Redesigning your pool area can turn your outdoor space into a dreamy retreat. Picking the perfect tiles around your pool isn't just about looks—it's vital for safety, too.
Why Pool Surround Tiles Matter
Tiles around the pool aren't just about making it look stunning; they're your slip-and-fall prevention squad. They battle with pool chemicals and sun rays, promising durability for many summers.
Your choice in tiles can shape your pool's vibe to match your home. Going for chic porcelain pool tiles screams modern, while terracotta tiles bring a timeless charm. Loads of options are out there!
What to Think About Before You Choose
Nobody wants regrets! Here’s what you gotta mull over before picking those poolside beauties:
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Material: Each type has its perks. Like, stone tiles have that earthy beauty and hold strong, while zellige tiles give off a craftsman vibe.
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Slip Resistance: Safety first, folks! Go for tiles that keep you steady, even when wet.
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Maintenance: How much elbow grease are you up for? Porcelain tiles are low-fuss, but those natural stones? They might need a bit of TLC.
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Aesthetics: Your pool area’s look changes with the tiles you pick. Is it gonna be sleek, cozy, or vibrant? The colour, texture, and overall vibe matter.
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Climate: Weather can mess with your tiles. Marble tiles shrug off the heat, making them great for sunny spots.
Here’s a quick-glance sheet for the important stuff:
Think it through so you can lay down those tiles and transform your pool area into somewhere both snazzy and safe. Need some creative spark? Check out our guides on pool tiles and modern pool tiles for more cool ideas.
Teracotta Tiles
Characteristics and Benefits of Teracotta Tiles
Ah, terracotta tiles! These beauties bring a rich, rustic feel that’s hard to beat. Made straight out of natural clay, they're famous for their warm, earthy tones that dance between reddish-brown and orange.
Why You'll Love Them:
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Natural Look: These tiles bring a timeless vibe to your poolside, melding perfectly with nature and enhancing your outdoor setup.
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Tough as Nails: Terracotta tiles can take a beating from heavy foot traffic, making them perfect for areas bustling with activity.
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No Slip-Ups: They provide good traction, keeping those slips and falls at bay as folks scuttle around the pool.
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Stay Cool: Even when the sun’s blazing, these tiles stay nice and cool, giving your tootsies a comfy stroll.
| What You Get |
How It Works |
| Made From |
Natural Clay |
| Colour Options |
From Reddish-Brown to Orange |
| Toughness |
Super High |
| Slip Resistance |
Got It |
| Weather Friendliness |
Top-Notch |
Got the pool tile bug? Check our complete pool tiles guide to learn more.
Styling Tips and Maintenance
Style Like a Pro:
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Go Med Vibe: Pair terracotta tiles with bright blue mosaic tiles to achieve that dreamy Mediterranean feel. See our mosaic tile ideas and get inspired.
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Border Flair: Frame your pool with darker terracotta tiles for a striking contrast.
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Earthy Mix: Blend in stone or wood elements to amp up the rustic charm.
Keep ‘em Looking Fab:
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Seal the Deal: Seal ‘em up regularly to stop water from soaking in and causing stains.
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Gentle Clean: Clean with mild soap and warm water. Skip the harsh stuff that could mess them up.
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Check It Out: Every now and again, give your tiles a once-over for cracks or chips and fix them quick to dodge further damage.
| To-Do List |
How Often |
Tips |
| Seal |
Every 1–2 years |
Keeps water out |
| Clean |
Once a week |
Mild soap is best |
| Inspect |
Every month |
Spot and fix cracks |
Want more on keeping your pool tiles sharp? Dive into our pool surround tile care guide.
Choosing terracotta tiles means you're going for both beauty and brains for your poolside haven. Check out what stone tiles and porcelain tiles can do too — you might just find the perfect touch for your outdoor paradise. Each one’s got its own perks and style tricks, ready to make your pool area the talk of the town.
Stone Tiles
You’re thinking about giving your pool area a facelift, aren’t you? Well, stone tiles might just be the perfect pick! They're not just tough as nails, they bring some serious style too. Let’s take a look at why these bad boys could be a winner for your pool surrounds and what types are up for grabs.
Advantages of Stone Tiles for Pool Surrounds
Stone tiles are like the superheroes of pool surrounds with their top-notch features:
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Durability: Ever tried breaking one? Good luck with that! They laugh in the face of all kinds of weather, so they’re perfect for hanging outside.
