Trends in material and colour selection
Tile colour is also subject to changing market preferences. Trending for this season are darker hues like cobalt, ebony blue, and deep teal. The benefit of using a darker-coloured tile is in the savings as the pool needs to be heated less often because darker shades naturally attract, capture, and retain the heat offset from the sun. Lighter, more traditional colour choices such as aqua and turquoise reflect sunlight and, as a result, do not allow the pool to retain as much natural heat. In addition to cost-savings advantages, darker tiles also offer an illusion of depth, which has further boosted this design choice. Metallics have also materialized as a trend to watch, similarly adding depth, along with a bit of sparkle.
Material trends can be understood through function and form. Two options are currently meeting both requisites, the first of which is vitreous glass. Versatile in size and colour options, vitreous glass provides an opportunity for vibrant and dynamic designs to emerge. Useful for customization, as well as large- and small-scale projects due to its hand-cut nature, this material fits the requirements for a variety of different design requests.
Vitreous glass is perhaps the most useful in modular designs, which are growing in popularity. Further, it is easy to clean, broadening the material’s prevalence and making it one the market will only see more of.
From a functionality standpoint, vitreous glass is an effective material in freeze-thaw environments, which is a true test of the tile’s durability and performance. When considering the pool environment, a material’s porosity is essential, as water, and porous (water-absorbing) materials along with it, expand and contract when the temperature freezes and thaws, which can cause the tile and grout to crack. Vitreous glass is inherently non-porous as it is liquid molten glass that has been cooled and poured into a mould, making it a compelling choice for pools located in freeze-thaw environments.
Second to vitreous glass is glazed porcelain, which works well in a submerged application and in freeze-thaw environments. Porcelain is the highest grade of ceramic material and is non-porous as it has under 0.5 per cent porosity, making it a great material for pool installations in these regions. Effective in several facets, porcelain is also set to continue ahead as a popular pool-finishing material.
More cost-effective than vitreous glass, glazed porcelain still allows builders to customize their pool designs with a wide palette of colours and numerous size options. This material is set to have the most growth not just with homeowners looking for an affordable option, but also those wanting a non-slip surface. Glazed porcelain is available with a grip finish, offering an enhanced level of slip-resistance. Pool owners with children, or those desiring a particular level of comfort and safety, typically gravitate toward this material. As more requests for pools are expected this year, builders are likely to see an increase in requests for this tile finish.
