Five main types of spa pools

Press, 18 November 1981, Page 33

Five main types of spa pools

(Contributed by the Consumers Institute of New Zealand) The modern spa pool is generally capable of seating two to eight people, and may be constructed in a variety of shapes. Apart from the tub itself, additional equipment in the form of heaters, pumps, filters and chemical sterilising equipment is needed. There are five types of materials in general use in spa pool construction — reinforced concrete, fibreglass, wood, polyehtylene and acrylic. • Reinforced concrete spa pools are certainly robust, can be shaped to individual requirements, and may be either free-standing or installed below ground-level. The concrete surface can

either be tiled, painted, of have a marble plaster finish. A painted surface is likely to chip easily and may be damaged by acids or mineral deposits, if the correct water balance is not maintained. The Consumers Institute emphasises that it is important that the guarantee cover such manufacturing defects as tarnishing or cracking. The latter can occur when the surface has been finished in tiles or marble plaster. Most concrete pools range in price between $3OOO and $3500 — this depends on the type of finish you choose. • Wood is popular in spa pool construction. Redwood and kauri contain natural preservatives making them ideal timbers for the job. Kahikatea (white pine) needs to be tanalised, otherwise it will rot.

Variation on pool shape is very limited and timber spas are not as easy as fibreglass to keep clean/Their prices range from $2500 to $3000.. • Fibreglass pools are popular because they are generally a little cheaper than most other types, and they are available in a wide variety of sizes and shapes. They are usually priced between $2500 to $3500, There can be problems with fibreglass pools. A cracked, or badly-applied, outer gel coat will allow water to get -through, so quality control during manufacturing is essential. • nAcrylic pools are becoming more popular in New Zealand. - / They are very resistant to hot water and chemicals and have a non-slip surface. Care must be taken to ensure that the surface is not damaged by sharp objects, because it scratches and marks badly.

These pools can cost between $2700 to $4OOO. • Polyethylene is a very resistant heard-wearing material that does not crack, blister or peel, and ' is not susceptible to chemical attacks of any nature. It is not as easy to shape as fibreglass and, therefore, is not used as often. Polyethylene pools are probably the cheapest types available, costing between $2lOO and $3300. Installation A spa pool can be.bought for anything up to about $4OOO. Components such as pumps and tubs can be purchased separately, or in a “package deal.” But the cost of electrical connections is additional. A quote should be obtained for both pool and electrical connections before any agreement is signed. The reason for high elec-

trical charges is that spa pools require a considerable amount of electrical energy — more than your amount of stove requirements with all elements on. If the wiring in your house has no .spare capacity to accept this very large load, it will have to be modified. Running costs . The chemicals necessary to maintain a clean and hygienic pool will cost between $25 and $3O a year. Heating costs can vary between $3.50 and $9 a week, depending on local power board charges and the size of the pool. Steps can be taken to minimise running costs by installing a time switch. This automatic device ensures that the pool water does not drop below a certain temperature, so the water never has to heat up from cold.