Why are pools here tiled?

[Yellowtail]

I think I asked this before but never got a suitable answer. In the US pools are typically smooth plaster with rounded corners, and the only tile is typically around the waterline. Why do the pools here all seem to be tiled?

 

I assume it is because the plaster is cheaper, but they  seem to last 20-30 years or more without any issues. 

 

Any ideas? 

 

Also, installing a plastered pool seems to require more capital equipment, but is less labor intense. 

 

Ideas? 

[MrJ2U]

I just came across this:

 

'Pool Plaster Vs Pool Tiles: Which Is The Best Material For Your Pool"

https://mydecorative.com/pool-plaster-vs-pool-tiles-which-is-the-best-material-for-your-pool/

 

Pools tiled look really nice in my opinion.  According to the article they last a longer time.

 

I just retiled my pool and must say it looks resort like.  Freakiness expensive!

 

Parents had a plastered pool.  It looked good also though.  Long Time ago.

 

[Yellowtail]

2 hours ago, MrJ2U said:

I just came across this:

 

'Pool Plaster Vs Pool Tiles: Which Is The Best Material For Your Pool"

https://mydecorative.com/pool-plaster-vs-pool-tiles-which-is-the-best-material-for-your-pool/

 

Pools tiled look really nice in my opinion.  According to the article they last a longer time.

 

I just retiled my pool and must say it looks resort like.  Freakiness expensive!

 

Parents had a plastered pool.  It looked good also though.  Long Time ago.

 

From the article: 

 

This may be true in Thailand, but both my sisters have pools well over 20 years (one likely 30-40) that have never been redone. My BIL did drain the one and fill some cracks last year but it still looks operates great.

 

 

Not sure what the difference is. I'm pretty sure they "shoot" the whole pool in one day so the liner is one piece and may use Gunite or Shotcrete or some-such. 

 

[MrJ2U]

6 minutes ago, Yellowtail said:

From the article: 

 

This may be true in Thailand, but both my sisters have pools well over 20 years (one likely 30-40) that have never been redone. My BIL did drain the one and fill some cracks last year but it still looks operates great.

 

 

Not sure what the difference is. I'm pretty sure they "shoot" the whole pool in one day so the liner is one piece and may use Gunite or Shotcrete or some-such. 

 

Are you planning to build a pool?

 

Definitely nice in this weather.

[Whale]

Easier for local construction techniques, easier to clean?

[Yellowtail]

2 minutes ago, MrJ2U said:

Are you planning to build a pool?

 

Definitely nice in this weather.

Someday, but it's a ways out yet.

 

I've just been wondering for twenty years why all the pools here are shallow and tiled. I get the shallow, they seem to be afraid of the water but why the tile? 

[Yellowtail]

1 minute ago, Whale said:

Easier for local construction techniques, easier to clean?

Definitely less overhead for the builder, but I doubt they're easier to clean. My BIL is a lazy **** and the pool is always pristine. They have a vacuum thing that crawls all over the bottom and up the sides. 

[MrJ2U]

9 minutes ago, Yellowtail said:

Someday, but it's a ways out yet.

 

I've just been wondering for twenty years why all the pools here are shallow and tiled. I get the shallow, they seem to be afraid of the water but why the tile? 

If you do go pool

tile you might check out Alibaba.

 

Even with all the import costs it was still cheaper than anything I could find up here in Issan.

 

Even the pool pumps were cheaper to import.

 

 

[Saanim]

2 hours ago, MrJ2U said:

If you do go pool tile you might check out Alibaba.

 

Even with all the import costs it was still cheaper than anything I could find up here in Issan.

 

Even the pool pumps were cheaper to import.

 

 

I doubt that you get tiles cheaper than from the local shop in Thailand, such a great choice of any size and design, starting from ca. 120B/m2. 

 

Did you ever import something to Thailand (beside personal effects)? Not only the transport will cost something (now very expensive sea-freight from China) but also the customs tax and the handling that has to be usually dealt by a broker - shipping agency - the rates in Thailand are never the same. Then the transport to your place.

 

So how low should be the Chinese prices to import it cheaper than buying at e.g. GH, Thai Watsadu, HomePro, etc, even at the smaller construction shops in villages?

