Outdoor vs indoor hot tubs (Pros, cons and more)

Outdoor Hot Tubs 

An outdoor hot tub is arguably the most popular type of tub installation. It can look at home in a wide variety of garden settings – whether it’s nestled among greenery, patio, or in a corner, to name a few. The tub can be the focal point or the subtle addition to your space.  

Outdoor hot tub - pros 

Multiple delivery and installation options

The delivery and installation process of an outdoor hot tub varies. It can be pretty straight forward, or it can require a crane or HIAB. It really comes down to:

• Access to your property 
• Size and weight of the tub 
• If access is on a slope  
• Distance between vehicle and final location of the tub 

An electrician may also be required to connect your tub to your home's main electrics. This is quite standard for any installation.  

The installation of an outdoor spa is relatively easy and cost efficient as the only addition needed may be to install a base for your tub to sit on, as well as the electrics. For more details on what’s required for installing a tub outside, we recommend you speak to a salesperson. 

Nicer settings 

If you’re a fan of hosting family and friends for BBQs, or you simply love nature, then an outdoor hot tub installation could be for you. You will have the ability to watch the seasons change around you, while you stay cosy in your hot tub. 

Whether it’s catching the first snowflake of winter, or the first summer sunset, you won’t miss a thing if you choose an outdoor tub. 

Not forgetting the party lovers, an outdoor hot tub also means there is more room for splashing around as well as fun and drinks around the garden, without the worry of creating any water damage inside your home. 

Open ventilation 

As you will learn later in this article, an indoor hot tub needs ventilation due to steam and chemicals. 

The luxury of being outdoors means that no extra cost is needed for ventilation. Heat and humidity can cause unwanted bacteria in a non-ventilated space, and extra work to clean it. Luckily, choosing an outdoor installation means that even a gentle breeze will blow away any heat evaporating from the hot tub! 

Natural Drainage 

Another cost influencing pro is that there is no need to have drainage installed. You should only be a hosepipe away from an outdoor drain, making the draining and refilling of an outdoor hot tub an effortless task!

Outdoor hot tub - cons 

Lack of privacy 

Although being amongst the beauty of nature, unfortunately for a lot of people, your neighbours may still be close by. 

To put it simply, an outdoor hot tub can have restrictive privacy if you have neighbours whose homes or gardens overlook your, or installation restrictions mean your favourite hot tub seat will face in their direction. 

This problem can be solved with some planning into some sort of shelter over your tub such as a pergola, gazebo, or even some clever garden designing with shielding shrubbery. 

Open to the elements 

A tub nestled among the elements has its perks, but also, it’s downsides. Be prepared to be showered with rain, snow, leaves and other surprises thanks to the British weather. This is where a quality filtration system and hot tub cover becomes essential, for both dealing with unwanted debris and locking in heat from the water in the event of wind and snow. 

Hopefully, a bit of rain or snow isn't too disruptive to your hot tub time. Alas, there's not much we can change about the British weather, but we can find excitement in being outside in our swimwear... In the snow! Again, a shade solution overhead such as a pergola or gazebo can keep the weather away from your tub. 

Want to learn more about using a hot tub in winter? Read this article to learn more.  

Indoor hot tubs 

Nothing says luxury like having a personal, indoor spa. It almost seems forbidden to have such a steamy, bubbly product on the inside of your home, but it’s not. Small garden owners, introverts, and maximalists - this one could be for you.  

Indoor hot tub pros 

Privacy 

If you don’t have a sheltered garden from your neighbour's view but are fortunate enough to have a home large enough to house a tub, an indoor hot tub could be a great option. 

With it being inside the walls of your own home, you will never have to worry about passers-by, neighbours or anyone else seeing you enjoy your aquatic downtime. 

Protection from the elements 

Installing a hot tub indoors could potentially mean it has a longer life span as it is not exposed to the harsh outdoor elements. No rain, snow, wind or hail means that you can seek comfort knowing that your hot tub will always be intact. 

Another plus from being sheltered from the elements is that it could save money on running costs. Your hot tub will be placed within the warmth of your home. This may allow it to stay warmer for longer, compared to the heating you may need when it's placed outside. 

Maximising unused space 

Have your children moved out of the family home? Do you have rooms collecting dust more than they’re being used? Installing an indoor hot tub could be a way to give these rooms a new lease of life - an empty room to an indoor paradise. 

Convenience 

Testing the water, adding chemicals and much more maintenance comes with being a hot tub owner and it must be done no matter the weather. 

An indoor hot tub means that carrying out your owner duties can be made a lot easier by just simply walking to the next room, rather than getting dressed up for the outdoors. 

Indoor hot tub cons 

Ventilation  

Due to steamy chemical evaporation being released into the room where the indoor tub is placed, ventilation will need to be installed (if opening windows and doors are not available in that room). This will ensure that the humidity and heat doesn’t create unwanted bacteria and fungus in your home. 

Along with not wanting to inhale chemical fumes, you will also not want the interior of your home to be damaged by the moisture. This means you will likely need to purchase water resistant materials such as bathroom paint or water-resistant wallpaper and flooring, in order for your décor to stay intact. 

Installation 

The installation process of an indoor hot tub is potentially costlier and more time consuming than it would be on an outdoor hot tub. Along with ventilation, an inspection would be needed to be carried out to ensure your home is fit to house a hot tub. 

Access needs to be big enough to navigate a hot tub inside to the needed room, if it isn't then doors might need to be taken out, walls knocked down and more, in order to fit the tub in. 

The height and size of the room will need to be considered against the hot tub size and the base that will need to be installed. Measurement checks are also needed for an outdoor installation. There may be room for a hot tub indoors, but not enough room for a cover. 

It's important to note that if you have a strong base where your tub will be placed, (which can withstand the weight of a tub, the water and people inside it) then you may not require an additional base to be installed. 

Draining and electrical installation 

Electrical installation on an indoor hot tub will be needed, just as it is on an outdoor hot tub. The tub will need to be connected to the mains of the home. 

If access to a drain is not readily available, then drainage will need to be installed into the room where your indoor hot tub is placed. Why is this? It is likely that your tub will not be able to reach a floor drain via the hosepipe. 

Not having a drain built in will cause issues down the line when it is time to replace your hot tub water with fresh water. 

Summary 

Overall, the decision between installing a hot tub indoors or outdoors ultimately comes down to access and ventilation in your home, as well as your personal preference. 

If you are an introvert but love the outdoors and want your hot tub to be surrounded by nature, then an outdoor hot tub with a pergola or a gazebo assembled overhead could be perfect. 

If you love the constant warmth of the indoors, have the space and are prepared to make any alterations to your home, then an indoor hot tub could be a better choice. 

The bottom line to note is that installation costs potentially could be higher for an indoor installation but running costs may be less.

Interested in learning more about the range of Jacuzzi® Hot Tubs? Click the button below to browse products across our three collections.