Your Guide to Easy Maintenance Pool Tiles

Porcelain

Porcelain is one of the most popular options for pool tiles. People prefer porcelain for several qualities, particularly the affordable price.

Preferable for swimming pools, porcelain tiles are highly durable and water resistant. Glazed tiles are great for water absorption and chemical resistance.

Additionally, porcelain tiles stand up well against the elements. Changes in temperature, weather, and more are all generally resisted by porcelain.

Finally, porcelain is also easy to clean. The smooth surface and few gaps make cleaning and maintaining porcelain easier than most kinds. For this reason, it comes highly recommended as an easy-maintenance pool tile.

Mosaic

Mosaic pool tiles are popular from an aesthetical point of view. Many modern homes use mosaic tiles for their appearance.

Mosaic tiles will also raise the value of a pool. For this reason, many homeowners install mosaic tiling before selling a home to increase the price.

However, mosaic tiles are sometimes difficult to clean. Keeping them clean helps the mosaic pattern shine, making maintenance frequent and crucial.

Ceramic

Ceramic tiles are often considered the best for pool tiling. Generally tied with porcelain, ceramic tiling has many of the same benefits.

Ceramic pool tiles are easy to clean and maintain. When properly installed and given good care, they can withstand moisture and chemical for many years. With proper care, ceramic tiling can last up to a decade without needing replacement.

Ceramic tiling is also often cheaper than porcelain, though the prices are generally close. Ceramic products are also highly customizable, which helps open your options when it comes time to design.

Climate

One of the most important factors affecting your tile maintenance is the climate you live in. Many tiles will struggle with intense weathering or climate, increasing maintenance.

For example, if you live somewhere with snow or ice in the winter, your tiles can suffer. When the tile is poorly installed, water can slip between cracks and gaps. Tiles near the pool waterline are especially vulnerable to these changes in moisture.

As the temperature drops, this water will freeze and expand, causing frost weathering or ice wedging. Expanding water can crack or dislodge tiles, causing the problems to worsen.

There are many other factors that the climate can have. Excess heat can dry out tile coatings, for example. Heavy rains can cause mold or algae growth.

Consider what weather your tiles will need to endure. Doing so can help you choose a tile material that can withstand the elements.

Budget

Another important factor is what budget you have for maintenance. Performing maintenance requires materials and tools that are often costly.

Understanding how much you'll spend to maintain your pool tile is crucial. If you install tiles that require high maintenance, you'll spend more money on maintenance.

Because of this, many first-time homeowners install tiles that they can't afford to maintain. Ensure that you don't get yourself in over your head with tiles that you can't afford. 

Time

Finally, it's important to consider how much time you'll spend working on your tiles. How many hours per week can you dedicate to maintaining your tiles? Are you prepared to spend several days a month on maintenance?

Knowing how much free time you have for these tasks is vital to your choice. If you pick tiles that you don't have the time to maintain, they'll deteriorate quickly.

Some issues, like algae growth, can add an aesthetical issue. If you let mold or algae grow over your pool tiles, this can quickly become a visual and health issue.

In many cases, people choose to hire professionals that regularly come to help maintain your tiles. While this adds to the cost, it can help you enjoy tiles without needing to maintain them.