30-34 DESIGN & TILING:SPN Master pages 18/5/09 22:24 Page 6
spnfeature
CHANGING TRENDS
IN TILING AND
POOL FINISHES
Mosaics now have more
competition with new generation
finishes such as the Pool Bead
where reflective spheres are already
built into the ceramic mixes before
applying to the pool
Ceramic art studios and specialist s
are still focusing on the high-end
pool markets with beautiful,
handmade tiles and formal designs.
Middle range smaller mosaics are
now popular as pre made designs
Poor tiling with porous cement
work closed a record number of
commercial and local authority
pools in the last 18 months.
Renovations reached a record level
with pool owners demanding a
more resilient finish with pool tiles.
Studios work with pool designers
and clients to create emotive
artistic compositions, and some
create entire murals pieced
together like a puzzle.
Smaller tiles are back in fashion.
Pebble and marble have given way
to fully tiled interiors
ABOVE LEFT: The creative and artistic use of tiling is now offering customers more options
clients but the ceramics offer such a variety
of options that our designers can create ABOVE RIGHT: Dolphins and turtles from the Craig Bragdy range
almost any image and style. It is a very
versatile system which aids creativity.
The company has been keen to offer
some options lower down in the market to 1mm or 3mm for Pebble-Stone. steps and benches but one must use
and an 8ft designed dolphin formats has Pebble is mixed with white cement at a caution when installing mosaics in these
been aimed to appeal to pool owners with ratio of two thirds pebble to one third locations that the items will not be slippery
a smaller budget. white cement and applied onto the pool when people are entering or exiting the
Many designs mix glass, stone, ceramic shell, with the white cement being pool or spa.
and porcelain tile; the assortment can pressure-washed from the surface, Once you have decided on the particular
create a surprisingly unified theme. A exposing the finished pebble. The result is mosaics, check with your construction
positive outcome will be a balance of an attractive and natural pool finish, which, company and ask them to allow you to
scale, colour, texture and detail. The because it uses no grout, is not subject to place the mosaics exactly in the pool and
choices are endless, but the critical factor the deterioration and discolouration, which spa location you would like. Location in the
in selecting this style is the designer’s skill often occurs within tiled pools. pool is very important to obtain the desired
and knowledge of the material at hand. It would be wrong to say that mosaics do visual effect. When choosing a particular
Manufacturers and suppliers are not have a significant future in the decoration item or design, visualise if the piece will
responding to recent trends that have and finishing of pools. look better on the walls for a side view or if
designers and pool owners seeking more Tile mosaics can add the finishing touch the mosaic appears better on the floor of
artistic and better quality tile. to any pool and spa. Tile mosaics are the pool for a top down look. spn
Pool pebbling is another growing being fabricated in just about any size,
popular 2009 option. They have been used shape, colour and design imaginable.
FURTHER INFORMATION
widely throughout the world – the majority Designs include; fish, shells, reef scenes,
CRAIG BRAGDY DESIGN
telephonesolid 01745 815656
of pools in Australia, where the system dolphins, beach balls, turtles, cartoon
pc www.craigbragdydesign.co.uk
originated, are pebbled. Some 40,000 characters, mermaids, sports logos and the
EDGAR UDNY & CO
pools were pebbled in the US recently and list goes on and on. Most mosaics are now
telephonesolid 020 8767 8181
the system is now used extensively available with a shadow design. The
SWIMMING POOL DESIGN
throughout Europe. A conventional tiled shadow design allows the mosaics to
telephonesolid 01666 840074
pc www.swimmingpool-design.co.uk
pool takes four to six weeks to tile – first appear more realistic in the water and is a
TILING & POOL PROJECTS
applying waterproof rendering then tiling. great option to consider. Tile mosaics are telephonesolid 0161 969 0660
In contrast a pebbled pool can be pebbled available from a variety of manufactures,
pc www.tilingandpoolprojects.co.uk
in two to three days, and then be filled some using small pieces of tile to others
WAXMAN CERAMICS
telephonesolid 01422 377123
ready for use. A clear, consistent water which use much larger tile pieces. pc www.waxmanceramics.co.uk
colour is achieved with the resilient and Mosaics can be installed on the floor of WESER
long lasting pebble finish. the pool and also on the side walls of the
telephonesolid 01785 878402
pc www.weser.co.uk
Small, sea-eroded pebbles are graded pool. Small items can also be installed on
34 swimming pool news JUNE 09 Digital edition available at www.swimmingpoolnews.co.uk
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