Take the 2-minute tour ×

So, as it stands now I am hoping to build a hot tub from lumber. I've done ponds and makeshift pools and such, but this I want to be a lasting thing. It'll be framed and then lined with a thick rubber.

The hot tub will be rectangular or square, on a professionally poored concrete pad. I don't think I'm worried about weight of the tub pushing onto concrete, correct me if I'm wrong. I plan on using lumber in the 2x4 to 4x4 range. But could go bigger.

My concern is would the weight of the water put to much force pushing out? Thinking like either 6'x6'x3'. Or 8x8x3'. Maybe a 5'x10'x3'. I may increase depth to four foot.

Any of you guys see an issue with the weight of the water if I fully frame and support the outer structure? Or anything else?

share|improve this question
Why not just make a Redneck Hot Tub? All you need is an old pickup, and a tarp. –  Tester101 Sep 20 '13 at 10:10
Lol. Cause I want something functional. And I think the city would frown on an old pickup on my patio. Lol –  Matt Taylor Sep 20 '13 at 10:26
If you get the pickup running, a bit of hose hooked to the exhaust pipe provides bubbles. That would also make it mobile, so you could park it in your driveway when you're not using it. –  Tester101 Sep 20 '13 at 10:28
Have you thought out how you are going to insulate it? –  mikes Sep 20 '13 at 11:32
Yeah. Between the frame and liner I'm using bathroom board. And going to spray foam all around. And use these plastic 4x4 to make a decorative wall around. –  Matt Taylor Sep 20 '13 at 11:47
show 2 more comments

6 Answers

You need to calculate the outward force.

Assume 8' x 8' x 3' hot tub, filled to the top.

3 ft of head * 0.424 * 1(specific gravity of water) = 1.302 psi

That's the pressure at the bottom. Obviously the pressure at the top is 0. If I were to sketch the pressure gradient, it would be a triangle, so we can easily calculate the average pressure as 1.302 /2 = 0.651 psi.

That pressure is acting over an area of 8x3x 144 = 3456 si.

So the outward force on the side wall is 0.651 lb/si * 3456 si = 2250 lbs.

For tipping purposes, take this force to be acting as a point load at a height of 1 ft from the ground (Centroid of the pressure gradient triangle).

So, whatever you build will need to support an outward push of 1 ton on each wall. You might be able to get away with it using some sort of steel banding, but I wouldn't consider it with just lumber -- your corners are going to rip apart.

Look into buying a pre-formed fiberglass hot tub liner. That will support the outward forces, and all you have to do is build the appropriate frame to support it.

share|improve this answer
If I was going to go that route I wouldn't be concerned... Looking like this idea may not be plausible. –  Matt Taylor Sep 20 '13 at 15:40
add comment

As other's have pointed out, a square timber-framed hot tub is going to be a structural challenge. You're essentially building an above-ground pool--and you'll notice that they don't make above-ground pools in a square shape...namely because it's nearly impossible to support the water along the long edges.

The solution is to go round. Then you can use steel banding to evenly support it all around. This is nothing new. Hot tubs have been made out of barrels for a long time. Google "barrel hot tub" for lots of examples. Modern versions use Cedar slats.

enter image description here

share|improve this answer
They do make Rectangular Above-ground Pools. –  Tester101 Sep 21 '13 at 3:03
@Tester101 I stand corrected! That said, looking at that picture, I'd say the bowed sides are stretching the definition of a rectangle (get it? Stretching? eh...) –  DA01 Sep 21 '13 at 3:29
add comment

If you're simply framing up a hot tub.

Hot Tub Frame

It's not likely a structure like this will contain the water, since the water will not only be applying force downward, but also outward in all directions. Some form of banding would be a start to increasing the strength.

Hot Tub Frame with Banding

The banding may not be strong enough to overcome the forces, so bracing may also be required.

Hot Tub Frame with Banding and Bracing

I'm not sure of the number of bands or braces required (I'm no structural engineer), but overkill might be best in this instance.

Some Numbers

Model outside dimensions: 8' x 8' x 3'
Model inside dimensions: 89" x 89" x 36"
Model volume: 165.020917824 cubic feet ((89x89x36) x 0.000578704)
Amount of water held by model: 1234.521486241344 gallons (165.020917824 x 7.481)
Weight of water held by model: 10,297.3052722176 pounds*1 (165.020917824 x 62.4)
Pressure against sides: 0 psi at top, 1.302 psi at 3 ft depth, avg 0.652 psi for a total force of 1 ton against each side.

*1 Weight of water is force in the downward direction only, this is not the force pushing against the sides.

After a bit of research and a better understanding of the problem, I've come up with Lumber Framed Hot Tub™ V2.0

Lumber Framed Hot Tub™ V2.0

Notice I've moved the bracing lower, and added bracing on the bottom to add strength to the corners. Also notice the overlapping top and bottom plates, which should also add strength to the corners.

With the bracing, it has a total footprint of just under 9' 9" square.

share|improve this answer
The bracing would work if properly anchored. I'm still a bit concerned with the corners ripping apart. Maybe a hexagonal or octagonal shape with steel reinforced corners or wrapped in airplane cable would be better. –  Chris Cudmore Sep 20 '13 at 14:12
Hmmmm, the banding isn't an issue. Being on a pad, the bracing is. And Chris is right, the corners are a concern. Hmmm... –  Matt Taylor Sep 20 '13 at 15:42
@MattTaylor pop into chat if you want to discuss options. –  Chris Cudmore Sep 20 '13 at 16:54
At what point does steel banding become cheaper than all that lumber? –  Chris Cudmore Sep 20 '13 at 16:56
@ChrisCudmore That's why there'll be no Lumber Framed Hot Tub™ v3.0 –  Tester101 Sep 20 '13 at 17:13
show 5 more comments

I see free hot tubs on craigslist every week. 1/4 of them the ad says they work. Why not use the free shell, motor, heater, controls and custom make the outside.

share|improve this answer
add comment

I know about structure calculation and for an optimal stresses distribution over this tub structure, avoiding such complicated framework, reinforcements, bands... you only have to double the number of vertical studs and reinforce de border beam (a 4x8 should be enough). Ensure that lower beam is anchored to the concrete pad, and pad is reinforced with a rebar mesh.

That's it.

share|improve this answer
add comment

If you use a preformed fiberglass tub, the force is not out, it's down. The hot tub has many irregularities (i.e., seats, hand grasps, etc.) in the side that make it very strong. Set the pad where it needs to be so that the lip of the hot tub is at the same finished deck height. Your choice of lumber is now based on the deck.

share|improve this answer
It'll be on a patio. No deck around it. Free standing. –  Matt Taylor Sep 20 '13 at 6:31
There will be a force out as well as down which will try to push out the bottom of the tub, so Matt is correct in aiming to make sure that his design accommodates this. –  John Sep 20 '13 at 8:05
Richard, if what you say is true, then the sides need not be supported at all. But imagine what would happen if the side sheets were bound by say, masking tape. What would you expect to happen once water is added? –  wallyk Sep 20 '13 at 14:13
-1 for incorrect info. –  Chris Cudmore Sep 20 '13 at 14:45
I think Richard is saying that a pre-formed tub won't have additional forces acting on the outside as the tub, itself, is engineered to handle it. This makes sense if you're framing in a pre-built hot-tub (vs. building one) –  DA01 Sep 21 '13 at 0:17
show 3 more comments

Your Answer


