How to Choose Tile for Pools?

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Designing a new pool can be an overwhelming process, given all of the options available to homeowners these days. Choosing a tile for your pool might not sound like an important decision, but the tile you choose can have a big impact on your pool’s durability and overall appearance.


Fortunately, there are a variety of ways you can go about choosing a pool tile that’s right for you, like looking at different styles, finding a good material, and visiting your local tile store. Install the tile. Once you’re satisfied with your layout, all that’s left to do is call a tiling contractor and have your tile put in professionally.


You might also consider tackling the job yourself if you’re handy with home improvement projects. When you’re done, you’ll have a handsome, custom-designed tiled floor to show for your efforts. Take care of any necessary last-minute adjustments before you break out the mortar and grout.


By the time you’ve begun setting the tiles, it will be too late to make changes. Keep in mind that the tiles will have to come up prior to installation. This isn’t an issue—when the time comes, simply lay them out again in the same formation you used during the dry-fitting phase.


If one or more do not, get more paper and repeat the process. You want the finished tiles to rest right up against the base of the toilet, so take your time to make sure the paper templates fit precisely.

How Tracing and Cutting Tiles Around an Installed Toilet?

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Install the full tiles surrounding the toilet first. Take your time planning out your tile pattern and creating grid lines on the subfloor so that you need to make as few angular/circular tile cuts as possible. When you’re tiling around an already-installed toilet, plan out your pattern so that at there is at least 2 in (5.1 cm) of space between the base of the toilet and the edges of any of the tiles you’ll be laying around it.

You’ll usually save time (due to a greater margin for error with your tile cuts) if you remove the toilet, tile the floor, and then reinstall or replace the toilet. However, tiling around an existing toilet may be preferable in some cases. Tiling around an installed toilet is easier if the base rests flush against the wall behind the toilet.

If you have to tile all the way around the base, including the small space between it and the wall, strongly consider removing the toilet, tiling around the toilet flange, and reinstalling the toilet. Create sheets of paper that are the same size as a whole tile. Simply cut the paper to match the size of the tile—for instance, 16 by 16 in (41 by 41 cm).

Cut one sheet for each tile you’ll need to lay around the base of the toilet. Estimate your tile cuts and cut parallel slits in the paper in these areas. Visualize how each tile will fit around the toilet base, and estimate which parts of each tile will need to be cut away.

Transfer these estimates to the corresponding sheets of paper, and use scissors to cut parallel slits that are about 0.25 in (0.64 cm) apart in the areas that will need to be removed. When doing so, it’s better to overestimate the area that will need to be removed than to underestimate.

How Choosing Pool Tile Online or In-Store?

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Look for tile online for inspiration. Look online for images of pools that you like and find out what kind of tile they’re finished with. Browse through websites for pool tile companies and see what different kind of tile they offer. Read online reviews to find good-quality tile. See what other homeowners are saying about particular kinds of pool tile and different tile businesses.

Take notes as you do your research. Use your notes to narrow down a few types of good-quality tile and some good places to buy them.Look at tile in a store to see what you like. Pay attention to the overall quality and feel of the different tiles. Do you prefer tile that is smooth or abrasive?

Hold up different tiles and see if you like how the light reflects off of them. Hold different tiles side by side to see if you like them together. Shop for slip-resistant tile for kids. Finish any edges or walkways around your pool with slip-resistant tile to prevent kids from falling and hurting themselves.

Trim end tiles to fit around household fixtures. It may also be necessary to cut tiles when they run up against door jambs, cabinet bases, air vents, fireplaces, and similar obstacles. To do this, record the length and width of the object protruding into the tile space, then mark those measurements on the tile using a straight edge.

Use a wooden shim or scrap piece of cardboard to account for the grout lines in your measurements. Make sure the lines you draw on your tiles are plainly visible. They’ll serve as a guide when it comes time to do your cutting.

How Choosing Pool Tile by Style?

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Use larger tile for easier upkeep. Save time cleaning your pool tile by having a larger tile finish, which has fewer seams that can collect dirty buildup. Go with smaller tile to create a captivating design. Add dimension to your pool by using smaller tile, which makes pool designs look more intricate.

Creating a mosaic or tile image is easier to do with small tile than with larger tile. Opt for blue tile for a classic swimming pool look. Incorporate multiple hues of blue into your design to add depth to your pool and make it more interesting. Use one shade of blue for a clean, uniform appearance.

Match your tile color with a color from your home for a unique pool design. Use red tile to complement the red brick on your house, or go with a green tile that blends with the surrounding landscape. Using a tile color other than blue will immediately make your pool stand out.

Mark the last tile in each row to indicate where to cut it if needed. As you near the edges of the room, you may find that you don’t have enough space to set the final tile. When this happens, you’ll need to cut your end tiles to ensure a proper fit. Measure the distance between the last full tile you laid down and the wall and mark this measurement on the end tile. You can cut the tile later using a masonry saw.

