A hot tub can add luxury and relaxation to your log cabin garden, but installing one properly may be challenging.
Make your hot tub an eye-catching statement while making time to unwind with style by choosing an eye-catching structure to house it such as a summer house or log cabin crafted from tanalised timber and with opening windows for ventilation.
1. Choose a Location
Installing a hot tub on your property offers many options; from placing it in your pool or deck to the home itself. Your decision regarding its placement, delivery and installation as well as use, accessibility and maintenance could have significant ramifications on delivery, installation, useability, accessibility and maintenance – not forgetting comfort, privacy and safety factors when making this choice.
No matter where you place the hot tub, it must rest upon a firm foundation such as concrete or pave, while being at least 16 feet from overhead power lines in order to prevent electrocution and shock. A licensed electrician should install a dedicated circuit for the hot tub’s electrical needs to protect against electric shock.
Planning access to your tub will also be essential, so ensure that there are steps equipped with handrails and non-slip surfaces for safe entry and exit. In colder climates, installing a gazebo over the spa may add warmth while protecting against snowfall or raindrops.
Final considerations when selecting the ideal spot for a hot tub should include whether or not direct sunlight will cause its synthetic materials to degrade over time. You should also think about your usage habits and whether an indoor installation such as in a garage or basement would be more convenient, save space in main living areas, and easier to keep running during colder weather.
2. Add a Deck
Decks can add extra living space for entertaining and relaxation in your cabin while increasing its view. A deck also serves as an easy transition from indoor living spaces to the tranquil outdoor environment, making for an authentic log-home experience. Log cabin porches and decks have become increasingly popular as homeowners search for ways to bring the indoors out – creating true log-home experiences!
Your deck choice depends on its purpose; for instance, if your log cabin is situated in an idyllic locale, consider opting for a wraparound deck which offers views from various directions of its surroundings, like mountains or lakes. A deck off of your kitchen may also be ideal as an area for dining as well as hosting cookouts with family and friends.
Decks are usually constructed out of either wood or composite materials. When selecting one of these options for their deck construction, longevity should always be kept in mind; wood will require regular upkeep in order to remain visually appealing, while composite materials offer greater durability.
No matter the material of your deck, it should be meticulously planned out in order to provide sufficient room for relaxing in a hot tub. Factors like location and user numbers as well as privacy considerations should all be factored in when designing the ideal space for hot tub relaxation.
An important component of deck planning is choosing an effective railing system. A railing should obstruct views as little as possible while still offering safety – traditional wooden balusters work great with log homes, while modern metal options may also work better; many different styles exist that will complement both your log cabin’s exterior fixtures (i.e. doors and window shutters) as well.
Building a deck requires consideration of its relationship to your log home’s roof, too. Rainwater that falls onto the deck from rainfall may pool at its base and pool on lower logs causing them to rot; to prevent this, make sure your design includes some form of gutter system for water management such as installing ledger boards or flashing into logs that will direct it away from the cabin.
3. Add a Cover
If your cabin will serve as a vacation rental, adding a hot tub will enhance its appeal and help attract more guests, increasing revenue and giving guests an luxurious experience in which to unwind in style.
Build a hot tub addition onto an existing log cabin, or incorporate it into the design plans from the beginning. When selecting either option, consider your site, the design of existing cabin, budget constraints and how you’ll manage water flow from hot tub to exterior of cabin and prevent roof steam leakage issues.
Step one in adding a hot tub to your log cabin is creating an appropriate foundation. This needs to be strong enough to support both its weight and that of you and any guests using it, while still being adequately ventilated to prevent damage caused by condensation forming; installing air vents into walls or employing a vapor barrier could do just this.
Installing a vapor barrier can be both expensive and time consuming, so it is best to consult your log home dealer about available solutions to protect the exterior of your cabin from moisture damage. They will recommend suitable products and provide assistance with their installation so as to ensure maximum effectiveness.
If you’re on a tight budget, try chinking the outside of your cabin instead of installing a vapor barrier to protect its wood from moisture damage and maintain its appearance for as long as possible. Chinking can keep wood dry while looking its best. Plus it’s easier than most approaches!
When selecting a chinking method, ensure to use dry mortar instead of wet to give a better and longer-lasting result. Be careful not to apply too much chinking; otherwise your logs could look like they’re covered in mud!
Note that if you plan on adding a hot tub to your log cabin, make sure it is connected to the electricity in the main house. As this requires running 6mm twin and earth armoured cable between cabin and hot tub, having an electrician take care of this task can be beneficial.
4. Add Privacy
There’s nothing quite as relaxing or stress-relieving as taking a relaxing hot tub soak to soothe sore muscles and unwind after a hard day of work. But it’s important that this space remains protected from prying eyes as well as elements. An overhead cover, such as a pergola or gazebo can provide both privacy and shelter; plus it frames your hot tub for added visual appeal and heightens its sense of luxury!
Addition of a hot tub can enhance the appeal of your log cabin as a vacation rental, drawing guests in search of natural living with high-end amenities and services. Plus, it will increase its resale value and thus boost resale values of properties like your own.
Log cabins provide an aesthetically pleasing combination of hard work and simplicity, but they still face moisture issues similar to conventional homes. Moisture that infiltrates below-grade areas can lead to costly problems that are difficult to rectify; to protect against this risk it’s essential that your cabin be properly insulated and sealed below grade using permeable membranes which direct water away from foundation and down into drainage boards thereby keeping moisture at bay from damaging it further.
As part of any log cabin’s classic additions, adding a deck is a timeless way to expand outdoor living space. Decks can be constructed on any terrain and serve as places for grilling, eating dinner and relaxing outdoors. Furthermore, adding a fire pit may bring extra comfort during those chilly evenings!
Dependent upon where your log cabin is situated, incorporating some sort of garden into its design may be beneficial. Not only can a garden add beauty and privacy, but vertical gardens can be great way to utilize limited spaces and grow herbs, veggies and flowers! Vertical gardens use panels with numerous planting cells which can be combined together into walls of green that add both privacy and fresh produce directly from within your cabin’s borders.