TILING & MOSAICS

Stunning And Functional… Tiled Pools Make A Splash

As one of the world’s leading producers, TREND mosaics have been used in hundreds of stunning swimming pools across the world

The options that exist today to finish off stunning looking pools and other wet leisure areas are as wide as it’s ever been and creating that all important bespoke finish is for many, the ultimate statement. Whether it’s some truly tremendous tile options or magnificent mosaic ideas, there seemingly is no end to the possibilities now on offer and we take a closer look at what’s on offer to add style and individuality to any project this year

By Karen Witney

Tiling is still seen by many as the superior finish for swimming pools and spas, however, good looks and opportunities for numerous inspired designs form just part of the picture. Conventionally the preferred choice in most commercial applications, tiled finishes are now also much sought after on the domestic front too. Available in glass, stone, ceramic and porcelain and in multiple sizes, pool, spas and other wet leisure facilities can be easily customised to fit in with their surroundings whilst still retaining their own personal design if that’s what is required. When correctly cared for a tiled pool or spa will offer many years of use and with so many effective water treatments available, keeping the tiles in tiptop condition has never been easier.

So with products and trends constantly evolving, in this edition, we look at the latest in materials and styles that are available for pools, spas and more this year.

TILES THAT ARE BANG ON TREND!

A Green Council accredited member, TREND is an Italian manufacturer of full body coloured glass mosaics and tiles for the residential, interior design, architecture and retail markets. As one of the world’s leading producers of coloured glass mosaics, Venetian enamel, gold leaf tesserae and engineered stone surfaces, the TREND Group works with today’s most celebrated designers, architects and artists. The stunning results are seen in residential, commercial and public buildings around the globe and the UK has a network of franchisees with a commercial sales team to answer the demand for these stunning, bespoke surfaces.

TREND mosaics have been used in hundreds of stunning swimming pools across the world. Whether machine moulded tiles which ensures each mosaic has been bevelled or tiles from its stunning Karma range of hand cut mosaic tiles, TREND products have been used to produce some eye-catching results in swimming pools and other wet leisure areas.

The Group, which was founded by Dr Pino Bisazza and Andrea Di Giuseppe, combines the nineteenth century alchemy of its Angelo Orsoni furnace in Venice with the twentyfirst century innovations of its engineered agglomerate manufacturing plant in Sebring, Florida. With production and assembly facilities on four continents and operations in more than 50 countries, TREND is currently distributing over 1.5 million square metres of glass mosaic tile and 800,000 square metres of agglomerate surfaces per year.

The TREND Group is shaped by a deep commitment to environmental concerns and cultural vibrancy. Production is designed to consume fewer raw materials and energy resources, to recycle otherwise wasted materials, and to increase the natural durability of its applications.

For Rudding Park’s indoor pool, Ceramique Internationale worked with Italian manufacturer, Ragno, to specify its Landscape tile in the shade Sabbia (beige). The tiles are 60cm x 60cm and have a Natural surface to create an overall seamless finish

This amazing outdoor pool was finished using Designworks Aquila Fosfo Glow Mosaics to create a truly incredible effect’

In the UK, the impressive TREND product and service offering is available via the head office in Tunbridge Wells along with a growing franchise network.

INNOVATION AND RENOVATIONS FROM CERAMIQUE INTERNATIONALE

According to Cameron Fraser, Director of Ceramique Internationale, owners and designers are now looking beyond mosaics and blue tiles for residential and spa pool projects and want something more personal – something that is now much easier with the latest in tiling innovations.

“Many want bespoke designs in the pool tank, that express their individual tastes through contemporary colours and textures,” he said. “However, while the use of glass mosaics in varying hues of cobalt and turquoise is traditional and remains on the radar, in recent years we have seen a move towards a sleeker aesthetic for pools in both domestic and spa environments.

“This is created by using large format porcelain tiles with stone-effect and natural effects. The same range is used for the pool tank, steps and surround – using more texture where required – achieving a visually appealing, seamless finish. The use of large format tiles creates the feeling of space and, thanks to new innovations in technology, there is a now a much wider selection of stunning porcelain tiles with high anti-slip ratings available, replicating a range of natural stone, limestone and even wood, allowing domestic pools to achieve the same look and safety standards as spas and leisure centres but with a bit more style. The new anti-slip technology also allows for easy cleaning of the tiles – two opposing features until now,” he added.

