Pool Surround Answers : Granite, Blue-Stone or Sandstone – Drop or Bullnose?

Selecting your pool surround tile can be a little tricky – but after a few basic considerations you can make this challenge a thing of the past.

First of – what kind of pool are you building?

Selecting the right type of coping tile is your first step – and this may play quite the part in your budget.

b040e9be10fb106009ac231e4c8fb24a

Drop-face coping tiles tend to be more expensive as there is more work involved to make them. So if you need this type of coping tile this may mean that the more expensive materials will slide right out of your budget.

6b732806f891351195a1e5025a82df14

Straight edge and bull-nose coping tiles require a lot less processing so this may open up your options to the more expensive materials.

377992fadd5bf538bf25d7ac0eb6ca99

Fiberglass pool

The top part of your fiber glass pool will have a slight taper – a curve. This type of pool lends itself to the drop-face coping tiles.

11cddf876d3c4834e2cbf7b604205b1b

Concrete pool

Your concrete pool will have no taper what-so-ever. Unless of course you asked the pool builder to make it that way. This means that you will be able to install whatever type of coping tile you like. This is great and it will open your options up regarding material choices too.

dc002c6fad997b91246147c02e5707a9

Secondly – what colour do you like?

Your personal choice starts to come into play here. Matching or contrasting nearby surfaces is important. Also is the consideration of the sun – that’s right the sun. How much straight sunlight will be hitting the pool coping tiles? Often times you will be extending the tiles out with a ‘body tile’ of the same material.

Back Camera

Light colors

White sandstone is awesome to see around a pool. But make sure that you are going to have some shade cover. Or you will temporarily go blind whenever you venture towards your finished pool.

633eee23b526c7b19d43a97a79129ffb

Dark colors

Jet black granite is magic poolside. But surface texture and shade levels are key to ensuring your pool area doesn’t turn into a BBQ hot-plate!

9b08a23c85888a14ea9b70382935ce58

Material choices

Your basic choices come down to classic materials;

Other materials that can be good considerations for use as pool surrounds include cement products, traditional paving and even regular house bricks.

9d770a508808d1c09a979708558ae4db

A special note on sandstone and salt water or salt chlorinated pools

Sandstone is a beautiful product that comes in some nice colors and variants. However – you will need to apply what’s called a consolidator to the product. Ask your stone sales people. And if they don’t know what you’re talking about maybe consider finding a new supplier. This step is crucial and we’ve seen too many people stuck with crumbling tiles. A consolidator will protect your stone. Think of it like a sealer for the inside of the stone.

eb4805c5c777a19ae3b4ae66bb10338d

Enjoy your pool

That’s right, if you’re fortunate enough to have a beautiful pool in your back yard plan a pool party and enjoy the space.

And shoot me an invite 🙂

7c88fcfc183e2a67a18ff9d8d106130c

All pics on this page can be found clinging to this Pinterest board

Find this post valuable? Say a simple thanks by liking.

TILE junket showcase the best tiles available in Australia from around the globe, right here in Geelong.  

Book your showroom complimentary Concept Consult for interior design assistance for your tile project.

?

Sooo…. Want To Stay On Top Of Design & Tiles?

Get blog updates in your inbox – unsubscribe when you no longer need them

About Patrick Sgro

Managing Director - TILEjunket.com.au

The Best Tiles In Australia Are Now Here In Geelong - Booked Your Tour Yet? Learn More