mdoiron Posted July 3, 2008 Report Share Posted July 3, 2008 Hey All, Been refering this site with questions for a while but haven't posted much. Many of you really seem knowledgeable so I thought I'd throw my question out there to get a few opinions. My tub (Beachcomber 720X) is now 5 years old and my cover needs to be replaced. I'm having a hard time dishing-out the $600 my local dealer wants for a new cover so naturally, I turned to the web for an alternative. Found several aftermarket tub cover manufacturers but I question their effectivness as I live in Eastern Canada and our winters get extremely cold. TheCoverGuy.com seems to be leading the pack at the moment. Company is Canadian, they "seem" to be well made, prices are reasonable and he's offering free shipping. Cost to my door would be almost half of what my local dealer wants to charge me but I'm afraid for a bad fit and an ineffective cover. Does anyone have any experiences with aftermarket covers? Anyone ever order from this company? Would love to hear what everyone has to say. Thanks in advance, Matt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger Posted July 3, 2008 Report Share Posted July 3, 2008 Hey All, Been refering this site with questions for a while but haven't posted much. Many of you really seem knowledgeable so I thought I'd throw my question out there to get a few opinions. My tub (Beachcomber 720X) is now 5 years old and my cover needs to be replaced. I'm having a hard time dishing-out the $600 my local dealer wants for a new cover so naturally, I turned to the web for an alternative. Found several aftermarket tub cover manufacturers but I question their effectivness as I live in Eastern Canada and our winters get extremely cold. TheCoverGuy.com seems to be leading the pack at the moment. Company is Canadian, they "seem" to be well made, prices are reasonable and he's offering free shipping. Cost to my door would be almost half of what my local dealer wants to charge me but I'm afraid for a bad fit and an ineffective cover. Does anyone have any experiences with aftermarket covers? Anyone ever order from this company? Would love to hear what everyone has to say. Thanks in advance, Matt I have no experience with the Coverguy but I do have experience with RH Tubs dot com and his covers. The best I have seen to date. And they can match your exsisting cover perfectly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdoiron Posted July 3, 2008 Author Report Share Posted July 3, 2008 Hey All, Been refering this site with questions for a while but haven't posted much. Many of you really seem knowledgeable so I thought I'd throw my question out there to get a few opinions. My tub (Beachcomber 720X) is now 5 years old and my cover needs to be replaced. I'm having a hard time dishing-out the $600 my local dealer wants for a new cover so naturally, I turned to the web for an alternative. Found several aftermarket tub cover manufacturers but I question their effectivness as I live in Eastern Canada and our winters get extremely cold. TheCoverGuy.com seems to be leading the pack at the moment. Company is Canadian, they "seem" to be well made, prices are reasonable and he's offering free shipping. Cost to my door would be almost half of what my local dealer wants to charge me but I'm afraid for a bad fit and an ineffective cover. Does anyone have any experiences with aftermarket covers? Anyone ever order from this company? Would love to hear what everyone has to say. Thanks in advance, Matt I have no experience with the Coverguy but I do have experience with RH Tubs dot com and his covers. The best I have seen to date. And they can match your exsisting cover perfectly. Thanks for the response Roger. I'll make sure to check them out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tubaddikt Posted July 9, 2008 Report Share Posted July 9, 2008 I have no experience with the Coverguy but I do have experience with RH Tubs dot com and his covers. The best I have seen to date. And they can match your exsisting cover perfectly. I would like to offer the following suggestion, something I found very useful, if not original. One thing I would like to suggest, is a cover for the cover. A good spa cover is not an inexpensive item, and requires regular maintenance if you want to get decent life out of it. I live in a climate that exceeds 100 deg F every summer, and near freezing several days in winter. I noticed an ad for an elastic vinyl cover that goes over the standard spa cover. It costs around $200. As much as some mid grade spa covers on sale. What I did was to get a HD farm tarp and poly rope from Harbor Freight. For under $30 I have protected the cover from temp extremes as well as form another barrier from dust and grime. It's easy enough to remove even on a regular basis, and can add months, even years to the spa cover. It does not mean you should neglect conditioning of the cover, but it certainly makes that task easier and is not required to be performed as often. