This really can be the trickiest part, especially if you are going at this alone. Rather, there are sections of the Residential CodeThat Apply to building standards related to structures such as railings, stairs, stringers, treads, footings, framin and ledger boards.We've tried to summarize them and put them all together for you. But what if you want to remove the hot tub from the deck after a few years? Relaxing in a hot tub is one of the best ways to get rid of stress and tensions of the day. Regardless of what type of tub you are installing, there needs to be some kind of base frame in place to support the weight of the tub. It then determines the total load from each tributary area based on the design load of your deck. Or maybe your ideal spot is twelve feet up off of a master bed slider and you want to make sure that you have enough lumber underneath it to hop in every night and not pray for your deck’s strength. It is also to speak with a renovation expert about the status of your deck before starting any projects on your own. Today you can find hot tubs in fiberglass, tough thermal plastics and acrylic. These things don’t worry us as we have some of the most experienced and certified technicians for the job. This is our full set of plans for a deck with a hot tub. Keep in mind: Price and stock could change after publish date, and we may make money from these links. This is especially true if you are using a hidden fastener system and some air tools to really snap those boards down into place. Another big factor will be the joist layout to provide ample support for the amount of weight a hot tub contains. I'm the owner of TNT Home Improvements and have been building decks, hardcovers, patios, pergolas, and replacing windows and siding in the Northern Colorado/ Southern Wyoming area since 2005. The hot tub is a 7 person, 7-1/2 x 7-1/2 feet, weighs 4,350 filled then when add weight of 6 people on the deck gotta figure it needs to hold 5,550-6000 pounds. The area under the hot tub should be framed as a separate system, with its own footings. Step 1 dmio104_1fa_hot-tub-temp-frame2. Additionally, we also take clearances for deck in mind so that you don’t run into permit complications later. We first mark the location of the lift out hatch on the deck’s joists. Every deck built around a hot tub consists of framing members. A standard 8’ x 8’ hot tub weighs about 5,000 lbs when fully loaded with water and people. This step is usually a lot easier with a partially loaded deck meaning that you’ve loaded the frame with about 60-80% of the loose deck boards to make a temporary place to stand while you attach the decking down to the frame. Hot Tub Framing on a Deck As previously mentioned an average 8×8 hot tub weighs around 5000 pounds fully loaded with water and people. by John Stuart (Calgary, AB) I'm struggling to find the appropriate materials for the lower portion of a 2 tier deck that will be supporting a hot tub. Joist Size for Hot Tub Deck. You will need larger lumber and more of it. Mixing a hot tub and a deck can come in so many different forms. After all that the deck should be ready for skirting or otherwise known as fascia. Again, this step involves following the local building code. Hot tubs are very heavy. But, not all decks are created equal. Framing around pools is very similar to framing around hot tubs that are set on concrete pads. To build such a hot tub deck, a perfect square must be determined. Again, check local guidelines and if it calls for 8 inch on center then you are going to have to double your joist count. Never place a hot tub on an existing deck that wasn't designed to support the massive loads. Sometimes the deck is at a higher level than the tub or we have to deal with an even ground to build the deck. We keep them at least 1 inch away from the surface of the hot tub. Use these measurements to make a temporary frame out of 2x4's that will act as a guide for the deck's footers. The spa filled has 320 gallons or 2672 lbs. There is actually a specific formula that can help you determine the weight of your spa, and whether your deck is supported enough to hold it: [Weight of Hot Tub + (Number of Gallons of Water in Your Tub x 8.34lbs) + (Number of Total People Hot Tub Can Seat x 175lbs)] / Number of Total Square Feet of Your Tub = Your Pounds Per Square Foot. It’s easy to miss these crucial points if you are trying to DIY this and install the deck and hot tub alone. See all of our free deck plans here. First, we build the concrete pad according to the local building code. You can attach the lower of the two frames making the top frame removable and hopefully perfectly flush with the rest of the deck frame. Needless to say, this is much more than a typical deck frame is designed to support. Instead, we suggest setting the tub on a concrete pad. The first step is to talk to an engineer. See all of our free deck plans here. Following local code, we will punch out holes in the ground with a huge drill called an auger to be able to have an inspector come out and sign off. A Hot Tub Deck Design Should Be Engineered to Stand Up With 8,000 lbs of hot water and people your hot tub deck design had better be engineered to stand up to the test or it could be disasterous. To get off on the right foot, it’s essential to get all of the measurements of your backyard or project area. You can also learn more at our deck building services page. Here’s a link to a hot tub we’ll use as an example in the formula. Depending on the width of the hatch, we remove one or more joists to provide the space the hatch needs. your own Pins on Pinterest You can create the illusion of having a larger hot tub by constructing the right type of decking around it. He writes: I am building a deck that will hold a fiveperson hot tub. Give TNT a call now at 970-663-2868 or just click here to contact us. I am concerned about the loads. This will enable you to create steps that will raise your hot tub deck’s height and make it easier to get in and out of your hot tub. That will also add to your hardware count which definitely adds to the overall cost. Link to pics: Drawing 1 Drawing 2. Now we can create another couple rectangle frames that just barely fit down in that finished access frame hole. The deck offers support to the short cantilever so that it fills the area closest to the tub leaving a nice clean reveal. If you want to learn more about some different hot tub deck ideas and how to implement them then read on but if you just want to talk to someone right now about your next backyard project then give us a call at 970-663-2868 or just shoot us an email. If you’ve been using a bathtub on the deck and want a hot tub on a deck, you’re in the right place. Hot tub or spa decks should always be "overbuilt". The average 8' x 8' hot tub weighs over 5,000 lbs when filled with water and people. It’s also necessary to distinguish the cases, when a hot tub deck framing is built, as in this cases we have to construct a slightly raised patio, but not support. With the deck being 3 feet high On one end, this qualifies for "permitting" and should go through your local building regulatory office. And fill the holes with a renovation expert about the status of your deck for it to hold hot! Writes: i am building a hot tub outdoor see what you have! 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