Thermal Blankets | Soft Tonneau Covers
Thermal Blankets
The Cheapest Hot Tub Covers You Can Buy
Of all the different hot tub covers and spa covers the very simpliest and least expensive one you can get is not really a full hot tub cover at all. Called "thermal blankets" or "floating blankets" these are pieces of insulation that simply float on top of the water. They are light duty and the least efficient at keeping dirt and debris from getting in your hot tub and at insulating the water, but are also the least expensive option. They do reduce the amount of water that evaporates. Depending on the size of your tub, you can buy a thermal blanket for use as a hot tub cover for less than $25.00.
There are two types of thermal blankets. The conventional style looks a lot like bubble wrap, similar to what you might have seen used to protect items for shipping. Because it is cut to fit there will be broken cells around the outer edge which can decrease its ability to insulate. The average life of this style is sometimes less than 1 year.
A better kind to consider is one made of a closed-cell foam. These generally have a smoother surface than the bubble blanket style, and this makes it less likely that you will have algae and bacteria growth. It will also lie flatter in your hot tub and does a better job of insulating.
Generally thermal blankets are not used alone. They are typically used in conjunction with a regular hot tub cover. The thermal blanket reduces heat loss and water evaporation and increases the overall efficiency of your primary hot tub cover.
But if money is an issue, a thermal blanket is better than nothing. Just keep the kids and animals away because it provides no support at all.
Soft Tonneau Hot Tub Covers
A tonneau (pronounced ta’-no) cover is a soft hot tub cover that is stretched across the top of the tub and held in place with straps. Think of a large tarp. It typically will come with an air bladder that pushes it up slightly in the middle and allows the rain to drain off. The air bladder will also increase the insulation value.
This type of hot tub cover is frequently used with a thermal blanket.