Quite often a cheaper acrylic or plastic may be used and one can not always tell the quality of the shell just by looking at it. Try and see how thick the shell is and is it properly cured? Some badly made shells on cheap imports can feel damp on the edge as if they are still curing.

Usually the deeper Hot Tubs are made with high grade acrylic as cheaper grades of material cannot take the manufacturing processes to get a really deep spa.

In my view, the better-built spas in the world are made with a patented four layer strengthening process, which is called Dura-Bond ™. This exclusive system combines the acknowledged beauty of Lucite-Xtra ™ Acrylic with a layer of ABS for shell strength and integrity. Then the maker of the best spas in the world add a layer of double strengthening material Dura-Bond ™.

This high-density material is re-enforced with a fibrous chop material that adds very considerable additional strength to the Spa Shell. The process is completed with a thick layer of polyurethane foam.

Lucite-Xtra ™ cast acrylic is a non-porous material that resists stains like the build up of lotions and body oils, which can ruin non- acrylic spas. This tough material keeps it shine and colour despite the use of sanitizing chemicals, high temperatures and exposure to sunlight.

Its durable surface resists chipping, cracking and denting. Lucite-Xtra ™ is easily maintained with a sponge and mild soap. No additional polishing or waxing is needed to keep its lustrous appearance.

One can always check the quality of these Hot Tub Shells by applying what I call the simplr lipstick test. Because Enderol and other similar low cost surfaces are actually porous (a great place for bacteria to manifest itself), they are of course also much less resistant to staining which is why you would see a tile line around some of their spas. If you apply lipstick, then usually it is not very easy to remove.

On high grade ucite Acrylic, since it is non-porous, it will simply wipe right off.

When you or your friends are thinking of buying a Hot Tub Jacuzzi Spa it is always worth probing a little beneath the glitz of the packaging and presentation. Do not fall for the simle patter of a salesperson who simply repeats by rote some pre-planned presentation and very probably does not even use a Hot Tub.

Make sure you buy from a long established manufacturer and not just a cheap import from the East.

As always, it is very good advice that one should only buy a product that comes from an American or Western, internationally recognized, manufacturer of Hot Tubs. One that has been established for many decades.

Then there is every chance that the product will last and last and provide very many years of faultless service.

The reasoning is very simple the internationally recognized manufacturer will back his products with a real guarantee, so if there is a fault it does fall back on the manufacturer and not on the consumer.

The reason why they can provide these guarantees is that they have had many decades of experience and therefore they build their products with the proper quality parts and components so ensuring that is will not fail in the first place.

It is for that simple reason and that reason alone that they are then prepared to provide a meaningful long life guarantee.

The Author Jacuzzi John markets luxury American Hot Tubs in Portugal, Spain and through out Europe for further information please go to his web site at Portugal Hot Tubs