Choosing a material for decorative finishing of the pool

Selecting the appropriate decorative finishing material can be crucial in creating the ideal pool area design. The finish has an impact on your pool’s durability and upkeep in addition to how it looks. Regardless of your intention to create a calm haven or an energetic meeting place, the finish must complement your design and functional requirements.

There are numerous materials to take into account, each with special advantages of its own. Your choice will affect the overall look and feel of your pool area, ranging from traditional stone and tiles to more contemporary options like glass mosaics and exposed aggregates. It’s critical to consider aspects like color selection, slip resistance, and long-term durability of each material.

Consider the way each material manages the elements in addition to its aesthetic appeal. Certain finishes can help preserve their longevity and appearance because they are more resistant to chemicals and UV light. Others might need more regular maintenance to remain in good condition. Taking these useful factors into account will guarantee that your pool area stays attractive and useful for many years to come.

The ideal decorative finish for your pool should, in the end, be long-lasting and low-maintenance while coordinating beautifully with your overall design concept. You will be in a better position to make a decision that improves your pool’s longevity as well as its aesthetic appeal if you investigate your options and comprehend their features.

Material	Features
Tiles	Durable, easy to clean, available in various designs
Mosaic	Visually appealing, customizable patterns, slightly more expensive
Paint	Cost-effective, easy to apply, requires regular maintenance
Vinyl Liner	Quick installation, smooth surface, needs replacement every few years
Natural Stone	Luxurious look, long-lasting, more costly

What material is suitable for finishing the pool

First of all, it should be considered that different water purification solutions are used, some of which may be harsh on surfaces. Given that we are discussing a humid environment, the following specifications are reasonable:

• Moisture resistance. When choosing a material, you need to pay attention to its water absorption rate. It should not exceed 1%. If you give preference to porous finishing or loose building materials, you can expect leaks soon. Water will accumulate under the finishing layer and destroy the concrete.
• Resistance to chemicals. Disinfection and maintaining the required pH balance is an important condition for the operation of swimming pools. Therefore, the facing material should not enter into chemical reactions with such agents.
• Resistance to mold formation and bacterial activity. The water in the pool is usually warm enough to become an excellent environment for the reproduction of various microorganisms. If the facing material is porous and has a loose structure, then fungal and algae spores will easily penetrate into it. It is impossible to clean them, so you will have to completely replace the lining.
• Long service life. It should be taken into account that water has a much higher density than air. One cubic meter of water weighs 1000 kg. Therefore, the material must be resistant to such constant loads.

Naturally, you cannot select materials that are easily damaged or poisonous. This gives us a few options for how to finish the pool.

PVC film

This is the most affordable, easily installable, and readily available option. Both direct sunlight and temperature changes don’t affect PVC film. However, not every movie can be used to finish a concrete swimming pool. For these uses, material that is at least 1 mm thick is typically utilized. There must be four layers in the film. One of them is a synthetic material with a high strength (Kevlar or polyester will do). Selecting a movie is advised if we’re discussing the greatest kinds:

• Polyvinyl chloride. The material is based on plasticized polyvinyl chloride. This film contains all the necessary additives that will reliably protect the surface from various bacteria and mold. This film is recommended for indoor pools.
• Butyl rubber. This is a more durable and strong material. The film does not change its characteristics even in severe frosts. Despite this, the material is perfectly cut with scissors and glued together without problems during installation. This is the best option for an open type of pool.

When it comes to the process of applying PVC film, it happens pretty quickly. The material is overlapped first, and then heated to fix it. Hot polyvinyl chloride seals the resulting seams. The next step involves installing a unique fastening strip and welding the previously prepared PVC sheet to it. The film just needs to be welded into the bowl’s corners.

Pros and cons of finishing

When we think about PVC film’s benefits, we can emphasize:

• Low cost.
• Ease of installation. The film is quickly stretched, one person can handle it. But with mosaics or tiles you will have to suffer.
• High efficiency of sealing the bowl.
• Pleasant appearance.

However, there are a number of drawbacks as well. PVC film, for instance, appears significantly "simpler" than mosaics or tiles. An additional drawback that is typically observed post-installation of the movie is excessively slick stairs. But if you buy an extra piece of material with a ribbed surface (especially for steps), you can easily eliminate this subtlety.

Tiles

This option gives you more options for color schemes and looks more appealing. On specialized glue—typically epoxy with high adhesion rates—tiles are laid. Typically, the material is laid starting at the floor and working its way up the walls. However, it is best to lay the tiles in rows if the drain is on one side. The material is arranged on the walls in the same manner as in any other room (like a bathroom, for instance). The only slight distinction is that the pool has thicker seams, which need to be sealed with grout that is highly resistant to moisture and frost.

When it comes to the benefits of the tiles, they are clear:

• The material is more reliable and durable.
• Looks much better than PVC film.
• High level of sealing.
• Due to the fact that special rough tiles are used for pools, it will be very difficult to slip on them.
• If one tile is damaged, it is not difficult to replace it.