If the space left over at the end of a row is especially narrow, pick up the rest of the tiles in the row and shift them down half a tile’s length towards the opposite wall. Adjust your other rows accordingly. That way, you’ll have a larger partial tile at either end rather than a tiny sliver visible along only 1 wall.

How Choosing Pool Tile by Material?

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Use porcelain if you’re on a budget. Porcelain tile is the cheapest and most common tile finishing option for pools. Create a beautiful mosaic or pattern using porcelain tile to enhance your pool design. Finish with stone for a natural look. Stone pool tile blends nicely with surrounding landscaping, and it’s great for young children because of its slip-resistant properties.

Use stone tile made from a beautiful type of stone like sandstone, limestone, or granite to create a smooth, sophisticated finish. Go with glass for a luxurious touch. Create a glass tile finish that shimmers and dazzles pool-goers with its reflective properties. Keep in mind that glass tile is more expensive than stone and porcelain tile.

If the tiles are more than 1 or 2 inches (2.5 or 5.1 cm) across, you may be able to cut them with a score-and-snap tile cutter. Press the cut tiles into place. Make sure that you keep the grouting gaps between the tiles consistent so that they match up with the grouting gaps on the tiles that are already on the wall.

This line will intersect the first line, indicating the exact center of the room. When tiling adjoining rooms, draw your lines so that they run from 1 room to the next. Make sure the line is positioned in the center of both rooms. Use the “3-4-5” method to find the center of irregularly-shaped rooms. Measure and mark 4 feet (1.2 m) outward from the center of the line you drew from the longest wall. Then, make a second mark 3 feet (0.91 m) down along the center of the wall line.

Stretch your tape measure between the 3 ft (0.91 m) mark and the 4 ft (1.2 m) mark. The distance between the 2 marks should be exactly 5 ft (1.5 m). Make a final mark where the tape measure crosses the 4 ft (1.2 m) mark to pinpoint the room’s center.

This method is useful for establishing a starting point in rooms with odd dimensions.

How to Plan Tile Layout?

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If you’re thinking about installing a tile floor in your home, it’s important to take the time to figure out the best way to arrange the individual tiles. In most rooms, square and rectangular tiles will fit together in a simple grid pattern. First, establish a series of layout lines to serve as a placement guide by finding the midpoint of each wall and drawing a line across to the opposing wall.

From there, you can begin dry-fitting the tiles around the room’s center point, working your way outward in manageable sections to avoid uneven spacing. Mark the midpoint of each wall. Divide the total length of the walls in half, then draw a small notch or dot on the floor at this spot using a carpenter’s pencil.

Aligning the midpoints of each wall will help you find the room’s center. For a wall that’s 16 feet (4.9 m) long, for instance, you would make your mark at 8 feet (2.4 m). If the room you’re measuring is perfectly square, you can go ahead and draw a line straight across to the opposite wall save time.

Draw a line connecting the midpoints of both walls. To ensure that the line is straight, run the tip of your pencil along the edge of a yardstick or straight edge, using a framing square to ensure a precise 90-degree angle. Slide your yardstick down and double-check its orientation every few feet to keep the line from becoming crooked.

You can also use a chalk line tool for greater efficiency and exactness. Simply extend the retractable wire between the 2 walls, then pull up and release the wire quickly to leave behind a perfectly straight line of chalk. Repeat the process on the room’s shorter walls. Measure the length of the remaining pair of walls, then mark the midpoint of each. Draw a line connecting the opposing midpoints through the center of the room.

How Adding a Temporary Covering?

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Lay down a large area rug to cover unsightly tile flooring. Measure the area that you want to cover, and find a large rug that will cover most of the flooring. Try to get as close as possible to the correct dimensions for the room to ensure that the tile is mostly covered. If you’re having trouble finding inexpensive rugs, shop at thrift stores, or purchase a variety of smaller rugs to layer them and cover the floor.

Remember to place a sticky mat under the rugs, since the fabric can sometimes slide over the tiles. You can find inexpensive sticky mats at most home improvement stores and supermarkets. If you like the original color of the tiles and want to give them a quick update, you can add decals that let the color of the tiles show through.

Stick vinyl decals over flooring or a backsplash for a fresh look. Purchase a large sheet of vinyl decals to add character to tile flooring or a backsplash. Make sure you measure the area that you want to cover, and be sure to buy enough decals to completely cover the area. When you’re ready to apply the decals, simply trim them to size, peel the backing off, stick them to the tiles, and smooth them with a credit card to remove air bubbles.

This is a great way to add a pattern to plain tiling without painting, and it’s easily removable when you want to change it up. All you have to do is peel off the decals to start over. Some decals have more “traditional” tile patterns, like mosaics or Tuscan tiles, while others are simple solid colors.