Italian manufacturer Casalgrande Padana’s Bios Antibacterial ® HYDROTECT collection of certified environmentally-friendly tiles contains innovative properties which spark a series of chemical and biological reactions that are capable of diminishing bacteria, pollutants and traces of dirt or impurities on its slabs. The HYDROTECT ® technology uses titanium dioxide properties, which react with harmful substances and bacteria to eliminate them. It also prevents bad odours as its antibacterial properties don’t need light to be activated and the presence of moisture – which is usually a breeding ground for bacteria growth – actually helps the technology to work more effectively to fight the formation of mould and fungus making it ideal for swimming pools.

CRANBOURNE STONE – BRINGING THE BEAUTY OF PORCELAIN TO PROJECTS

Tiling can make or break a pool project. Not only is it important for the structure and formation of the pool, but it is also significant to the overall aesthetic and style. Whether it is a sleek modern design or more traditional pool design, porcelain works perfectly with any desired look and feel.

Key characteristics of porcelain are that it is both highly sustainable and has a slipresistant finish, making it ideal for pool lining. A versatile material, porcelain is also stunning when used for the pool surround too, to give a modern sleek and continuous finish. Porcelain not only creates a beautiful and superior finish to a project, but it is also stain resistant, highly durable, resistant to moss and mould, and is easy to keep clean.

Porcelain tiles are made from a mix of natural clay and finely ground sand, which is then pressed and fired at a very high temperature. Each design is baked onto the body of the surface of the tile, to produce natural-looking tiles, along with the benefits of longevity and practicality.

Porcelain is a very versatile material and can be used for both indoor and outdoor pools. To get a contemporary feel use the tile with a honed surface and combine with a matching grip finish, perfect for internal steps and surrounds.

Porcelain can also transform a pool simply by the colour used within the design. With so many colours and shades, porcelain can alter the look of the pool through its reflection in the water. Whether it’s the appearance of the crystal-clear turquoise seas of the Mediterranean, a tranquil mid-blue colourisation, or the dark, novel and dramatic colours popular in contemporary designs, porcelain truly bring creations to life.

Cranbourne Stone has a large portfolio of beautiful porcelain for pool lining and

This outdoor pool was finished using Cranborne Stone’s porcelain tiles creating a Mediterranean aura of crystal-clear turquoise water

surrounds, with all materials designed, cut and hand-finished to order at their premises. By using specialist machinery, quality products, and exemplary customer service, Cranbourne Stone’s dedicated team work hard to ensure all projects are completed to the highest standard.

COLOURS OF NATURE FROM LUXURY POOLS & MOSAICS

As one of the industry leaders in the supply of mosaics, porcelain and marble tiles for pools and their surrounds, the products from Luxury Pools & Mosaics meet and exceed UK regulations. With a wide range of colours and styles always available for a variety of needs, they always keep up with, and are often ahead of, the latest in design trends.

This year they advise that grey mosaics and tiles are still around but there are now new more natural looking mosaics fighting back against large format porcelain tiles. People are looking at the colours of nature and wanting to emulate them in their pool or spa area.

The company can supply anything from 12mm glass mosaics, right through to 60 x 120mm porcelain tiles for both in and around the pool tank.

All mosaics come in 50mm as standard and are made to order, ensuring that each project stands out as one of a kind not one of many. Working exclusively with suppliers from around the world, ensures the exclusivity the company prides itself on and gives customers the pool of their dreams.

As with their porcelain tiles, their mosaics also come in rectangular size. These look stunning and can create a very effective look in a pool tank, steam room or changing room area.

The company are experts at shipping materials worldwide with UK service and guarantees for all orders. There is something for everyone, whatever their style or dream pool may be.

CASE STUDY

Adam Collins was looking for something a

‘bit special’ rather than just plain blue for the tank of the indoor pool which was under construction at his home in Hertfordshire.

The pool was to be housed in a brandnew building so internal walls, the pool surround and the changing rooms all required inspiration in ceramics, as Adam wanted his personal taste to be expressed in bold dramatic contrasts of contemporary colour and textures. With a young family, the need for cleanliness and safety were also important.

Adam’s choice for the pool tank was a new range of iridescent glass mosaics combining strong cobalt and turquoise hues with a metallic lustre. Bios antibacterial tiles from Casalgrande Padana

With a wide range of colours and styles always available for a variety of needs, Luxury Pools & Mosaics always keep up with, and are often ahead of, the latest in design trends

Conventionally the preferred choice in most commercial applications, tiled finishes are now also much sought after on the domestic front too”

VITRA – A LEADING NAME FOR POOL TILING

VitrA Tiles is a well-known brand in dozens of countries internationally and in the last couple of years has been offering all the benefits of its extensive fully-vitrified tile range to UK customers too. VitrA Tiles specialises in the manufacture of tiles for all areas of the wet leisure market. All products for UK distribution are available for immediate delivery via the company’s network used for the pool surround have elements harmless to humans incorporated within the body of the tile during production which last forever and provide 99.9% guaranteed protection against the four main bacterial strains, so provided a perfect way to protect Adam’s friends and family. of distribution partners.

