Material
Our beautiful cedar hot tubs are made from top quality Western Red Cedar. Red Cedar's qualities of beauty, workability, strength, natural rot resistant oils, and sweet aroma, make it the perfect material for a natural wooden tub. We start with clear (no knots), vertical grained, all heartwood lumber direct from expert local sawyers. In our shop we mill the cedar with care to obtain a precise fit. The result is a durable tub that is a full 1.75 inches thick (thicker than most other tub builders.) This thickness gives our tubs added strength and insulation that most don't have. On a custom basis we make tubs in Alaska Yellow Cedar or Hinoki .
Design
Our tubs are built to last using the time-tested coopering techniques of the wine cask industry and updated with modern woodworking techniques. The sides (staves) and the floor of the tub are of thick 1.75" clear grained select cedar for strength and durability. With expertise and modern machinery we shape the staves and floors precisely to build a tub that holds water. Our staves are actually curved inside and out. The joints between staves are an innovative "cove and bead". This gives a truely curved tub that is especially beautiful and reliable. The tub floors are built in one, two or three panels (depending on the size of the tub) which are pinned and splined together at assembly time. The edge is carefully beveled to receive the vertical staves that are precisely machined to a tight fit. The tub is held together with attractive flat stainless steel compression bands that apply the necessary pressure to keep things water-tight. The stainless steel hardware is rust and stain-proof.
Holding Water
Our tubs hold water because of tight joinery and the fact that wood expands when it absorbs water. Our tubs are made with cedar that is kiln dried or air dried to low moisture content. When water is put in the tub, the wood absorbs moisture and expands. This causes the tub to tighten and seal. This is the same principle that makes classic wooden boats seaworthy.