| The traditional hot tub is built like a large barrel with | | | | The water flow may also be aerated for additional |
| wooden staves. | | | | effect and some or all of the jets may also |
| The water is usually still and circulated only for the | | | | automatically move or rotate, causing the changing |
| purposes of heating and filtering. | | | | pressure of the water on the body to provide a |
| The tub is often situated on wooden decking. | | | | massage-like effect. |
| Wooden benches or a seat that forms a ring around | | | | These tubs may be free standing, recessed within a |
| the inner circumference of the tub is normally used | | | | surrounding deck or even portable . |
| for seating. | | | | Free standing or portable hot tubs are usually |
| The tub is filled with water and is then maintained in | | | | entered by climbing a few steps and then stepping |
| much the same way as a swimming pool. | | | | over the side of the tub onto one of the seating |
| Some of the simple designs use chlorine as a | | | | areas. |
| disinfectant. More sophisticated designs use an ozone | | | | Most people think that external plumbing is required |
| generator, eliminating much of the need for | | | | with hot tubs, when in fact most units today are self |
| purchased chemicals or manual treatment of the | | | | contained and only need filling with water by a simple |
| water. | | | | garden hose. |
| The tub is heated electrically or occasionally by | | | | Spa hot tubs usually have a number of water |
| natural gas, propane and rarely these days wood | | | | circuits, with one providing heating and filtration and |
| fires.Modern Hot Tubs and Spa | | | | the others driving the hydrotherapy jets. Computer |
| The modern style of hot tub is quite different from | | | | with LCD controls are now common on the more |
| the traditional wooden tub. | | | | expensive tubs with features such as different |
| These are often not so deep and are manufactured | | | | coloured lighting, sound systems and even flat-screen |
| from fibreglass-reinforced plastic formed into shapes | | | | televisions with integral DVD players. |
| that provide a variety of seating levels within the tub. | | | | If you intend to buy a hot tub make sure that you |
| | | | use a reputible UK supplier.Written by Neal Baker on |
| Each seat is equipped with hydrotherapy jets that | | | | behalf of ltd online supplier for hot tubs, spas, |
| allows water to be directed at various parts of the | | | | accessories and chemicals in the UK. |
| body. | | | | |