Pool Contractor Says "NO" Glass Wateline Tile, REALLY ?

[parkinsmith]

Hi

Just got our dig done yesterday, YAY !!. I have spent months looking at waterline tile and REALLY love glass waterline tile. The Pool company had lots of glass samples BUT they have tried to talk me out of it . I conducted my own research and learned a lot through this forum and came to the conclusion that glass tile is a lot of work to clean, there can be some issues, but if it is installed right , go for it ! The tile guy for the pool company does a lot of glass waterline tile for the other companies he works for , he says he is a good glass installer BUT " no matter how good the install is there will be issues with glass waterline tile and if it was his pool he would go ceramic ".

My question, am I making a big mistake pushing through with the Mastertile glass for teh waterline? Is it a huge risk ? Do I need to just bite the bullet and go with ceramic ( which I am not in love with ) ? I would really be greatful for any insight.

THANKS

 

[kimkats]

I have helped build MANY pools here on TFP and am known for my LOVE of all things that sparkle which includes glass tile. As far as I know and can remember none of the people who picked a glass tile that was installed correctly had any problems down the road. Please note the bolded part of that sentence.

What your installer is telling you is he does not like the extra work/effort/time required to install glass tile and he may not be as good an installer as he thinks he is if his past glass tile work has had problems.

Now you have to ask yourself-how bad do you want the glass tile? Is there another installer that WANTS to install glass tile? Are you willing to push for it and ask the current installer to please do it if there is not anyone else?

I know you said you don't love ceramic tile but I bet I can find some you might come to like. Just let me know and we can brain storm together

 

[cowboycasey]

It LOOKS GREAT and is really long lasting "WHEN INSTALLED CORRECTLY"

That is the kicker... Most companies do not install tile correct, all tile including ceramic and glass... It costs more, A LOT MORE, to use the correct products and follow the glass tile manufactures directions... And most companies and installers have no idea there are directions to follow...

As you can see below it takes time to install tiles, most tile installers will do half of the following recommendations and do them all in 1 or 2 days.. Most will never use any waterproofing at all and that is the number one failure of tiles.. When water gets behind tiles they fail fast..

Here is the list of "options" just 1 glass tile manufacture recommends, there are many other products that can be used.. Some costing WAY MORE money than these and these are more expensive products than most normal tile installers use..

I am following these same exact directions and I am using ceramic tile on my whole pool... I plan on my tile staying for the next 50 to 75 years... I am also putting waterproofing into my concrete shell..

I wish you luck and hope this helps...

 

[kimkats]

AND that is a mic drop right up there by @cowboycasey

 

[cowboycasey]

I love that we both used "Install tile correctly" at the same exact time..

 

[ajw22]

1”x1” glass tiles also have lots more grout lines to fail and allow water to get behind the tiles. You want more tile and less grout along water lines for best life.

 

[Newdude]

You are entirely right here, yet still entirely wrong. This is not the guy to install those tiles. Choose what he uses, or choose someone else.

 

[Flying Tivo]

3 Year going strong. You do have to use high end materials and adhesives. I used Latticret.

 

[kimkats]

Just in case you cannot tell but that WHOLE pool is GLASS TILE!!! Talk about MAX BLING!!!

 

[parkinsmith]

I have helped build MANY pools here on TFP and am known for my LOVE of all things that sparkle which includes glass tile. As far as I know and can remember none of the people who picked a glass tile that was installed correctly had any problems down the road. Please note the bolded part of that sentence.

What your installer is telling you is he does not like the extra work/effort/time required to install glass tile and he may not be as good an installer as he thinks he is if his past glass tile work has had problems.

Now you have to ask yourself-how bad do you want the glass tile? Is there another installer that WANTS to install glass tile? Are you willing to push for it and ask the current installer to please do it if there is not anyone else?

I know you said you don't love ceramic tile but I bet I can find some you might come to like. Just let me know and we can brain storm together

Hi fellow bling lover, thank you for taking the time to respond to my post and the great insight! Installed correctly is indeed the key . The tile sub told the builder he can and would install the glass and has done so for other pool companies he works with but , I like you have concerns about his desire to do so and if he would cut corners.

My plan as of now is to reach out to the tile manufacturer and obtain the specific install instructions and list of exact install materials specific to the exact tile I would use. I would then make sure my installer would use the exact install process and materials. I also have asked my pool company for an introduction to the installer so I could have a direct conversation with him and cut out the middleman so I can vibe it out and see if I am comfortable. ( thoughts?)
I spoke with a good friend of ours that owns a large high end pool company in another city and that is what he suggested I do.
He echoed the "installed correctly" comments . He also did say glass is nice but he could think of other pool related upgrades he would throw money at

With that said you really piqued my interest when you said you thought you could suggest some ceramic tile a bling lover like me might like. I would be grateful for some collaboration on that ! I have until Friday to make a final decision so the tile can be ordered so I am all ears ( and eyes)

I look forward to hearing your additional thoughts and suggestions!

