Hi Kaye, Just found this posting and wanted to ask you if you ended up using the Raku Cobalt tile after all? If you did, can you send a photo? We are in the process of choosing tile for our RBB and waterline and I thought the Raku one looked nice on-line. Will still need to go to the showroom to take a look. Thanks.

Mine doesn't have veneer but does have stacked stone at and below the waterline. The gunite behind it was covered with something blue (paint like) which I assumed to be a waterproof layer. I don't see it as any different to stacked stone on a spa for example.

Here are a few ideas for your remodel of your pool waterline and wall. Glass tiles are popular because of the many different beautiful colors you can get from them depending on lighting and how the light hits the tiles. A mosaic tile of something on the swimming pool wall would be nice, like a center piece, see photo with a mosaic tile of a dolphin.

While the wood looks beautiful, it can too get slippery when it's wet. It will need some maintenance, i.e., sanding, staining. Drainage is important underneath. Despite "sleepers" of pressure treated material to fasten the decking, they will rot out from sitting in water. Also, allowing mold to form. Also, the overall decking will be raised and create, perhaps, an undesirable transition at the pool's edge. The step riser at the bottom step will be shorter too and may feel a bit awkward stepping up. Forget about tile. Accident waiting to happen when wet. Even non-skid finishes. I'm not crazy about composite materials. I understand it warps and cups over time. Look cheap in my opinion anyway. Kelly Technical Coatings make a line of deck paint called Patio Tones. It's a water based paint that produces non-skid finish and is available in many colors. It's easy to apply and the pricing is reasonable. It makes a big difference on old concrete patios.