One can point to the increased expense as one of the drawbacks. If you are unfamiliar with this type of material, it will also be challenging for you to lay the tiles evenly. It’ll require extra time as well. Important considerations must also be made when selecting tiles.

The right choice of tiles

The tiles ought to be rough, as was previously mentioned. Furthermore, it’s worth:

• Purchase tiles with the highest possible water-repellent properties (for imported tiles, the optimal value is 0.14%, and for domestic tiles, 1%).
• Buy products with increased adhesive properties. The back of the tile should have grooves, not a flat surface.
• Use only high-quality waterproof adhesive.

Practical! It’s preferable to purchase titanium grout. These substances do not allow mold or fungus to grow on them.

• Give preference to Italian, Portuguese and domestic products. Such tiles are of higher quality.
• Choose porcelain tiles instead of ceramic tiles for cladding the walls of a concrete pool. This option tolerates temperature changes much better. In addition, porcelain tiles have higher frost resistance and low water absorption. It gets dirty less and does not absorb dirt at all.

Mosaic

Sanatoriums, hotels, and other establishments with large visitor traffic frequently use this material. Mosaic appears to be the most intriguing. You can make full paintings with this stuff.

With the exception of the significantly smaller facing elements, the installation of this material is very similar to that of tiles. Their installation will require a great deal more time, particularly if you intend to produce an image. You can’t always complete this labor-intensive process by yourself. However, mosaics—especially those made of glass—have the longest lifespan and don’t absorb any moisture at all. It does not grow mold and is simple to clean. A stylish pool can be achieved by deftly combining such finishing with additional decorative elements.

But such beauty comes with a high price. Compared to the materials mentioned above, mosaic is more expensive. The majority of the time, you will also need to pay a master to layout a panel based on your sketch. You can also use ceramic mosaics or even combine them with tiles to make such a project less expensive.

It’s important to strike a balance between functionality and aesthetics when selecting a material for your pool’s décor. You want something that will withstand water, chemicals, and changing weather conditions, while also improving the aesthetic appeal of your pool area. To find the best fit for your style and functional needs, weigh factors like cost, durability, and upkeep. Options like tiles, concrete overlays, and natural stones each offer special advantages and disadvantages.

Stone

Although sandstone and rubble can be utilized to finish the pool, the following materials are typically chosen:

• Granite. Such stone will not fade and will easily withstand temperature changes. In addition, it is very difficult to damage. Granite is waterproof and absolutely resistant to chemicals for cleaning the pool.

Practical! Granite is regarded as the world’s most durable stone.

• Marble. A completely environmentally friendly material that has antiseptic properties. Fungus and mold do not form on marble. It is easy to polish (marble consists of dolomite and calcite grains), so even if you manage to scratch it, this oversight is easy to solve. In addition, it is believed that marble has healing properties and perfectly relieves stress, so it will be very useful in the pool. But chemistry gradually destroys marble. Over time, too aggressive agents (for example, chlorine) may begin to turn into chalk. However, the problem can be solved with specialized means.

Wholesome Marble becomes slick when wet, so it’s best to avoid using it on stairs, the surrounding area, or the bottom of pools.

Using epoxy glue, stone laying is done in the same manner as tile installation.

However, natural stone has drawbacks as well. As an illustration,

• High price. For example, to decorate a pool with marble, you need to be prepared for the fact that one slab (slab) can cost from 4,000 to 32,000 rubles. Granite will cost less, but will also hit your wallet hard.
• Difficulty of installation. The stone weighs quite a lot.
• It"s easy to fall for a fake. If they only sell you imitation marble instead of natural stone, it will be very difficult to recognize the forgery. Only a specialist can handle this. Granite is counterfeited less often.

When choosing a material to decorate your pool, it’s critical to strike a balance between style and functionality. Making the right decision will guarantee longevity and safety in addition to improving the appearance of your pool. Every material, including natural stone and tiles, has special qualities and designs. Think about how each choice aligns with your preferred maintenance methods and overall design concept.

For instance, tiles come in a variety of colors and patterns and can give off a sleek, contemporary appearance. Although they can be slippery, they are simple to clean, so look for alternatives with textured surfaces. Conversely, natural stones that complement the surrounding environment and offer a timeless elegance are slate and travertine. Although these materials are strong, they might need more maintenance to keep their aesthetic.

Remember the useful features, like the material’s chemical resistance and ease of installation. Over time, selecting the appropriate material can save you both money and time. The ideal option will ultimately rely on your spending limit, preferred style, and amount of maintenance time.

You can choose a decorative finish that withstands the rigors of poolside living while still looking fantastic by carefully taking these factors into account. Take pleasure in the process of designing a stunning, useful area where you and your family can unwind and spend many hours by the water.

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