Hot Tub Forum
Original => Hot Tub Forum => Topic started by: wmccall on June 19, 2006, 03:58:57 pm
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Is there anything better coming down the line for cover technology? Since there are no Arctic dealers near me, I've not seen one of their's.
What we have now, vinyl with foam and plastic seems way to fragile and expensive to replace. They just seem to 90's or worse. I think back to my high school days and the 3" wrestling mats they have back then. Those matts wtih straps sewn in and possibly plastic ridges along the seams would seem [glb]sort of a pun there. ;)[/glb] to be better than what we have now.
You Vets is what we have now better than a few years or decades ago? Is there something better coming, or is there too much money to be made in cover replacements. <-Not meant to be an insult to anyone.
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You really hit on a good subject. I don't understand why a hot tub manufacturer like Marquis, D-1 or Artesian go to the trouble of making a $10,000 tub just to put a $2 cover on it. If you look past the endless full foam vs. tp debate, the cover is truly the most important part of any tub in terms of heat retention. Arctic realized this and they manufacture a heavy duty cover that their customers love and non-Arctic dealers hate. It's hard to sell against a cover that lasts much longer than everybody else's, not to mention the strength of it.
I was kicking the tires on a Nordic a few months back. For the price Nordic makes a nice little tub, except for the cover. The Nordic dealer himself spoke candidly about them too. He came right out and said their covers generally don't last very long. It's too bad. Everybody appreciates a quality product.
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The covers are optional with Nordic ....If dealer wants to use another cover he can do so if he feels there is a better choice elsewhere. Marquis cover is excellent and I would put it up against an Arctic any time. I am not saying its better but I am sure it retains heat at the very least equally.
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Yeah, I 'm surprised, fatman, that you included Marquis in your bad cover group. The cover on my Epic is excellent. I could safely walk on it if I needed to , it is that strong. It seals tight to the tub, making almost a vaccuum.
I can only campare with friends and the other covers that I saw when hot tub shopping, but I can say far and away, I have a superior cover. That is one reason that I bought a spa blanket, to extend the life of this cover. I am sure a replacement would be very expensive. :-/
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I myself havent seen or going to foresee anything new in the near future I have a customer testing out a soft type quad fold cover to see if it can endure the normal wear and tear.
In my neck of the woods we have replaced just as many Arctic spa covers as any other brand. We carry a 5-4" 2lbs density foam cover which last just as long as an arctic.
Cover replacement is big money for aftermarket products
I believe there is the technology for a better built cover but who will want to pay $1500 -$2000 for a cover plus the cost of a hot tub
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I always thought my factory HS cover was pretty good. I believe it will even hold up Chris O with his full arsenal at hand. I guess they could make them a little more attractive though. I like the different colors that Marquis uses.
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Not too long ago, I read on this forum that Marquis' covers are made by http://www.sunstarcovers.com/ (http://www.sunstarcovers.com/)
And Bonibelle, I was also told how strong the Marquis cover is but I have found they are not indestructible. The salesman who sold us our Marquis made it a point to stand on it so we could see it could bear weight. I neglected to take into consideration he's a fly-weight. :-[
Last month, I was wiping off the pollen on my cover. I was on all fours with my cleaning rag when I heard a crack :o in the vicinity of the spine of the cover - where it folds in half. I got off immediately and checked it out. I can't find a physical break but ever since then I have lost that vacuum seal you're talking about. There''s a slight warp to the cover now and if I want all four corners to lay flat I have to use the buckles.
I guess I should have known better. I'm no light-weight but I didn't expect that to happen.
::) Live and Learn...
Phil
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The Marquis cover is better than most manufacturers. I stand on it when I'm showing a customer. One time I did jump on it and I cracked the foam in front of a customer. Marquis also has a linear heat seal that goes down the center of the spa, as well as steel reinforcements so the cover doesn't sag in the middle. As far as the Arctic cover, it can hold more weight than the Marquis cover but I personally think it is ugly to have a 8" cover. It just makes the spa more obtrusive in the back yard. If you were to compare energy efficiency on a Marquis vs. Arctic you would see similar numbers, if not better numbers on the Marquis.
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If you were to compare energy efficiency on a Marquis vs. Arctic you would see similar numbers, if not better numbers on the Marquis.
Markee,
I followed this thread out of curiosity and while I'm not saying Arctic covers are any better (I think they do a great job Marketing them), in what way(s) would you think the Marquis cover would prove out to be better? Density, fit, matierial ...?
