Step Tiles and cold weather?

[sincere8868]

Hello everyone,

First off I love this forum and it has been an amazing place to find information ahead of building my pool. I'm currently stuck on an important decision around choosing waterline tile and step marker tiles.

My builder is advising to stay away from anything glass tile, which I agree when coming to the waterline tile. However I have not found anything on the web around if glass tiles are ok for step markers and instead a spa on the benches?

I live in Boston, MA and will need to close down the pool every year. I'm wondering if anyone lives in cold weather that has step tiles glass or porcelain? Has anyone had issues with the pool water freezing and destroying the step makers?

Currently planning on choosing the following pool color with my builder, based on this inspirational video:

 

[ajw22]

Welcome to TFP.

Glass tiles work fine on steps and benches. Freezing water on those surfaces will spall the plaster before it damages the tiles.

I agree with your builder on not using glass tile along the waterline or spa walls. It gives you too much grout lines that cause the problems. Use the largest format tiles that work for your design and minimize grout lines.