The tiling range for swimming pools includes VitrA ProColor. These tiles are developed for the swimming pool market based on 38 different colours of the RAL colour matching system. This means they can be coordinated with tiling on all aspects of a leisure project from pool tank to foyers and changing rooms. Modularity is another key feature of the range, giving swimming

CERAMIQUE INTERNATIONALE SUPPLY FAMILY POOL INSPIRATION

pool designers the maximum flexibility in

As well as a built in TV, Adam wanted a striking decorative feature on the wall and so chose dark, bold chocolate-brown Emperador tiles, in large format 60 x 120cm and with a hammered surface texture, which were laid landscape, and combined it with a classical Botticino ivory for the decorative features. The decorative elements included a five square metre area of unique mosaic, made up of 1cm x 30cm strips in three alternating textures of glossy, mat and hammered. These strips also ran horizontally between the large chocolate tiles to add further decoration.

achieving their design aspirations.

VitrA Tiles has a Swimming Pool Brochure which contains details of the entire product offering for the pool industry.

“The swimming pool sector is a key focus for us,” said Ken Aston, UK & Ireland Sales Manager at VitrA Tiles. “ProColor, with its comprehensive assortment of vitrified tiles in RAL colours, all available for immediate despatch, is a major benefit that we can offer to the UK market.”

The company is also demonstrating its commitment to quality in this market with the launch of a RIBA-approved CPD presentation, entitled ‘Swimming Pools With a Tiled Finish’. Designed to enhance the understanding of designers and specifiers in this sector, the new CPD describes the main considerations for the specification of tiles for swimming pools, with reference to the relevant British Standards. Technical requirements, safety considerations and aesthetic aspects are all considered within the CPD presentation.

The full range of tiles from the VitrA ProColor collection are held in stock, meaning that tiles can be specified and purchased in all colour and size options, for both residential or commercial projects, without the worry of extended lead times

CREATE STATE OF THE ART WITH WAXMAN CERAMICS

There are a number of important factors to consider when adding the finishing touches to the pool. By choosing Waxman Ceramics as your project partner, you’ll benefit from a wealth of knowledge and guidance from their team to ensure only the very best tiles are selected for your project offering a stress-free experience.

Part of the Waxman Group, Waxman Ceramics has been a leading supplier to the swimming pool industry since it began importing mosaics from Japan in the early eighties. Today, from their headquarters in Elland, West Yorkshire, they have grown to become one of the UK’s leading supplier of

The mixture of hues of blue tiles from the VitrA ProColour range, which offers 38 RAL colours, expressively compliments this spectacular infinity pool

swimming pool tiles and mosaics.

With so many tiling choices available, Waxman understands that choosing the right tiles for your pool can be a daunting task, which is why they developed the ‘Pool & Spa Collection’ brochure – newly updated for 2020. Encompassing the very best of Waxman Ceramics, the brochure is an essential tile catalogue for the industry and caters to the demanding needs of pool and spa builders.

By utilising digital print technology, the possibilities in colours and designs are endless and for the greener consumer, Waxman also stock ‘Aquastyle’, an oceaninspired glass mosaic made from 98% recycled glass. Featuring an array of designs, sizes, finishes and shades, alongside copings, edging, fixings and gratings – all in one place – with the brochure to hand, it’s never been easier to design the perfect pool or spa.

For those larger projects, Waxman

From their headquarters in Elland, West Yorkshire, Waxman Ceramics have grown to become one of the UK’s leading supplier of swimming pool tiles and mosaics

Ceramics can be relied upon to cater for even the most demanding specifications thanks to their large volume of in-house stock and their dependable UK delivery network. Combined with their extensive technical know-how and nationwide representatives, there’s access to the highest quality tiles ensuring even the largest projects can be started on time and within budget.

Selected for both practicality and design flexibility in mind and adhering to the highest safety standards, Waxman’s Pool & Spa Collection brochure is available to order direct from their team or can be downloaded from the Waxman Ceramics website.

FOR FURTHER DETAILS:

Ceramique Internationale

0113 2310218 www.tilesandmosaics.co.uk

Cranbourne Stone

01264 810813 www.cranbournestone.co.uk

Luxury Pools & Mosaics

0800 7561445 www.luxurypoolsandmosaics.com

Trend Tiles

0113 231 0218 www.trend-group.com

VitrA Tiles 01235 750990 www.vitra.co.uk

Waxman Ceramics

01422 311331 www.waxmanarchitectural.co.uk