All Glass Mosaic Tile Pools: It's More Affordable Than You Think!
Though more expensive than ceramic, glass pool tile is the preferred choice. And with prices dropping, glass may be within your budget.
No one disputes the extraordinary beauty and elegance of pool tile made from glass. The darkest mosaic glass swimming pool tiles tend to reflect light, rather than absorb it. This can make the mosaic pieces seem to glow with a luminous radiance that is not found in any other pool tile.
Then there’s the maintenance factor. Mosaic glass swimming pool tiles are resistant to stains, mold and mildew. They are also resistant to chemical damage and they are not porous so homeowners never worry about algae or bacteria sinking into the pool tile.
Swimming pool tiles of glass are also durable and resistant to cracking caused by heavy force or weather conditions. Throw in the enormous selection of colors, shapes and textures, glass pool tile is the clear winner over ceramic.
But can you afford a pool covered in glass tile?
The Price Breakdown
According to HomeAdvisor, mosaic pool tile for sale has fallen considerably from as high as $75 to $100 per square foot to a more affordable $7 to $50 per square foot.
AquaBlu offers outstanding glass pool tile for even less, such as our Shell Series glass swimming pool tiles for under $8 per square foot!
To figure cost for an average size pool 16’ x 32’ with a shallow dept of 4’, a deep depth of 8’ and an average depth of 6’, you need to first calculate total square footage of the surface area of all the pool sides and bottom:
L x W (16 x 32) = 512
L x Avg. Depth x 2 = (32 x 6 x 2) = 384
W x Shallow Depth = (16 x 4) = 64
W x Deep Depth = (16 x 8) = 128
512 square feet for the bottom + 384 square feet (the two long sides) + 64 square feet (small side) + 128 square feet (deep side) = 1,088 square feet total.
The cost for materials to cover this pool could be as low as $6,800 using a $6.25/square foot glass tile. Labor, which varies considerably, to install the glass tile could run a reasonable $8/square foot. This would bring to total cost (materials and labor) to around $15,504.
This is in line with what estimates generally run for some ceramic pool tile full coverage projects at $15,000.
The higher cost of glass pool tile for sale is offset somewhat when you factor in maintenance costs (ceramic pool tile requires more maintenance). Soda blasting generally costs between $500 and $1,200 per pool. Bead blasting is around $400 with an additional $4 per linear foot above that price.
Waterline Versus Total Tile
Most swimming pools are fitted with waterline tiles to manage the insoluble, floating veneer of pollen, sunscreen and body oils that form the scum line at the air/water interface. This “bathtub ring” is usually evidenced as a yellowy, brown stain that can be locked into place with a thin film of translucent inorganic calcium scale deposits.
Also, if you don’t have waterline tiles, the surface above the water often looks chalky, faded and unclean. Tiles protect the waterline from the sun and facilitate easy cleaning.
The additional benefits of covering your entire concrete pool with glass mosaic tile are considerable:
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Glass pool tiles are extremely durable
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Easy to maintain
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Easy on your feet due to their silky smoothness
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Pools use fewer chemicals because the surface is less reactive
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Glass reflects light in a way that makes the entire pool seem to sparkle
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Limitless design choices
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They simply look fantastic (which is why hotels and resorts totally tile pools in glass).
The Beauty of Blue Mosaic Tile
While glass mosaic swimming pool tile comes in a large range of colors and finishes, blue mosaic tile is still the most popular for complete pool coverage.
Psychologists tell us that blue has a soothing effect on the mind. Strong blues will stimulate clear thought and lighter, soft blues will calm the mind and aid concentration. Consequently, blue mosaic tile is serene and mentally calming.
Although not the only factor, blue mosaic tile also impacts the color of swimming pool water. Blue tile turns water blue, and the darker the blue the darker the water.
The more volume of water there is and the deeper it is, the bluer the swimming pool will tend to look as well.
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Need help with tiling your entire pool in glass? Or maybe you have other questions? The tile experts at AquaBlu Mosaics are here to help you! Call us at (800) 971-1442 or fill out our contact form.