Pools will never be the same
by clé tile | published: Jul 12, 2024
photo by alex grabchilev
for years, our clients have been asking about tile for the outdoors, and specifically pool tile. that — and the recognition that america’s landscape architects and designers were being starved of vibrant, expressive materials for the outdoors — led to the creation of OUTERclé.
now, thanks to OUTERclé, designers have a vast cornucopia of options for pool tile, whether it’s for use in the pool basin itself (submerged), for the waterline, or the pool deck.
and given the importance of pools as focal points for landscapes, it’s a new page for outdoor design as a whole.
diving into a new world of design
scroll through design media from the states and you’d likely conclude that the classic blue-tiled pool is not only de rigueur, but the only option.
but throughout the rest of the world, particularly in australia, europe, mexico and south america, pools tend to have greater flair, more diversity. many are even downright artistic. it’s these examples (and others we’ve dreamed of) that constitute OUTERclé’s true north.
OUTERclé flips the script, and opens up new options. color? yes (from those classic blues to purples to reds and oranges — even silver and gold.) pattern and mosaic options? yes. different textural options? absolutely. ceramic, porcelain, and (even) glass…
each tile has been specifically designed or selected by OUTERclé as a pool tile from the outset — and not as a tile destined for the indoors that might be used in the demanding environment of a pool. every tile has been rated for uv resistance, slip resistance, chemical resistance, and freeze thaw resistance, with appropriate usages delineated.
exploring the options: in the pool (or fountain, or most places beyond)
start with the swim and poolside areas to see your full range of options (pro tip: narrow down your 800 or so choices by using the filters, or try out the quiz).
alternatively, explore OUTERclé’s current pool-approved collections.
lido: a collection of more than 1000 shapes, textures, forms, and colors in the highest quality porcelain. usages will depend on finish: matte grip is ideal for walking surfaces, while gloss and matte are better suited for walls (including pool walls.) always be sure to double check resources for specific usages for each tile you’re considering.
colorwerks: colorful, modern, industrial, factory-made standards made from the highest-quality porcelain tile for monochrome ways, color-blocking, checkerboards, or your own work of art. similar to lido, consider gloss options for walls only due to their lack of slip resistance, but matte options have broader applications. again, do check properties and usages in the resources carefully.
1970s glassworks: le disque: glamorous, unexpected, and otherworldly (inspired by david bowie), le disque has its sights set on pools, waterlines and fountains (pool decks, since glass is not slip resistant.)
dzek + formafantasma: excinere: a palette of dramatic and moody greens and earth-tones with a sophisticated volcanic ash-glaze texture.
exploring the options: poolside and beyond
when looking for materials for poolside, slip, uv and chemical resilience are non-negotiable. lido (again, only the matte grip options for safety) and colorwerks (matte only) provide colors from warhol pop to moody elegance.
dolce vita terrazzo offers museum-quality craftsmanship, elevated design. OUTERclé sought a high-design terrazzo capable of handling exterior applications. this long journey led to italy, the original birthplace of terrazzo, where the finest tiles are solid terrazzo through and through, not merely a thin surface of texture. freeze-thaw rated and uv resistant.
for a more organic take, brickworks offers subtle sophistication in elevated earthy hues, from the warm tan of pampas grass to deep brown veering towards black scorched earth. a little like that great pair of jeans, you can dial it up, or dial it down, it’s your choice. (a quick note, in direct sun or warmer climes, brick can be hot to the touch.)
for a stay-cool option with a natural look, lastricato layer slate may fit the bill.
color studies + tile
Color studies are crucial for interiors where lighting can change throughout the day. materials, texture, and finish can all play a part in how a color “reads” in a room. tile is especially complicated for this very reason. variegation and variation can soften the intensity of a color — but also magnify the differences between adjacent colors.
but fear not, we’ve got you covered! we believe that redesigning your space shouldn’t be arduous. successful color pairings shouldn’t feel like a code to be deciphered, but an opportunity to tap into emotions and tell your story. you can’t do this by following trends. instead you need to find the story that you want to tell.