What is in store for pool finishes in 2021?

by jason_cramp | March 5, 2021 2:38 pm

By Ariel Schuster

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In 2020, and continuing into 2021, everyone spent a great amount of time in their homes due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Through this time, homeowners have become increasingly familiar with the spaces in which they reside. This includes coming to notice features and functions that define the interior and exterior design of the rooms in which one works, as well as the backyard where they relax and entertain. This time has also shown the limits of these spaces as many of the other places one has typically frequented over the years are not available or open at present.

Swim clubs and public pools are no exception, as many are closed entirely or open in limited capacities. These popular aquatic facilities were unable to provide refuge from the heat or offer endless entertainment for families and individuals. The result? An increase in installation inquiries for residential pools, as well as renovation requests for existing pools. The market for residential pool installation and design increased significantly and is on the path for further growth this year.

The future shape of the pool

As with this past year, changes are afoot when it comes to pool design preferences. In contrast to timeless silhouettes, such as the classic kidney-shaped pool, smaller soak or plunge pools have increased in popularity. The shape and scale of these pools will become increasingly desired by clients, as they are ideal for small spaces or for those looking to upgrade their outdoor space without a significant alteration to the integrity of their property. In many cases, this reasoning leads not only to an increase in the desire for plunge-type pools, but also for the design to mirror its surroundings. In the installation, these pools are geared toward large-format tile designs, which blend with an adjacent patio.

For homeowners looking for a larger pool, 2021 will likely see more pools outfitted with thermal ledges. Offering a separate identity within the pool, these ledges, or ‘sun shelves,’ provide a shallow soaking area perfect for lounges and tables. Thermal ledges, as well as their equally trendy counterparts, rain descents and swim-up pool bars, are set to emerge further into design conversations from a number of angles.

Notably, the shallow nature of a thermal ledge provides an optimal opportunity for a customized tile design. Patterns at the forefront are shifting more toward organic, biophilic-inspired motifs that emulate and celebrate nature. Sedimentary rock-inspired patterns that showcase the contour of geodes are included in this trend, as are designs mimicking the crystalline-structures of agate minerals.

The directionality of this trend is related to a desire for a pool that blends into the existing landscape. The design is seamless and appears as though it naturally connects with the surrounding environment.

Homeowners who are looking for a bolder, statement-like design are moving toward larger-scale, graphic, and geometric tile patterns. These patterns, often modular in concept, are also a popular trend in the aforementioned feature elements of the pool such as thermal ledges, waterwalls, and even hot tubs.

Trends in material and colour selection

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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.

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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.

Designing for function and geography

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Regardless of the specifics of the building materials, a pool is installed with longevity in mind. Designing a pool is directed with the goal of ensuring it does not have to be renovated or refinished year after year. The pool’s design should be the result of a builder’s conversations with their client where an understanding of the homeowner’s esthetical preferences should be top of mind. Getting to the core of the client’s ideal design can be best achieved by having the homeowner share their favourite piece of artwork, tapestry, or furnishing in their home. The result should provide a builder with the inspiration for a pool design that complements the general esthetic presented, but without leaning too far in one single direction.

Location is also an important factor to consider here. Earthy terracotta stucco is well-suited for a pool featuring brighter southwestern colours—turquoise, peach, and gold, whereas a shingle-sided beach house might be better outfitted with a pool featuring deep blue and white tiles that play upon its aquatic surroundings.

Looking ahead

When it comes to a tiled pool finish, these considerations are important for 2021 and, in the long run, when it comes to what lies ahead for the pool market. In the same vein, the timelessness of the designs considered and selected will continue to be relevant to the conversation. This means motifs like the traditional Persian rug design, along with border-based patterns, are still a part of what will be brought from concept to completion in many pool projects. Water and aquatic-inspired designs are also included within the tile layouts that will be requested as these, too, are a timeless option.

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What is known from last year—even before the 2021 season has commenced—is it will be a productive year for the pool industry. Last year was truly the impetus for an increase in interest and action from homeowners on investing in their own private pool accommodations. Set into motion, this market change offers an abundance of opportunities for the pool industry to understand and meet the demand through a thorough investigation of the emerging design trends, and constructive conversations with clients on project goals.

[6]Ariel Schuster serves as a leading resource for design inspiration, consultation, and pricing in both residential and select small commercial projects at Boston-based Artaic, which designs and fabricates custom, award-winning tilework. In her role as design consultant, Schuster works closely with designers and architects step-by-step through the design process, working with existing project plans or starting from scratch. She can be reached via email at ariel.schuster@artaic.com[7].

Source URL: https://www.poolspamarketing.com/trade/features/expert-advice/what-is-in-store-for-pool-finishes-in-2021/

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