Is there a difference between pool tile and regular tile
There are numerous distinct differences between swimming pool tiles and all other tiles used in a building or a home. From rugged stone-look ceramics to multicolored glass mosaics to low-key basics, the perfect tile can help you take your swimming pool design to the next level, ensuring it looks like a true showpiece.
However, not all tiles offer the same qualities. If you wish to ensure your pool is durable and looks beautiful for years, selecting a tile built for swimming pools is critical.
On the surface, swimming pool tiles and regular bathroom and kitchen tiles seem to have a lot in common. But when you look closely, you will see why a swimming pool tile is the right choice for a longer-lasting swimming pool.
What is a swimming pool tile, and how is it different?
Your beautiful, sun-bathed pool may not look like a harsh environment, but remember this: the tiles on your swimming pool are submerged underwater and are always outside. They are constantly at risk of damage from the rain and the sun.
Moreover, they are always in contact with chlorine and numerous other pool chemicals. Depending on where you live, your swimming pool tiles may also have to withstand significant temperature changes.
This is why your swimming pool tiles need to be ultra-durable. Tiles explicitly designed for swimming pools give you the most durable bang for your buck.
They are non-porous and often come with a coating of formulated glaze which further prevents fading and cracking. This coating also makes swimming pool tiles easy to maintain and water-resistant.
Why should you not use regular tiles in a swimming pool?
The most significant point of confusion about the “regular tiles vs. swimming pool tiles” question is bathroom tiles. After all, you can find many colors and design options in shower tiles made to get wet. The same can be said for tiles used in your kitchen floors and bathroom walls.
While bathroom tiles are designed to withstand some contact with water, they are not made to be submerged underwater all the time.
Regular tiles are designed for steady, mild temperatures and soft lighting. Most regular tiles are not fit for outdoor use. They are more likely to rust, fade, and crack when compared to purpose-built swimming pool tiles.
If you install regular tiles in your swimming pool, you can expect to pay for replacements and repairs sooner than required.
Continuous exposure to the substance
Bathroom and kitchen tiles are made to handle occasional spills. Be it soup, water, grape juice, or any other liquid, these tiles are good at standing rigid against these issues, but only temporarily.
Anytime something spills on your kitchen floor, you tend to clean it right away. This is why it does not cause any harm to your flooring.
Swimming pool tiles, on the other hand, are always underwater. Pool tiles are much more resilient when it comes to maintaining proper form against water. Pool tiles customarily come with less than 0.5 percent water absorption, which is critical for its performance.
It is all about durability to different types of exposures. In contrast, standard housing tiles are built for common vulnerabilities and deal with some foot traffic and everyday wear and tear.
On the other hand, a swimming pool tile deals with foot traffic, sunlight, chemicals, erosion, substance, and wear and tear. Moreover, pool tiles also need to be resistant to all chemicals used in a swimming pool.
Exposure to sunlight
A kitchen or bathroom tile is not exposed to sunlight except for a few areas near the window in normal circumstances.
Assuming our focus is on outdoor swimming pools, these tiles are continuously exposed to direct sunlight. The sun shines bright on your swimming pool every day, which is why swimming pool tiles need to be made up of materials that can stand such conditions efficiently.
Our team from Fujiwa Tiles can help you find a perfect swimming pool tile that comes with special coating of glaze. Glazed tiles are known to fade and are acid-resistant.
These tiles can better withstand sunlight without losing looks or form. Regular commercial or residential tiles are not built to counteract chemicals, nor are they exposed to corrosion or sunlight as much as swimming pool tiles are.
Is it possible to install regular tiles in a swimming pool?
Practically speaking, you can fit a regular tile in your swimming pool, but it is not worth it. Your tiles may bond well with the mold for maybe six months before it begins to fall apart. Tiles explicitly made for swimming pools can last as long as the pool itself.
It would be best to avoid any ineffective shortcuts by using a non-specific tile for your pool tile installation project. Take the safe route and ask professionals to install swimming pool tiles; it only makes sense.
Want to buy swimming pool tiles? Contact Fujiwa Tiles today!
If you live in Dallas, TX, and require unique quality pool tiles, be it for an existing swimming pool or a new one, Fujiwa Tiles is a fantastic company that you can consider.
Our professionals will provide you with products that are in line with all the characteristics mentioned above and give you numerous designs and colors to choose from.
Here at Fujiwa Tiles, you can find a perfect pool tile that not just looks eye-catching but is also functional – a feature not commonly found in the kitchen or bathroom flooring.
Give us a call at 818-994-2439 or contact us online to get started!