 

[parkinsmith]

3 Year going strong. You do have to use high end materials and adhesives. I used Latticret.

View attachment 395501

That is beautuful !!!! What brand of tile is that ? I have been told that Latticret is important to use for good application.

 

[kimkats]

Love and FULLY support your idea about the glass tile directions and wanting to talk to the installer.

So here are some of my ideas for ceramic tile:
I LOVE this one. I bet there will be some very pretty ones in the boxes!

GEMINI TILE SRL ONYX LIGHT BLUE 6" X 6" Onyx Tile Light Blue

Buy GEMINI TILE SRL ONYX LIGHT BLUE 6" X 6" Onyx Tile Light Blue online at DKHardware.com. Our Pool & Patio category offers a great selection of Tile Only products at the best price!

www.dkhardware.com

OH look at this one!

Pacific Blue Akron 6" x 6" (Diamond Reflection Series) Porcelain Pool Tile by Aquatica | POWPLDR641SPT - Blue Water Pool Mosaics

The Aquatica Diamond Reflection Pacific Blue Akron 6 x 6 porcelain pool tiles add a glitz of glimmer and shine to your backyard paradise that reflects the oasis these pool tiles were designed to create Porcelain tile is 100% frost proof and guaranteed for life

www.poolmosaics.com

This one is very interesting. I am thinking of cutting it so it is only one line

Terra Mosaic (Waterside Series) Porcelain Pool Tile by Aquatica | POWPLWS2440SPT - Blue Water Pool Mosaics

The Aquatica Waterside Terra Mosaic porcelain pool tiles add a glitz of glimmer and shine to your backyard paradise that reflects the oasis these pool tiles were designed to create Porcelain tile is 100% frost proof and guaranteed for life

www.poolmosaics.com

Like this one also!

National Pool Tile Coral 6x6 Deco Tile | Teal | CRL-TEAL DECO GL

Pool Supply Unlimited has some of the best prices when shopping for National Pool Tile Coral 6x6 Deco Tile | Teal | CRL-TEAL DECO GL

www.poolsupplyunlimited.com

Okay so these next three think about this-the extra pretty tile will be an accent tile..............Note the first one has some "plain" colored ones to the side of it. So for every 3 to 5 plain tiles you will have a of the accent tiles!

National Pool Tile Marblestone 6x6 Series | Blue Gray Pattern | MBS-PTRN

Pool Supply Unlimited has some of the best prices when shopping for National Pool Tile Marblestone 6x6 Series | Blue Gray Pattern | MBS-PTRN

www.poolsupplyunlimited.com

National Pool Tile Hana 6x6 Series | Cyan | HANA-CYAN

Pool Supply Unlimited has some of the best prices when shopping for National Pool Tile Hana 6x6 Series | Cyan | HANA-CYAN

www.poolsupplyunlimited.com

National Pool Tile Casablanca 6x6 Deco Series | Cobalt Ocean | CAS320

Pool Supply Unlimited has some of the best prices when shopping for National Pool Tile Casablanca 6x6 Deco Series | Cobalt Ocean | CAS320

www.poolsupplyunlimited.com

Thoughts? You cannot hurt my feelings. Tell me what you like and what you don't like and why....we can go from there!

Kim

 

[YippeeSkippy]

*I* like the Casablanca best, then the Gemini.

My Two Cents, Maddie

 

[parkinsmith]

It LOOKS GREAT and is really long lasting "WHEN INSTALLED CORRECTLY"

That is the kicker... Most companies do not install tile correct, all tile including ceramic and glass... It costs more, A LOT MORE, to use the correct products and follow the glass tile manufactures directions... And most companies and installers have no idea there are directions to follow...

As you can see below it takes time to install tiles, most tile installers will do half of the following recommendations and do them all in 1 or 2 days.. Most will never use any waterproofing at all and that is the number one failure of tiles.. When water gets behind tiles they fail fast..

Here is the list of "options" just 1 glass tile manufacture recommends, there are many other products that can be used.. Some costing WAY MORE money than these and these are more expensive products than most normal tile installers use..

I am following these same exact directions and I am using ceramic tile on my whole pool... I plan on my tile staying for the next 50 to 75 years... I am also putting waterproofing into my concrete shell..

I wish you luck and hope this helps...

View attachment 395468

View attachment 395469

View attachment 395470

View attachment 395471

View attachment 395472

View attachment 395473

Just in case you cannot tell but that WHOLE pool is GLASS TILE!!! Talk about MAX BLING!!!

