for special attention before and during the installation to make sure that water still can flow easily off the patio. It's nothing to worry about, just something to be aware of. Compaction is even more important than with a regular patio because the constant low vibration of the hot tub motor could cause settling. This is yet another reason why we use very large compactors.
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Completion
The final, most exciting step is calling the hot tub people to install the tub. They will be happy to come to your house because everything will be ready, just the way they need it. You will be happy, too, because that night after work you can get your suit on, grab a glass with an umbrella in it, and go relax in your hot tub while you think about who to have over this weekend. (Feel free to invite us!)
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See Also:
Patio Photo Gallery ; Sitting Walls Phto Gallery ; Outdoor Fireplace & Firepit Gallery
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Sample Manufacturer Spec for Hot Tub Space
