Construction is just getting underway for our new indoor therapy pool in Homer, AK. 12,500 gallons, 26' X 16' X 4'. I'm trying to decide if I should put in plaster or ceramic tile on the pool walls, bottom? If I go with tiles, I want to use epoxy grout. We have a very talented tile guy here, artist really, who does mosaics in tile. I know the tile will cost a lot more but I'm wondering if anyone has info about which is preferable? I don't want to spend the extra money on something that's a mistake in the long run.
Which is better? Tile or plaster?
- Thread starter Bwdonohues58
- Start date
- May 23, 2015
- 25,717
- Pool Size
- 16000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
Tile is much more chemically inert than plaster so you won’t have some of the trouble that plaster surfaces run into.
That said, you’ll will pay a HUGE premium for tile. The thin set you use MUST be rated for constant submergence in water (look at Laticrete products) and you’ll definitely want to use epoxy grout. Surface prep of the cement/gunite shell will be key.
I hope your tile guy is as good as you say because laying that much tile and keeping everything straight and lined up definitely requires a skilled craftsman with a lot of experience.
That said, you’ll will pay a HUGE premium for tile. The thin set you use MUST be rated for constant submergence in water (look at Laticrete products) and you’ll definitely want to use epoxy grout. Surface prep of the cement/gunite shell will be key.
I hope your tile guy is as good as you say because laying that much tile and keeping everything straight and lined up definitely requires a skilled craftsman with a lot of experience.
If you do it in tile, please share pics! A lot of pools in Mexico and South America and islands are tile from pics they post here. I love the look of them.
Maddie
Maddie
sktn77a
Gold Supporter
If you do go with tile and it ever needs to be regrouted (even epoxy grout won't last forever), you're in for a heck of a job.
Plaster can last 20 years or more, especially indoors, and without much cosmetic deterioration if you stay on top of the chemistry. I don't know if the same can be said of submerged tile over two decades. There are clearly enough beautifully tiled indoor pools around but it's hard to say whether you need William Randolph Hearst money to keep it looking perfect:
Oly
Gold Supporter
Cool pic, cannot image the amount of work that went into that project.
I do notice several issues on the ceiling.....probably dropping into the pool too.
I do notice several issues on the ceiling.....probably dropping into the pool too.
I was just there and they said it was painted cork that was absorbing moisture from the glass block skylights on the tennis courts above. Talk about 1% problems. We took a few of their lesser known tours and got to see everything behind the scenes.
I didn’t bring my test kit, but the water seemed spot on except for the temperature.
Oly
Gold Supporter
I understood the pools at Hearst Castle are flow through pools from an uphill spring.