How to Make a Spa Cover

If you have a spa or hot tub, you will soon find you need a cover to prevent leaves and other debris from falling inside. While the best hot tub cover is one made of vinyl and Styrofoam, these cost several hundred dollars and can take several weeks to arrive in the mail. So, in the meantime, make a temporary cover to keep debris out and heat in. Read more to learn how to make a spa cover.

Tape Measure
Heavy canvas or canvas-like tarp
1x2 boards – pressure treated as follows:
4 – the length of the tub enclosure
4 – ½ the width of the tub enclosure (minus 1 inch)
Staple gun
Chalk line

Instructions

- 1
  Measure the tub. Measure the enclosure of the tub and write down the dimensions.
- 2
  Purchase a heavy canvas or canvas-like tarp that is at least 1 foot larger in size than the dimensions of the tub.
- 3
  Purchase 1x2 treated boards. You will need four that measure the length of the tub, as well as four that measure one half the length of the tub (minus 1 inch).
- 4
  Cut the tarp to your measurements plus 6 inches on all sides.
- 5
  
  Use a chalk line to mark a six inch mark from all sides. Your tarp will look like the illustration if done properly.
- 6
  Slide a long 1x2 under the tarp at the chalk line on the left side. Make sure the 2 inch side is down. Staple the tarp to the wood along the chalk line.
- 7
  Slide the other long 1x2 under the tarp, and along the chalk line on the right side. Staple it down.
- 8
  Place one short 1x2 under the tarp, and along the chalk line at the top. Butt it against the one on the left side. Staple it down.
- 9
  Staple another short board under the tarp, and along the chalk line at the top. Only, butt this one against the right side. Staple it down.
- 10
  Place a short 1x2 board under the tarp at the bottom, and along the chalk line. Butt this against the left side and staple it down.
- 11
  Put the last 1x2 board under the tarp at the bottom, and along the chalk line. Butt this one against the right side and staple it down.
- 12
  Make sure there is about an inch or so of space between the two boards located at the top and bottom.
- 13
  
  Connect the left and right sides, that are located in the middle, with the rest of the long boards. See illustration as a guide.
- 14
  Fold the tarp in half and place it on your hot tub. Next, unfold it to cover the tub.
- 15
  Allow the edges to hang over, as this will keep the heat locked inside the tub. You may sew around the edges to prevent fraying.

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