It LOOKS GREAT and is really long lasting "WHEN INSTALLED CORRECTLY"

That is the kicker... Most companies do not install tile correct, all tile including ceramic and glass... It costs more, A LOT MORE, to use the correct products and follow the glass tile manufactures directions... And most companies and installers have no idea there are directions to follow...

As you can see below it takes time to install tiles, most tile installers will do half of the following recommendations and do them all in 1 or 2 days.. Most will never use any waterproofing at all and that is the number one failure of tiles.. When water gets behind tiles they fail fast..

Here is the list of "options" just 1 glass tile manufacture recommends, there are many other products that can be used.. Some costing WAY MORE money than these and these are more expensive products than most normal tile installers use..

I am following these same exact directions and I am using ceramic tile on my whole pool... I plan on my tile staying for the next 50 to 75 years... I am also putting waterproofing into my concrete shell..

I wish you luck and hope this helps...

View attachment 395468

View attachment 395469

View attachment 395470

View attachment 395471

View attachment 395472

View attachment 395473

Thank you so much for your input . As if now my plan is to get the specific install instructions and exact products to use for the specific tile I selected from the manufacture of the tile. I will then speak with the pool builder and their tile installer to ensure it is done to the specs and see how I feel after that conversation. I have wanted glass from the start but I do not want to do it if the installer , who says he does a lot of glass work gives any pushback with regard to following the full and correct installation method . Also wondering about selecting my own tile installer , not sure how that would work with the pool builder .

 

[parkinsmith]

Love and FULLY support your idea about the glass tile directions and wanting to talk to the installer.

So here are some of my ideas for ceramic tile:
I LOVE this one. I bet there will be some very pretty ones in the boxes!

GEMINI TILE SRL ONYX LIGHT BLUE 6" X 6" Onyx Tile Light Blue

Buy GEMINI TILE SRL ONYX LIGHT BLUE 6" X 6" Onyx Tile Light Blue online at DKHardware.com. Our Pool & Patio category offers a great selection of Tile Only products at the best price!

www.dkhardware.com

OH look at this one!

Pacific Blue Akron 6" x 6" (Diamond Reflection Series) Porcelain Pool Tile by Aquatica | POWPLDR641SPT - Blue Water Pool Mosaics

The Aquatica Diamond Reflection Pacific Blue Akron 6 x 6 porcelain pool tiles add a glitz of glimmer and shine to your backyard paradise that reflects the oasis these pool tiles were designed to create Porcelain tile is 100% frost proof and guaranteed for life

www.poolmosaics.com

This one is very interesting. I am thinking of cutting it so it is only one line

Terra Mosaic (Waterside Series) Porcelain Pool Tile by Aquatica | POWPLWS2440SPT - Blue Water Pool Mosaics

The Aquatica Waterside Terra Mosaic porcelain pool tiles add a glitz of glimmer and shine to your backyard paradise that reflects the oasis these pool tiles were designed to create Porcelain tile is 100% frost proof and guaranteed for life

www.poolmosaics.com

Like this one also!

National Pool Tile Coral 6x6 Deco Tile | Teal | CRL-TEAL DECO GL

Pool Supply Unlimited has some of the best prices when shopping for National Pool Tile Coral 6x6 Deco Tile | Teal | CRL-TEAL DECO GL

www.poolsupplyunlimited.com

Okay so these next three think about this-the extra pretty tile will be an accent tile..............Note the first one has some "plain" colored ones to the side of it. So for every 3 to 5 plain tiles you will have a of the accent tiles!

National Pool Tile Marblestone 6x6 Series | Blue Gray Pattern | MBS-PTRN

Pool Supply Unlimited has some of the best prices when shopping for National Pool Tile Marblestone 6x6 Series | Blue Gray Pattern | MBS-PTRN

www.poolsupplyunlimited.com

National Pool Tile Hana 6x6 Series | Cyan | HANA-CYAN

Pool Supply Unlimited has some of the best prices when shopping for National Pool Tile Hana 6x6 Series | Cyan | HANA-CYAN

www.poolsupplyunlimited.com

for =google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=surfaces&utm_term=%7Bquery%7D[/URL]

Thoughts? You cannot hurt my feelings. Tell me what you like and what you don't like and why....we can go from there!

Kim

Thank you for these . I like the Gemini , I am doing sort of a modern miami vibe ( in Texas, lol) White coping and Aqua White stonescapes with PR blend and colobalt blue glass beads for the plaster. So in a tile I am looking for something that would have a lot of gloss/sheen and in the blues family ( not too dark/not to light ) . As soon as my phone stops being a brat a will attach a few images of the direction of where I was going with the glass .

 

[Flying Tivo]

What brand of tile is that ?

Kolorines and just FYI, you can follow the manufacturer suggestion on adhesives, but all glass tile are the same, they need to be glued to the pool, so what really matters is quality adhesive and epoxy grout.