While we're at it, who makes the Marquis cover (and is it used by others)?
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Markee,
I followed this thread out of curiosity and while I'm not saying Arctic covers are any better (I think they do a great job Marketing them), in what way(s) would you think the Marquis cover would prove out to be better? Density, fit, matierial ...?
While we're at it, who makes the Marquis cover (and is it used by others)?
It is made for them by Sun-star to their speficaions...I will say that in terms of retaining heat I am very confident it will do as well any standard cover on the Market as well as most upgraded covers....I do not walk on my cover besides the weight thing....I am 280....its is vinyl and it can tear or scar and that would apply to any spa cover.
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...While we're at it, who makes the Marquis cover (and is it used by others)?
Spatech,
As I noted above, I read on an earlier thread that Marquis' spa covers are made by http://www.sunstarcovers.com/ (http:// http://www.sunstarcovers.com/ ). I imagine MarKee can verify that for us.
And while we're at it, I'm not thrilled with the constuction of my Marquis cover. About a month ago I found the handle on one side is already beginning to rip. And, no, I'm not rough on it. I usually use the handle and grip the side with my other hand when lifting it.
I mentioned it to my spa dealer and his reply was "the handles are decoration only." Which, of course, is b*llsh*t. I was amazed he could say it with a straight face.
As there is no warranty on the spa cover, I'll just make it a point not to use the handles. As you can imagine that's easy to forget.
Phil
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Phil,
Your cover is warrantied for three years actually , I think its among the longest in the industry ....that being said....I never find a real need to use the handles....but if you do make sure you lift up on the flap/skirt to break the seal that it forms....it will put less stress on your handle.....
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Honestly, Phil, no BS, when my installation guy put my cover on, he specifically said...DO NOT LIFT THE COVER BY THE HANDLES...He admitted he didn't even know why they bothered to sew them on, but they are not strong enough to withstand constant stress of breaking that vaccuum seal from the cover. Honest, I thought it was crap too, but I never touch them...We just lift the cover after breaking that seal at the corners..
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I don't know that standing on a cover impresses me at all. I just don't like this plastic wrapped styrofoam. There has to be something better out there. You know the old saying, we put a man on the moon, why can't we invent a cover that won't water log?
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How about ceramic insulation? 1" think will give you R-50. Commit to about 10,000 a year and I think I can get the price down to about $2500.00 a piece.
Seriously........... oh wait, that actually was :-) ...... Design something. Remember though, it has to be relativly light, and reasonably inexpensive, reasonably attractice, and there's not a spa manufacturer in the world that will pay more than $125.00 for it........ delivered....
By the way, as I understand it, the only difference with the Arctic covers is they use a 3# density foam (most likely it's a "nominal" 3#, and is actually 2.8#). Most other spa manufacturers use a 1# density foam. The 3# foam has FOUR times the strength as the 1# foam......... and weighs 3 times as much........ It also insulates 25% better (comparing equal thincknesses).
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Phil,
Your cover is warrantied for three years actually , I think its among the longest in the industry ....that being said....I never find a real need to use the handles....but if you do make sure you lift up on the flap/skirt to break the seal that it forms....it will put less stress on your handle.....
Mendo,
3 year warranty? I wonder why my dealer didn't mention that... I may have to look into this further.
Really though. Why does a manufacturer bother sewing on handles if they're not meant to be used? It would save them $ and possibly us if they just didn't bother.
Or is that too obvious? ???
Phil
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I dont know what my arctic cover is made of, but it is not 8" thick, by any means- proabably 4". It is heavy, tho.
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Mendo,
3 year warranty? I wonder why my dealer didn't mention that... I may have to look into this further.
Really though. Why does a manufacturer bother sewing on handles if they're not meant to be used? It would save them $ and possibly us if they just didn't bother.
Or is that too obvious? ???
Phil
People with shelves like the handles as once you fold the cover over in half you can use the handles to pull it on to the shelf.
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By the way, as I understand it, the only difference with the Arctic covers is they use a 3# density foam (most likely it's a "nominal" 3#, and is actually 2.8#). Most other spa manufacturers use a 1# density foam. The 3# foam has FOUR times the strength as the 1# foam......... and weighs 3 times as much........ It also insulates 25% better (comparing equal thincknesses).
Hmmm, covers seem to be the forgotten part of the spa.
1# density covers? I thought most all spa makers were using 1½# or 2# density covers!?