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Aesthetic Appeal: Mother nature carved out these beauties, so they add a hint of class to your splash haven.
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Slip Resistance: When it comes to avoiding tumbles, they’ve got your back. Many stone tiles naturally have a rough feel, keeping your feet from taking an impromptu slide.
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Heat Resistance: Your feet will thank you! Stone doesn't go roasting hot, even when the sun’s on full blast.
| Advantage |
Description |
| Durability |
Tough cookies, ignore harsh outdoors |
| Aesthetic Appeal |
Natural charm spruces up your pool zone |
| Slip Resistance |
Bumpy texture gives great grip, no slipping dramas |
| Heat Resistance |
Keeps cool in the sun, happy feet territory |
Types of Stone Tiles
There’s a buffet of stone tile types for your pool surrounds, each with its own secret weapon and looks.
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Slate: Think dark and mysterious with rich tones and an edgy, rugged surface. Slate doesn't skimp on sturdiness and grip.
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Travertine: Fancy something classic? This one's for you, with its chic pits and warm, sandy vibes. Tough as nails and your feet will love its cool touch. Check out the details on travertine pool tiles.
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Granite: It's the kingpin—hard as a rock (literally!) with an array of styles and hues. Granite shrugs off scratches like it's no big deal.
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Sandstone: Bringing a bit of earthy charm and lots of grip to the party. Sandstone is soft underfoot and naturally cool.
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Limestone: Looking for a bright touch? It’s smooth, light, and spruces up your poolside with its shining style, plus it’s got good traction too.
| Type |
Characteristics |
| Slate |
Dark shades, rugged surface, great grip |
| Travertine |
Warm colors, natural holes, cool underfoot, strong |
| Granite |
Mix of designs, ultra-strong, scratch-proof |
| Sandstone |
Earth tones, loads of grip, easy on your feet |
| Limestone |
Light and bright, smooth with solid traction |
Stone tiles are your pool's best mate, offering a cool mix of usefulness and forever-style. Want to uncover more pool tile secrets? Check out our stuff on pool tiles and modern pool tiles.
Porcelain Tiles
Porcelain tiles are smashing hit for sprucing up the poolside. They're the beloved pick for folks like homeowners, interior designers, and those fancy architects who get why stylish and practical aren’t mutually exclusive terms.
Why Porcelain Tiles Rock
Porcelain tiles can flip the style game like wearing sunglasses indoors—casual but packs a punch. They can pull off the look of stone, wood, or even marble. And you don’t have to worry about them giving up the ghost anytime soon; they laugh in the face of water, stains, and those pesky pool chemicals.
Here’s what makes them top-notch:
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They Hate Water: Absorb less than 0.5% of it.
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Built to Last: Tougher than your in-laws at Christmas.
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Chameleon-like: Tons of styles and finishes up their sleeve.
| Stuff That Matters |
Porcelain Tiles |
| Drinks Water Like a Fish? |
Nah, < 0.5% absorption |
| As Tough as Old Boots |
7-9 on Mohs scale |
| Lots of Maintenance? |
Low |
| Sticks Around Like a Loyal Pet |
20+ years |
Fancy Looks and Sneaky Tips
Porcelain tiles are like the wardrobe of pool design—so many outfits (well, design choices). Want to go sleek and modern or prefer a classic groove? Go wild with patterns, colours, textures—make it match your dream vision.
Here’s how to make them shine around your pool:
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Prep like a Pro: Make sure your base is neat, dry and flat as Kansas.
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Stick with the Right Glue: Go for quality stuff that loves the great outdoors and a splash zone.
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Get the Grout Right: Waterproof it, so it works its magic.
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Draining the Right Way: Slope it right so you don’t get a mini lake where your pool deck should be.
Snazzy Design Ideas
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Stone Vibes: Timeless and fab stone-imitating tiles. Get more deets here.
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Woodsy Feels: Give your pool a woodsy twist but without the splinters.
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Mosaic Flair: Grab the wow factor with these eye-catching patterns. Check ‘em out here.
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Bold and Bright: Going solid colour? It's like keeping the pool party fresh and sleek. Peek at our ideas here.
Pick your favourite tiles, follow these pearls of wisdom and see your poolside get a gorgeous porcelain makeover. Still thirsty for more ideas? Check out our article on those sweet porcelain pool tiles.
Zellige Tiles
Zellige tiles bring a splash of style to your poolside with their rustic charm and artistic flair. They’re the go-to choice if you’re aiming for a touch of grace and culture in your backyard.
