January 11th, 2010 at 3:49 am
This is relatively simple. Build a
structural wall of 2x2's,
or 1x4's (or whatever fits your shell), to keep the spa from tipping
over on its side. For the base, be sure to use 2x4's of the
pressure treated variety for long life. Be sure to use
exterior grade deck screws, (galvanized or plated) to hold
everythingtogether. (Now's the time you wished that you'd
bought a screw gun or 12volt or better DeWalt portable drill, instead
of that fishing pole lastsummer!) Used with caution, a
standard variable speed drill with a screwdriver tip can work
too.
For the side skirting, I
find that T-11 or T1-11 type of exterior grade home siding works and
looks the best. It also lasts longer than redwood, cedar, or
other forms of non-treated wood. Usually found at home supply
stores such as Home Depot, Lowes, and others, it's normally sold in 4x8
sheets.
Insulating the skirting is relatively
easy. The easiest and
most efficient type of insulation to use is the metal foil backed bubble
wrap style of insulation, sold in rolls fromhome supply
stores. Simply staple it to the inside of the skirting
before attaching it to the structural frame.
It will also be a good idea to provide a few small
vents near where the
equipment components will reside. This is necessary to prevent
overheating of the spa, and the equipment. These vents can be
as small as 2" holes, cut mid-way up in the skirting material.
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Note the amount of
support thatI've drawn underneath the footwell. This is where
most (if not all) of the weight of the water will be focused.
It is very important that the footwell be provided as much support as
possible.
It would be a good idea
to also put
a piece of 5/8" or thicker exterior
grade plywood to cover the area of the foo twell, especially if it is
larger than24" square.
The equipment pad is an important item.
Don't just install
your equipment on the ground or try to do it using the supporting
2x4's. You will be praising yourself for having a solid,
steady, level base to put all the 'stuff' necessary to make your spa
operate.
If you want to go first class all the way, adding
an exterior grade
plywood bottom to the base structure will provide the ultimate in
insulation and structural integrity.
Also, be sure to make an equipment access door,
(your choice on the
style), that provides full access to all of the equipment. A
good size is 4 feet wide and about 2-3 feet tall. You may have
to frame it to be structurally sound. Use standard hinges or
screws to attach it to the skirt. A horizontal door is easier
for a spa technician to deal with than a door that
opens vertically. If you're a really creative
carpenter type, you can build a sliding door to provide access, as used
in thousands of Morgan brand spas. It may not be necessary to
add a 'door', you can simply use the entire piece of skirting as a
door. Simply attach it to the supporting frame with screws.
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Tags:
spa skirt,
Support
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