Are you lucky enough to have a hot tub in your garden? With a polycarbonate canopy, you can relax all year round, regardless of the weather. With a clear jacuzzi canopy, you can also stargaze from your jacuzzi. Discover how to make a DIY outdoor hot tub shelter in five simple steps.
Requirements for a garden hot tub shelter:
The basics of building a hot tub shelter
In our example, we’re going to show you how to make a hot tub shelter measuring 2.80 metres x 2.80 metres. Of course, you can change the dimensions to suit your requirements. We’re covering the jacuzzi canopy with 10 mm thick clear polycarbonate because this material is very robust and has excellent light transmittance. The 4 panels we’re using are 3 metres long x 75 cm wide. Make sure that your covering overhangs and slopes 2 cm on one side, to allow you to fix a gutter there. The gutter must always come to the side in line with the panels, so that water can drain freely.
Step 1: Drill the posts for your DIY hot tub shelter
Decide on the position where the posts of your hot tub shelter will go into the ground. Then drill four holes at least two feet deep. Treat the bottom of the posts with bitumen paint or a stain.
Step 2: Attach your side posts and side battens
Put the posts in the ground and attach your side beams and battens with hammer plugs. The side beams are attached to the longitudinal beams of the sides and front with metal brackets. Adjust your construction properly with the help of a spirit level and fill the posts with quick-set concrete.
Step 3: Place the intermediate beams of your garden hot tub shelter
Now it’s time to position the intermediate posts. Make sure you place a post every 75 cm. You can use spruce or hardwood battens for the posts.
Tip: Are you going to saw polycarbonate? Read the blog How to cut polycarbonate? to see how to tackle this task.
Step 4: Attach the polycarbonate to your jacuzzi shelter
Position the polycarbonate sheets on the canopy. Check that each panel is perfectly aligned, parallel to the side beams. Drill holes in the side beams and place the screws with rubber rings every 25 cm. Place your H-profile over the first panel and fasten it with screws. Take the second panel and slide it into the H-profile and fasten it. Repeat the steps until your jacuzzi shelter is completely covered.
Helpful hint:
Don’t overtighten the screws. If the rubber ring is tight against the panel, you’ll know that the screw is tight enough.
Step 5: Make your garden hot tub shelter watertight
Naturally, you want to make sure that your hot tub canopy is watertight. Seal the edge along the H-profiles with Seal ‘n Bond adhesive. Make sure the panels are grease-free before you seal them. To clean polycarbonate, use a soft cloth and a special plastic cleaner such as Burnus anti-static cleaner. Finally, install a gutter on the lower side to collect rainwater. Attach your gutter to the front of the beam with gutter brackets and attach the drainpipe to the posts. Your hot tub shelter is now ready to use!
Buying polycarbonate for DIY hot tub shelters
Would you like to make a hot tub canopy with clear polycarbonate? We saw the sheets to the exact size you need free of charge. Do you have any questions about this project or about one of our products? Don’t hesitate to get in touch, we’d love to hear from you.
