FHB Logo Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest Twitter Instagram Tiktok YouTube Plus Icon Close Icon Navigation Search Icon Navigation Search Icon Arrow Down Icon Video Guide Icon Article Guide Icon Modal Close Icon Guide Search Icon Skip to content
Subscribe
Log In
  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Videos
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House
  • Podcast
Log In

Discussion Forum

Discussion Forum

Setting pool tile along a curve

| Posted in Construction Techniques on February 28, 2004 08:47am

Hi-

Brand new to the forum, and hoping for help.

We’re having our pool replastered and retiled with 3 inch square ceramic tiles, spaced at 1/16 inch. 

I’m wondering about the best way for the tile to be laid across the top of a one-foot wide, five-foot long curved wall in the hot tub. 

Does every tile need to be trimmed at a slight angle? Would it look too cheap if the grout lines just got thicker as they run to the outside edge?

Is there some standard pattern or formula for figuring this out? 

Thanks!

Reply

Replies

  1. User avater
    Mongo | Feb 28, 2004 09:15am | #1

    You could do it either way, but I bet that right now you want the perfect look, thus you're shooting for each peice being perfectly cut into the perfect wedge shape, so you can maintain that perfect 1/16th-inch grout line around that perfect radius.

    I only say that because I went through the same thought process with my pool last year, though I used slate instead of ceramic tile.

    Fuggedaboutit.

    Run the 3" uncut square tiles along the radius, and accept the wedge-shaped grout lines between adjacent tiles.

    For one, cutting the tiles will be time consuming, and two, the cut edges will have to be treated, perhaps with a carborundum stone, to soften the edge. Glazed or ceramic tiles with snapped or cut edges are a bad thing to have around bare feet, or worse...bare bodies.

    Day One of the intallation you'll yearn for the perfect grout line. From Day Two onward, you'll wonder what the concern was all about.

    From the unsolicited useless information department: I plastered my pool with a medium gray plaster. Looks totally fabulous, and the unheated water temp stayed right around 89 degrees all last summer from straight solar gain. Slightly warm for me, but perfection for the missus. I'm in CT.

    1. linwoodb | Feb 28, 2004 10:25am | #2

      Thank you so much for the good advice!!

  2. ANDYBUILD | Feb 28, 2004 10:29am | #3

    mosaic

    "My life is my work"

  3. Poolman | Feb 28, 2004 04:05pm | #4

    Consider having curved capstones cut to the curbe. bullnosed on both sides, set then in with a small notch to allow spill into pool.  This will create a little waterfall for you, enhance the "skimming" action in the spa, look GREAT, be safer than tile (slippery when wet, people will walk on the wall), and in many freeze/thaw climates, last longer.

    untill the circumstances change, my answer will remain the same...

Log in or create an account to post a comment.

Sign up Log in

Become a member and get full access to FineHomebuilding.com

Video Shorts

Categories

  • Business
  • Code Questions
  • Construction Techniques
  • Energy, Heating & Insulation
  • General Discussion
  • Help/Work Wanted
  • Photo Gallery
  • Reader Classified
  • Tools for Home Building

Discussion Forum

Recent Posts and Replies

  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
View More Create Post

Up Next

Video Shorts

Featured Story

Details for Integrating an Addition

In this video, Jon overviews the elements of the addition, including building a deck-ledger-style floor system, closing off windows and doors, and framing the roof.

Featured Video

Video: Build a Fireplace, Brick by Brick

Watch mason Mike Mehaffey construct a traditional-style fireplace that burns well and meets current building codes.

Related Stories

  • Balancing Window Selections for Performance and Budget
  • Issue #320 – Dec. 2023/Jan. 2024
  • Podcast 607: Wood Foundations for Winter Builds, Adding Headroom, and Aeroseal for Leaky Ducts
  • Podcast 607: Members-only Aftershow—Holiday Gifts for Home-Building Enthusiasts

Highlights

Fine Homebuilding All Access
Fine Homebuilding Podcast
Tool Tech
Plus, get an extra 20% off with code GIFT20

"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

BOOKS, DVDs, & MERCH

Shop the Store
  • 2024 Tool Guide
    Buy Now
  • Code Check Complete 3rd Edition
    Buy Now
  • Pretty Good House
    Buy Now
  • 2023 Fine Homebuilding Archive
    Buy Now
  • Shop the Store

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

  • Issue 320 - Dec 2023/Jan 2024
    • How to Reuse Salvaged Wood
    • Chainsaw Retrofit and Energy Performance
    • Maximize HVAC Efficiency
  • Issue 319 - November 2023
    • Nearly Net-Zero ADU
    • An Easy Approach to Coffered Ceilings
    • Understanding Types of Roof Vents
  • Issue 318 - October 2023
    • Make Mudsills Square and Level
    • Turn Up the Heat With Induction Cooktops
    • The Fine Homebuilding Interview: Lloyd Alter
  • Issue 317 - Aug/Sept 2023
    • Finishing Drywall With Seamless Results
    • A Flat Roof in a Cold Climate
    • Compact Cordless Shop Vacs
  • Issue 316 - July 2023
    • Timber-Framed Solar Canopies
    • Build a Transom Above a Stock Door
    • Understanding Toilet Design and Efficiency

Fine Homebuilding

Follow

  • YouTube
  • instagram
  • facebook
  • pinterest
  • Tiktok
  • twitter

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Membership & Magazine

  • Online Archive
  • Start Free Trial
  • Magazine Subscription
  • Magazine Renewal
  • Gift a Subscription
  • Customer Support
  • Privacy Preferences

Taunton Network

  • Green Building Advisor
  • Fine Woodworking
  • Fine Gardening
  • Threads
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • Copyright
  • Terms of Use
  • Site Map
  • Do not sell or share my information
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • California Privacy Rights

© 2023 The Taunton Press, Inc. All rights reserved.

X
X
This is a dialog window which overlays the main content of the page. The modal window is a 'site map' of the most critical areas of the site. Pressing the Escape (ESC) button will close the modal and bring you back to where you were on the page.

Main Menu

  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Video
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Popular Topics

  • Kitchens
  • Business
  • Bedrooms
  • Roofs
  • Architecture and Design
  • Green Building
  • Decks
  • Framing
  • Safety
  • Remodeling
  • Bathrooms
  • Windows
  • Tilework
  • Ceilings
  • HVAC

Magazine

  • Current Issue
  • Past Issues
  • Magazine Index
  • Subscribe
  • Online Archive
  • Author Guidelines

All Access

  • Member Home
  • Start Free Trial
  • Gift Membership

Shop the Store

  • Books
  • DVDs
  • Taunton Workshops

More

  • FHB Ambassadors
  • Reader Projects
  • Podcast
  • FHB House
  • Customer Support

Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Follow

  • YouTube
  • instagram
  • facebook
  • pinterest
  • Tiktok
  • twitter

Join All Access

Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features.

Start Your Free Trial

Subscribe

FHB Magazine

Start your subscription today and save up to set_percent%

Subscribe

We hope you’ve enjoyed your free articles. To keep reading, become a member today.

Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine.

Start your FREE trial

Already a member? Log in