Pool industry professionals certainly came away excited about all of the new and innovative products and materials they saw at the recent Coverings event in Orlando, Fl. However, when selecting which pool tile materials to use it is vital to learn the differences between the US ANSI standards and the EU ISO standards which are not the same. Consequently, ANSI standards are more stringent.

It’s important not to buy into the sales presentation and perform your due diligence before choosing a product. Using materials that are not suitable for the application could potentially expose you to liability should there be a failure.

ANSI A137-2017 are the standards for tile performance (A137.1 Ceramic Tiles & A137.2 Glass Tiles). Below are the minimum performance characteristics for ceramic tiles for submerged aquatic applications, the applicable test methods, and the minimum standards required.

One important factor to consider, porcelain tiles are 50% feldspar and are fired at much higher temperatures than regular ceramic tiles. This makes them much harder and denser than regular ceramic tiles. Porcelain tiles are a sub-group of the broader ceramic tile group, to which these standards apply.

10 Important Factors To Consider When Choosing Pool Tile Materials

1. COEFFICIENT OF FRICTION (COF – TCNA: DCOF Acutest test method).

There are two types: Static (SCOF) and Dynamic (DCOF). COF is the ratio of forces necessary to initiate sliding between two surfaces. The outdated ASTM C1028 static test measured the SCOF.

DCOF is the ratio of the force necessary to maintain sliding between two surfaces. The higher the DCOF, the more slip resistant the surface. This may not be of any concern underwater, but of grave concern on a pool deck or locker room floor. Industry standards generally accept ≥0.42 DCOF for commercial floor applications. Wet/dry locations, like aquatic locker rooms or moveable pool floors, may require ≥0.60 DCOF.

2. WATER ABSORPTION (ASTM C373-88 test method)

Tiles are weighed dry and again after soaking in water. The weight gain determines the percentage of absorption. Tiles are rated as follows:

Impervious: Tiles exhibiting 0.5% or less.

Vitreous: Tiles exhibiting more than 0.5%, but not more than 3.0%.

Semi-Vitreous: Tiles exhibiting more than 3.0%, but not more than 7.0%.

Non-Vitreous: Tiles exhibiting more than 7.0%.

3. FROST RESISTANCE (ASTM C1026 test method)

Directly related to water absorption. You can see that any absorbed water will be detrimental in a freeze condition – the expansion of freezing water will crack the tiles. Porcelain tile, by definition has a water absorption of less than 0.5%, making it frost proof as well. For aquatic applications we want impervious pool tile materials.

4. SCRATCH HARDNESS (MOH’S SCALE RATINGS)

The hardness of a tile’s surface will determine how it wears. The surface is scratched and a MOH’s hardness rating assigned. MOH’s scale 1- Talc (softest) to 10 Diamond (hardest). A hardness of 5 is suitable for residential flooring. A hardness of 7 or greater is usually recommended for commercial or outdoor applications.

5. BREAKING STRENGTH CERAMIC TILE (ASTM C648-04 test method)

Ceramic floor tiles must be able to support the loads exerted upon them. The test applies a force in pounds, to an unsupported tile until it breaks. Your selection should be based upon the anticipated maximum loads. Properly installed tiles, with a supporting setting bed that is free of voids, will be able to support significantly greater loads. These breaking values are for comparison purposes.

6. CHEMICAL RESISTANCE (ASTM C650-04 test method)

In this test, sample tiles are placed in various chemical baths for 24 hours, rinsed and examined for surface damage. For aquatic venues, it is desired to have the greatest level of chemical resistance.

7. SHADE VARIATIONS

This is a purely a cosmetic evaluation as to the consistency of the tile shades within a production lot.

Monochromatic (V0) – Very uniform, monochromatic color.

Low (V1) – Consistent color within each tile and from tile to tile.

Medium (V2) – Color variation within each tile.

High (V3) – Variation from tile to tile & within each tile.

Random (V4) – Considerable variation from tile to tile.

8. ABRASION RESISTANCE (ASTM C1027-99 test method)

The durability of the glazed surface is examined following the abrasion testing. The performance classifications and recommended uses are listed below:

CLASS 0 – Not recommended for use on floors.

CLASS 1 – (Light Residential) Light Traffic – Residential floor coverings in areas subject to soft-soled footwear or normal footwear traffic, without scratching dirt (i.e. domestic bathrooms and bedrooms without exterior access).

CLASS 2 (Residential) Medium to Light Traffic – Residential floor coverings in areas subject to soft-soled footwear or normal footwear traffic with small amounts of scratching dirt (i.e. rooms in the living areas of homes except kitchens, entrances and other areas that may be subjected to high usage).

CLASS 3 (Heavy Residential or Light Commercial) Medium to Heavy Traffic – Residential or light commercial may withstand normal footwear and regular traffic, with some dirt and/or other abrasives present in limited quantities. Tile in this class may be used in light commercial installations with limited foot traffic and with no direct access to the outside. Examples may include residential kitchens and hallways with limited traffic from the outside.

CLASS 4 (Commercial) Heavy Traffic – Residential and commercial floor coverings subjected to considerable traffic and scratching dirt (i.e. entrances, workrooms, inns, exhibition halls, and sales rooms, as well as other rooms in public and private buildings). Floors should be adequately protected against scratching dirt at the entrances to buildings by either floor mats or some other footwear cleaning device.

CLASS 5 (Heavy Commercial) Heavy Traffic – Heavy commercial floor coverings subject to heavy traffic with very abrasive soil.

9. STAIN RESISTANCE (ASTM 1378 test method)

This test is intended to determine the resistance to staining of tile surfaces. Class A – provides maximum stain resistance

10. MOUNTING METHOD

While not a part of the ANSI A137.1 standard, in submerged applications, the TCNA standards require that 95% of the back of the tile be in contact with the thinset. Care must be taken when choosing a porcelain tile for an aquatic environment, to ensure that the combination of the mesh and glue to not occupy more than 5% of the contact surface. It’s easy to evaluate the mesh, but not the glue. Worse yet, is if the glues soften in water.

Selecting The Best Pool Tile Materials

To summarize when selecting the best pool tile materials for aquatic applications we would desire the following minimum characteristics:

1. DCOF – not critical in submerged applications, but values of ≥0.42 for flooring, ≥0.60 wet/dry floors.

2. Water Absorption – Impervious, Tiles exhibiting 0.5% or less.

3. FROST RESISTANT – Yes.

4. SCRATCH HARDNESS – MOH’s 6-7.

5. BREAKING STRENGTH – Exceed PSI loads.

6. CHEMICAL RESISTANCE – Chemical resistant.

7. SHADE VARIATIONS – purely cosmetic.

8. ABRASION RESISTANCE – Class 3-5.

9. STAIN RESISTANCE – Class A.

10. MOUNTING METHOD – free of glue and mesh backing.

Below are the equivalent US / ISO European standards:

• Slip Resistance: TCNA DCOF Acutest / ISO NONE
• Abrasion Resistance Glazed ASTM C1027/ISO 10545-7
• Frost Resistance ASTM C1026 / ISO 10543-12
• Water Absorption ASTM C373 / ISO 10545-3
• Chemical Resistance ASTM C650 / ISO 10545-13
• Break Strength ASTM C648 / ISO 10545-4
• Stain Resistance ASTM C1378 / ISO 10545-14
• Scratch Hardness MOHS Scale / ISO MOH Scale

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