There are several pros and cons to consider when deciding between whether you prefer separate or attached spas for your home.
There are two kinds of spas: separate and attached. If you’re wanting to add a spa to your property, it’s important to know and understand the critical differences between separate and attached spas. They both have their own pros and cons to consider before you commit to one or the other.
Separate Spas
Separate, or stand-alone, spas are pre-fabricated and ready to go!
Pros
- More affordable than attached spas.
- Standard, compact design that allows it to fit in smaller spaces.
- Can be moved if you need to adjust it or bring it to a new home.
Ultimately, separate spas are a more affordable option by having a lower up-front cost as well as lower maintenance and operational costs. Since they’re not attached to an in-ground pool, they can be moved if necessary or placed close to your home for easy access.
Cons
- Not as durable as an attached spa.
- Not much choice in design options.
- Separate water means separate test.
Separate spas don’t last as long as attached spas due to their more affordable construction and materials. Another problem is that they tend to come in standard sizes and designs, offering a much more limited range than an attached spa which is completely custom.
Attached Spas
An attached spa is custom-built as part of your backyard swimming pool.
Pros
- Increased property value.
- Longer lifespan.
- Fully custom design and integration.
- The pool and spa can be tested and treated at the same time.
- The pool and spa use the same pump.
- Easily swap between the pool and spa as desired.
- Maintain social capabilities between pool and spa users.
One of the reasons to choose an attached spa is that it is fully custom, allowing you to carefully determine its design and integration into your pool area. You can go for more separation with higher walls and stairs, or you can choose to go for a spillover design that allows warmer water from the spa to enter the pool. An attached spa can actually lower your maintenance needs a little by integrating some aspects between it and your in-ground pool. In addition, it’s the better option in social situations where a group of people wants to be in either the pool or spa—there’s no need to force everyone to enjoy the same one, you have the best of both worlds!
Cons
- Higher cost.
- Long installation time.
- The temperature might be less constant.
- It’s permanent.
The benefit of a fully custom and highly durable in-ground attached spa comes with a higher price tag and a longer installation process since it is usually built alongside your in-ground swimming pool. Since these don’t have covers and you might choose a spillover design, the temperature might not be as consistent as a separate spa. Also, while a separate spa can be moved around and adjusted, an attached spa is permanent. You can’t move it to a different area of your property, have it closer to your home in the winter, or take it with you if you move.
Do You Have More Questions About Spas? Ask Sunrise Premiere Pool Builders LLC
If you still have questions about how to build a brand new swimming pool, Sunrise Premiere Pool Builders LLC is here to help you. At Sunrise Pools, we can build and install your pool, spa, or hot tub and provide you with pool chemicals, services, and more. If you have questions, feel free to give us a call at 410-349-3852. To see more from us and for tips and tricks, be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and LinkedIn.