What is the density of the Marquis covers?
What other spa makers does Sunstar make covers for?
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Spatech..the # stuff means nothing to me since I don't know how it relates to insulating value. My SunStar warranty says that my Marquis cover with the super heat seal gasket design has an R12/R13.2 insulating value. I don't know how that compares with other covers or even the full foam insulation in a tub. I added a spa blanket because I read that the closed cell blanket adds another 4-6 R factor. The warranty also states clearly DO NOT walk, sit, crawl, jump, place objects etc on the cover. and Phil, the warranty is non-pro-rated for 3 years. I will PM you the info.. ;)
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Something to keep in mind............. Just because a cover manufacturers "normal" cover is 1.5#, doesn't mean that is what they're supplying to the spa manufacturer. Our "normal" cover is 1.5#, and we offer a 2# and 3# option. HOWEVER, we also supply covers to a few spa manufacturers. And, we supply what THEY specify (generally in the interest of saving money). ALL of the OEM covers we make are 1#.... and one manufacturer is considering going down to 3/4# foam.
Come to me with a PO for 10,000 covers, and I'll make anything you want............ heck, for 1000 I'll custom make whatever you want.
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Sunstar makes the Marquis DuraCover. It is a 2 pound foam with a 4" to 2" taper.
NE-Phil: Out of the 1000s of Marquis Spas the store I work for has sold, I have had issues with the handles maybe 3 times. Because of the way we mold our shell with the splash guard coping, our wide corner radius, and the way the cover vacuum seals onto the shell, you must break that seal before you lift up on the handle. All you have to do is go to the corner of the spa, pull up the flap and lift up on the cover, then lift the handle and you'll see that it's a lot easier. Maybe Marquis could get rid of that vacuum seal and cost you more money in electricity if you would like the handle to work better.
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Come to me with a PO for 10,000 covers, and I'll make anything you want............ heck, for 1000 I'll custom make whatever you want.
The two covers I have had were 92x92" 5-3 taper. On the bottom of each cover half (water side) is a hole the size of a paper punch. Its exposes the inner plastic liner directly to the chlorine gas. I imagine that is there so air can escape when the cover opens and closes? ???
I would think there would be a better way.
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The hole is actually there to allow condensation and water to drip out. Without it, the cover will fill with water in a very short time (about 1 month).
If the hole is not in the exact center of the cover, you'll also get water puddling in there (hence, it can't be move to the outside of the cover).
The two covers I have had were 92x92" 5-3 taper. On the bottom of each cover half (water side) is a hole the size of a paper punch. Its exposes the inner plastic liner directly to the chlorine gas. I imagine that is there so air can escape when the cover opens and closes? ???
I would think there would be a better way.
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Sunstar makes the Marquis DuraCover.
Maybe Marquis could get rid of that vacuum seal
How is there any kind of vacuum seal? I guess I just have trouble seeing the term "vacuum" in the sentence. I know Sunstar makes a lot of covers in the indusry but what's so different about the Sunstar cover?
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How is there any kind of vacuum seal? I guess I just have trouble seeing the term "vacuum" in the sentence. I know Sunstar makes a lot of covers in the indusry but what's so different about the Sunstar cover?
Tech,
it is a combination of things a linear heat seal where the cover folds does not allow for any heat loss at the seam, also the larger corners on a Marquis spa along with the coved edge does in fact create a 'Tupperware" like seal...If you get a chance to stop by a Marquis dealer do so....You can than see for yourself that's its real....bottom line is Marquis has it built to their spec's and it's a very nice cover......any maker who wants to spend the dollars can do the same thing and I am sure many others do.
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Tech,
it is a combination of things a linear heat seal where the cover folds does not allow for any heat loss at the seam, also the larger corners on a Marquis spa along with the coved edge does in fact create a 'Tupperware" like seal...If you get a chance to stop by a Marquis dealer do so....You can than see for yourself that's its real....bottom line is Marquis has it built to their spec's and it's a very nice cover......any maker who wants to spend the dollars can do the same thing and I am sure many others do.
Good idea, I'll check it out. I still don't think the word "vacuum" is appropirate but I think I know what you guys are talking about.
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I still don't think the word "vacuum" is appropirate but I think I know what you guys are talking about.
No one wants to admit their spa "sucks".......... the cover down.
