Hot tub spa insulation

Insulation, almost certainly the most passionately hotly debated, controversial and argued aspect of spas. The two methods of insulating a spa are "full foam" and "dead air space". Full foam means that the entire area between the spa shell and outer cabinet are filled with insulation. So, which is best? This is a good question, that there really isn't a 100% accurate answer for.

Before even trying to compare the two insulation methods, it must be understood that within each method there are different variations. Comparing one "dead air space" spa to another may be like comparing apples to apples, but one of the apples is rotten and worm ridden.

"dead air space" advantages;

easier to see the plumbing
usually less expensive to manufacture
has a great sales pitch
may prevent the spa from freezing longer in an extended power outage

"dead air space" disadvantages;

easy to do incorrectly, providing very little insulating value
has little bennifit when the pumps are not running (up to 20 hours a day)

full foam advantages;

plumbeing is supported and generally lasts longer
spa has a more solid feel to it
can be easier to find new leaks simply by following the wet foam
very high overall insulating value