So...we're changing the spa coping.
Both my husband I just aren't feeling what's currently there. It's just not what we pictured in our minds. (Thankfully we're both on the same page and it's not just me being nit-picky.
) We can't really blame the PB though, so we're having 2" thick coping cut with a bull nose on both sides. Unfortunately it won't be ready until next Friday. Then they have to remove what's there now and re-install.
My husband's drawings for the stone company:
The fire place looks awesome!! I love it! They did some good work there!
The spa coping looks great also. They did a good job cutting the corners. That can be the make or break place for that area. I did not even notice the grout color or even notice it. I think you will do fine leaving it. Thank goodness the landscapers came by to make them do even sizes
yeah I would not like it any other way.
Water line tile in the spa-I see why they are doing the spa tile like they are when you look at the pool from the other end. It lines up with the pool tile best that way. If YOU want more tile in the spa say so! It is YOUR money! Make sure this is being done how YOU want. The PB is NOT the one living with it.
Tile grout-INSIST on them using what YOU want. I would be there when they showed up to the do the grout and ask to see the color. If it is not the color you want send them back to the shop to get the correct stuff. They have grout color sticks you can use to put by your tile to see which color you like the best. Ask to see them and take them out to where the pool is and compare and pick the color you like.
I am not sure why YOU had to pay extra for the coping tile and such. If THEY made the mistake it is on THEM to pony up the money. I may be missing something.
Kim
Apparently when the owner of our landscaping company was trying to speak with the tile contractor, the tile contractor didn't want to hear it. We've been working with this landscaper for almost 20 years, so he knows what we like and don't like and how we'll respond. he told the guy "Listen...all I can tell you is that if he comes home and doesn't like the way it looks, you'll be ripping it out and it will be on your dime." (This was in regard to the mitered corners and making all the other coping equal in size.) The tile contractor finally relented.
i think u are fine with the grout lines too. i didn't notice them. the line about the grout lines being needs for watertight is bull. grout is no where near watertight.
I misunderstood what the PB told my husband. The PB explained that he had done another spa that was somewhat submerged like ours, but because it had a lot of butt joints, the spa water kept flowing through them and as a result, the water in the spa had difficulty keeping temperature. Based on our new coping layout, there will only be 4 butt joints and we're willing to take that risk. (Technically, the spa water is supposed to sit 1" below the top of the spa when in spa mode.) My husband even said we could use an epoxy in the joints down the road if we find that we have a problem with it.
Can I just say I think the tile and grout look great on the spa. Those corners look excellent to my novice eyes.
Maddie
Thank you.
It looks good, I guess it's just not what we had envisioned in our minds.
One of our other concerns is the corners and how they'll rub on the autocover. They protrude a bit more than we anticipated, so we're having the stone company soften/round the corners on the new coping in hopes to lessen the pressure/friction. We also decided having a bullnose edge would be better for those leaning against the wall & coping in the spa. My husband also preferred the look of the 2" compared to the 1 1/4" that's on their now because it's what we used on the rest of the pool.
I think it looks gorgeous! I understand what you mean by the grout lines on the spa but I also think the way they did it looks really good. I wouldn't have them change it -- especially given the delay and additional cost that would entail. One option might be to simply have them regrout the spa tiles with a lighter grout.
Regarding the glass tiles, stick to your guns on the tinted grout. White grout looks very stark (like toothpaste) when new and also tends to show any stains more easily as it ages. I don't think it makes the tile pop. It makes the grout pop.
We used pale grey tinted grout as well as pale grey thinset. If you can, have them do a small mockup board with glass tile samples showing the actual grout choices applied.
Also, I love your fireplace! May I ask what brand you have for the kit part? It is very pretty.
I don't know who makes the fireplace.
Neither does my husband (I asked.) We were driving by a local stone yard when I saw the concrete kit, so I made my husband go in to ask about the price.
(It was cheaper than he expected, which is how we ended up with one in our backyard.
)
Exactly! With the white grout, the grout pops, not the tile!!! People think I'm crazy when I say this stuff. LOL (Thankfully my husband agrees with me, but he can still blame the "crazy" on me.
)
My husband spoke with the PB quite a bit over the past couple of days. The PB said the grout on the spa would lighten considerably, but he understood how/why we felt about the spa coping & grout lines. He explained that if we're unhappy with it, we should do something about it and he was willing to work with us. So he's bringing in a different crew to remove and install the new coping when it arrives. He's going to have the tile contractor still do the tile install because he's really good at that. (PB stated the tile contractor doesn't normally do coping.)
PB also agreed to make sure we get our tinted grout. We're going with the Laticrete SpectraLock in Sea Glass.
The plaster guy was here today as well and he told my husband that the tiles we picked out will go perfect with the Pebblesheen Irish Mist. (I'm still trying to convince my husband to do the jade glass beads.
) We also made the plaster guy's day when we told him we wouldn't be ready to plaster until after Memorial Day. LOL He also said it's a fairly cut and dry job. 1/2 day of plaster, then it's 1/2 day of acid wash.
I bet you are happier now!