What's So Special About Zellige Tiles?
They hail from Morocco, each tile a handcrafted piece of art made out of pure, natural clay. Here's the thing: these tiles aren’t standardized on some production line. No sir! Each one has its quirks — a wobbly edge here, a colour pop there — and that's the magic. A hand-cut, glazed Zellige tile feels like art underfoot and eye candy around the pool.
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Material: Pure natural clay
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Handmade: Colour and texture have a mind of their own
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Glazing: Shimmering like it’s caught a piece of the sun
| Feature |
Description |
| Material |
Pure natural clay |
| Manufacture |
Hand-loved |
| Finish |
Shiny, light-bouncing glaze |
| Color Variations |
Each has its own vibe |
Zellige tiles don't just sit around looking pretty. They're tough cookies, handling sun, rain, and the odd barbecue mishap like a champ. That dazzling glossy coat makes your pool glisten like a water nymph's playground.
Spice Up Your Pool With Zellige Tiles
Sprinkle a little Zellige charm, and watch your pool area go from bland to glam. The options are endless if you're looking for design inspo. Here’s how you can splash them around:
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Waterline Glam: Imagine Zellige tiles tracing the pool line, catching sunshine, and making it dance on water. Curious for more? Check out our pool waterline tiles.
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Deck Drama: Imagine strolling around your pool on a deck covered in Zellige tiles — the beauty of their subtle shifts in hue and tone keeps your eyes busy, and your feet happy.
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Majestic Walls: Why not a jaw-dropping feature wall for your pool? Zellige can do it! It can also be your garden's show-off piece, dripping in elegance. For more wall goodness, peek at our stone wall tiles.
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Mosaic Magic: Mix and match colors in playful patterns, from straightforward to swirly — your call. Let your pool area tell its tale with bespoke mosaics; more ideas await at our mosaic pool tiles.
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Border Brilliance: Craft a savvy frame with Zellige. It adds style points and when paired with contrasting tiles, it’s a real scene-stealer. Dive into our pool tiles for a taste of what else you can mix with.
Drop pieces of Zellige tile magic around your pool, and let the Moroccan spirit liven up your outdoor life. Click through our pages on porcelain tiles, marble tiles, and terracotta tiles for more tales from the tile crew.
Marble Tiles
Elegance and Luxury of Marble Tiles
Got a pool that’s crying out for a touch of class? Marble tiles are where it's at. They're the go-to for dialing up the chic factor around your pool. Picture this: timeless style with a dash of marble's unique patterns—they’re like nature's own works of art under your feet! Homeowners, designers… basically anyone with good taste falls for them.
Marble's got more tricks up its sleeve. It stays cool, so you won’t be hopscotching around on hot days—just leisurely, barefoot strolls. Fancy, right? It's no wonder marble is the top pick if you want to add a splash of luxury to your pool hangout.
| Benefits of Marble Tiles |
What's the Deal? |
| Aesthetic Appeal |
Classy vibes with those cool veining designs |
| Cool Surface |
Feels nice and chilled, even when the sun's blazing |
| Durability |
Tough and stays good-looking with some TLC |
Considerations When Using Marble Around Pools
Before you dive into using marble poolside, there are a few things to keep in mind so it stays as fabulous as it deserves to be. Marble's gorgeous, sure, but it's got its quirks.
Okay, here’s the kicker: Marble's a bit like a sponge. Left unsealed, it can soak up stains from pool chemistry or the outdoor hustle and bustle. Give it a regular seal—I mean, it’s like giving your pool area a spa day. Interested in tile upkeep? Check out our guide on porcelain pool tiles.
| Consideration |
What's Involved |
| Porosity |
Seal it up to avoid those pesky stains and marks |
| Slip-Resistance |
Go for textured surfaces to keep it safe and grippy |
| Maintenance |
Needs cleaning and sealing love for that long-term shine |
| Cost |
A splurge, but hey, it’s the Rolls Royce of tiles! |
Slip-resistance…it’s a biggie around pool areas. You don’t want gymnastic tumbles happening, so nab some tiles with proper grip. After more slip-proof ideas? Have a peek at travertine pool tiles.
Choosing marble tiles for pool settings doesn't just spell sophistication; it screams style and luxury. With some routine care and sensible considerations, your pool space can go from simple swim spot to swanky oasis. If you’re feeling inspired, wander through our array of modern pool tiles to see more.
