Spa with audio and video

These days having audio or even video in cars, trains, airplanes and other places where people need to spend some time waiting or relaxing is quite common thing. Having a TV or stereo system in spa is nothing new as well. You can relax in bubbles of water while watching your favorite TV series or listening to a relaxing sounds of sea waves coming to coast. Such features is not something you can setup yourself because humidity around hot water is quite high and regular devices can be damaged by this so this requires special equipment which will shield electronic parts and make a TV screen or audio device water resistant and allow it to work in high humidity environment.


For example, Coast Spa model Ultimate Extreme Spa, with its optional 17-inch LCD television screen, Extreme Sony® Sound System, AM/FM/CD/MP3 stereo and DVD Player, is how home theater was meant to be seen and felt. Extreme even has Fiber Optics or LED lighting built into the headrests. Relaxing in such environment is something to dream about but it's available already. A massaging hot tub like this reduces stress, stimulates blood circulation, lowers muscle tension and soreness, gives temporary relief from arthritis and accelerates healing of muscle-related injuries. And all of this is possible while watching favorite movie. But why not watch it on you sofa? Well doing it in hot tub has more benefits than simple lying on bed. High-pressure water on tired muscles provides a soothing and stimulating effect similar to that of an expensive massage therapy session. In fact, a home spa gives you instant, permanent access to the same beneficial effects of hot water enjoyed through the ages by the ancient Turks and Romans (or anyone who happens to live near natural hot springs). A hot tub’s hydro massage jets target pain precisely. Jets in the footwell, for example, alleviate pain in your ankles and feet, while swirling jets installed in the back of a hot tub’s lounge seat ease tension in the back and neck. Morning stiffness? A relaxing soak is a great way to start the day. More pain at night? Have a soak before bedtime. Just enjoy your life in best possible environment with added entertainment feature.

Pools

Here is some general info about different pool types, heating and regulations which should give basic idea for what to look after when choosing a pool for your own home.

There are two main types of pools; above ground and inground. Above ground pools are economical, easy to construct and can often be taken with you when you move. Inground pools are a much more costly and time-consuming affair, but are aesthetically pleasing and in the right area can add significantly to the value of your home. Depending on you budget you have choice of different width, depth and other attributes as well.

Inground pool

Inground pools are generally more aesthetically appealing than above ground pools and can increase the sale price of your home, especially in areas away from the coast when no other alternatives like lakes are present.

With inground pools, there is more flexibility in relation to design. They can be custom made to any size or shape within reason. Inground pools require excavation and construction permits. They are generally more expensive to install and they can take anywhere from three to twelve weeks to construct, depending on the size and complexity of the project.

Inground pools fall into three general categories fibreglass, concrete, and vinyl liner.

• Fibreglass pools are pre-made in a mould and delivered in one piece to your home. They are usually more flexible than concrete pools. If access is an issue, fibreglass panel pools can be constructed on site. Fibreglass pools can be finished with a vinyl liner.
• Concrete pools are a more expensive option. Their major advantage is that they can be custom designed to fit just about any shape or size. Once the concrete has been poured directly onto the site, a number of finishing options can be applied, including tiles, paint or special coating materials like pebbles.
• Vinyl liner pools are essentially an above ground pool built inside an excavated hole. While cheaper than fibreglass and concrete, the liner is not as durable, and requires replacing around every 10 years.

Above ground pool

Above ground pools usually cost considerably less than inground pools. Installation is also a lot quicker, taking anything from a few hours to a few days. If your pool is small you may not require a filtration system, which will reduce initial costs, and some above ground pools can be dismantled and taken with you when you move.

Above ground pools come in a set shape, generally a circle or an oval. Extra space is required around either side of above ground pools to accommodate supports, so take this into consideration when deciding on the size of your pool.

Appearance can also be an issue, but with decking and landscaping, the pool area can be made quite attractive. Also, above ground pools can be quite shallow.

Above ground pools fall into two general categories: soft-sided and rigid-sided.

• Rigid-sided pools are more common. They are regarded as more permanent as they comprise a structured wall and a vinyl liner. The wall can be made of aluminium, wood, steel or a combination of steel and resin.
• With soft-sided pools, the vinyl liner forms part of the structure. The advantage here is that the pool can be taken with you when you move, or packed away during the cooler months.
  

Heating of pools

There are three types of heating: solar, electric, and gas.

• Solar heating is cost effective and environmentally friendly. Pool water is circulated through a series of tubes, called the collector. This is usually mounted on the roof of your house where absorbed heat warms up the water before it is returned to the pool. In hot climates, you can keep your pool cool during peak summer months by circulating water through the collector at night.
• Electric heat pumps work by extracting natural heat from the air and transferring it to the water. These pumps use the same technology as air-conditioners and refrigerators and are very energy efficient.
• Gas is the most popular method for pool heating as it heats the pool quickly and efficiently. It has higher operating costs than the other methods.

Don't forget to cover your pool, especially if using solar heating. A cover (or blanket) will reduce heat loss by around 50 per cent, as well as keep the water free from leaves and insects. Make sure the blanket is an exact fit for your pool and consider purchasing a roller for removal and storage.

Spa pool types

Outdoor spa pools and indoor spa baths can create a fun and relaxing space in your home. New technology allows spas to become a home entertainment system, a piece of exercise equipment and your own health retreat. There are several different spas available.

Swim spa pool

The 'swimming treadmill' is becoming more common in world. It's a long spa with special surf jets at one end that allow you to swim on the spot. Hydrotherapy jets are also included so you can sit back and relax, like a regular spa pool. A number of size options are available

Chromatherapy spa

A funky way of saying 'mood lighting', chromatherapy involves filling a spa with different coloured lights. The theory is that certain colours can affect a person's mood in a certain way. There's also a huge range of LED lights that can fill your spa with other effects.

Home theater spa

You can turn your spa into a home entertainment centre with a pop-up, flat screen television. By mounting special equipment to the underside of the tub, you can also turn your spa into a huge loudspeaker, not just hearing the music, but feeling it too.

Therapeutic spa

Hydrotherapy relieves muscles and joints by the use of heat, massage and the relieving buoyancy of water. Special 'spinner' jets can b e installed to massage parts of the body. Effervescent baths soothe with bubbles like champagne fizz instead of pulsating jets.

Portable spa pool

This self-contained unit is popular because it's much easier to set up and run. Plus, you can take it with you when you move house, or just move it around your backyard whenever you need to.

Inground spa pool

There's a lot more freedom of choice with inground spas, because a concrete spa can be made to almost any shape. But freedom comes with a price: installing an inground spa pool requires excavation or construction of a deck. For spas that aren't built as part of a pool, prefabricated shells are far more common than custom-made concrete.

Indoor spa

The trend of converting bathrooms into relaxation centres is becoming popular and the indoor spa is a big part of that. Although these spas are generally smaller and shallower, there are many therapeutic options available, boasting hydro-, aroma- and chromatherapy features.