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger Posted July 9, 2008 Report Share Posted July 9, 2008 I have no experience with the Coverguy but I do have experience with RH Tubs dot com and his covers. The best I have seen to date. And they can match your exsisting cover perfectly. I would like to offer the following suggestion, something I found very useful, if not original. One thing I would like to suggest, is a cover for the cover. A good spa cover is not an inexpensive item, and requires regular maintenance if you want to get decent life out of it. I live in a climate that exceeds 100 deg F every summer, and near freezing several days in winter. I noticed an ad for an elastic vinyl cover that goes over the standard spa cover. It costs around $200. As much as some mid grade spa covers on sale. What I did was to get a HD farm tarp and poly rope from Harbor Freight. For under $30 I have protected the cover from temp extremes as well as form another barrier from dust and grime. It's easy enough to remove even on a regular basis, and can add months, even years to the spa cover. It does not mean you should neglect conditioning of the cover, but it certainly makes that task easier and is not required to be performed as often. A good quality fitted bottom bed sheet modified to fit your cover will also prolong it's life. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tubaddikt Posted July 9, 2008 Report Share Posted July 9, 2008 A good quality fitted bottom bed sheet modified to fit your cover will also prolong it's life. Wow! Now that's really getting down to basics, and allows easy an easy off/on routine although I have some reservations as to it's robustness in facing the elements. But it has to help! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hillbilly Hot Tub Posted July 11, 2008 Report Share Posted July 11, 2008 Much of the wear on a cover is the bottom side toward the water. Chemicals and ozone do a number on them. I would also say a good spa blanket under the cover has helped considerably on our covers. A bit more of a pain when opening, but well worth it. When I sold my 5 year old Waters Edge tub 2 years ago, the cover was like new. The buyer still has the same cover and it is still in great shape and not getting heavy yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CO pool guy Posted September 12, 2012 Report Share Posted September 12, 2012 thecoverguy is not all it's cracked up to be. I bought a cover 2 years ago with upgrades etc. Now it has failed. Prestige Spa Covers makes their covers. Using my "comprehensive" 5 year warranty. I have to pay over 60% of a new cover AGAIN, just to get a replacement cover at my door. I also have to pay someone to haul the old one away, another $70 counting the dump fee. The killer is shipping as that is built into the cost of your first order but then you have to pay well over $100 for the replacement to come to your door. Thecoverguy will not stand behind this at all and says "that's what the warranty says". WELL the warranty arrives with your cover, it is not posted on their web site. Pretty bait and switch IMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NateW Posted September 13, 2012 Report Share Posted September 13, 2012 I just purchased a new cover from the SpaDepot and followed their on-line measuring instructions and it fits great. Appears to be very well made. I ordered all of the upgrades (double wrapped, thicker, mid section (seam) insulator, etc.) and it was close to $550 US dollars, but it was a big step up from my OEM cover, which had soaked up about 10 gallons of water, weighing in at 110 pounds (it was 5 years old). The cover came from Largo, Florida, which is a pretty far distance from Canada. BTW the cover was claimed to have an R value of 29 or something like that. --Nate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NateW Posted September 13, 2012 Report Share Posted September 13, 2012 QUOTE(Roger @ Jul 9 2008, 12:28 PM) A good quality fitted bottom bed sheet modified to fit your cover will also prolong it's life. Wow! Now that's really getting down to basics, and allows easy an easy off/on routine although I have some reservations as to it's robustness in facing the elements. But it has to help! I throw an old thin (bed) comforter on my tub's cover and the comforter has survived for 5-years, going strong. I do remove it when rain is predicted, though. Shade will prolong the cover's topside life, as well. My cover failure was because of water absorbtion, though. --Nate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. Spa Posted September 13, 2012 Report Share Posted September 13, 2012 BTW the cover was claimed to have an R value of 29 or something like that. --Nate "Claimed" R values....probably one of the most deceptive areas of cover marketing. So a riddle...yeah, actually serious. Say you have two different spa covers. Both are made with 1.5 pound density foam cores. both are 4" thick, tapering to 2". One is marketed as having an R value of R-14, the other marketed as R-25. Which will insulate your spa better? R-value is a term coined by the FTC in response to a need for a way to compare the relative effectiveness of various forms of insulation. R-values are measured by testing laboratories (ASTM), usually in something called a guarded hot box. As air within the test hot box is heated, convection takes place, causing the heat to rise. As the heat rises it warms the underside of the foam where upon conduction of the heat through the foam begins. The R-value is the ability of the foam (or other material being tested) to slow this conduction. Heat flow through the foam is calculated by keeping one side of the material at a constant temperature, say 90°F (32°C), and measuring how much supplemental energy is required to keep the other side of the material at a different constant temperature, say 50°F (10°.C)-- Various industries are required to have their products R-value tested by ASTM under very exact testing perimeters. One of the parameters of this test is the temperature at which guarded hot box is heated to, AND the temperature the other side of the test material is kept at. Changing either of these temperatures will result in different R-value results. Once again, certain industries are required to use ASTM testing procedure and parameters. For these industries, when they list their products R-value (such as R-20) it's understood that the difference in temperatures of the testing procedure is 40 degrees (or R-20 @ 40º). It's also acceptable to list another R-value AS LONG as the temperature difference is listed ALSO (i.e. R-40 @ 20º). Here's the relationship to spa covers. SPA COVERS ARE NOT IN AN INDUSTRY REQUIRED TO HAVE R-VALUES TESTED ACCORDING TO ASTM STANDARDS! When comparing the R-value of a hot tub or spa covers it's important to ask what temperature difference the R-value was calculated at. Our covers are R-14 @ 40º. