We live in a wooded area. Our house is brick and rock with cedar beams, rustic style. Our pool has gray and tan flagstone coping and a big rock boulder waterfall. I want to keep the natural look without bright colors on the waterline. Any suggestions on what to use? I’m struggling with decisions. I want it to look natural and not boring
What waterline tile to pick for the natural look?
- Thread starter Htuyo
- Start date
TexasRain
Well-known member
- May 19, 2020
- 358
- Pool Size
- 13868
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
Welcome! 
Do you have any designs of the pool or pictures of the house you can share? is it geometric or free form?
There are a lot of rock/stone like tiles out there that can help blend in. Maybe pick a color from the flagstone and find a tile that will match?
Check out this thread of finished pools, you might get some ideas.
www.troublefreepool.com
Do you have any designs of the pool or pictures of the house you can share? is it geometric or free form?
There are a lot of rock/stone like tiles out there that can help blend in. Maybe pick a color from the flagstone and find a tile that will match?
Check out this thread of finished pools, you might get some ideas.
Pool Finish and Color Viewing Room...PICTURES & details only please
This is our attempt at having one place that we can view the finished product of various Plaster/Pebble/Quartz/Vinyl/FG/etc. pool finishes. Simply attach a good pic looking down at the steps and another one looking at the deep end to share how it looks at different depths. Make sure to share the...
www.troublefreepool.com
Boy oh boy do I have the tile for you! @Dirk waterline tile pic please!! This fella has natural rocks sliced smooth for his waterline tile. It is SO pretty!
- Nov 12, 2017
- 11,849
- Pool Size
- 12300
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
What, you woke me up just so I can brag about my pool!? Why... the things I gotta do around here... 
Matching river rock in landscaping!
Matching river rock in landscaping!
- Nov 12, 2017
- 11,849
- Pool Size
- 12300
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
My tile was picked out by the previous owner. I just love it. When I had to replace the old plaster finish, they had to slice the stones off straight along the bottom. They needed a clean edge when they chipped out the old finish. But originally the bottom edge wasn't straight, it followed the shapes of the stones, which I miss. If you're replacing existing tile, I suppose they'll have to cut the bottom straight, too. But if this is a new pool or you're also replacing the finish, then you could have the natural bottom line done.
I believe the stones are real, sliced river rock as Kim mentioned. They're not fake. They come on a backing, just like 1" tile does, so it's not hard to install. For the step markers I peeled individual stones off the backing and then helped the tile setter arrange them on the benches and steps.
I believe the stones are real, sliced river rock as Kim mentioned. They're not fake. They come on a backing, just like 1" tile does, so it's not hard to install. For the step markers I peeled individual stones off the backing and then helped the tile setter arrange them on the benches and steps.
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What is your coping stone? It's gorgeous! We are about to begin installing the rebar, so still at the beginning, but I am working on choosing coping and patio product. So many to choose from!What, you woke me up just so I can brag about my pool!? Why... the things I gotta do around here...
View attachment 174256
Matching river rock in landscaping!
View attachment 174257
- Nov 12, 2017
- 11,849
- Pool Size
- 12300
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
It's flagstone. Many people have success with it. Many do not. I'm one that didn't. I believe it has to do with which quarry it comes from. The problem is that flagstone, like all sandstones, consists of layers of compressed sand. Water is not kind to that geological make up. It can break down and become sandy and/or come apart in flakes, large and small. I've had all of those problems.
There is a very expensive chemical process that can be applied to keep most of it from happening, and that process (about $3K for my small-ish pool) has helped quite a bit, but not 100% solved.
Also, I was first very concerned about the jagged nature of the edge (which admittedly is one of the things I like best about it). So far none of the kids has been injured by it, but it has some potential to leave a nasty "road rash" if hit just so. Other types of coping have different degrees of this possible problem, but flagstone is probably among the worst of them.
So yes, I think it's gorgeous, too. But it can have issues...
There is a very expensive chemical process that can be applied to keep most of it from happening, and that process (about $3K for my small-ish pool) has helped quite a bit, but not 100% solved.
Also, I was first very concerned about the jagged nature of the edge (which admittedly is one of the things I like best about it). So far none of the kids has been injured by it, but it has some potential to leave a nasty "road rash" if hit just so. Other types of coping have different degrees of this possible problem, but flagstone is probably among the worst of them.
So yes, I think it's gorgeous, too. But it can have issues...
Thank you for your reply. They’ve already delivered it so I’m stuck now but I’ll look into the sealer. What tile did you use?
- Nov 12, 2017
- 11,849
- Pool Size
- 12300
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
I bought the house with pool, so it was the previous owner that picked out the deck and coping and edge tile. I replaced the finish, so had to replace the step markers. They matched the edge tile. I just happened to find the right stuff at a local tile shop. Perhaps that's where the previous owners found it. I didn't really notice the brand or style. But it was similar to 1" tile in that it came on a white mesh backing.
It appears to be sliced river rock, if that helps. If you're looking to use the same stuff, I could maybe call the tile shop for you and get a name. Of PM me and I'll give you the name of the tile shop and you can call them yourself.
colleenbevans
Well-known member
- Nov 12, 2017
- 11,849
- Pool Size
- 12300
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
