Pool tile and coping on Hilton Head Island

The edge sets the look

The waterline tile and the coping around the top of the pool frame everything else. They also take the most abuse. Tile at the waterline goes wet and dry all day and collects calcium scale. Coping gets walked on, sat on and baked by the sun. Near the beach, salt in the air speeds up the wear.

Waterline tile

Replace tile when it's cracked, loose or missing, when grout has washed out, or when scale won't come off with professional cleaning. If the tile is sound, ask about bead blasting first; it can remove calcium without replacing anything.

Common choices on the island include porcelain in blues and greens, glass tile that shimmers in the sun, and stone-look tile that pairs with natural coping.

Coping

Travertine is popular in the Lowcountry because it stays relatively cool underfoot. Brick and concrete pavers, cast stone and poured concrete edges are also common. Loose or cracked coping can let water into the joint between the pool and the deck, so it's worth fixing before it leads to more damage.

Reset or replace?

If the stones are sound but the mortar has failed, they can sometimes be lifted and reset. If they're cracked or worn, or can't be matched, replacement usually makes more sense. Either way, the contractor should check the bond beam underneath.

Community approvals

Coping and deck materials are visible from outside the pool, so some island communities ask to review changes. Check with your architectural review board before choosing a new material or color.

Do it with your resurfacing

Tile and coping work is best done when the pool is already drained for a new plaster, quartz or pebble finish. It usually comes first, so heavy work is finished before the new interior goes in.

Call (843) 825-8028 to arrange a free estimate.