BigPapaSmurf
Well-known member
I agree with Kim, go with the travertine. I can see that neighbor behind you “Over shooting” that basketball goal, a lot, once your pool is done! 
I agree with Kim, go with the travertine. I can see that neighbor behind you “Over shooting” that basketball goal, a lot, once your pool is done!
right?!Question on grouting glass step tiles! My PB just finished my glass step tiles - do they need to be grouted? We are doing a colored plaster (harbor blue). I know my 6x6 wall tiles will be using a dark grey grout, but what do you suggest for clear and different shades of light blue glass step tile? Will I even see the grout? Thank you!
GREAT question.............have them use the plaster! It looks MUCH better for the step/shelf/bench tiles. They will have to push a bit harder to get the plaster to go between the tiles but it is so worth it!
Kim
Kim
Thank you! Is that ok to ask them to do that? I wasn’t sure since the guys working looked at me crazy when I said thatGREAT question.............have them use the plaster! It looks MUCH better for the step/shelf/bench tiles. They will have to push a bit harder to get the plaster to go between the tiles but it is so worth it!
Kim
You SHOULD ask them to do it with a plate of cookies in one hand and a drink in the other LOL They may do it on their own. Maybe ask them how they handle the tiles/plaster and go from there.
Consider them your pool's "Beauty Marks". I guess they could be filled but it would look like they were filled so not so good. I assure you no one else will even notice them in the long run!
I really like your step tile! I see your coping hasn't been grouted yet (or step tile). I think step plaster would look better. They may grout them at the same time so if you don't want the tile grouted I'd ask the builder. The masonry guys grouted our step tile. On plaster day the step tile was smeared with plaster but it was all acid washed off the next day.
For coping we asked for the bigger holes to be filled--they did it with grout?--and it appeared they did this individually or in small sections. Since I knew they were coming back I walked through later and pointed out a few more and he filled those. The coping has natural holes that are left open. For steps (same material as coping) I asked (the same guy) for the holes to be filled and this time he filled in every single hole which I actually liked a lot better--and would've done with coping too if we had known. This is probably how they fill stone flooring and was a much faster method. My worry is would concrete stain vs stone during this process.
For coping we asked for the bigger holes to be filled--they did it with grout?--and it appeared they did this individually or in small sections. Since I knew they were coming back I walked through later and pointed out a few more and he filled those. The coping has natural holes that are left open. For steps (same material as coping) I asked (the same guy) for the holes to be filled and this time he filled in every single hole which I actually liked a lot better--and would've done with coping too if we had known. This is probably how they fill stone flooring and was a much faster method. My worry is would concrete stain vs stone during this process.
Thank you! I was talking about the holes (look like cheese holes) in the coping - not the long expansion joints - did they fill those for you? I will double check and see if they can plaster the small tiles - I had no idea the plaster would acid wash off the plaster lines on the steps, that's good to know!
Thank you! I have never seen coping with all the little holes, so I was pretty disappointed when they started installing...I feel like i'm being a pain, but this is such a big project $$$ it's hard not to be super detailed
I think if you can do plaster for in between step tiles (vs grout) that would look better and more uniform. I didn't ask so they just grouted our tiles--which also looks ok.
For coping, we got travertine which has some holes naturally. We asked the masonry guys (did not discuss this with the builder but we probably should've) to fill in any bigger holes for the coping (pointed out examples to them) which they did but they left the smaller holes open. For the travertine on the deck I pointed out some of the larger holes again. But for the deck he filled in all the holes--which honestly I would've had him do on the coping if I'd known it was an option. Our travertine comes in multiples shades so the grout just blends in. For a concrete color I don't know if they can match it or if they can fill it without staining the concrete around the holes. It's worth asking your builder though.
For coping, we got travertine which has some holes naturally. We asked the masonry guys (did not discuss this with the builder but we probably should've) to fill in any bigger holes for the coping (pointed out examples to them) which they did but they left the smaller holes open. For the travertine on the deck I pointed out some of the larger holes again. But for the deck he filled in all the holes--which honestly I would've had him do on the coping if I'd known it was an option. Our travertine comes in multiples shades so the grout just blends in. For a concrete color I don't know if they can match it or if they can fill it without staining the concrete around the holes. It's worth asking your builder though.
Toxophilite
Silver Supporter
Yes, the air bubbles are normal. It's a common issue with casting cement. Only if you know the exact ratio of mix of cement, brand, sand, etc.... will you get the same pigment as the one cast by the maker of that coping, and to be truthful, I've had loads of cement from the same plant, next mix, different time of day's drying and shade can be totally different. Someone can possibly try a color-match mix of epoxy, like done with travertine, but you can always spot those fills and they only blend better because they get lost in the pattern of mixed colors. My personal preference would be to let them be over the risk of making them more noticeable. In a few weeks, you will have totally forgotten they are there.
Last edited:
Ahh I love travertine! i had no idea we could have picked that, but it's beautiful! Ok I will ask about the concrete, I know it may be different to fill those holes, thank you!
Thank you! I am concerened with our Salt System, the concrete holes will get larger and start to crumble. Yes, you are right, travertine definitely looks easier to color match and fill.
Toxophilite
Silver Supporter
They make excellent cement sealers, which I have used on cement brick, that does not change the appearance of color, no sheen, but will not allow water to penetrate. Cement brick on walls that get dark in wet places and light in dry places is why used, so your cement coping would always look dry and bead water instead of get that wet look. There's many brands, so don't have an exact as it's been years.
The coping has been grouted to smooth over parts. It blends in enough. The square piece with two holes hasn’t been grouted since it was added later.
Toxophilite
Silver Supporter
Beautiful stuff! We just had that color installed for coping and deck and love it. Nice dog!!! Our coping came bullnosed and clean of holes, but on the deck we just allowed the polymeric sanding to smooth and blend all in, though it's not permanent but blends all the colors and grout lines smoothly.