Use adhesive carpet tiles to conceal large areas of tiled floor. Measure the area that you want to cover, and visit a home improvement or flooring store to see what kind of carpeting they have in stock. Keep in mind that most carpet tiles cost about $1 for 1 foot (0.30 m) squared, so you can plan your budget accordingly. When you’re ready, peel off the backing and stick them to the tile.

How Concealing Tiles Permanently?

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Paint the tiles to match the color scheme of the room. For a more permanent solution to unsightly tiling, choose a color or a set of colors that matches your design aesthetic. Then, sand, wash, and prime the tiles to prepare for the paint. Apply the paint in 2 even coats, and add a layer of sealant over the painted tiles, especially if they might be exposed to foot traffic or water.

There are a variety of different paint options for tile, including chalkboard, latex, and oil-based. Opt for chalkboard paint if you want to save money, since you don’t need to apply a primer. You can even add a pattern to the surface by hand painting the tiles or using a stencil.

Cover a tile backsplash with wood and liquid nails for a rustic effect. Visit lumber yards and home improvement stores to find inexpensive wood, and cut it to fit the tiled area. Apply the adhesive and stick the boards to the tile in your desired pattern. Follow the adhesive instructions to let the area dry before applying a sealant or touching the backsplash.

 

Affix a layer of beadboard over a backsplash for a fresh, clean look. Purchase a few large sheets of beadboard, and paint them to your desired color. Measure and cut them to fit the area that you’re covering. Then, apply a layer of liquid nails adhesive to the existing tile and press the beadboard against the tile. Be sure to leave some overhang if possible, and use a nail gun to secure the corners of the beadboard.

It’s important to use traditional nails to keep the corners in place, since the material can sometimes warp due to high humidity or exposure to sunlight. Tip: Since you won’t see the adhesive, you can choose whichever color is the cheapest for this project.

How to Cover Tiles Cheaply?

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While tiling is easy to maintain, it can sometimes look outdated or unsightly. Luckily, you can cover tile inexpensively with rugs, decals, or paint to update the room and achieve the look that you want. Whether you’re covering the tile temporarily or permanently, there are a few solutions you can try.

Apply contact paper to countertops for an easily removable update. Measure the countertops to see how much contact paper you’ll need, and purchase large rolls to fit the space and save money. As you’re covering the tile, cut the sheets to be as long as possible, peel off the backing, and overlap the contact paper along the seams to prevent peeling. Smooth the paper with a credit card to remove air bubbles to finish off the project.

Contact paper comes in a variety of different patterns and finishes that are perfect for countertops, including wood grain, glossy marble, and granite. To remove the paper, begin pulling it from the corner of the sheet and work slowly across the countertop. Tip: Make sure the pattern on the contact paper lines up and is oriented in the same direction for a more professional, high-end look.

Resurface countertops with quick-setting cement for an updated look. Sand the existing tile countertops and build a temporary form that attaches to the cabinetry, which will hold the cement as it sets. Then, simply mix and pour self-leveling concrete over the countertops and follow the package instructions to cure it. Paint a sealant over the concrete to protect it from water and debris.

While this is a more labor-intensive option, it can be very inexpensive, depending on the type of concrete you choose. Keep in mind that the concrete will likely crack slightly during the curing process, but you can fill in the cracks with the sealant. If you want to remove the carpet tiles or reposition them, simply pull them up by the corners to reveal the tile underneath.

How Establishing Your Layout Lines?

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Calculate the square footage of the room. To determine the square footage of a square or rectangular room, simply find the length of 2 adjacent walls in square feet and multiply them together. For irregularly-shaped areas like closets, alcoves, and counters, multiply the length and width of the extra space separately, then add this number to the square footage of the main part of the room.

If you’re measuring a rectangular room that’s 18 square feet (1.7 m2) x 12 square feet (1.1 m2), for example, the total square footage would be 216 square feet (20.1 m2). Figuring out the room’s square footage will tell you exactly how much tile you’ll need for your flooring project, which may influence the size and style you go with.

Note the size of your tiles. Once you’ve picked out a style you like, jot down the tile’s dimensions in a notebook or on a separate sheet of paper. You’ll need to know their exact length and width in order to determine how many will fit within the floor space of the room you’re tiling.

The size of the tiles should be plainly displayed on the product listing, packaging, or order invoice. It may be a good idea to measure the tiles yourself just in case the listed dimensions are off by a centimeter or 2. Be sure to measure the wall using the same unit as your tiles. If the length and width of the tiles is given in inches, for example, you’ll want to measure the room in inches, as well.

Find the length of the room’s longest walls. Run a tape measure along the wall from corner to corner. Record this number in your notebook, being sure to specify which measurements are which. If the room you’re working in is perfectly square, you can start with either set of opposing walls.