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Good idea, I'll check it out. I still don't think the word "vacuum" is appropirate but I think I know what you guys are talking about.
lol...you know this just might be one of those times you are surprised because it is very real and does in fact form a vacuum like seal.....hey doc....I am sure your covers also "suck".... ;)
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lol...you know this just might be one of those times you are surprised because it is very real and does in fact form a vacuum like seal.....hey doc....I am sure your covers also "suck".... ;)
I know what you mean. If it seals well you will have to break that "seal" and I agree that it's easier to do so from the corner (which is how I think most people open their covers).
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This isn't a new or exciting design or anything, but I will mention that HS offers a heavy-duty cover which substitutes a 2# density core.
BTW - Robert's Hot Tubs makes a great cover: heavier vinyl than most, better wrapping than most, good color selection, etc.
Now, who was it who was offering a baked core - or a core formed in a mold or something like that? They claimed it was SO much better - why? I don't know.
Input on that?
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Mendo,
3 year warranty? I wonder why my dealer didn't mention that... I may have to look into this further.
Phil
You can ask but the warranty covers manufactures defects and you broke it so I doubt they will cover it and why should they.
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The Marquis Duracover will support up to 200 lbs. I don't get on it - I'm 250, but have seen 200-225 lb salesmen walk across it without ill effects.
The cover is covered by a 3 year warranty on Marquis models. If the stitching is coming out it is covered.
I do not open my cover by the sewn in handles, there is too much stress on the handles caused by the vacuum seal of the cover. I lift up on the steam skirt, then lift the cover up by the handle after the seal has been broken.
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, but have seen 200-225 lb salesmen walk across it without ill effects. .
That should read without VISIBLE ill effects. I can drink 10 beers in 5 minutes with no visible effects. Unless you hang around a little while.
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You can ask but the warranty covers manufactures defects and you broke it so I doubt they will cover it and why should they.
I'll tell you why, Gary, because the stitching came apart at the handle. That 's the only reason I would want to have it replaced. Now, it's true I wasn't "breaking the seal" before opening the cover but nowhere in the manual nor did my dealer tell me that this is the correct and approved method of opening the cover.
So whose fault is that? Mine? I don't think so. I saw the handle. I know what handles do and I used the handle. I don't see how you can find fault with that. I think the company does have some responsibility to make it clearer. How about a "break seal before opening cover" warning somewhere in the manual? They have plenty of other warnings already there! ;D
And now that I know the proper method of opening the cover on my tub, that's now the process I use. I do wish I knew about that earlier. :'(
Phil
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Has anyone seen the new systems they use for backpack weight belts? They can heat-mold them to your body for a totally custom fit. It'd be neat if they could develop a material for spas that could be wrapped around the edges and heat-molded to produce an absolutely perfect fit. Even if you only did it in leiu of flaps, it'd provide a great seal.
http://www.ospreypacks.com/custom_molding/
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NE-Phil,
You might see if your dealer will warranty it, if not you might try calling Marquis. Another option would be to take it to an upholestry place or something, it couldn't be more than $50 to repair that.
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This isn't a new or exciting design or anything, but I will mention that HS offers a heavy-duty cover which substitutes a 2# density core.
With all due respect you deserve, and admittedly asking out of total ignorance (my personal specialty) Does a heavier density core mean anything to a consumer? I've not seen the foam wearing out. The three or four bad covers I've seen are water logged foam problems. Of course I've owned a tub for only 3 years. Perhaps the heavier duty foam is a benefit further down the road. I always have a lifter, maybe this is a benefit for people who regularly lift their covers off by hand?
BTW - Robert's Hot Tubs makes a great cover: heavier vinyl than most, better wrapping than most, good color selection, etc.
Heavier vinyl sounds good, Doc, tell me about better wrapping, this would seem an important step in keeping water out. Could something like double stitching help?
I'm a year into my 2nd cover, and I hope to at least get another year or two out of it. This weekend I'm visiting my friend with the 4 year old Cal spa, he replaced his cover with one from RHT. I'll have to give it a closer look.
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Not too long ago, I read on this forum that Marquis' covers are made by http://www.sunstarcovers.com/ (http://www.sunstarcovers.com/)
And Bonibelle, I was also told how strong the Marquis cover is but I have found they are not indestructible. The salesman who sold us our Marquis made it a point to stand on it so we could see it could bear weight. I neglected to take into consideration he's a fly-weight. :-[
Last month, I was wiping off the pollen on my cover. I was on all fours with my cleaning rag when I heard a crack :o in the vicinity of the spine of the cover - where it folds in half. I got off immediately and checked it out. I can't find a physical break but ever since then I have lost that vacuum seal you're talking about. There''s a slight warp to the cover now and if I want all four corners to lay flat I have to use the buckles.
