Pool Coping Tiles – What Are They?

Pool coping is a term that identifies the material used to cap a pool shell wall (aka pool edge) . There are many options available for pool coping. A good pool coping will finish off a pool and give it a fantastic look. What types of pool coping tiles are there?

Travertine Pool Coping Tiles

The first option is natural stone. Many people choose natural stone coping as it gives the pool such a unique look because no two pieces are the same. It is also classic (it never dates). The most popular natural stone tiles for coping is travertine. Travertine pavers will suit most swimming pool surroundings. The majority of people think a bull-nose is necessary on the coping. However, a good tip is to use a travertine paver with a tumbled edge. This gives an alternative to a bull-nose finish. Travertine pavers normally come 30mm thick so they are very sturdy and suitable as pool coping tiles.

A tumbled edge means that the sharp edges around the tiles have been taken off. It is a different look that adds a lot of character to the pool. When using natural stone, it must be remembered that they have to be sealed. As a cost guide, note that 4 pieces of 610x406mm equals approx 1 m². This will cover approx 2.4 lineal metres. This means the tumbled edge can be up to 2.5 times cheaper than the bull-nose paver equivalent.

Porcelain Pool Coping Tiles

The second option is porcelain. This is a very popular choice as there is a wide range of colours to choose from. Porcelain requires a rough outdoor tile with a bull-nose on it to take off the sharp edge. Colour is one of the most important factors when choosing coping tiles. There are two trains of thought when selecting a colour. The first is to get a coping tile that blends in with the base tile which will make the area look a lot larger. It will also give it a great flow effect with the whole outdoor area. Conversely, choose a colour that will give contrast to the base tile. This will outline the edge of the pool and break up the area by introducing another colour.

Want more information about pool coping tiles?  Please visit our TFO showroom or our online tile store today.