 

Also a pump you get under 10,000 Baht, also a filter, unless you buying from "professionals"...

 

     

[Meat Pie 47]

In Australia most pools are made from fiberglass apart from public swimming pools which are tiled  this is my pool in Australia. 

[MrJ2U]

1 minute ago, Saanim said:

doubt that you get tiles cheaper than from the local shop in Thailand, such a great choice of any size and design, starting from ca. 120B/m2. 

You don't use regular tiles in pools. 

 

Theres specific tiles made especially for pools with .05% absorption rate.

 

And there not cheap.

 

Heres an explanation:

http://www.bluwhaletile.com/what s-the-difference-between-pool-tile-and-regular-tile88.html

 

You'll also need special pool grout and adhesive.

 

14 minutes ago, Saanim said:

Also a pump you get under 10,000 Baht, also a filter, unless you buying from "professionals"...

You want to get a variable speed pump.

Pool pumps need to run at least 8 hours a day.

 

  Not some cheap pump at Global house.

 

45,000 baht here.

27,000 on Alibaba

 

They have ways around customs.

 

It always works out cheaper.

 

Sounds like you don't have a pool.

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

[MrJ2U]

30 minutes ago, Saanim said:

I doubt that you get tiles cheaper than from the local shop in Thailand, such a great choice of any size and design, starting from ca. 120B/m2. 

 

Did you ever import something to Thailand (beside personal effects)? Not only the transport will cost something (now very expensive sea-freight from China) but also the customs tax and the handling that has to be usually dealt by a broker - shipping agency - the rates in Thailand are never the same. Then the transport to your place.

 

So how low should be the Chinese prices to import it cheaper than buying at e.g. GH, Thai Watsadu, HomePro, etc, even at the smaller construction shops in villages?

 

Also a pump you get under 10,000 Baht, also a filter, unless you buying from "professionals"...

 

     

You actually need to build a few pools like me to fully understand the procedure and costs.

 

 

[Saanim]

10 hours ago, MrJ2U said:

You don't use regular tiles in pools. 

10 hours ago, MrJ2U said:

You'll also need special pool grout and adhesive.

Actually not, I have used regular (kitchen) tiles and a regular cement for grouting (OK a bit improved by nam yaa), the cinder blocks and tiles laid in by village brick layers, their first time pool. Of course, under my ingenious supervision. And no need to re-tile and re-grout, as I read here every 5 years...

 

10 hours ago, MrJ2U said:

Sounds like you don't have a pool.

Sounds like you do not know. It's in operation over 15 years for my every day  1 km and more. Still supposing that it will held longer than myself.  Serviced by a pump and filter from GH (each for 8,000 Baht), controlled by my Hi-Tec time switch (not necessarily always 8 hours) and my manually dispersed (when not forgotten) means (sparcely) against algae and gems. (Picture taken by CCTV few minutes ago).

 

Surely you can buy and build something much more expensive. Especially when you no longer can force your wife to buy another diamond ring or a new Ben. Not my case....   

Edited September 16, 2021 by Saanim

[MrJ2U]

3 hours ago, Saanim said:

Actually not, I have used regular (kitchen) tiles and a regular cement for grouting (OK a bit improved by nam yaa), the cinder blocks and tiles laid in by village brick layers, their first time pool. Of course, under my ingenious supervision. And no need to re-tile and re-grout, as I read here every 5 years...

 

Sounds like you do not know. It's in operation over 15 years for my every day  1 km and more. Still supposing that it will held longer than myself.  Serviced by a pump and filter from GH (each for 8,000 Baht), controlled by my Hi-Tec time switch (not necessarily always 8 hours) and my manually dispersed (when not forgotten) means (sparcely) against algae and gems. (Picture taken by CCTV few minutes ago).

 

Surely you can buy and build something much more expensive. Especially when you no longer can force your wife to buy another diamond ring or a new Ben. Not my case....   

If it works for you thats all that matters.

[Bagwain]

On 9/16/2021 at 12:04 AM, MrJ2U said:

You don't use regular tiles in pools. 

 

Theres specific tiles made especially for pools with .05% absorption rate.

 

And there not cheap.

