{"id":177,"date":"2026-02-17T21:36:46","date_gmt":"2026-02-17T21:36:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ntsaexperts.com\/NTSA-articles\/?p=177"},"modified":"2026-06-29T16:49:37","modified_gmt":"2026-06-29T16:49:37","slug":"whos-making-the-pool-tile-selection","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ntsaexperts.com\/NTSA-articles\/?p=177","title":{"rendered":"Pool Tile Selection \u2014 Who’s Making it?"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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By Gil Chotam & Greg Andrews | National Tile and Stone Authority (NTSA)<\/em><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Generally speaking, an owner\u2019s representative such as a designer or architect will bring material selections to an owner, particularly on larger estate projects, but on occasion an owner will be more directly involved by in pool tile selection shopping on their own. As it typically goes, the client (owner or owner\u2019s representative) will bring pertinent information to the vendor, such as, \u201cWe\u2019re looking for a tile that\u2019s approved for swimming pools,\u201d and the vendor will point them to a multitude of possibilities. Pool tile selections are made and, assuming the tile is approved for submerged applications, all is good.<\/span><\/p>

Pool Tile Section Assisted by Responsibile Vendors<\/h3>

Vendors make their living by supplying and selling material and responsible vendors do their best to point customers in the right direction but who gives them their information? Technical information that comes directly from the manufacturer is without a doubt superior to what the vendor might hear from a broker who may not really understand the physical properties of the material they are selling. But even when the vendor is using manufacturer data to advise the customer in pool tile selection, a prudent buyer must still be cautious in obtaining enough discernible information to hand over to the installer.<\/p>

Quality tile installation systems are numerous, but any deviation from what a manufacturer recommends can mean forfeiting a warranty, even if the system is equal to or superior to what the manufacturer suggests.<\/p>

Unfortunately, the tile installer, who holds the most responsibility for delivering a long lasting, quality product, is generally at the bottom of the totem pole with regard to input on pool tile selection.<\/p>

Third Parties in the Pool Tile Selection Process<\/h3>

This is where third-party product verification is advised, not only for vetting the pool tile selection but also interpreting installation instructions and recommending installation systems. With the variety of pool tile designs to choose from, along with a multitude of installation systems available, things can get more than a little confusing, even for seasoned specifiers who search diligently for the best of the best materials to use on a project. Third-party product verification by a professional who is familiar with pools, tile, and installations systems can offer a unique overview of a project, helping end users verify compatibility of tile and installation systems as they pertain to the environments they will be subjected to.<\/p>

For more information, see The Players in Pool Tile Selection<\/a>.<\/p>

NTSA Caveat<\/h2>

This article is based on field observations, case reviews, and professional experience. It is intended to highlight patterns relevant to construction defect evaluation. Final determinations should be made based on project-specific documentation, testing, and coordination with all relevant parties.<\/p>

National Tile and Stone Authority<\/a>\u00a0(NTSA) provides forensic consulting and expert witness services in tile and stone-related matters.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Gil Chotam & Greg Andrews | National Tile and Stone Authority (NTSA) Generally speaking, an owner\u2019s representative such as a designer or architect will bring material selections to an owner, particularly on larger estate projects, but on occasion an owner will be more directly involved by in pool tile selection shopping on their own….<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-177","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-pool-tile-articles-ntsa"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t