Careful planning is a very important part of incorporating a spa to your
home and/or yard. When selecting the right spot you may want to consider
things like privacy and accessibility. Ask yourself, "Will the spa
look good here? Is it convenient to get to? Where will I have to
'screen' (screening is a method in which you block or diffuse the view
of outsiders looking in on you) for privacy?"
Planning ahead will produce that 'built-in' look, and avoid the
impression that the spa was 'added-on' as an afterthought. Typically you
want your spa close enough to the house so it is convenient to get to
and use. The closer it is to the house, the more you'll enjoy it.
Is there an electrical source nearby to provide power for the spa? An
adequate source of electricity will need to be available to provide
power for the pump, motor and filter system.
If electrical power is being brought from the main panel of your
house, this may be an opportunity to provide for your irrigation
controller and any additional electrical needs such as lighting. You
could have the electrician install an extra outlet or hard-wire any
additional controllers in. Be sure your electrician consults the spa
owner's manual before doing any electrical work.
External
Equipment
If you're planning on installing a spa 'shell' with separate external
equipment (as opposed to 'self-contained' with built-in equipment) you
will want to consider where you will place the equipment (pump, motor,
filter, and heater). The equipment should be out of direct view and must
have an adequate area for maintenance.
Landscaping
Many times the new spa is being placed in an existing lawn area with
wood, concrete or masonry decking built around it. Designing planter
beds for trees, shrubs, ground covers and flowers adjacent to the
decking can create many different environments. Consider planting fruit
trees and/or flowering and fragrant shrubbery. Be sure to plan the
location of any new trees carefully. As the trees grow you do not want
tree limbs overhanging in your spa.
Irrigation is very important. Not all plantings require the same
watering needs. For instance, the lawn area may require more or less
water than the shrub beds. The sun areas may need to be watered more
frequently than the shaded areas. Separate the areas as much as possible
based on their individual requirements. Always set up the drip
irrigation sections as separate areas, and on their own schedules. Most
automatic sprinkler controllers today are multi programmable and have
the ability to water different areas at different times, and at
different frequencies. Make sure your sprinkler system does not hit your
spa or its wood accessories.
Typically your primary access from the house is tied to the existing
wood, concrete, or masonry patio. Secondary access to or from a lawn
area provides continuity between your house, spa, and yard.
Directly adjacent to the stairs transitioning to the lawn is a
perfect spot for a flowerbed. Annuals and perennials can provide color
throughout the year that changes with the seasons. This sort of accent
helps to create a cozy, intimate atmosphere.
Creating a "stepping-stone" effect for the transition
between spa decking and lawn area strengthens the continuity between
your house and yard. Allowing the ground cover (i.e. turf, low growing
grasses, moss, etc.) to grow between the stepping-stones blends the
hardscape (decking) to the softscape (lawn area). If you're working with
wood decking, redwood rounds make suitable stepping-stones. If you're
decking is masonry, then match the brick, flagstone, or tile.
Lawn and shrub areas are not possible in every application. For these
situations there are many ways to create an inviting atmosphere. Here
are just a few: patio coverings, arbors, built-in planter boxes,
freestanding planters, potted plants, hanging baskets and additional
water features such as fountains and waterfalls that are not attached to
the spa.
Planter boxes don't have to have that "just stuck there"
look. If you have them built-in, you can control their shape and size.
Be sure to make them wide enough and deep enough to sustain the root
system of the plantings you have planned. Grouping your planters
together in a tiered fashion can be very effective for creating depth in
areas of limited space. Three things are very important for planter box
installations: soil, drainage and irrigation. Mini and micro spray
irrigation (also known as drip irrigation) is the most popular for
limited space applications.
Patio
Coverings
Patio coverings range from very simple to complex. You can create
different environments by selecting a particular type of wood, posts and
lattice design, sealant, stain or paint. The amount of sunlight can be
controlled by how close the spacing of the lattice is. Placing shade
cloth (like the ones used in nurseries) under the lattice can generate a
real "greenhouse" effect. Growing flowering and fragrant vines
on the covering produces a very cozy atmosphere. See our free Sundance
Spas wood products brochure for great custom items.
When utilizing freestanding planters and pots, the same three factors
are important: soil, drainage and irrigation. Also, do not set the
planter or pot directly on the decking. Place the planters on small
lengths of wood such as 1" by 1" square stock to elevate the
container from the deck slightly. This will allow air to flow around the
container.