I guess I should have known better. I'm no light-weight but I didn't expect that to happen.
::) Live and Learn...
Phil
No where in this statement did you mention the straps pulled out. If the straps pulled out than they will replace it for you, but being that you also have a broke core that you broke you should be honest and except some responsibility of the cost. Maybe Marquis good enough to cover it all. If they do let us know.
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To be perfectly fair, I think Marquis should not use the weight support feature as a sales point as the literature from the cover manufacturer states that you should not walk on it..or do anything on it... I was the first to tout the walk on feature, because I was told the cover was that strong. Phil's dealer would have served him much better to have said what my tech did at delivery...break the seal by lifting the corners and don't use the handles. I can imagine a cover that doesn't make that seal could easily be lifted using the handles.
Phil, I added the cover lifter supports from Doc. The are just two straps that attach to the front of the cover and the center coverlifter bar. They distribute the stress of the weight of the cover when you remove it. They may be of help to you if your cover insulation is not strong because of the crack.
I think if you approached the situation correctly, you will get help with the torn handles. But again Marquis sales people should not contradict the manufacturer's instructions...:-/ :-/ what's fair is fair...
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I'd never walk or stand on my cover (even if it was a flush mount install).
I agree with all the posts that there seems to be a lot of room for improvement and advacement in cover technology. We have beaten an entire heard of horses to death over insualtion and energy efficientcy, yet it seems the top of the tub, as well as the bottom of the tub could use significant improvements.
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With all due respect you deserve, and admittedly asking out of total ignorance (my personal specialty) Does a heavier density core mean anything to a consumer? I've not seen the foam wearing out. The three or four bad covers I've seen are water logged foam problems. Of course I've owned a tub for only 3 years. Perhaps the heavier duty foam is a benefit further down the road. I always have a lifter, maybe this is a benefit for people who regularly lift their covers off by hand?
Covers can/do sag over time and collect water on the top, especially if the spa is a bigger one. The higher density foam core should give it more rigidity to help in that respect. Also, I'd expect a 2# density foam core would insulate better than a 1.5# or 1.0#.
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Drew you scare me...We think too much alike. I want to know about the bottom insulation as well. I have been thinking about installs on decks opposed to on the ground (pads or gravel etc) I would think that an install on the ground would provide better insulating value than a deck since the bottom of a tub on a deck is subject to air temps (and since that area is shaded, possibly retain cold more). I was actually thinking of putting rigid foam under my deck, just wondering about the water that would accumulate and probably freeze...
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Drew you scare me...We think too much alike. I want to know about the bottom insulation as well. I have been thinking about installs on decks opposed to on the ground (pads or gravel etc) I would think that an install on the ground would provide better insulating value than a deck since the bottom of a tub on a deck is subject to air temps (and since that area is shaded, possibly retain cold more). I was actually thinking of putting rigid foam under my deck, just wondering about the water that would accumulate and probably freeze...
Or, if you are not on a deck, and like me, the tub is sitting on the cold frozen ground.
Condesation and drainaige would be an issue with wrapping the bottom, but I think an interesting project.
I'd start by putting a vapor barrier on the bottom of the tub, and then beef up the bottom with insulating foam. ?
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Drew I am willing to bet the ground under your tub doesn't freeze at all...there are probably party worms under there thinking they are in Florida all year! think about it the ground is dense and therefore a better material to retain the heat. My deck is like a bridge...you know "Caution bridge surfaces freeze before roads" or whatever those signs say...Hey guys, seriously there is plenty of room for foam in the walls of the tub, but how much on the bottom?
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No where in this statement did you mention the straps pulled out. If the straps pulled out than they will replace it for you, but being that you also have a broke core that you broke you should be honest and except some responsibility of the cost. Maybe Marquis good enough to cover it all. If they do let us know.
Gary,
I see your concern and no, I'm not trying to be dishonest about it. You're right, in my post of June 20th, 2006, 8:01am, I did not mention the strap pulling out. That wasn't the topic - there was no point in mentioning it then because I was warning Bonibelle that the cover is not as strong as advertised and she may want to be careful about getting on top of it. It was not my intent to make a list of my cover problems. I do mention the strap problem in my other post of June 20th, 2006, 8:44pm, later that day.