 

Heres an explanation:

http://www.bluwhaletile.com/what s-the-difference-between-pool-tile-and-regular-tile88.html

 

You'll also need special pool grout and adhesive.

 

You want to get a variable speed pump.

Pool pumps need to run at least 8 hours a day.

 

  Not some cheap pump at Global house.

 

45,000 baht here.

27,000 on Alibaba

 

They have ways around customs.

 

It always works out cheaper.

 

Sounds like you don't have a pool.

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

He is a backyard expert on all things pools due to his one pool experience! 

 

[Bagwain]

There are many reasons pools are tiled in Thailand.

1/ The natives can do it. Whether good or bad is another story!

2/ No experience in any other way. 

3/ Labour costs make it attractive. However proper pool tiles are realy needed

(Unlike kitchen tiles which become dangerous when broken)

3/ I have renovated dozens of pools here in 17 yrs and I can tell you some sad stories!

(Unlike the backyard experts opinion based on 1 pool)

 

Now as autherised applicators we only do PebbleCrete. Hardest surface on the market with 5 Yr product warranty.

Gets better with age as when you brush the pool you polish the crystal.

 

All I say is get proper advice of someone with experience. 

Don't get a dentist to give advice on brain surgery!

 

 

[Yellowtail]

49 minutes ago, Bagwain said:

There are many reasons pools are tiled in Thailand.

1/ The natives can do it. Whether good or bad is another story!

2/ No experience in any other way. 

3/ Labour costs make it attractive. However proper pool tiles are realy needed

(Unlike kitchen tiles which become dangerous when broken)

3/ I have renovated dozens of pools here in 17 yrs and I can tell you some sad stories!

(Unlike the backyard experts opinion based on 1 pool)

 

Now as autherised applicators we only do PebbleCrete. Hardest surface on the market with 5 Yr product warranty.

Gets better with age as when you brush the pool you polish the crystal.

 

All I say is get proper advice of someone with experience. 

Don't get a dentist to give advice on brain surgery!

 

I read a little about PebbleCrete, it looks great. I think they shoot it on in the US similar to Gunite.

[Bagwain]

17 hours ago, Yellowtail said:

I read a little about PebbleCrete, it looks great. I think they shoot it on in the US similar to Gunite.

Yes they do.

We did have the equipment here, however not enough large jobs to justify it use so it was sold back to the US.

It is rendered on by a specialist teams here. Still very quick.

Typical domestic pool is 4/5 day job as apossed to 3/4 weeks for tiling! 

[Robespierre]

Tiles are more aesthetically pleasing and a wider range than yours.

[Speedhump]

On 9/16/2021 at 12:04 AM, MrJ2U said:

You don't use regular tiles in pools. 

 

Theres specific tiles made especially for pools with .05% absorption rate.

 

And there not cheap.

 

Heres an explanation:

http://www.bluwhaletile.com/what s-the-difference-between-pool-tile-and-regular-tile88.html

 

You'll also need special pool grout and adhesive.

 

You want to get a variable speed pump.

Pool pumps need to run at least 8 hours a day.

 

  Not some cheap pump at Global house.

 

45,000 baht here.

27,000 on Alibaba

 

They have ways around customs.

 

It always works out cheaper.

 

Sounds like you don't have a pool.

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

I can see that you consider yourself the total expert on pools but you DON'T necessarily need to run a pump for minimum eight hours a, day. For a smallish pool (say 54,000 litres) with a pump correctly rated to the pool size, and a short not too angled pipe run, even four hours can be enough for a pool with little usage. And in these circumstances buying a variable rate pump is not worthwhile. If you swim every day maybe six hours. If you have pool parties maybe eight. 

[MrJ2U]

On 9/15/2021 at 8:51 PM, Yellowtail said:

Definitely less overhead for the builder, but I doubt they're easier to clean. My BIL is a lazy **** and the pool is always pristine. They have a vacuum thing that crawls all over the bottom and up the sides. 

The pool robots are a great investment.

 

 

[MrJ2U]

On 9/17/2021 at 3:59 PM, Bagwain said:

Labour costs make it attractive. However proper pool tiles are realy needed

Up front more expensive but they can last 20 or so years.

 

They also give you that truly resort look!

 

 

[Bagwain]

3 hours ago, Robespierre said:

Tiles are more aesthetically pleasing and a wider range than yours.

