Porcelain stoneware and tiles for swimming pools: cladding for the basin, edge, and outdoor area

The choice of tiles for the swimming pool depends primarily on the area where they will be installed. Pool interior, pool edge, and surrounding area each have different requirements, both aesthetically and functionally.

For the edge and flooring around the pool, the safety of the surface in terms of slip resistance when wet is particularly important; for outdoor pools, frost resistance and temperature fluctuations should also be considered. Inside the pool, however, color rendering, light reflections on the water, and the overall effect of the surface become more relevant.

Porcelain stoneware is suitable for different pool areas because it resists water, chlorine, and temperature fluctuations, is non-porous, and is easy to clean. The choice of collection can therefore start from the specific intended use, to achieve coordinated surfaces consistent with the overall project.

The choice of swimming pool tiles varies according to the area to be covered and the specific requirements of the project. Thickness, surface features, and availability of special pieces are therefore aspects to be evaluated differently for the pool edge, surrounding flooring, and the areas most exposed to water.

For the pool edge and surrounding flooring it is possible to choose both traditional thickness tiles and collections in 20 mm porcelain stoneware. In fact, there is not a single necessary thickness for these applications: the choice depends on the features of the project.

The 20 mm Marazzi collections are suitable for use on the pool edge and offer an additional design opportunity for creating coordinated, durable outdoor surfaces designed for exterior spaces.

In pool areas walked on barefoot and in the presence of water, surface safety becomes a central criterion. It is therefore important to choose tiles with a high coefficient of friction, capable of providing adherence and grip even when the floor is wet.

Along with safety, ease of cleaning also makes porcelain stoneware a suitable solution for pool spaces, where surfaces are frequently in contact with water and used continuously.

The installer or designer will be able to evaluate the most suitable solution for each case.

Designing the pool edge also includes functional elements necessary for proper water management. Special porcelain stoneware pieces, such as drainage channels and grates coordinated with the flooring, allow these elements to be integrated into the project while maintaining aesthetic continuity with the surrounding surfaces.

Almost all Marazzi 20 mm collections, include special pieces such as drainage channels and grates, thus offering coordinated solutions to complete the pool edge.

Color, light, and design continuity play a central role in lining the pool interior, as water alters the perception of shades and enhances reflections and depth.

The Lume collection, with its solid color porcelain stoneware and luminous surface, enhances the water reflections and gives character to the pool interior. An example is the project Palazzo Musmeci, where the ceramic lining becomes an integral part of the pool's identity. 

The flooring around the pool is part of the overall design of the outdoor space: pool edge, solarium, terrace, and garden can therefore be conceived in continuity by choosing coordinated surfaces in terms of effect, color, and materiality.

For a result inspired by stone, Mystone Tivoli 20 offers a thicker surface for outdoor use; the collection's availability in traditional thickness also allows pool edge coordination with other areas of the project. Mystone Pietra di Sicilia 20 instead offers a natural material effect, suitable for characterizing the poolside flooring.

If you prefer a more essential and contemporary style, you can opt for Cementum 20, which interprets the cement effect in a thicker version designed for outdoor use, ideal for solariums and perimeter areas.

Among the solutions dedicated to walkable areas in the presence of water there is also Naturalia, designed for spaces to be walked on barefoot when wet. Terratech, finally, offers a surface with a natural effect suitable for flooring around the pool, combining material character and safety requirements.

In some projects it is possible to create visual continuity between pool interior and pool edge by choosing coordinated surfaces from the same collection or with the same effect. However, surface characteristics may vary depending on the area of use, so the most suitable combination should be verified on a case-by-case basis with the designer or installer. 

Porcelain stoneware is a durable, easy-to-maintain material that does not require special care for normal surface cleaning. For the pool edge and surrounding areas, it is important to follow regular maintenance, choosing products and cleaning methods suitable for porcelain stoneware.