Sculpting Cement For A Frugal Spa Update

Bliss R
by Bliss R
2 Materials
$50.00
4 Weeks
Medium

While we love the wonderful-to-have hot spa sitting right on the patio in our backyard, it wasn't much to look at. Wanting to give it a little more character, but not add the cost of an expensive pergola that would block our view of the night sky, instead we made fake cement boulders.

Recycled spa top foam

The man with the tools decided to use some cement and sculpt his way around the spa making his version of rocks.


He used the inside foam from our old hot tub cover to shape the fake boulders, as well as to shape the form for the steps, then covered it with chicken wire mesh.

Chicken Wire and heavy dense foam filler

The cement was basically sculpted as if it was clay, till a fake boulder took shape.

Close up of a step

Working around the elements, rain, cold etc., there was no timetable which was good because it wasn't a fast process.


The steps and all the cement needed to cure, after which time he went back in to stain and seal all of it.


On one side he created a bench to sit on with a fake brick look, and each of the boulders have a spot to put plants. The wood ledge you see comes off to access the spa guts.

We like this version better than the old spa just sitting on the patio.


If you have the ability to mix up some cement you might be surprised what you can do if you give it a try. We already had the chicken wire, foam, sand and cement stains, so the only thing we had to purchase was the cement.


There are lots of photos of the process on the Bliss Ranch blog, stop in and take a peek.

Suggested materials:
  • Cement about 10 bags, sand, water, chicken wire   (Home Improvement Store)
  • Cement Stains   (Concrete Shop)
Bliss R
Want more details about this and other DIY projects? Check out my blog post!
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 2 comments
  • Ella Ella on Nov 18, 2019

    This is incredible, each " rock " on Wayfair cost $100 plus, I would love to do this ! Thanks for the share.

    • Bliss R Bliss R on Nov 19, 2019

      That is sort of what inspired us.... the cost for the fake ones. Total we have three boulders, plus the steps and then the bench. It was a very inexpensive way to give the spa a more interesting look, but it did take time.

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