 

[mmardini]

I was given the same push back from all pool builders I spoke with. "Too hard to maintain, will pop off, too expensive". I went with my gut and I love it. I will say tho, I clean it 5x a week. But I love it and have no regrets. Go with your gut it's your pool, not theirs. I will also say it took the installer about 20 hours to finish, versus a ceramic tile could have been done in 3-4 hours

 

[nan1994]

I have helped build MANY pools here on TFP and am known for my LOVE of all things that sparkle which includes glass tile. As far as I know and can remember none of the people who picked a glass tile that was installed correctly had any problems down the road. Please note the bolded part of that sentence.

What your installer is telling you is he does not like the extra work/effort/time required to install glass tile and he may not be as good an installer as he thinks he is if his past glass tile work has had problems.

Now you have to ask yourself-how bad do you want the glass tile? Is there another installer that WANTS to install glass tile? Are you willing to push for it and ask the current installer to please do it if there is not anyone else?

I know you said you don't love ceramic tile but I bet I can find some you might come to like. Just let me know and we can brain storm together

I am struggling with the same recommendation from my pool builder warning me of glass tile not being his recommendation. I am now looking at white tile 6x6 porcelain as an option, but not 100% sold on this.

 

[AndyOside]

Love and FULLY support your idea about the glass tile directions and wanting to talk to the installer.

So here are some of my ideas for ceramic tile:
I LOVE this one. I bet there will be some very pretty ones in the boxes!

GEMINI TILE SRL ONYX LIGHT BLUE 6" X 6" Onyx Tile Light Blue

Buy GEMINI TILE SRL ONYX LIGHT BLUE 6" X 6" Onyx Tile Light Blue online at DKHardware.com. Our Pool & Patio category offers a great selection of Tile Only products at the best price!

www.dkhardware.com

OH look at this one!

Pacific Blue Akron 6" x 6" (Diamond Reflection Series) Porcelain Pool Tile by Aquatica | POWPLDR641SPT - Blue Water Pool Mosaics

The Aquatica Diamond Reflection Pacific Blue Akron 6 x 6 porcelain pool tiles add a glitz of glimmer and shine to your backyard paradise that reflects the oasis these pool tiles were designed to create Porcelain tile is 100% frost proof and guaranteed for life

www.poolmosaics.com

This one is very interesting. I am thinking of cutting it so it is only one line

Terra Mosaic (Waterside Series) Porcelain Pool Tile by Aquatica | POWPLWS2440SPT - Blue Water Pool Mosaics

The Aquatica Waterside Terra Mosaic porcelain pool tiles add a glitz of glimmer and shine to your backyard paradise that reflects the oasis these pool tiles were designed to create Porcelain tile is 100% frost proof and guaranteed for life

www.poolmosaics.com

Like this one also!

National Pool Tile Coral 6x6 Deco Tile | Teal | CRL-TEAL DECO GL

Pool Supply Unlimited has some of the best prices when shopping for National Pool Tile Coral 6x6 Deco Tile | Teal | CRL-TEAL DECO GL

www.poolsupplyunlimited.com

Okay so these next three think about this-the extra pretty tile will be an accent tile..............Note the first one has some "plain" colored ones to the side of it. So for every 3 to 5 plain tiles you will have a of the accent tiles!

National Pool Tile Marblestone 6x6 Series | Blue Gray Pattern | MBS-PTRN

Pool Supply Unlimited has some of the best prices when shopping for National Pool Tile Marblestone 6x6 Series | Blue Gray Pattern | MBS-PTRN

www.poolsupplyunlimited.com

National Pool Tile Hana 6x6 Series | Cyan | HANA-CYAN

Pool Supply Unlimited has some of the best prices when shopping for National Pool Tile Hana 6x6 Series | Cyan | HANA-CYAN

www.poolsupplyunlimited.com

National Pool Tile Casablanca 6x6 Deco Series | Cobalt Ocean | CAS320

Pool Supply Unlimited has some of the best prices when shopping for National Pool Tile Casablanca 6x6 Deco Series | Cobalt Ocean | CAS320

www.poolsupplyunlimited.com

Thoughts? You cannot hurt my feelings. Tell me what you like and what you don't like and why....we can go from there!

Kim

I am stealing this piece for my tile ideas. We are currently in the process of deciding between glass or porcelain tiles for our raised wall and I love the idea of using accent wall tiles amongst some beautiful navy blue ones. IMHO, this is both the most exciting and most difficult steps.

 

[DogtownTX]

I assume my pool builder didn't want to do glass tile because his installer wasn't very good and flaws in leveling are very evident now. Haven't had any problems with grout or adhesion though. But it's very obvious his crew wasn't super skilled and we probably should have gone with the 6"x6" tiles he was pushing.