Mike and Trey Farley interview Mitch Martinez, design manager at Diamond Spas, a 30-year-old company fabricating custom stainless steel and copper vessels including spas, cold plunges, plunge pools, pools, swim spas, and water features for luxury residential and commercial wellness projects. Martinez explains benefits over fiberglass/gunite such as 316L shells, 304 supports, 25-year warranty, contemporary straight-line designs, lighter weight for rooftops, energy efficiency from closed-cell spray foam insulation, and two-stage containment via a vault with access for maintenance and leak monitoring. He compares stainless vs copper mainly by aesthetics and copper’s antimicrobial properties, notes salt/chlorine/bromine void warranties, and recommends UV with hydrogen peroxide or AOP systems. The episode covers customization (jet layouts, loungers, acrylic windows, infinity edges, covers, movable floors), installation logistics, bonding, lighting, climate-related heating/chilling, and common issues like improper sanitizers or rigging.
https://www.diamondspas.com/ (720) 864-9115
https://www.farleypooldesigns.com/
https://www.instagram.com/farleydesigns/
https://www.instagram.com/luxuryoutdoorlivingpodcast/
https://www.instagram.com/poolzila/
00:00 Podcast Welcome
01:12 Meet Mitch Martinez
01:50 What Diamond Spas Makes
02:58 Mitch Career Path
04:40 Who Buys These
05:15 Metal vs Fiberglass
06:27 Stainless vs Copper
08:39 Tile and Finishes
09:59 Heating and Insulation
11:21 Climate and Chillers
12:28 Equipment Options
13:43 Rooftop Weight Benefits
14:12 Leak Protection Strategy
16:18 Welding and Quality
17:24 Expansion and Movement
18:36 Custom Features and Ergonomics
21:19 Edges Windows Covers Floors
22:55 Sanitizers and Chemicals
24:52 Wellness Center Boom
26:46 Coastal Salt Considerations
29:45 Delivery and Installation
32:01 Wild Install Stories
33:51 Recycled Metals and Repairs
35:40 Shipping Size Limits
37:39 Structural Support Planning
38:28 How to Start a Project
40:18 Pre-Patina Copper Finish
40:55 Cost vs Gunite Pools
42:47 Infinity Edges and Acrylic
44:07 Water Color and Reflection
45:35 Surface Feel and Slip
46:52 Bonding and Electrical Safety
47:28 LED Lighting Options
48:20 Covers and Debris Control
51:12 Install Risks and Scope
54:54 Warranty and Jobsite Protection
58:50 Vault Access and Drainage
01:04:53 Rapid Fire Personal Q&A
01:08:42 Cold Plunges and Chillers
01:15:20 Wrap-Up and Show Mission