A hot tub is a wonderful addition to a home, providing relaxing hot soaks and a plethora of benefits right outside your back door. But sometimes, even when you've placed your spa in the best spot on your patio or in your yard, it might not be as private as you wish.
Whether your hot tub is located on a suburban deck or on an urban balcony, it might be in the line of sight of your neighbors. And that can make your soaks a little less enjoyable. But there is good news: Creating home hot tub privacy isn't difficult.
Creative landscaping—mature plants, trees, and bushes placed around your spa—might be all you need. If that's not enough, fences, privacy screens, gazebos, pavilions, and pergolas can be bought at many home goods stores. If you enjoy do-it-yourself projects, you can even build what you need in a weekend.
No matter what type of refuge from prying eyes you and your family need, you can attain it. In fact, hot tub privacy can also be had by simply using spa accessories, such as an upright cover lifter, strategically.
Create Hot Tub Privacy With Landscaping
Thoughtfully placed trees, hedges, and flowering shrubbery can create both hot tub privacy and a pleasant view. Trees can also provide shade. Be aware, though, that tree sap and fallen leaves could mean additional clean-up work.
Planting options are endless but some varieties need more time to grow than others. Here are a few fast-growing types:
- Bamboo is a famously fast-growing plant. A hedge of bamboo can create privacy in as little as three months, but can also grow out of control. Ask your local nursery for advice on how to plant bamboo and keep it growing only in locations you chose.
- Poplar and willow hybrid trees are great shade trees and commonly available from local nurseries. Willow hybrids can grow about 12 feet per year, while poplar hybrids can grow 8 feet per year.
- Evergreen hedges block views and help dampen sound. A fast-growing hedge like leylandii can grow up to 3 feet per year. Proper trimming will encourage growth and form a thick screen.
A privacy hedge or a stately line of trees is probably the most beautiful way to provide hot tub privacy, but landscaping will require maintenance and patience as your plantings grow. If you want privacy sooner rather than later, a fence might serve you better.
Hot Tub Privacy Fences
The most obvious way to create hot tub privacy is to install a fence around your yard or place a privacy screen beside your spa. With so many styles to choose from, screen options are practically limitless. There are plenty of fencing options, too!
Traditional wood privacy fences are very popular, but also vulnerable to moisture and need to be maintained. For that reason, some hot tub owners seek alternatives. Vinyl fencing is not as strong as wood, but never needs to be painted and resists moisture, which is perfect if you plan to place the fence in close proximity to your spa.
There are plenty of non-traditional options, too, including iron, corrugated or galvanized steel, metal, chain link, and composite fencing. The perfect fence for you will depend on your taste, the style of your home and yard, and the level of privacy you desire. Just keep in mind that while a fence is a great solution in many cases, it might not be the best solution for your specific location or landscape.
Privacy Pavilions, Pergolas, and Gazebos for Hot Tubs
If you live in a neighborhood that's sloped or in an urban home where people living in mid-rise or high-rise apartments can look down onto your property, fencing or a screen won't provide the privacy you need. Instead, consider a pavilion, pergola, or gazebo. Each will block the view from above.
The main difference between a pavilion, pergola, and a gazebo, apart from the various styles available, is truss structuring. An evenly spaced triangular truss is typically used to hold up the roof of a pavilion. Gazebos have a single three-dimensional space truss that radiates from a central point. On pergolas, the truss consists of evenly spaced rafters. The rafters block some of the sun but not the rain, and when they show off climbing vines, they're not only more functional privacy-wise, but also more beautiful.
The design best for you will depend on how you plan to use your hot tub. If you want the area around your spa to be an entertainment space, then consider a pavilion or a gazebo. Because each has a solid roof, wiring for lighting and the power to your spa will be protected. Plus, plans for these structures often include a raised floor, which can conceal electrical wiring. Just remember that the more elaborate and enclosed a pavilion or gazebo is, the more important ventilation becomes. Rising steam from your spa will condense and collect on the ceiling of the structure and then drip down. So, you should consider a fan to improve airflow and help keep the structure free of moisture.
If all you need is privacy from eyes above, a pergola is your best bet. Lightweight and easy for a handyman or handywoman to build, the open structure offers plenty of ventilation.
Not all yards have the space for these types of structures, though, nor are all homeowners willing to undertake a large project for the sake of privacy. For these spa owners, something simpler may suffice.
Accessories for Hot Tub Privacy
When your spa is located in a very small yard or on a balcony, or if you rent your home and aren't allowed to install a privacy structure near or around the hot tub, you do have other options in the form of accessories.
One accessory that will provide hot tub privacy is a spa side umbrella, which can be maneuvered to block your neighbors' lines of sight in any direction. Another accessory that can aid in attaining privacy is a hot tub cover lifter. Some hot tub manufacturers, including the maker of Hot Spring® spas, recognize the need for privacy and offer dual-purpose hot tub cover lifters. A cover lifter not only makes it easier to remove and replace your heavy hot tub cover, but also acts as a vertical shield when the spa is in use.
Discover all of the accessories available with a Hot Spring spa.
Creating home hot tub privacy can beautify your backyard and provide other perks. The right trees can create privacy, shade, and, when placed near your home, could help lower your energy bills. Hedges can dampen sound and fences can discourage trespassing. Often, getting a little hot tub privacy is as simple as buying a spa from a manufacturer that thinks of its customers first and offers accessories that speak to privacy needs.
Learn more about Hot Spring® spas and how to create a private backyard retreat by contacting your local dealer for a test soak.