Nup ya wrong!

 

Colours.pdf

[JBChiangRai]

Our business builds luxury houses and pools in Chiang Rai.

 

We don't use plaster or ceramic tiles.  Ceramic tiles will occasionally need re-grouting, it's vital you protect them from the sun when you empty the pool or the glaze will craze.  It may craze anyway.

 

We use granite tiles, they last a lifetime.  Granite is slightly porous so it's important the cement and render underneath is waterproof.  You can't use marble because it will dissolve in low ph and increase calcium in the pool.  Granite is also cheap.

 

It's a common misconception that water is colourless, it isn't, it's blue, so bear that in mind.

[dsj]

On 9/15/2021 at 8:34 PM, Yellowtail said:

From the article: 

 

This may be true in Thailand, but both my sisters have pools well over 20 years (one likely 30-40) that have never been redone. My BIL did drain the one and fill some cracks last year but it still looks operates great.

 

 

Not sure what the difference is. I'm pretty sure they "shoot" the whole pool in one day so the liner is one piece and may use Gunite or Shotcrete or some-such. 

 

i disagree with that it only last 7 to 8 years, as my mom's pool was built 40 years ago, 1982, and she had never had to replaster it and it still looks good, but some of the tiles along the water line did need to be replaced

[thierryviteau]

Maybe because tiling clearly looks nicer for anybody who has eyes ?

 

[itsari]

On 9/16/2021 at 10:35 AM, Saanim said:

Actually not, I have used regular (kitchen) tiles and a regular cement for grouting (OK a bit improved by nam yaa), the cinder blocks and tiles laid in by village brick layers, their first time pool. Of course, under my ingenious supervision. And no need to re-tile and re-grout, as I read here every 5 years...

 

Sounds like you do not know. It's in operation over 15 years for my every day  1 km and more. Still supposing that it will held longer than myself.  Serviced by a pump and filter from GH (each for 8,000 Baht), controlled by my Hi-Tec time switch (not necessarily always 8 hours) and my manually dispersed (when not forgotten) means (sparcely) against algae and gems. (Picture taken by CCTV few minutes ago).

 

Surely you can buy and build something much more expensive. Especially when you no longer can force your wife to buy another diamond ring or a new Ben. Not my case....   

Interesting information . Can you please provide the name of the pump and filter from Global House ?

[elgenon]

The pool at my gym in California is plaster but they redid it with a rubber (?) liner. Had a problem with it leaking and the garage is underneath.

[Saanim]

4 hours ago, itsari said:

Interesting information . Can you please provide the name of the pump and filter from Global House ?

You have to go and see what they have available, there are not always  many choices. 

[Saanim]

16 hours ago, JBChiangRai said:

cmOur business builds luxury houses and pools in Chiang Rai.

 

We don't use plaster or ceramic tiles.  Ceramic tiles will occasionally need re-grouting, it's vital you protect them from the sun when you empty the pool or the glaze will craze.  It may craze anyway.

 

We use granite tiles, they last a lifetime.  Granite is slightly porous so it's important the cement and render underneath is waterproof.  You can't use marble because it will dissolve in low ph and increase calcium in the pool.  Granite is also cheap.

 

It's a common misconception that water is colourless, it isn't, it's blue, so bear that in mind.

I do not see any deterioration on my "kitchen" tiles having the pool on full sunshine every day over 15 years. And I have not done any re-grouting, even if the mortar was not any special.  Actually, the grouting has been not always 100%, as the village brick-layers (making their first pool in their life) had been hurrying up to get their promised last payment and to disappear. And surely, in years the grouting will be slowly devoured by the slightly acidic water, however, so far no problem with it.   

 

But seeing many pools with the attractive smaller tiles (mosaic) that have needed a re-tailing within 5 - 7 years. With a small leakage of the grouting the smaller tiles will no longer properly adhere as a larger tile. I have 40 x 40cm and in my next life I would go on the largest possible.  Seeing 60x60cm in GH, looking like a granite (but it is ceramics) with a perfect straight edges allowing to place them without any grouting. You can see such floors in better shops, offices.

 

Then, the width of the pool should be determine exactly on the number of the tiles, then no need to cut them.