Pool Tile Selection Site

[Sollace]

I've been all over this site looking for tile ideas, viewing old threads, looking at tile catalogs, you name it. In my odd meandering I stumbled across this site that seems to have most tile selections. Not only does it have the page from the tile company catalog under each tile series, but also enlarged pictures of each tile, well labeled, nice and clear. Some have a . . . As I call it. . . Saran wrapped look which shows what it can look like in water. Some tile selections are shown in water.

With Covid restrictions and the difficulty of gaining a tile sample. . . I mean I went through it. The pool store won't allow you in without the okay of your pool builder. You have to make an appointment with his approval. You have to check out the tile and bring it back the next day. You wouldn't believe what hoops you have to jump through. I understand, but it isn't a fun process.

And I've realized pool tile all have the same patterns or looks from company to company. There's not a big difference. What I never discovered is if one tile company has a better reputation and quality product over another.

So this site is the best I found when searching for pool tile. It's very helpful. Maybe someone can sticky it if there's enough interest. (Half the threads on this forum seem to be about plaster and tile) And if you need help figuring out this site. .. If you have a series name like 'Gemstone' you click on the colored tab for 'Pool tiles A-Z.' Enjoy

Little Tile Inc - online source to swimming pool tile, glass and mosaics for spa, hot tubs, jacuzzis and swimming pools

Little Tile Inc, Yorba Linda, Online Source To Pool -Tiles - Glass - Mosaics, shop online, PayPal, shipped to you. Over 2,000 tile-glass-mosaics online in HD. Little tile has installed pool tile since 1976 - over 9,000 pools tiled in Southern California.

www.littletileinc.net

 

[hudsondds]

I went to NPT tile. Couldn’t go in the show room but they gave me a bunch of samples to take home.
We went with parralax blue, will get some more pictures and edit tomorrow:

 

[Nikilyn]

I also found that site useful. Their photographs of tile were so much better than the manufacturer’s photos. If you look up North Seas Irish thru Aquabella, their picture is ugly. But I ran across it on the Little Tile site and it looked completely different and I really liked it. I tried to get a sample from an online store locally so I wouldn’t need to pay shipping but they had to order it from Aquabella. I got that and Icelandic and they are gorgeous! We are leaning towards Icelandic but it’s a tough decision between the two. I have to thank @kimkats for giving me an idea about grout. Somewhere she mentioned getting a white piece of paper to mimic white grout. I plan on using white so I cut strips and folded them in between the tiles. Such a change and such a help! I’m grateful that site took their own pictures because even the ones in the Mastertile catalog were completely worthless. I couldn’t believe they thought those pictures would be helpful to anyone. Now, if we can just get our plans from engineering so we can get this party started . Oh, I do think we need a tile thread like there is a watercolor thread.

 

[Sollace]

Nikilyn, that glass tile with Aquabella - North Sea Irish - Gorgeous! The green looks like jade. All in that series are pretty. One shimmers like an opal.

 

[Sollace]

I went to NPT tile. Couldn’t go in the show room but they gave me a bunch of samples to take home.

I asked our pool builder / designer if I can get samples from Master Tile directly and he said, "No. They won't do that."

 

[Nikilyn]

If you look at the stock photos of Iceland it looks beige but it is all white. They ordered me that one by mistake. I think they need to do a better job of getting colors accurate.
The company that got me the tiles was Mosaic Tile USA. They are in Phoenix. She said they don’t do in person but she would order the samples for me. They were free. She placed the order with someone in California but don’t know who from. I placed the order Wednesday then realized on Thur night that the wrong one was ordered so I emailed her that night. She got back to me Friday and said she sent the correction. Saturday we got all 3 tiles. Great service!

 

[spd500]

I asked our pool builder / designer if I can get samples from Master Tile directly and he said, "No. They won't do that."

We went to Master Tile on 290 and were able to go through the showroom and they not only gave us samples, but we wanted to buy extras and they gave them to us for free. They did have a limit on how many people they were allowing in at a time, and you have to wear a mask.

 

[kimkats]

Working on ideas for this thread! Keep your input coming on how you got your hands on sample tiles please.

 

[Nikilyn]

I got some samples from a couple of websites that I paid for.

 

[kimkats]

@Nikilyn can you pretty please tell us what websites allowed this? That some awesome info right there! THANKS!

 

[Nikilyn]

These first 2 I paid a small price and they sent me samples. The ones from Mineral Tiles were significantly smaller samples but they were also cheaper. They were enough to tell what they looked like.

AquaBlu Mosaics - Shop Pool Tile, Mosaics, Outdoor Living & More

Browse our top-rated collection of pool tile and mosaics, glass tile, hardscapes and outdoor living products online. Browse our top rated product collections today.

www.aquablumosaics.com

Swimming Pool Tiles

A large variety of frost-proof glass pool tiles, porcelain, and mosaic tiles for swimming pools, spas, jacuzzis, and pool waterlines. From minimalistic blue, green, black, and white colors to eye-catchy iridescent glass tiles, including translucent glass, and anti-slip tiles, we have your pool tile!

www.mineraltiles.com

This is the one I called to hopefully go see a showroom since they are local. They don't have a showroom but she did order me a couple of samples and they were free.

Mosaic Tile USA

Supplying the USA with glass tile and more! Cutting edge design in custom mosaic and tile in glass, stone and porcelain.

www.mosaictileusa.com

This one says it has free samples but they shipping was outrageous. It was $27 to ship 3 samples. I passed. That's when I found the one above.

Tiles for Sale, Buy Discount Shower & Flooring Tiles, Online Tile Store

We sell the best selection of discounted tile online. Our company has porcelain, glass, mosaic, metal, ceramic, decorative, pool and custom tile. Buy today!

www.tilesdirect.net

 

[kimkats]

WONDERFUL input! I think we can really do a thread for this kind of info!

Anyone else that is reading this and has already picked out their tile or are in the process please share who has been helpful and how so! THANKS!

 

[Neto]

i have ordered feom mineral tiles and they came great

 

[Nikilyn]

Are we adding pictures with as much info as possible with good in the water shots?

 

[Sollace]

Our pool builder worked with National Pool Tile, Aquabella, Master Tile, and Keystone. With four companies to choose from, they had limited selection in their store. Obviously they couldn't represent each and every series of tile. When I decided on Master Tile, I was told the supplier restocked samples in the store every 90 days. Many series are going out of stock, discontinued. I assume production is limited during this Covid virus. Glass tile, which is more expensive, wasn't as well represented in the store. I'd say 1/8th of their tile sample stock were for glass tile.

 

[kimkats]

My goal for this thread will be a Finished pic of the tiles AND the back story of what tiles were looked at and how their were sourced making sure to share the name and brand of the tile used.

 

[Nikilyn]

Are you creating a new thread or having it on this one?

 

[kimkats]

I am still thinking that one through. Open to suggestions!

 

[Nikilyn]

A new one is probably the better idea so people don’t have to go thru a bunch of posts like these . It will just start with some info and then pictures of tile, kind of like the plaster thread.

 

[kimkats]

What you don't know about the plaster thread is I did and do some editing. If you notice there is very little "chatting" on it. That is due to my edits to keep it "clean". I do plan on doing the same thing with the title thread.........oh and will have to make sure to talk/ask about the color of mortar on glass tiles and grout color for all tiles as well!