BUYING GUIDE
SO WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO BUY? Hot tubs
USE LIGHT AND SOUND TO CHANGE THE MOOD Lighting, both inside and outside your pool or hot tub adds touches of beauty and a change of mood. Standard incandescent and halogen lights are great options, but fibre optic lighting is a fantastic way to bring striking colour to your night time enjoyment. Fibre optic lighting incorporates varying colours of light for both traditional point-source and band- lighting effects. Fibre optics are easily installed for landscaping and architectural features and around the water because there’s no electrical current to worry about. While you’re investigating lights you might also like to look into the added luxury of an entertainment system. There are many options now availabe and adding both light and sound really does create a complete outdoor experience.
The terms ‘hot tub’ and ‘spa’ mean the same thing. The choice of hot tubs in terms of makes, sizes, shapes and gadgets is huge and there’s something for every lifestyle and every space. In recent years hot tubs have become more technology driven with more and varied therapeutic jets, self cleaning water and at the top end of the market, speakers and DVD players. There are two types, self-contained and non self-contained. With a self-contained or portable spa, the electrical, filtration and heating systems are contained in the spa’s exterior or cabinet. These typically are installed above-
ground; however you can easily achieve a built-in look by installing your spa partially above a surrounding deck. These self-contained units can be moved and reinstalled elsewhere, if you choose. Non self-contained hot tubs are installed in-ground and are considered permanent. Often these spas are part of a spa-pool combination.
Once you decide what you want and
where it’s going, take some time to choose an experienced, reputable dealer or manufacturer. Look for a BISHTA member dealer and you’ll get someone who is providing excellent service. Try it, then buy it. The best way to make sure you get the right hot tub is to try it out. Many retailers encourage you to test soak before you buy. If you do, note the depth of the water, the seating capacity and location of seats, and the variety and power of the jets. Look for a hot tub with seats deep enough to cover your shoulders; others should be high enough to let you cool down.
Take a look at: n Pages 64-76 for our ‘Top 30’ feature and pages 100-103 for hot tub retailers
The JBL IntelliSound Stereo system allows you to attach your iPod or mp3 player directly to a Sundance Spa
n The What Pool & Hot Tub website where more information is available
www.whatpoolandhottubmag.co.uk
n BISHTA
www.bishta.co.uk
24 WHAT POOL & HOT TUB
WWW.WHATPOOLANDHOTTUBMAG.CO.UK Swim spas
Whether it’s for competitive training or for family fun, swim spas are a versatile product which take the best elements from both swimming pools and hot tubs and put them into a single package. Their flexibility and price have meant they have become an increasingly popular choice. Swim spas literally allow you to swim on the spot. They are often called ‘water treadmills’. You do not have to complete laps or turn around like in a normal pool, but just have to keep exercising within the space provided to ensure you get the swimming exercise you need as you swim against a continuous stream of water or ‘counter-current’. Swim spas are a cheaper option than a full scale swimming pool. They take up less space, are easy to heat and provide an all year round swimming experience. In terms of space they only need about 19 to 24 feet in length and 8 to 10 feet in width. Since they are made of acrylic, they are very light and can be easily installed – and in the event that you should move – in most cases uninstalled too. An entry level swim spa which provides excellent quality jets and a safe, secure swimming environment will cost around £11,000. More advanced swim spas cost up to £30,000 and have separate hot tub seating areas and dual temperature water controls and can be free standing or designed in-ground.
Take a look at: n Pages 55-59 for our swim spas feature and pages 100-103 for swim spa retailers
n The What Pool & Hot Tub website where more information is available
www.whatpoolandhottubmag.co.uk
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108