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What's the difference between a spa and a hot tub?
The term "spa" and "hot tub" are now used interchangeably, but originally they meant two different things. In the early years of the spa business, a "spa" was made out of acrylic or some other thermoplastic. A "hot tub" on the other hand, was a wooden tank made out of redwood, cedar or similar wood. Both had therapy jets, a pump, and a heater and were designed for relaxation.
For a while in the late 70's and early 80's, wooden hot tubs were very popular, but as acrylic portable spas became more sophisticated in design and maintenance- features, hot tubs eventually lost their popularity, but the "hot tub" name became part of our language.
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