Indoor Hot Tubs vs Outdoor Hot Tub: Pros and Cons of Each

Published: 08th August 2009

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Hot tubs are some of the most expensive, luxurious accessories you'll ever add to your home. Hot tubs and spas hold many benefits for homeowners but it's important to know which type you want before you purchase. One of the most common questions buyers ask themselves is whether they should install their hot tub indoors or outdoors.

To help you make the best decision possible, we've put together a pros and cons list for each type of hot tub.

Indoor Hot Tubs:

Pros: There are many pros to indoor hot tubs. Firstly, keeping your hot tub indoors will add longevity to this household accessory. The wear and tear of the outdoors can potentially take a few years off the life of your hot tub. Secondly, the privacy you'll receive with an indoor hot tub is priceless. Sure, you can plant trees and bushes around your outdoor hot tub but you'll never get the same amount of privacy as you would with an indoor spa. Lastly, indoor hot tubs are available for your use year-round, despite the coldest, windiest and rainiest of days.

Cons: There are few cons when it comes to indoor hot tub but the few disadvantages are significant. If you have the space to accommodate an indoor spa, you're already one step ahead. Keep in mind the weight of these accessories (an average 3-person hot tub weighs about 2500lbs) and whether your floor can handle that amount of weight. Choosing to install an indoor hot tub will also increase the amount of humidity in your home so make sure you're aware of these issues before installing a spa inside your home.

Outdoor Hot Tubs:

Pros: The biggest advantage of an outdoor hot tubs (compared to an indoor) is the ease of installation. Outdoor space is unlimited when it comes to installing a hot tub or spa and you don't need to worry about the weight of the tub on the ground. Outdoor hot tubs are also much easier to fill and drain.

Cons: There are quite a few cons when it comes to outdoor hot tubs and it's up to you to decide if the cons outweigh the pros. Wear and tear on an outdoor hot tub chemicals will happen a lot faster than it will with an indoor. You'll also have to take bugs and weather into consideration as these will be significantly more prominent with outdoor hot tubs.

Ultimately the decision between an outdoor hot tub and an indoor hot tub will be only yours to make. There are advantages and disadvantages to each but in the end, regardless of which type you choose, you'll be making a great investment that will add value and character to your home.