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Home Decorating

Please share your thoughts and suggestions on swimming pool tiles

beaglesdoitbetter

6 years ago

Our swimming pool installation project is well underway (obviously still need to do some major landscaping, which is coming after the pool itself is done!).

We need to select a tile for the water line. I am trying to create a natural swimming-hole feel to the pool so any suggestions would be great.

Here's the in-progress pool pic (obviously the water fall also needs to be stoned still, as well as the top of the hot tub. And please excuse the green water, the filter cannot be run until the tile is done because the water level has to be low so they can tile).

Here is one option I am considering.

The tile up close:

It also comes in a grey.

Do you like either (and if so, which color). Do you have any other suggestions? I was also kicking around maybe doing a pebble mosaic but thought it would likely be too busy:

Here's the yard area right next to the pool and we'll be doing similar landscaping in the area behind the pool that is currently a muddy mess... just so you can get an idea of what the finished area will look like (in case you haven't seen it already)

So, what do you think? My suggested tile (in which color) or any other thoughts on what would look good?

Comments (9)

Fori
6 years ago
Back up and tell me what you used on the deck. Is that natural stone? I needs to know. :)

For the tile, I'd want something with variation to look natural. And I'm thinking your deck might still be dusty/concretey/grubby and isn't ready for me to pick a color from. The tile should match the deck as closely as possible, right? And I can't tell what color it is yet!

It's looking good.
beaglesdoitbetter
Original Author
6 years ago
Yes, natural stone. It is dusty and grubby, you are correct. Here's a picture of it during the install process when it was slightly less dusty, perhaps this provides a better idea of color variations- although of course it was dirty here too. It is natural PA field stone (since we do live in PA and wanted it to be natural!)
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Mrs. S
6 years ago
We used a tan/cream/gold color quartzite on our natural-looking pool, and the masons laid it also on the vertical 6" or 8" inches under the coping. Our pool builder recommended, and did, soften the edges of the coping so they are a bit more uniform (not totally uniform) and smooth, so as not to catch a bathing suit if a kid slid into the pool. Just use your same stone, assuming it will do ok in the water.
Mrs. S
6 years ago
Beautiful yard, btw.
Christy Reves
6 years ago
I really like the first tile option you are considering for the waterline tile. I think it will wear and clean nicely. It will still look natural and rustic but also give a touch of sparkle. Know you can't wait to take a dip in it.
PRO
4Heidesign
6 years ago
Love the natural look of the grey tile!
jmck_nc
6 years ago
In our previous home we had a very similar natural pool and used a tile like the first one you posted. It blended in very well. You want minimal grout, so the mosaic would not be the best choice. The first one will almost disappear and the natural stone elements will be the star. Cool project! I don't post often but I follow along and was recently wondering if your pool was finished....you are close!
czarinalex
6 years ago
I would go with the first tile. We had a similar looking pool in a previous house. The original tile was a smooth greyish tile and after many years it got a stained water line on it that could not be cleaned. We replaced it with a tile similar to the second one and water stains were not nearly as noticeable. I don't have any pictures unfortunately. Your project is beautiful!
beaglesdoitbetter
Original Author
6 years ago
Thanks.

I do want my tile to essentially disappear, and definitely don't want visible water stains, so the brown slate is sounding good with this feedback :)

I am so ready for this to be done! It's 93 today! We should be swimming!

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