Yes a gal in Hawaii posted her pool remodel with glass mosaic within the last year, sorry I don't remember her name. The indoor pool at Hearst Castle in Cali is all tile too. Gorgeous look. Hope this helps, Barb

I've seen the all-tile pools - but wondered if a person could
possibly do it themselves. On the surface of it, it seems like it would be easier than tiling a room - but you never know.

If you have tile setting experience you will have no problem doing your pool. Use penny size tiles and add latex additive to the thinset. Best to try and keep the thinset and gout color the same,(less prep for grouting).If you want to re-tile the waterline to make it all flat I do not reccomend small tiles for the waterline. To set over the old waterline tiles,(make sure they are sound),simply take a 4" diamond planer disc and remove the old tile glaze down to the bisque,(did I spell that right, the part that is the same as the back of the tile). Always use a latex additive when setting over old tiles. Tiling you pool is not that hard but a lot of labor. cutting in the seams is the hardest part. By massaging the lines in the tile you can minimize the seaming process. Cut the tiles into strips to set radius areas. I saw a commercial spa that a friend and I tiled 20+ years ago with the above method and it still is tight and looks great. All tile pools are beautiful and stay that way. I personally don't like glass tiles and would not reccomend you try setting them in your pool.

Thank you Thank you! I love it when I get the answer I want.
I'm not resetting the waterline tiles. Those are large slate tiles and about the only thing that is working on the pool.

I would be afraid to use the glass tiles, they seem so fragile and they are more expensive. I'm not sure what you mean about radius areas. I've never tiled with the net backing tiles, but it seems like it would be easier than the unfinished terracotta tiles I've used. I've done several rooms and a set of stairs(pavers on the stairs) and a fireplace. So that's my resume. I'm not in a hurry and the pool is on a hill of rock - so maybe having it float out of the ground isn't a problem?

How would you suggest the surface be prepped?
Is there a special grout for underwater?
Would a tile store be able to hold my hand on this?

Just give it a good de-greasing with soap and a brush and then pressure wash or you can just hose it off thoroughly with a nozzle also. No special grout just use a standard sanded tile grout for dry tiles.Hint... The closer the color of the grout to the tiles the less you will see the differences in grout width between tiles. The more contrast in color between grout and tiles colors will show more differences in the grout width. Get net backing on the tiles and cut them into strips one or two tiles wide. If you need to get the tiles to bend more on the mesh just dip them in water first as this will loosen the netting allowing you to make harder turns with the tiles. Have at it and set away. When you get done you will probably have some ideas on how it would have been better if you set the tiles in a different pattern,(part of the learning process), Don't sweat the details. Its just small pool tiles that are underwater. If you can set land tiles to your satisfaction the pool will be a breeze. Rember grout really makes the work pop.

Good luck and carry on

I'm excited about this.

Why do you cut them in strips? I'm sure I'll find out why if I don't do it, right? It seems like you would have more control that way.

Got to go price some tiles. I lean toward the unglazed porcelain 1x1's. Sort of retro looking.

Thank you for the info.

If your pool surface is perfectly flat and square you may not have to cut them into strips. But yes you will find out why when you try setting the tiles in 12 x 12 sheets and you cannot get the ends of tiles to line up.

you bet you can tile it. I worked at a high end entry door company for years here in austin, we did the doors on lance armstrong's house, I was a designer but I got to go to the site while it was under construction, the home has a half million dollar pool spa combo and the entire interior surface is tiled in onyx (a hard type of travertine), I'm guessing $40-$50k worth of tile. lots of folks building these tuscan mansions out here in the southwest, texas, scottsdale, vegas, etc., are building pools that are tiled all the way with natural stone. natural stone is a good choice because it's spent the last 10 million years under water anyway:-)

glass tile would be the most awesome and actually very appropriate for a pool, but you might get priced out in a hurry as most are $10/ft and UP.

when installing the tile, make sure you clean the surface with solvent, make sure it is bone dry and it's above 60 degrees with no chance of rain. use white poly modified thinset mortar and latex the crap out of it. use a 1/4" V notch trowel, use a 1/8" V notch if you use glass tile. you shouldn't have any problems with it. as far as tile size goes, it depends on your pool, but for good adhesion you want 100% contact, so if your pool has big sloping sides, make sure the entire tile is making contact.
use sanded grout and solvent seal the crap out of it, 10 coats if you can afford it. you may even want to consider putting down an epoxy sealer.

post pics when you're done, these always come out great.

this stuff is awesome:
http://www.portobelloamerica.com/pool/index.php?p=alltile