Pool mosaics: contemporary finishes yet rich in history

The complete and final appearance of an inground pool depends on the inner cladding, which plays a key role as far as aesthetics, proper functioning and enjoyment of the pool are concerned. Indeed, the cladding is the most exposed and visible part of the pool, as it extends from the bottom to the pool walls, and sometimes it also covers the edges and the perimeter floor.

The best, finest and most stunning cladding is undoubtedly the mosaic, which has always been used for high-end projects. Swimming pool mosaics are suitable for any kind of pool, without any restriction in terms of shape, size or type.

Elegant and refined, the mosaic is the type of cladding that has been used the most for luxury pools throughout the centuries, and it offers countless colour possibilities. Indeed, with a mosaic cladding you will be able to customise your pool with spectacular decorations, ornamental motifs and even very elaborate designs, thus creating elegant and classy locations.

Discover our huge selection of pool designer mosaics.

Choosing a mosaic cladding for your designer pool is more than just an investment. It’s the beginning of a dream.

Unlike other types of pool claddings, such as PVC, cement mortars, preformed liner, grès and epoxy varnishes, the mosaic guarantees:

- greater resistance to abrasions, scratches, impurities, UV rays and chemical treatments of the pool water;

- greater resistance to the passing of time;

- much greater impermeability;

- versatility;

- countless decorative and colour combinations;

- very high aesthetic and stylistic value.

The mosaic creates unique and inimitable reflections, light effects and plays of colour in the water, which lend unexpected shades to the location.

By combining different types and colours of tiles it’s possible to create exclusive colour compositions and sophisticated decorations. The enamel and glass mosaic can be made with a wide range of colours, and it’s the most suitable for the inner cladding of inground pools.

The manufacture of glass mosaic tiles, produced with 80% of recycled glass, is very much appreciated by environmentalists. Polished marble mosaics are also available.

Because of the format of the tile material, its surface finish and the installation, this kind of cladding is slightly more expensive than other competing materials.

Installation must be perfectly made. The application of mosaic requires an inner and outer waterproofing treatment of the pool walls and bottom.

Most of the designs for pools are still handmade. Tiles prearranged on different-sized sheets are also available on the market, in order to ease installation even on curved surfaces.

Whether it’s classic or geometric, wide and designed for swimming or small and super equipped, your pool must represent yourself and express your personal taste so that, every time you go out in the garden, you are satisfied with the oasis of pleasure, luxury and relaxation you have created for swimming and family fun time.

A mosaic cladding allows you to customise your own pool and create various patterns and colour compositions. The mosaic is available in different weaves and colours, and it’s the perfect cladding for those who wish to create a work that has a strong aesthetic impact.

The choice of the colour of the cladding is crucial. Indeed, every nuance has a different effect. Light colours generally highlight the blue reflections of the sky, while darker tones lend an elegant allure to the pool. The most requested colours include:

- pale blue;

- sand;

- blue;

- white;

- light grey;

- charcoal grey.

Moreover, a mosaic cladding lends a pleasant sensation of largeness and depth to the pool. Contact us for any further information and a professional consultancy.

The tiles that make up the mosaic are long-lasting. Since they are ceramic or glass products, the cleaning operations are very simple. By carrying out maintenance operations regularly, especially on the numerous grout lines between the tiles, the mosaic will keep its aesthetic and functional properties unaltered over time. In order to bring the pool back to its former glory, you usually just need to remake the grout lines.

The composition of the mosaic tiles guarantees high resistance to impurities and mildew, fungi and parasite attack, thus making the mosaic cladding suitable to be installed in gyms, spas and wellness centres too.

Those who build a pool in a preexisting property are often worried that their real estate might fall into a luxury cadastral category because of the pool. The transition to a luxury cadastral category would cause the loss of some substantial tax reliefs, including the reduced rate for the purchase of the first home for instance.

Will your house automatically become a luxury residence if it includes a designer pool with a mosaic cladding? Do you need to register your home in a higher category? Absolutely not. Having an inground pool, regardless of the inner cladding type, is not a sufficient condition to determine the transition of the property to one of the luxury cadastral categories, nor to be excluded from the tax reliefs for the purchase of the first home.

The pool itself is not subject to additional taxes if the real estate doesn’t have any other characteristic of a luxury house. The necessary requirements for a property to be taxed as a luxury one must be at least five of the following:

- a pool that has an area of over 80 square metres;

- a tennis court that has an area of over 60 square metres;

- a house that has a useful floor area of over 160 square metres, not including balconies, terraces, cellars, attics, stairs, garages and parking spaces;

- terraces that have an area of over 65 square metres;

- the main staircase taller than 1.70 metres and cladded with fine materials;

- fine solid wood front doors that have been veneered, carved, engraved or inlaid, and have elaborate decorations;

- fine floorings on 50% of the total area;

- indoor walls cladded with fine materials on over 30% of the surface;

- coffered ceilings or ceilings adorned with hand-painted stuccoes.

This means that, even if you decide to create elaborate mosaic decorations in your pool, such as the gold ones created by Fantini Mosaici | Marmi in a private residence in Beverly Hills, California, your house does not automatically turn into a luxury property in the absence of other requirements.

Look at Fantini's mosaic projects for pools.