Two separate, unrelated problems, OK?
And again, the cover was advertised by the dealer to be able to hold weight. In fact, he made it a point to demonstrate it to me by walking on the display cover. He saw me face to face and never said, "Hey! You know, you're heavier than I am so you may not want to do that." I believed him when he said I could get on top of it and that's my mistake. It won't happen again. All I wanted to do was clean the cover.
Neither Marquis or my dealer should be telling people walking on the cover is acceptable and then not take responsibility when the customer finds it "ain't necessarily so".
Phil
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Speaking of covers and bottoms, I just saw a TV ad for a local Arctic dealer where like the whole staff (6 or 8 people) stood on the cover together, while it was on a tub, in order to demonstrate its load bearing capacity. Outdoors here in PA in the winter some load bearing is good to hold the snow without collapsing, but seriously how does holding an elephant help me in my daily usage?
Secondly, Arctic makes a synthetic bottom with moulded-in "feet" or pads that they claim is nearly indestructable and needs no pad or base, you can set on dirt if you like.
Thirdly, a denser foam for a cover does not necessarily mean a more heat retentive cover. Air in the foam void space is what insulates, just like you're not supposed to compact fiberglass insulation because it pushes out the air and ruins it's ability to insulate. I'm not in the cover industry but I suppose a "heavier" foam (like 2# vs. 1#) gives you better load bearing capacity, maybe less water logging (less void space), and equal to or worse insulation.
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I'm not sure I'd even get too worried about snow accumulation. That type of weight is spread out pretty evenly across the whole cover, vs standing on one isolated spot, which concentrates a lot of weight over a small area.
Maybe if a couple feet of wet heavy snow fell on the cover, but normally we don't get that, and I'd be out there pretty quick shoveling an access path to the spa so we could use it- winter has some of the best tubbing opportunities.
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Bobibelle: The Epic has hard foam that goes in between the base and the bottom of the shell. It also has Low-E wrap that blankets the whole bottom of the spa. The Low-E wrap is a super insulator that is also wrapped around the spa underneath the siding.
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Thanks Markee...I have been wondering for a while about how the bottom was insulated. ;)
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Bonibelle, your Marquis spa does have insulation under the spa. There is "low-e" wrap beneath the foam insulation under your spa's footwell. When Marquis had their spa's energy efficiency tested, they were only losing heat at 2 points on the entire spa - under the footwell and across the center of the spa cover (where it hinges). They corrected both and entirely eliminated the heat loss (as long as the cover is closed). They added the "low-e" under the bottom of the spa and developed the Linnear Heat Seal for the center of the cover.
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Thanks DPS, that makes me feel better about my tub. I am a bit obsessed with energy lately and knowing my tub is not causing me extra energy usage make me feel much better. I am running in economy mode right now and with my filtration cycles at only 1 hour each(2X daily), and a clean cycle at 1 hour, I have been able to maintain crystal clear water...in spite of kids and hubby bouncing between the pool and tub on a daily basis!
I was really impressed that the tub saved my settings after a long power outtage last night...I only needed to reset the clock.. ;D
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Is there anything better coming down the line for cover technology? Since there are no Arctic dealers near me, I've not seen one of their's.
We hope you can check one out some time soon.
What we have now, vinyl with foam and plastic, seems way too fragile and expensive to replace.
We think so, too, which is why Arctic moulds the entire foam core around a steel reinforcement in the exact shape of the spa. We no longer use plastic (polyethylene) envelopes, having replaced them with a tougher material.
The marine grade vinyl that is used on good-quality covers (of sufficient thickness and properly sewn) seems to make a fairly sturdy outer coating (aside from suction problems. :) ).
Interesting thread and solid, professional discussion.
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That's the one I was thinking of.
Mo(u)lded around a steel reinforcement. Sounds good: hows the weight?
???
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That's the one I was thinking of.
Mo(u)lded around a steel reinforcement. Sounds good: hows the weight?
???
It is heavy. This is good and bad: I think it insulates really well, but I guess I cannot compare to other brands, this being my first tub. I am 5'4" and about 110lb, and I can manage it, but it takes a little effort. My only concern is that if someone threw it open without consideration for the wimpy covermateI, I think either the cover lifter would break or the screws would pull out of the skirt. I am a bit worried about that, but I may just be paranoid.
On a side note here, it was 105 deg here today, and I think the cover kept my tub cool, since the water is at 101, set to be at 100, with no filter cycles skipped, I think.