What do you see when you close your eyes and picture the perfect swimming pool? If you’re drawing a blank, you aren’t alone. There’s no shortage of beautiful options out there, but many soon-to-be pool owners need some help knowing how to take advantage of them. Our guide will go over a list of the best materials and pool design trends to consider if you want your new pool to stand out.
Top Tile Material Options
There are some baseline needs for quality pool tile materials. You want to select materials that can withstand the barrage of water and chemicals. You also want to make your choice with safety in mind, as that is more important than style every time. Here’s a look at some stylish tile options and a comparison of their advantages and disadvantages.
Porcelain and Glass Tiles
Porcelain and glass tiles are easily the best two options for most pool designs. They’re both highly durable, and their popularity means it’s simple to find an option that fits your aesthetic. You’ll likely have more design options with porcelain, while glass is beloved for being easy to maintain. But both are non-porous, so neither will have any trouble with water seepage like other materials might.
Natural Stone Tiles
Natural stones, like travertine or granite, are excellent materials for building both pools and the surrounding area. They’re non-slip, so they are a much safer option than porcelain or glass for your pool coping. They’re also hardy and able to withstand everything from the sun’s harsh UVs to the immense amounts of chlorine you’ll use over the years.
If you’re focused on aesthetics, natural stone is easily one of the number one choices. Transitioning from a decking area to the inside of the pool is seamless, and the look of natural stone goes with just about everything.
Tiles With Metallic Finishes
For peak luxury, look no further than metallic finished tiles. Creating a mosaic with warm golds and coppers or a sleek modern look with silver and white is simple and glamorous with these kinds of tiles. And while they certainly deliver in the aesthetics department, they’re also wildly versatile. Many professional designers will mix metallic tiles in with other tile options to create a shimmering look that isn’t too overwhelming.
Ceramic Pool Tiles
Ceramic is the utility tile: it’s durable, water and UV resistant, and extremely low maintenance. If you’re looking for a material that’s as minimal as it is functional, you can’t go wrong with ceramic.
But that doesn’t mean it doesn’t have aesthetic appeal. Many would argue that ceramic is an excellent choice for looks because it comes in a wide variety of patterns, colors, and textures. These features make it one of the best jack-of-all-trade materials for building a pool area.
Top Deck Options
There’s some overlap between the materials you’d use for a pool and for the surrounding area. But many pool owners mix and match materials, opting for a completely different material for their deck than the pool tile. Here are some options that are excellent for decks but not always as suitable for the pool itself.
Concrete
Concrete is the go-to option for many pool areas. Its durability and versatility are unmatched. It’s also easy to slope the concrete, making pool drainage much simpler. Many pool owners default to concrete as an option because it’s so dependable and goes well with most other designs.
The argument against concrete is that it’s much more finicky to install because it shrinks as it cures. This isn’t an issue if you have a professional pool builder spearheading your project. They’ll know exactly how to install the concrete.
Pavers
Pavers are an excellent alternative to concrete. These are slabs of man-made stone that are durable and easy to customize. Pavers are also very slip-resistant and are designed to provide the pool with adequate drainage. Most pavers also have a natural stone or sand color, making them an attractive choice for those who want their pool space to blend in with nature.
However, pavers are usually more expensive than concrete. So even though they’re easier to install than concrete, most pool owners should have a professional install these materials. DIYing heightens the risk of damaging the costly pavers, and it usually requires tools that cost just as much as the materials.
Brick
Brick is another one of the best materials for pool design, especially if you’re looking for something visually striking. Brick comes in many colors that are easier to customize than you expect. Many types are also naturally slip-resistant, so they’re safe to use for pool decking. This is one of the more expensive material options, but the payoff is immense, especially if you have a professional installation.
Finding the Best Materials for Pool Design That Suit Your Needs
The most popular trends for materials and finishes might not always be the best choice for your pool specifically. So how do you decide which option to choose? Here’s a quick checklist of things to consider while you shop around:
- Consider how much maintenance each material takes
- Think about how you plan to use the pool most
- Ask yourself what type of pool you want
- Create a budget to weed out any materials that might be out of your price range
- Look at your landscape design and see which materials look best with it
There’s a good chance that you’ll still land on one or more of the top pool-building materials and styles covered in this guide. But since there are many fantastic options, asking yourself these questions first can help you narrow your selection down even further.
Explore Custom Concepts for Building Your Perfect Pool
Whether you’re set on your materials or you still have questions, it never hurts to have a professional on hand for help. Blue Haven Pools on the Gulf is here to design and build your Florida swimming pool with high-quality materials you’ll love. Our design team will listen to your needs and create a one-of-a-kind pool space for your property that’s built to last and keep your family safe.
Contact us today to learn more about how our custom designs work or to schedule an appointment with a professional.