What could be a better way to beat the brutal Dallas summer heat than by sitting by your poolside, enjoying your favorite drink, and reading your favorite book? Sounds wonderful, right? What if we told you that you could make your poolside experience even more wonderful? Well, with a professional tile installation in Dallas, you can add a touch of class (or excitement) to your pool area.
Tiles are one of the most essential parts of your swimming pool. Available in a virtually endless variety of brilliant colors, unique textures, and sizes, the right tiles can take your swimming pool design to the next level and transform your home’s outdoor landscape into a dream oasis. That said, however, not all tiles are created in the same way. If you want a durable and robust option to make sure that your backyard pool looks great for years to come, you should ask your Dallas tile supplier for a tile that is purpose-built for swimming pools.
How is pool tile different from regular tile?
At first glance, pool tiles and “regular” kitchen and bathroom tiles may look almost identical. It is only when you dig a little deeper that you will understand why a tile that is uniquely designed for swimming pools is the ideal choice for a lovely, long-lasting swimming pool.
You may not think of your sparkling backyard swimming pool as a brutal environment, but think about this: the tile and other surfaces in your outdoor swimming pool are continuously exposed to the sun. They also come into contact with chlorine and other pool chemicals on a fairly regular basis. On the other hand, a typical bathroom or kitchen tile is not exposed to any chemical compounds or harsh sunlight, except maybe from a nearby window. For that reason, your pool tile has to be ultra-durable and made of a material that can withstand the extra stress. Tiles that are purpose-built for swimming pools will give you the most durable bang for your buck: the majority of pool tiles are coated with a specially formulated glaze that makes them acid and fade-resistant. In other words, tiles that are uniquely designed for swimming pools will be able to hold out against sunlight for a long time without cracking or fading.
One of the major points of confusion about the “pool tile and regular tile” question is bathroom tile. Like pool tiles, bathroom tiles come in a wide variety of decorative designs and colors, and are engineered to get wet. That being said, while bathroom tiles are designed for some contact with water, they are not intended to be submerged 24/7 like pool tiles. Therefore, pool tiles have to be more potent in maintaining form against water. This is why pool tiles are non-porous and customarily have a water absorption of less than 0.5%; water forms a lifetime bond with the tile adhesive, preventing damage to the tile.
In conclusion, most “regular” tiles are not built for pool use. They are more likely to fade, corrode, and crack than high-quality pool tiles — and that means you will have to pay for repairs or replacement sooner.
Make the most out of your pool tiles.
While purpose-built pool tiles are more durable than regular tiles, they still need to be cleaned regularly to keep looking their best. Here is some advice on how to clean pool tile:
First, regularly test the chemical levels in the pool. Keeping the balance of chlorine in the pool can be tricky; too little chlorine allows for algae and mildew to grow, and too much chlorine can bleach the tiles to look white. As long as you regularly test the pool’s chemical and chlorine levels and keep them in balance, you will not have either problem.
Second, clean the tiles once a week with a pool brush. If you do not have buildup, you can simply use the already chlorinated water to clean the tiles. If you do have buildup, then you may want to use a tile cleaning product from the store; you can also use natural cleaning products by combining vinegar and baking soda.
Lastly, every pool owner should clean the tiles with a tile cleaner once a season, either themselves or with a professional. This may be best done when you first open the pool, so it can be fresh and clean throughout the season.
Maintaining your pool tile may seem like a daunting task. However, you will find it is well worth it when your tile looks as good as new even after a few years.
Fujiwa Tiles Can Help You Choose the Best Pool Tiles
Whether you are looking for something vibrant and colorful for your custom backyard pool, something low-key and natural for re-tiling your current pool or something sleek and modern, you will surely find a tile that is right for you at Fujiwa Tiles. We have a huge stock of different tiles to suit your needs. Visit our product page or download our catalog to explore our high-quality, purpose-built tile selection.
Fujiwa Tiles is a leading supplier of the world’s finest pool tiles. We have a team of experts with vast knowledge and experience in the swimming pool tiling industry. Our experts can help you in finding the best tile for your pool.
To get more information on the different types of pool tiles, talk to Fujiwa Tiles experts today. Also, visit our blog for additional insight on pool tiles.