Cedar Steps for Hot Tubs

Wooden Hot Tubs

• In the 1970s, original home hot tubs were constructed of sturdy wood rather than fiberglass. The sides and flooring of the tub consisted of wooden slats placed tightly together. The wooden tubs blended into backyards and outdoor settings well. For a more natural look in your backyard, you can choose to use a wooden hot tub or frame in a fiberglass tub with wooden slats. Cedar is one of the most commonly used woods for tubs.

Steps

• Your hot tub needs steps if you wish to use it safely. The water in a hot tub reaches about 104 degrees Fahrenheit. After sitting in such warm water for about 20 minutes, your muscles will be too relaxed for you to safely climb out without the aid of steps; you are at risk for falling and either injuring yourself outside of the tub or potentially drowning if you fall back inside it. To create a pleasing appearance, match a wooden tub with cedar steps so they blend into the tub’s construction.

Options

• When you buy or build cedar steps for your hot tub, you want them to be wide and longer than you think you might need. If more than one person gets in or out of the tub at once, larger steps will be able to accommodate them. Wood absorbs water better than plastic and is less likely to become slippery when wet. Matching cedar handrails will increase the safety of the hot tub steps.

Considerations

• While it is a sturdy wood, cedar can be damaged by repeated exposure to water. Seal the wood before using it for steps. Check the steps regularly for signs of mildew growth or other types of water damage. Installing lighting near the steps increases visibility, an important safety consideration when you use your hot tub at night. Wooden hot tubs usually last about 15 years; replace the cedar steps when it is time to replace the hot tub.