PALM COAST TILE
Pool deck tile for Florida pools, patios and lanais
Tiling a pool deck or lanai is a way to cover plain or worn concrete with a surface that looks better and is easier to keep clean. It is also a harder environment for tile than anything indoors. The surface is wet much of the time, it sits in full sun, and the concrete under it expands and contracts every day.
That is why the material and the installation method are chosen differently from an interior floor. This page explains the options. For interior floors, see tile installation.
MATERIALS
Choosing a pool deck tile
Three things matter more outdoors than indoors: grip when wet, heat underfoot and resistance to weather.
Porcelain
Outdoor-rated porcelain with a textured finish is durable, does not absorb water and needs little maintenance. It comes in standard thickness for bonding to concrete and in thicker pavers.
Travertine
A natural stone long used around Florida pools. It stays comfortable underfoot in the sun and has natural grip. It is porous, so it is usually sealed, and it needs more care than porcelain.
Slip resistance
Indoor tile with a smooth finish becomes slick when wet. For a pool deck, look for tile the manufacturer rates for wet exterior use.
Color and heat
Light colors stay noticeably cooler than dark ones in direct sun. This is worth checking with a sample left outside before you commit.
PALM COAST TILE
What makes outdoor tile last
Outdoor installations fail for different reasons than indoor ones. These are the two that matter most.
Drainage
The deck has to slope so water runs off, away from the house and toward the drains or the yard. If the existing concrete holds puddles, that is corrected before tile is installed.
Movement joints
Concrete moves with temperature, and outdoors the swings are large. Flexible joints are placed in the tile at intervals, over the joints in the slab and at the edges, so the movement does not crack the tile or break the bond.
FREE ESTIMATE
Want to tile a pool deck, patio or lanai?
Call or text with photos of the area and its rough size. We will come out, look at the concrete and give you a free estimate.
THE JOB
Tiling over an existing concrete deck
Most pool decks here are concrete, sometimes with a textured coating or old pavers on top. This is what the job involves.
Checking the concrete
The slab is checked for cracks, loose or hollow areas and slope. Tile can be bonded only to sound concrete.
Surface preparation
Paint, sealers and coatings are removed so the mortar can bond. Cracks are treated before tiling.
Setting and grouting
Tile is set with mortar and grout made for exterior, wet conditions, with full coverage under each tile so water cannot collect beneath it.
Coping and waterline tile
The coping around the pool edge and the tile at the waterline are separate from the deck. If you want those changed too, mention it at the estimate.
AT A GLANCE
Pool deck tile at a glance
What an outdoor tile job usually covers. Your estimate lists what applies to your deck.
F.A.Q
Frequently asked questions
Can you install tile over my existing concrete pool deck?
In most cases, yes, provided the concrete is sound and drains properly. Coatings have to be removed first, and cracks are treated so they are less likely to carry through to the tile.
What is the best tile for around a pool?
Textured, outdoor-rated porcelain is the lowest-maintenance choice. Travertine is popular because it stays cooler and has natural grip. Both work when installed correctly.
Does pool deck tile get hot?
Any surface in full Florida sun gets warm. Light colors and natural stone such as travertine stay cooler than dark porcelain. Leave a sample in the sun for an afternoon and step on it before you decide.
Is pool deck tile slippery?
It should not be if the right tile is chosen. Tile made for wet outdoor areas has a textured surface. Polished or smooth interior tile should not be used around a pool.
Do you tile lanais and screened porches?
Yes. A lanai is treated as an exterior area even when it is screened, because it still sees rain, humidity and temperature swings.
CONTACT
Let’s talk about your project
Call or text with the room you have in mind and a few photos. Estimates are free, and we are open Monday through Saturday.
Request a free estimate
WHERE WE WORK
Where we install pool deck tile
We install pool deck, patio and lanai tile in Palm Coast and Flagler County, and in nearby parts of Volusia and St. Johns County.
Tile installation for bathrooms, showers, kitchens and floors in Palm Coast and across Flagler County. More than 15 years of tile work.