Hi Space Man-- I haven't decided if edging/accent tile on the steps would be the right look for my pool design, so I was hoping I could play around with it after the concrete stage before making a final decision. I also had no idea what the PB would charge per linear foot to add trim tile. I thought if I paid for it (tile and labor ahead of time) I would be stuck going ahead with it. I have known people who didn't put it in at the start and then added it later. You could see the difference in the finish when this was done--so I know its best to do this the first time around. However, I have not seen the newer pebble finishes with step/trim tile so don't know if it is harder or easier to see steps and bench edges with a pebble-type finish or not. Anyone whose had experience with both types (plain white/solid color vs. pebble) who can speak from experience? Spacemen, I remember looking at your build thread several times. Very, very, nice. I love the natural look, but we can't get away with some of the stone materials like the beautiful slates and I am also hesitant about faux rock holding up here in the Northeast (though I have seen it done). Maybe next time if we move south. However, I am trying to incorporate natural rock materials in the coping and spa facing part of the design. Thanks for the advice.

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!

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!

bumpity bump... Hey rockybird, what tile did you end up choosing for your pool? We are now selecting tile for our pool and having a hard time finding the right pool tile. I am considering SICIS - the 1x1. Would love to see a photo of your finished pool and the tile if you have one! thanks.