flagstone coping texture & iron v, tile ??Help!
new2poolstx
17 years ago
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scottvnc
17 years agometalmachinery
17 years agoRelated Discussions
Ugghh! I think I picked the wrong waterline tile!
Comments (40)Wow! I was quoted! I'm so honored. It's true. Your stone is the beautiful frame, your water is the picture, and your tile is the mat. It shouldn't take away from the other two, unless it is a feature. At first I thought, definitely the gray, but as I looked at it, it could also be the color of one of the lighter gray rocks in your stone (I see two of the stones in the second set of pictures under the pvc pipe). That might be more of a gradual transition between the rock and the gray finish and blue water. I LOVE your stone. Our tile would probably be too dark for you, but we used Daltile Continental Slate in Asian Black. Lots of grays and brown it it too. http://www.daltileproducts.com/series.cfm?series=38#608 The tile is great. The only trouble that we had in the beginning (and now again, see below) is that the grout put out calcium. Our pool builder didn't know how to get rid of it, and poured chems. right on the grout and it ate it up. After a while, I tried spraying vinegar on it and scrubbing a little and it came right off. This was on our 360 degree spa that has water running on it everyday. The waterline has had no problems since. We had them come back to regrout the spa, and we do have a couple of areas that show calcium again. I guess it's time to get out the vinegar again. It should stop soon. Now others might want to chime in on this one, but you might want to seal the grout. We didn't, and I don't know if that would have helped. Here's some pictures of our spa and the tile. Good luck with your choices! I think it will look beautiful no matter what. That stone is great! I especially love the slide. I'd love to try it!...See MoreWaterline Tile
Comments (7)Hi Ripleys Mum-- First, from looking at the tile sample it appears to be a quartzite stone--not slate, although many people refer to them as one in the same. There is a difference especially when it comes to freezing temperature zones. I left a sample of both slate and quartzite tile out over the winter and the slate will definitely cleave. Some pool tile company catalogs that sell slate tile and coping have a disclaimer saying it is not for sale in the northeast, but I guess there are other regions where it is subject to freezing temps as well. If in fact it is quartzite, you should be fine--better in my opinion-- than with tile since the mosaic is easier to fix, if ever needed--and stone is stronger than even the best porcelain tile. Interestingly enough, I got the idea of using a mosaic natural stone after being invited by someone on this forum to see their pool. They also had a pebble finish and then I just had to have that also! Although less than 2 hours south, the temperature zone there (as used for planting) is one zone warmer. The pool owner claimed there had not been a problem so far in the first few seasons of pool use, but the sample I was provided with did have several tiles cleave from the one 12 x 12 sheet I was given. I would have loved some of the deeper color variations in the slate choices, but opted for the quartzite instead (lighter multi-colored mix with tans, whites, light and dark grays, blue/grays). Scott gave sound advice about having enough extra tile. However, if you follow the traditional recommendation of the perimeter amount plus 10% you will have more than enough because there is virtually no waste with the smaller mosaics. You will find color variation even within the same box! Just make sure the tile guys pick out any "off" sheets and I would even mix the sheets in the stack to make sure any variation appears more random. The bigger issue is that this stuff is imported (I would guess from China) and supply could be cut off or discontinued in the future. Also, when it comes to price, you only need half a 12" x 12" sheet per linear foot so remember to compare it pricewise this way to 6" x 6" or other pool tile that your builder may sell by the linear foot. Good luck with your project!...See MoreNew Pool Build in Los Angeles, lots of pics and QUESTIONS!
Comments (48)I just found your blog while doing my initial research on pool builder (found it in your Yelp review). I loved reading about your experience and seeing the pics along the way! Thank you so much for the wonderful insight. I have to say that your pool installation has made me so excited to pull the trigger on our own, and now when I need a break at work, I go to your blog -- my new "Happy Place"....See MoreHelp with choosing a backsplash
Comments (34)Thanks for telling me about the online / in-person sample difference, Raynag. My husband went into Detroit tonight for a friend's concert, driving my car, and someone broke into it. They smashed a window. I can handle them getting my credit card, and bank card, and driver's license. I'm so sad that they got my diaper bag (bookbag style, not designer but not cheap plastic) and folding potty seat (ordered online, no clue where) and, worst of all, digital camera. I took the kids to the petting zoo today, with their preschool class, and took pictures. I left the diaper bag in the front seat of the car, with the camera inside. Last minute, I asked DH to take my car instead of his, because mine's in better shape, safer on the road. I feel so sad about the camera. It was nice, Canon XS or something similar, and felt like a splurge a year ago. These jerks probably thought they had a nice find there, but now I just can't take pictures of my kids and my kitchen. I know this is no big deal in the big picture but it's just so rotten. I bet they don't think about the hours and dollars of clean-up it costs us, to fix what they did. So, no pictures for a while. Okay, unlike Igloo, I'm whining. Done now. D@!*it....See Morebayarea4
17 years agoWe have Connecticutt Bluestone, and while we really like it, it can stain (note, the black stain by the second step). We don't mind, as it adds to the 'natural' look, I guess. If you're real particular, I'd prolly steer clear of this one.
It's also tumbled, so there are no sharp edges (we got little ones, so we were very careful with this one). You can tumble any flagstone, but it's extra, except for the Connecticutt Bluestone, as that's how it comes. It also doesn't snag suits any more than cement or bullnose.
Good luck!
-April
padrefan
17 years agoWe have tumbled quartzite and it's not a bit rough or sharp. Be careful of the softer flagstones...we were warned they would flake.
naturallover
16 years agopadrefan
16 years agoAngnjam
10 years ago
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