Edward owe contributes the first article in a four part series which deals with tiling swimming pools with glass mosaics. Edward formerly occupied the position of technical manager at Bisazza. To download a free copy of this article and parts 2, 3, and 4 as they become available register as a member of www.infotile.com.au. Membership is free.
The tiling of swimming pools with glass mosaics has long been a topic which stimulates strong debate. This four part series aims to dispel some commonly held myths and misconceptions and aims to equip the reader with a balanced insight into the aesthetic and technical considerations which contribute towards producing beautiful and durable glass mosaic tiled swimming pools.
Every pool is unique and deserves to be treated as such. Subsequently this guide is exactly that, 'a guide', and can at best be no more comprehensive than the sum of one's own experience. Naturally, there is often more than one way to approach the different aspects of pool tiling and it is neither appropriate or expedient to attempt to cover them all here. The goal of this guide is to condense and simplify the sum of my practical experience tiling pools, including the knowledge gathered in my role as Bisazza Australia technical manager and the knowledge, tricks and tips I have acquired from many of the highly skilled artisans I have had the pleasure of working and discussing this fascinating subject with.
Once armed with the distilled information in this guide, my expectation is for the reader to at least consider whether incorporating these methods will compliment their existing work practices and at best for the reader to wholeheartedly embrace and own the techniques. Make no mistake, the methods and techniques presented in this guide are the means by which experienced and skilled artisans earn their living and build their reputations. So it is with some respect to these craftsmen that the theories and methods contained herein are shared with the audience at large.
In the same vein by creating an environment in which craftsmen can share knowledge with their peers we can all add to our skill sets and move closer towards achieving the perfection for which
we inevitably strive. By providing our customers with beautiful pools, tiled with increasingly more advanced fixing materials and work methods, we can create a valuable resource with which we can successfully promote the use of glass mosaics for tiling pools. It is in all our interests that glass mosaics are installed to the satisfaction of the customer and the manufacturer alike.
An important point to remember when tiling pools is that regardless of the aesthetic and technical methods proposed to be employed, it is the responsibility of the installer to confirm that their methods conform to the advice of the manufacturer. This includes the information in this guide, the glass mosaics, adhesive, grout, and waterproofing. With the steady advance in sheeting methods and fixing products available, rarely will one installation method work with all products. The catch cry "I've always done it this way" may well have rung true once upon a time, though nowadays it is most likely to be the defendants opening, and closing line.
The installer must develop the ability to adapt and to continually educate himself to keep abreast of industry developments and there are several bodies, standards, and exhibitions which serve to represent the tile industry including: Australian Tile Council, Australian Standard AS3957.1-2007, Swimming pool and Spa Association of Australia, and the Full Frontal Tile and Stone expo. These organisations are often staffed by professionals with practical experience and contacts with key members of industry which may prove useful.
