The cost of pool tiling depends on what is being tiled, the tiles you choose, the state of what is underneath and how the edges are finished. A new band of waterline tiles is a modest job; a fully tiled glass mosaic interior is one of the largest renovations a pool can have.
What is being tiled
| Job | What it involves | How it compares on price |
|---|---|---|
| Waterline tiles | A band of tiles around the pool at the water level | The smallest tiling job |
| Coping | The edge around the top of the pool, in stone, tiles or pavers | Depends on the length of the edge and the material |
| Steps and benches | Mosaic on the steps, ledges and seats | Adds to either of the above |
| Full interior | Glass or porcelain mosaic over the whole pool | The largest tiling job |
The tiles you choose
Glass mosaic usually costs more than porcelain, and patterned or blended layouts take longer to set than a single colour. Larger format tiles cover ground faster but need more cutting around curves, so a curved pool costs more to tile than a rectangular one of the same size.
Cutting mosaic sheets to fit
What is underneath
Tiles are only as good as the surface they sit on. Old tiles have to come off cleanly, drummy render is cut out and patched, and cracks are repaired before any tile goes down. On an older pool, this work can be a large part of the cost. A quote should say what it includes.
The edges
New coping is often done with the waterline tiles, because the pool only has to be lowered once. The material, the length of the edge and whether the old coping has to be cut away all affect the price.
Our tilers on the bench ledge of a glass mosaic pool in Collaroy Plateau
Doing it while the pool is empty
If the pool is being resurfaced, tiling at the same time saves emptying it twice. Our guide to pool resurfacing costs covers the rest of that job.
How long it takes
New waterline tiles usually take a few days to a week. A fully tiled interior usually takes two to four weeks.
Getting an accurate price
A price you can rely on needs someone to see the pool: the old tiles and coping, the render behind them and the shape of the pool. Photos help you get a first idea. Our licence covers wall and floor tiling as well as pool building. More about our pool tiling and coping, or see one of our jobs: the glass mosaic tiling in Collaroy Plateau.
