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SPN JUN 2012 FinishingTouches
THIS & RIGHT: Original Style has a new exclusive collection of 25mm Ezarri mosaics
www.swimmingpoolnews.co.uk
‘IF YOU CAN THINK OF IT, YOU CAN HAVE IT’
There’s almost no limit now to what’s available to ‘glam up’ a pool. Making the most of the surrounds and finishings is about colour, textures, complex mosaics, new natural products, a huge availability of choice and the chance to lift a pool out of the ordinary
O
nce upon a time it was straightforward.
Simple blue tiles which reminded everyone of the Mediterranean, then the surrounds were finished with basic slab stone or crazy paving surrounds which were efficient, clean and functional. Job done and owners were happy! Now, pool surrounds whether it be tiling, flooring, landscape surrounds copings and deckings is
Owners want increasingly complex mosaics for pool floors to personalise their pools while commercial clients, hotels and clubs want bespoke designs or logos in corporate colours and the chance to use their imagination. When it comes to pool linings it’s anything they can think of – black slate, white marble, stainless steel, even green or red marble. The reason behind the huge change round of options available when it comes to pool surrounds is all about materials.
New natural products, versatile highly decorative tiles, the increasing use of porcelain, resin bond surfacing systems using natural stones all add to the permutations of designs now open not just to architects but to people looking to add their own style and personality to their pool to lift it out of the ordinary and create an original private space.
“Owners want increasingly complex mosaics for pool floors to personalise their pools while commercial clients, hotels and clubs want bespoke designs or logos in corporate colours and the chance to use their imagination”
all a case of colour, style, glamour – and a reflection of the pool owner’s personality – whether it be private or corporate.
As one pool designer and builder admits “if you can think of it, and you can afford it, you can have it in, on and around your swimming pool.”
One of the main themes to come out of SPATEX earlier in the year was the huge availability of new ideas, products and materials available to the trade. Pool builders now have more flexible and imaginative use of ceramics and mosaics to chose from with designers and architects determined to offer good looks at competitive prices and perhaps as important – to work with the new materials.
While the downside of the recession has affected the number of new pools being built, there has been a noticeable benefit throughout the industry of
pool owners deciding to upgrade and renovate existing pools – and that’s where finishing in and around the pools has brought about a mini boom in the investment going into pool surrounds.
Once the choices for pool tiles were limited to the cheap, mundane or garishly ornate. Functionality was the key and there was little imagination being used not just on pool tiles but how builders and designers dealt with pool surrounds.
All tiled pools have helped the complete look brought about in infinity edged pools and more complex water features. The use of steam rooms and water therapy annexes to pools has added to the opportunities for new materials and more dramatic looks.
Normal concrete aggregate pool finishes are traditionally known for being abrasive – more risk of skin cuts and abrasions to family members and especially after prolonged periods in the pool when water can cause softening of the body skin. Its patented technology locks the ‘retro-reflective’ spheres into a finely graded aggregate matrix using acrylic polymer modified
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