A concrete bowl and tiling is a classic option for building a stationary pool on the site. In this article, Our tips site will tell you what criteria you need to be guided by when choosing a tile for your pool, find out what it is and give advice on this topic.
Immediately, we note that the usual ceramic tiles, which are used in the decoration of bathrooms, kitchen backsplash and floors in the house are not suitable for pools. A serious load will be exerted on the tiles in the bowl of an artificial reservoir, it will be under water pressure. In addition, the pools are most often outdoors, that is, the tiles will have to spend the winter outside. Another factor is that it is the finishing in the form of a tile that will act as waterproofing, because the concrete base itself cannot provide tightness, it is porous.
In this regard, the following requirements are put forward for pool tiles:
- Minimum – no more than 6% – coefficient of water absorption. Ideally, it should tend to zero.
- Resistant to chemicals that will be used to clean the pool and prevent algae.
- Strength.
- Frost resistance.
- Anti-slip effect. A very important requirement on which the safety of using the pool directly depends.
- Flexibility to withstand and compensate for water pressure.
- Smoothness. The tiles, despite the anti-slip effect, must not be porous. Otherwise, fungus and mold will quickly appear on it..
There are three classes of pool tiles:
- A. Bare foot rests on tiles of this class at a 12-degree slope. This tile can only be used in dry areas and on the bottom of a pool more than 80 centimeters deep..
- B. Keep your bare foot at an 18-degree incline. This tile is suitable for showers, the area around the pool, for the bottom with a depth of less than 80 centimeters.
- C. Keep your bare foot at a 24-degree incline. This tile is used for tiling the steps in the pool, as the most dangerous zone in terms of falling, and also used on the smallest part of an artificial reservoir and surfaces with a slope.
Important! Swimming pool tiles are traditionally produced in marine colors. These are all shades of blue. You can find green tiles, but still the choice of shades is limited. At the same time, the edges of the steps and slopes in the bowl should always be highlighted with tiles of a darker color so that they are visible under water and the swimmers do not stumble.
Manufacturers always offer ready-made sets of tiles for pools: background, that is, the main one, plus a darker one for the edges of the steps, as well as curved side elements, sets for steps and handrails, gutters.
The maximum tile size for pools is 12.5×24.5 centimeters. Larger tiles simply cannot withstand water pressure. The most common choice of tile sizes for swimming pools of the correct shape – rectangular or square – 15×15 centimeters. For custom designs, tiles ranging in size from 2 to 10 centimeters in length and width are used.
Important! Mosaic tiles are very popular in the decoration of pools (story / decoration_tile / kak-ispolzovat-mozaiku-dlja-otdelki-i-dekora.1726171 /). It is sold in sheets of 30×30 or 60×60 centimeters in size, on which the squares of the mosaic are already glued. This greatly facilitates the installation process, while the sheets bend well, which allows them to be faced with uneven surfaces. Glass mosaic tiles have the lowest water absorption coefficient. But it costs more than usual.
The most popular manufacturers of pool tile collections in our country are the Turkish company SERAPOOL, the Italian Floor Gres, the German Interbau Blink and Agrob Buchtal, the domestic Sokol.
Don’t forget that the tiles in the pool bowl need a special adhesive! Choose latex-based mixes. In addition, a waterproof grout is needed for the tile joints. Most often, a two-component epoxy mixture is used for this purpose..
A pool tiled always looks beautiful, style, rich. Such a facing serves for a long time. But if you want to save money, you can always just paint the pool bowl. The portal has already written about the choice of paint for this purpose..
What factors should one consider when selecting a tile for their pool?
What factors should be considered when choosing a tile for the pool?
When choosing a tile for a pool, several factors should be considered. Firstly, the material of the tile is crucial as it should be able to withstand constant exposure to water and chemicals. Opt for tiles specifically designed for pool use, such as porcelain or glass, which are known for their durability. The size and shape of the tile should also be taken into account; smaller tiles provide better grip and help prevent slipping. Additionally, the color and style of the tile should complement the overall design of the pool area. Lastly, ensure that the tile is low-maintenance and resistant to fading, as it will be exposed to sunlight and pool chemicals over time.