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hjames710 Posted September 13, 2012 Report Share Posted September 13, 2012 Anyone else have a Spa Seal cover? My tub came with a brand new one, so far, it's been decent, but there are a few major design flaws. I do like that it has two cores in each side. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tubber McGee Posted September 14, 2012 Report Share Posted September 14, 2012 I have a HS Vanguard and I have went through 2 covers in two years - beware - here is my story! After year one - my cover was disinegrating inside - I had major dips in my cove,r but good thing it was covered under warranty. One year later - same issue - come to find out - the sun was reflecting off my windows and literally burning up my cover. I have high end windows and they must have a very high protection from UV rays??? - after i finally figured out the problem - i would watch my cover on a very hot sunny day and I could see smoke coming from my cover! I was thinking of moving my tub off my deck but I may try the fitted sheet trick! I was going to use 2 pieces of particle board fitted on my tub, but I ll try this first! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spatech (the unreal one) Posted September 14, 2012 Report Share Posted September 14, 2012 I have a HS Vanguard and I have went through 2 covers in two years - beware - here is my story! After year one - my cover was disinegrating inside - I had major dips in my cove,r but good thing it was covered under warranty. One year later - same issue - come to find out - the sun was reflecting off my windows and literally burning up my cover. I have high end windows and they must have a very high protection from UV rays??? - after i finally figured out the problem - i would watch my cover on a very hot sunny day and I could see smoke coming from my cover! I was thinking of moving my tub off my deck but I may try the fitted sheet trick! I was going to use 2 pieces of particle board fitted on my tub, but I ll try this first! Its a shame you have to cover the spa cover. Why not just put the blanket over the windows! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dnepr Dave Posted September 14, 2012 Report Share Posted September 14, 2012 My spa and cover are now seven years old. Both are in great shape. The biggest killer of covers appears to be exposure to the sun. My spa is outside, under a covered deck and gets very little sunlight, I clean it and spray 303 protectant on it a couple times a year. It sounds funny, but it looks like an exposed spa needs a cover cover. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spawn Posted September 14, 2012 Report Share Posted September 14, 2012 I have a HS Vanguard and I have went through 2 covers in two years - beware - here is my story! After year one - my cover was disinegrating inside - I had major dips in my cove,r but good thing it was covered under warranty. One year later - same issue - come to find out - the sun was reflecting off my windows and literally burning up my cover. I have high end windows and they must have a very high protection from UV rays??? - after i finally figured out the problem - i would watch my cover on a very hot sunny day and I could see smoke coming from my cover! I was thinking of moving my tub off my deck but I may try the fitted sheet trick! I was going to use 2 pieces of particle board fitted on my tub, but I ll try this first! Best move is to turn this negative into a positive. There are several ways to do this - here are a couple of ideas, for starters: Place a few pots on the tub and grow tropical fruit. After working in a good spice rub, lay a side of beef on the cover for a little low and slow cookin'. Possibilites are endless - bake bread, dry fruit, etc. etc. The idea is to kill two birds with one stone. When placing something on the cover to protect it, choose something that will benefit from the high heat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hjames710 Posted September 14, 2012 Report Share Posted September 14, 2012 Lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArthurRepairman Posted September 26, 2012 Report Share Posted September 26, 2012 What can you do when your cover hinge is sagging and allowing water to pool Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpaParty Posted October 10, 2012 Report Share Posted October 10, 2012 Check out www.northernhottubcovers.com if you are in Canada Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonnyboy2807 Posted October 10, 2012 Report Share Posted October 10, 2012 Pardon my digression, but does everyone treat the underneath surface of their cover too? ...or just the top that faces the sun? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.