As we soon move into 2025 and face cooler months ahead in most parts of the U.S., traditional recreational swimming pool enjoyment will clearly be “OUT” until the spring season, but there is no reason why the serenity of spa and hot tub enjoyment can’t continue to be “IN” during this time of the year. Especially in ultra-chilly parts of the country, spa use is in fact one bright and warm spot to cheer the hearts of residents battling rainy, cold, and downright miserable temperatures—often for back-to-back weeks on end.

America currently dominates the global hot tub industry (the domestic market is now upwards of a $20 billion+ category), and spa manufacturing and sales are projected to continue to grow, especially in colder climates where hot tubs are seen as a way to enjoy outdoor spaces year-round. There are a host of reasons for the success of the sector, especially in recent years.

Americans have displayed a growing commitment to, and interest in, nurturing greater wellness and relaxation habits. Consumers have also demonstrated an increased willingness to embrace features like outdoor and indoor spas (along with other items such as more ergonomic bathtubs and shower displays, saunas, and other “personal nurture” accoutrements) as part of their new home designs and renovations. And while hot tubs have long been considered a so-called luxury product, they are now also recognized for their more mainstream therapeutic and organic health and anti-aging benefits (including for their role in muscle relaxation, stress reduction, injury healing, and the benefit of family social interaction).

The Covid-19 era cast an even brighter spotlight on these health and personal maintenance priorities—and the spa industry has since extended momentum for this form of recreation beyond the global pandemic. Many consumers have prioritized creating relaxing, spa-like environments across their entire home set-up and technological innovations have only made these home additions more feasible and increasingly affordable. With the development of new designs and models, advanced water treatment systems, and the integration with smart home technologies, spa use is on the upswing.

Part of the success of the current hot tub industry is based on the energy efficiency and high performance of the physical materials that construct the spa make-up and help fuel the retail and online marketplace today. The use of coatings, adhesives, sealants and foams play an essential role in the manufacturing, maintenance, and performance of hot tubs and spas. These materials make the design and new product features of today’s spa marketplace more durable, better insulated, and more water resistant—all of which contribute directly to improved functionality and great longevity of consumers’ spa investments (for both indoor or outdoor installations).

What are some of the specific ways that Carlisle Polyurethane Systems is directly improving spa production?

• Coatings, like gel coats or polyurethanes, that are applied to the outer surfaces of hot tubs and spas work to directly protect them from scratches, dents, UV radiation, chemicals abrasion, and excessive water damage. Gel coatings, in particular, give fiberglass spa surfaces a smoother, more polished finish and greater aesthetic appeal, which is especially important for higher end, more luxury spa product lines. They also keep surfaces from discoloring over the years from chlorine, sunlight and other environmental exposure.

• The use of polymer adhesives, in turn, help to “bond” together the various components within the spa to make its structures stronger and more resilient and prevent unwanted leakage, which can quickly denigrate a spa purchase and perhaps even render it unusable. Some of the different materials which can be more effectively bonded through the incorporation of adhesives include fiberglass, acrylics, PVCs, and other technologies used in the production of the tub design that are essential to its integrity. Carlisle’s line of adhesive products help to ensure that vibrations from water pressure and bubble infusions into the spa bed don’t detract from its ability to operate properly, even as temperature levels increase.

• Carlisle also develops sealants that can be used for additional leak prevention and to fill in gaps, joints, and seams in hot tubs and spas that tighten the unit’s watertightness. These materials are typically applied around the plumbing elements (jets and other fittings) to provide a barrier between the tub edge, framing, and spa floor.

• Lastly, elastomers and other rubber-like elements play a pivotal role in spa development in that they provide the insulation that helps to make a spa comfortable, with preserved warmth and appropriate thermal levels—qualities that make the spa experience so enjoyable for consumer users. This capability is all the more important in the cooler months, when homeowners will be focused on energy efficiency (which will contribute to how frequently they choose to use the spa) and also to ensure that the water warmth is comfortable and doesn’t ever underwhelm, especially when the actual outside air is quite cold.

Collectively, these products offered by Carlisle Polyurethane Systems’ line-up, are integral to the construction, function, and longevity of hot tubs and spas. Coatings ensure that the surfaces are protected and aesthetically pleasing, adhesives hold the various components together, sealants prevent leaks, and elastomers provide flexibility and insulation. These materials together help to ensure that spa use is rewarding and enjoyable to customers in all regions of the country, across multiple climates—and prove that the choice of proper “behind-the-surface” technologies can be essential to a thriving spa manufacturing and retail marketplace.

For more information about the many advantages of Carlisle Polyurethane Systems within this growing recreational industry, and to determine if our product line-up can benefit your spa development business, please visit us at https://carlisleps.com.