Much like kids in a sweetshop, today’s swimming pool installers are spoilt for choice when it comes to pool tiling and mosaics.
This competitive sector now offers the pool industry the biggest and best choice of products ever available. In terms of both colour and materials, there is now an abundance of options on the market, all shown off to good effect with an increased focus on lighting as part of the overall design. Tiled swimming pools have never looked so good.
“Increasingly we are asked to create a much complete look, pool, surround and feature walls working to create a very specific look,” comments Kevin Grant, Associate Contract Sales Director for Designworks Tiles. “This is a very long way away from Greek tile bands and 20mm blue mixes which can look dated through modern eyes.”
Julian Garlick of Waxman Ceramics agrees: “2016 is a very exciting year for tiles and mosaics; they are coming into their own in most sectors, with designers considering them for use in projects which might not have commanded them in the past”.
“This also goes for the leisure and wellbeing sector; many projects are demanding the use of tiles for their aesthetic appeal and not just their functional advantages.”
He adds: “With design trends favouring marble, metallic and shapes, many new ranges encompass such designs and have become increasingly popular. All these trends can be found upon the blog pages of most influencers throughout the fashion and interior design sector, which is trickling down to the leisure and wellbeing industry too.”
Porcelain tiles especially are extremely resilient for use in a number of applications. They can be used both internally and externally, making them the ideal application for poolside areas. Their characteristics mean that surfaces will be durable, while looking stylish for many years to come.
SPECTACULAR FINISHES
Glass mosaics are also a great solution for pool tiling. Glass is non-porous and, when mosaic sheets are applied alongside the correct grout and adhesives, can be used within the pool itself to create a spectacular finish that will remain water resistant for many years.
A range that is making particular waves at Waxman Ceramics at the moment is Print glass mosaic, which is available in three natural stone effects. The effect is created by printing a unique pattern on each individual mosaic tile, so they adopt the look of a completely different material, all the while maintaining the durable qualities of glass. The new print range offers the sought after natural stone effect upon a glass tile, so it can be fully submerged should pool designers wish.
“Using metallic to add an element of luxury is also a key design trend at the moment. From small accents in living spaces to grand gestures in commercial design, the use of coppers, golds and silvers is making a huge impact on tiles and mosaics,” says Julian.
“Shapes are also becoming extremely popular. Standard squares and rectangles are seeing fierce competition from the more contemporary hexagon, with mosaics and tiles becoming available in this style.”
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