A complete guide to swimming pool mosaic tiles
When planning a swimming pool, whether for a residential or commercial project, one of the most important decisions is the type of tiles to use. Decorative pool tiles can create a sense of luxury and elegance, enhancing the overall appearance by reflecting light and intensifying colors and textures. Choosing the right tiles is also crucial for achieving a high-quality, durable finish that is easy to maintain over time.
Swimming pools offer numerous health benefits, whether installed in a gym, hotel, or home. Swimming provides a full-body aerobic workout, improving heart, lung, and circulatory function. It strengthens muscles while remaining gentle on arthritic joints, making it a popular choice in physiotherapy and injury recovery. Beyond physical benefits, swimming also promotes relaxation, helping to relieve stress and clear the mind from the pressures of daily life.
What Kind of Tiles Are Used in Swimming Pools?
Swimming pool mosics must be exceptionally durable. Constantly submerged in water and exposed to chemicals like chlorine and cyanuric acid, they need to resist corrosion and staining. Outdoor pools face additional challenges, enduring extreme temperatures from scorching summer heat to freezing winter cold. Sunlight can also be harsh, causing the colors of inferior materials to fade—whether the pool is indoors or outdoors, choosing the right tile is essential for long-lasting beauty and performance.
Household tiles commonly used in bathrooms and kitchens are not designed to endure the extreme conditions faced by pool tiles. They tend to be less water-resistant and can quickly blister or crack when exposed to prolonged moisture, temperature fluctuations, and pool chemicals. For this reason, it is essential to select tiles specifically manufactured for swimming pool applications.
The edging around a swimming pool, known as coping, serves both functional and aesthetic purposes. It frames the pool, protecting the interior tiles and ensuring that water spilling over drains away efficiently. Pool coping should provide a durable, non-slip surface that resists fading and is easy to clean, combining safety with a polished appearance.
For a seamless, coordinated appearance, coping can be made from the same tiles used inside the pool. Other popular materials include natural stone, such as travertine or granite, as well as brick or concrete pavers, offering both durability and aesthetic appeal.
Swimming Pool Tile Materials
Pool lining tiles can be made from a variety of materials. When choosing pool mosaic tiles, it's important to consider all your options to find the best solution for your individual needs.
Glass Swimming Pool Tiles
Glass mosaic tiles add a touch of luxury and sophistication to any swimming pool. While they can be slightly more expensive than other options, they offer exceptional benefits. Glass is completely non-porous, making it ideal for long-term submersion in water. It is also highly resistant to temperature extremes and harmful ultraviolet rays from the sun.
Glass mosaic tiles are hygienic, easy to clean, and impervious to chemical damage. They enhance the pool’s appearance with a lustrous, sparkling finish that catches both natural and artificial light. Additionally, glass mosaics create the illusion of a larger pool and offer a broader color range than other types of tiles, allowing for truly imaginative and custom designs.
Ceramic Swimming Pool Tiles
Ceramic mosaic tiles are a cost-effective and durable option for swimming pools. Fired at high temperatures, they become waterproof and long-lasting, with colors that stay vibrant for many years. Ceramic is versatile and easy to work with, allowing for intricate designs using small mosaic tiles. Additionally, ceramic tiles are anti-allergenic, simple to clean, and provide a reliably slip-resistant surface, making them both practical and visually appealing.
Porcelain Swimming Pool Tiles
Porcelain tiles are similar to ceramic but offer enhanced performance. Made from a different type of clay and fired at higher temperatures, they are more durable, especially in areas with heavy foot traffic. Porcelain provides excellent waterproofing and retains its color exceptionally well. Its non-slip surface is easy to clean hygienically using standard chemical solutions. One drawback is that porcelain is more brittle than ceramic, making it slightly more challenging to cut into custom shapes.
Stone Swimming Pool Tiles
Natural stone, such as sandstone or limestone, has been used in pools for centuries due to its strength and longevity. It is highly resistant to sunlight, and its natural grain patterns and color variations create a visually appealing look, particularly for outdoor pools. However, stone is porous and generally not recommended for use inside the pool. If you prefer the aesthetic of stone, it is best suited for surrounding areas, and regular sealing is necessary to protect it from water damage.
Tiles for Concrete & Fibreglass Pools
While a pool shell may be made of concrete, leaving it exposed is not ideal. Concrete is highly porous, requires frequent sealing, and demands rigorous cleaning to prevent algae growth. Fibreglass shells, on the other hand, are naturally waterproof and less prone to algae, but they still lack visual appeal on their own. In both cases, tiling enhances durability, hygiene, and aesthetics, transforming the pool into a functional and attractive space.
What Are the Best Tiles for Swimming Pools?
Mosaic tiles are widely regarded as the best option for lining the interior of a swimming pool. While ceramic and porcelain tiles are popular choices, glass mosaic tiles stand out as the top choice.
Glass tiles offer a smooth, silky texture that feels comfortable under bare feet and perform well in any temperature, making them ideal for both outdoor pools and indoor spa plunge pools. With a wide range of colors and translucent properties, glass mosaics add depth, vibrancy, and a luxurious touch to any pool design.
Swimming Pool Tile Colours
Swimming pool mosaic tiles offer endless creative possibilities, with a wide range of colors to design intricate patterns and motifs.
The main color of your tiles also affects the pool’s ambiance and water temperature. Darker tiles absorb more sunlight, warming the water—ideal for outdoor pools in cooler climates. Lighter tiles reflect sunlight, keeping the water cooler, which can be beneficial in hotter environments. Choosing the right color allows you to combine aesthetic appeal with practical benefits.
Indoor & Outdoor Swimming Pool Tiles
When selecting tiles for indoor or outdoor pools, you can choose colors and finishes that complement the surrounding environment. Indoor pools allow for creative use of colors and finishes that may be less visible in bright sunlight, and can be paired with mood lighting to create a striking atmosphere.
Most swimming pool tiles are suitable for both indoor and outdoor applications, giving you flexibility regardless of your pool’s location. Additionally, it’s essential to use non-slip tiles around the pool area—whether for an outdoor patio or an indoor pool deck—to ensure safety while maintaining style.
What Is the Best Swimming Pool Tile Size?
Glass mosaic tiles for swimming pools typically measure between 2 cm and 5 cm, while ceramic and porcelain tiles usually range from 2.3 cm to 5 cm, with a maximum size of around 10 cm.
Smaller mosaic tiles are particularly effective for pools with curved designs or rounded edges where the floor meets the walls. Their flexibility allows for precise detailing and smooth adaptation to complex shapes. For pools, steam rooms, jacuzzis, or areas with built-in seating or curved walls, small glass mosaic tiles are often the best choice.
How to Clean Swimming Pool Tiles
Proper maintenance is essential for keeping your swimming pool safe, hygienic, and enjoyable to use. For outdoor pools, daily tasks include removing leaves and debris with a pool skimmer, while indoor pools are generally easier to maintain year-round.
Weekly, add chemicals such as bromine to maintain water hygiene. At least once a month, focus on cleaning the waterline tiles where scum, oils, and mineral deposits tend to accumulate. Lower the water level and scrub the tiles using a stiff brush—avoiding wire bristles to prevent damage. In areas with hard water, mineral deposits may require a pumice stone or an appropriate cleaning solution to remove buildup from tiles and grout.
For convenience, you can also hire a professional pool maintenance company to handle cleaning and upkeep on a regular schedule.