Pool tiles and coping: a practical guide for Melbourne homes

A pool area has three tiled zones, and each needs something different: the surround you walk on, the coping on the pool edge, and the waterline or interior tiles. Choosing them together gives a pool that is safe, easy to look after and looks finished. Our Reservoir showroom, about 10 to 15 minutes from Thornbury and Preston, can help you compare outdoor ranges.

1. The pool surround

The surround is a wet, barefoot area, so grip matters more here than almost anywhere else in a home. Choose an outdoor tile with a slip rating suited to wet barefoot areas. Pool and safety rules can apply, so confirm the rating with your pool builder or certifier. Light to mid colours stay cooler underfoot in summer. Porcelain is low maintenance; natural stone looks beautiful but needs sealing, especially near salt water. Browse outdoor tiles and read outdoor tiles and slip ratings.

2. Coping

Coping caps the edge of the pool shell. The main profiles are:

• Bullnose: a rounded edge that is comfortable to sit on and kind to hands and knees. Popular for family pools.
• Drop face: a square front that hides the shell edge for a crisp, modern look.
• Square edge: clean and simple, often in the same material as the surround.

Coping should overhang the pool edge slightly so water drips into the pool rather than down the wall, and it should be fixed with adhesives made for pool use. Your pool builder will set the details for your shell.

3. Waterline and interior tiles

A band of tiles at the waterline makes cleaning easier and frames the pool. Glass and porcelain mosaics are common because they handle constant water and chemicals and come on sheets that follow curves. We have mosaics on display, including glass pool mosaics; ask the showroom what is available to order for your project.

Matching the three zones

• Use the surround tile for the coping where the range offers a coping piece, for a seamless edge.
• Pick a waterline tile that picks up a colour from the surround or the water.
• Carry the surround tile into the house through an indoor and outdoor range if the pool is close to the living area.

Care

Hose surrounds down regularly, keep drains clear, and reseal natural stone as the sealer maker recommends. Salt water chlorinators can mark some stones over time, so ask about suitability before you choose.

Ordering

Measure the surround in square metres and the coping in lineal metres, then add extra for cuts and corners. A free measure can do this for you. Tiles are call to order. Installation by qualified trades can be quoted as a paid service.

Common questions

What slip rating do pool surround tiles need?

Pool surrounds are wet barefoot areas and need a higher slip rating than most outdoor areas. Confirm the rating for your pool with your pool builder or certifier.

What is the difference between bullnose and drop face coping?

Bullnose has a rounded edge that is comfortable to sit on. Drop face has a square front that hides the edge of the shell for a modern look.

Are natural stone tiles good around salt water pools?

They can be, with the right stone and regular sealing. Some stones are more sensitive to salt, so check suitability first.

Do you have pool tiles in your Reservoir showroom?

We have outdoor tiles and mosaics, including glass pool mosaics, on display. Ask the showroom what is available to order for your pool.

Visit us or shop online

See the range in person at our showrooms: Geelong at 35A Ryrie St, Geelong VIC 3220, phone (03) 5223 2765, and Reservoir at 214 Broadway, Reservoir VIC 3073, phone (03) 9867 5051. Both are open Monday to Friday 9:30am to 5:00pm, Saturday 9:30am to 3:00pm, and Sunday by appointment only.

Planning a renovation? Request a quote and a free measure, and ask us to include installation by our qualified trades if you would like it quoted. Prefer to shop from home? Order online with Australia-wide delivery, or pick up from either showroom, usually ready in 2 to 4 days.