Pool Surrounds

[Jeanneclaire]

Our pool is well on the way to completion, but as we want an abri we have to have hard standing around the pool for it to run on, either on its own, or on rails. We have had what seems to me quite big quote for concreting around the pool, and then tiling on top. It seems to be accepted that this is how it will be, but is it not possible to have hard core and then paving, laid on mortar if necessay as it probably would need to be? Anybody out there done this or similar?

[Piprob]

Our next door neighbour has done just that. Its looks just fine. Good non-slip surface too. Ours is tiled with 'grippy' tiles but while they look better (matter of taste?) they're not as safe.

[Poolguy]

Jeanneclair

I take it that you are asking about the makeup of a terrace.

The answer is that there are many ways of doing this job, but as you are

mounting an expensive abri over I would suggest that you take some care about

the makeup of your terrace.

First make sure your terrace slopes away from your pool so that the splash will

drain away and not back into the pool. This is a general rule that I am

familiar with but some artisans in France make their slab level - to me this is

a mistake.

Next, you can choose wet jointing or dry jointing. The former is the most time

consuming and really needs a concrete slab to sit on. So you would build up

compacted hardcore, sand, concrete and then tiles with jointing compound

between the tiles. This makes a rigid, clean and strong terrace. However if you

choose dry jointing you may or may not choose to use a concrete slab. Success

has been had with laying on compacted sand, over compacted hardcore. This is

what I might call a flexible terrace as it can and will surly move over the

years making the surface a little irregular. Another disadvantage is that you will get mosses and weeds trying

to make a life out of the minute space between the tiles, which will need to be

pressure washed away occasionally.

Prices for these terraces vary depending on the availability of materials, and

access. In some cases 100 euro per meter might not be excessive, and other 60

euros/meter might be allowable - it also depends on the tile you choose, its

size, shape and if there is any cutting or irregular pattern work.

To close I would recommend in your case a concrete slab and wet jointing to

make a rigid, and strong terrace.

I hope that this has been helpful

Andrew