Picking the Perfect Swimming Pool Tiles

Bruno Mendolini

Ciao and welcome back to the Tile Choices Podcast! I’m Bruno, and with me as always is Maria. Maria, how’s it going today?

Maria

Hey Bruno! I’m great, excited for today’s topic—I mean, swimming pool tiles? It’s such a game changer for any backyard. Just talking about it makes me wish it was summer again.

Bruno Mendolini

Ehh, me too. So, let’s get started by looking at the basics. When you choose tiles for a swimming pool, right, you mostly see three materials out there: porcelain, glass, and natural stone. Each one, uh, they got their own, hmm, what’s the word... strengths—and some little headaches too.

Maria

Totally. Porcelain is, like, kinda the workhorse here. Super dense, low porosity—it doesn’t soak up water or stains, so you get durability for years. Maintenance? Honestly pretty simple. You just gotta clean it now and then and you’re golden. But with glass tiles? Oh boy, they’re all about vibrance and that fancy pool sparkle. I did this pool in Miami, we used iridescent glass mosaic on the waterline and the steps. I’ll tell you, every time the sun hit, it was like the whole pool was lit up with color. The clients started hosting pool parties just so they could show off the tiles, I’m not kidding.

Bruno Mendolini

Ah, Miami people, always fancy! But glass, bella, it’s not just for the fancy look, huh? It’s also strong—it resists fading, and it’s fine with pool chemicals. One thing, though: sometimes it’s slippery if you use on steps or floor, so you gotta watch where you lay them. And, eh, stone, I get it, it’s beautiful, feels so natural and warm, but you gotta seal it and keep it happy, otherwise it stains, it chips, all that drama.

Maria

Yeah, natural stone’s gorgeous but high-maintenance. If you want a rustic vibe, it’s perfect—think travertine or slate. But for most folks, porcelain is hard to beat for value. And the patterns they make now, with digital printing, look just like real stone or even wood. Honestly, it’s wild. Plus, like, mosaic tiles—you can mix glass, ceramic, whatever, and really create something special. Endless creative options.

Bruno Mendolini

So a quick recap—porcelain for durability and easy care, glass for vibrant color and some drama, stone if you want natural luxury but with a bit more work, eh? And always make sure the tiles are rated for pool use. Otherwise—big trouble, you trust me on that!

Maria

Alright, I know everyone wants that Instagram-worthy pool, but you gotta put safety near the top of the list, right? Slippery steps? No thank you. Always look for anti-slip surfaces, and check the tile certifications. There should be a slip-resistance rating, and it has to be appropriate for a wet zone like the pool. Textured or matte finishes are much safer than glossy, especially for families, or if you have older folks around.

Bruno Mendolini

Yes, yes, and about the size—big tiles look modern, but many small tiles or mosaico are actually less slippery. They give more grout lines, so when your feet hit, it means more grip. Also, eh, I remember when I was a kid, my papa, he let me tag along to help him pick tiles for a public pool in Rome. He was always obsessed with textured porcelain tiles—not too rough, but with enough grip so nobody slipped and fell, y’know? That’s practicality. Wherever water collects, you need something with texture. Otherwise, is just asking for accidents.

Maria

Yeah, that’s such a classic—your dad knew what he was talking about! People think bigger tiles are easier to clean, but you gotta balance that against safety. Plus, the finish matters. Some porcelain tiles are made specifically for pools with a sort of microtexture—it’s not harsh on bare feet, but still safe. I always tell clients: ask your installer, double-check the slip rating, even try standing barefoot on a few samples when they’re wet. It’s the only way to know how safe it’ll feel for real.

Bruno Mendolini

And those certifications—that’s important. If the tile doesn’t come with a rating for slip resistance or pool suitability, don’t buy it, no matter how pretty, okay? There are so many choices out there made for pools, so no excuses. Safety is style, too, eh?

Bruno Mendolini

Alright, we talk safety, we talk strength—now let’s have some fun, eh? Pool tiles do as much for the mood of your backyard as the water itself. So, let’s talk color. Why do we see so much turquoise? Or cobalt blue? The classic blues are not just tradition—they make the water look sparkling clean, deep and refreshing. Even small choices, like picking a border color, totally changes the feel of your outdoor space.

Maria

Exactly! Some people go wild now with patterned tiles, creative borders, murals. It’s a big trend—people want their pool to feel like a private resort, or like they’re on holiday in, I dunno, Santorini or something. There’s this family in Los Angeles I worked with—they wanted a Mediterranean vibe, so we did a white porcelain pool interior with a blue-and-yellow patterned border, inspired by the Amalfi Coast. It sounds dramatic, but honestly, it felt so classy and bright. And then the kids convinced them to let me add a little mosaic dolphin by the steps—everyone ended up happy.

Bruno Mendolini

Ah, dolphins, classic touch. And for layouts, you know, some people mix and match—like, mosaic accents, or glass tiles in the spa and porcelain on the floor. You can really personalize it. Now, even large format tiles are making their way to pool design because they give you that seamless, modern look with fewer grout lines. But I tell you—borders, geometric patterns, even little tile murals—these are what make a pool unique. Just make sure, eh, whatever style you pick, the colors will look good in all lighting. Sometimes a color is beautiful in the shop but looks totally different in the pool. Always test samples in sunlight and shadow before you commit.

Maria

Great point. The trend for bolder colors, or even, like, a deep black tile pool for a dramatic effect, is growing too. But if you want timeless, stick to blues, greens, sand shades, or add those Mediterranean or Spanish deco touches. There’s no wrong answer—just pick what makes you happy every time you look at your pool.

Bruno Mendolini

Let’s get practical, Maria. Even the best tiles out there won’t last without proper installation. This is really where you don’t wanna go cheap, trust me. Pool tiles need special adhesives, careful placement, and very good sealing—otherwise, well, you end up with water behind the tile or piles of cracked grout. That’s headache and more money, eh?

Maria

Couldn’t agree more. Get a pro to do the install if you can—even if you’re handy yourself, pool tiles aren’t the place to experiment. And after the install, regular cleaning is key if you want your tiles to sparkle. Avoid harsh chemicals—stick to pool-safe tile cleaners, a soft brush, and make it part of your weekly routine. Also, keep an eye out for algae, especially in shaded areas or if the pool is covered a lot.

Bruno Mendolini

And the grout lines—ah, the grout lines! Those little things can make or break your tile project. Check them regularly for cracks, missing spots, any funny movement. If you spot a problem, fix it fast before water sneaks in. That repair is much smaller—and cheaper—than waiting for tiles to fall off, right?

Maria

Yup! And don’t forget to inspect everything at the change of seasons, or after a big storm. Preventive care is cheaper and way less stressful than a big repair later. So, in short: get a pro to install, use gentle cleaners, check your grout, and be proactive about repairs. Your pool will stay pretty and strong for years.

Bruno Mendolini

Alright, that’s a wrap for us this time. Maria, always a pleasure to share tile wisdom with you.

Maria

Same here, Bruno! Hope everyone feels a bit more confident about picking their pool tiles now. Thanks for listening—don’t forget to subscribe, and we’ll catch you next time for more tile talk. Ciao, Bruno!

Bruno Mendolini

Ciao, Maria! And ciao to all our listeners—arrivederci until next episode!