Are your pool tiles cracked, discolored or outdated? Are the joints deteriorating and the terrace unsafe? Astro Piscines has been tiling concrete pools, terraces and coping stones in the cantons of Geneva and Vaud since 1974. Our experienced tilers install frost-, chlorine- and UV-resistant porcelain stoneware to transform your aquatic space. Come and discover our selection of tiles – stone effect, imitation concrete, wood look – in our showroom in Nyon.
Why renovate tiles?
- Warning signs: cracked tiles, blackened joints, loose coping stones, slippery surfaces
- Risks: water infiltration into the structure, slipping accidents, algae proliferation
- Benefits: modern aesthetics, anti-slip safety, property enhancement
- Local argument: winter frost in French-speaking Switzerland accelerates deterioration
Services
Tiling inside a concrete pool
- Porcelain stoneware, mosaic, large format
- Lifetime ~50 years vs. 10-15 years for a liner
- Chemical-resistant epoxy seals
Terrace and pool deck tiles
- Visual continuity basin → terrace
- Sizes: 30×60, 60×60, 60×120 cm
- Non-slip surface R11
Laying on blocks
- 20mm slabs on adjustable feet
- Natural drainage, network access, slope correction
Custom coping
- Adapted cutting: right angles, curves, free shapes
- Rounded or straight edge, anti-runoff water drop
- Matching terrace tiles
Collections – Nyon Showroom
| Collection | Shades | Ambiance | Target keyword |
| Natural stone effect | Sand beige, light grey, taupe | Geneva villa, landscaping | stone-effect pool tiles |
| Imitation concrete | Anthracite grey, pearl, greige | Modern design | imitation concrete pool tiles |
| Imitation wood | Oak, teak, grey walnut | Warmth, pool deck | wood imitation pool tiles |
| Travertine effect | Beige, cream, veined | Mediterranean, luxurious spa | travertine pool tiles |
| Mosaic | Lagoon blue, green, pearly white | Water line, geometric | pool mosaic |
Choose color
How tile color affects the color of your pool water
Choosing the color of your pool tiles isn’t just a question of aesthetics at the poolside – it’s about deciding the color of the water itself. In porcelain stoneware, each hue transforms light differently, creating a unique ambience. Here are the four factors that determine the final result.
Tiling: the chromatic basis of your water
Cladding is the number one factor. It’s the porcelain stoneware floor and wall tiles that define the basic hue on which light is refracted.
| Tile color | Water rendering | Ambiance |
| Light blue / turquoise | Crystal-clear, refreshing water | Tropical lagoon |
| Light grey / pearl | Natural green-blue water | Swiss lake, sober |
| Beige / sand | Soft emerald water | Natural beach |
| Anthracite grey / black | Mirror effect, dark water | Contemporary design |
| White / ivory | Maximum clarity | Purity, luxurious spa |
The finish of the tiles also plays a role: a smooth surface reflects more light and makes the water shinier, while a textured surface – like our natural stone effect tiles – diffuses light in a softer, more natural way.
Astro Piscines tip: to see how it really looks, come and see our underwater samples in our Nyon showroom. The difference between dry and wet tiles can be surprising.
The depth of the pool: a natural gradient
The height of the water changes the intensity of the perceived color. In shallow areas – steps, submerged deck, bench – the water appears lighter and the tiles remain clearly visible. As depth increases, the color becomes denser and more intense.
This natural gradation creates a particularly elegant effect of volume. This is why our tilers often recommend a plain tile for the bottom of the pool: the play of depth is enough to create visual relief without overloading the overall effect.
For the pools we renovate in the cantons of Geneva and Vaud, where many older pools have a plunge pool of 2 meters or more, this contrast between shallow and deep areas is particularly marked – and an aesthetic asset to be exploited when choosing the tiles.
Natural light: your pool changes color throughout the day
The sun transforms the perception of water by the hour. In the morning, the low-angled light creates light, delicate tones. By mid-day, brilliance is at its peak and the colors of the tiles are fully expressed. At sunset, the nuances warm up and the surface takes on golden or amber hues.
The orientation of your pool – south-facing, sheltered by a hedge or exposed to the north – has a considerable influence on the color rendering. In French-speaking Switzerland, where sunshine levels vary greatly between the summer months and the mid-seasons, tiles in medium tones (beige, light grey) offer a good compromise: they remain luminous even under overcast skies, and don’t become dazzling in full July sunshine.
The environment: every pool is unique
Water is a permanent mirror. It reflects everything around it, and it’s this interaction with the landscape that makes each pool tiling project unique.
The surrounding vegetation adds light shades of green – an asset for Geneva and Vaud villas surrounded by landscaped gardens. On a clear day, the sky reinforces the blue; under a hazy sky, the tones soften and warm up. The surrounding materials are also important: a light-colored tiled terrace amplifies the luminosity of the water, while a dark terrace – with a concrete or anthracite effect – brings out the depth of the pool by contrast.
That’s why, at Astro Piscines, we recommend thinking of pool and terrace tiling as a whole. Our collections at the Nyon showroom feature coordinated ranges – same shade, different finishes – to create this visual continuity between the inside of the pool and the poolside.
Not sure which shade to choose? Ask for a free estimate: our consultants will come to your home to assess the orientation, vegetation and depth of your pool, and recommend the tiles that will give you exactly the color of water you’re looking for.
Indoor pools: when lighting replaces the sun
For indoor pools – found in many hotels, fitness centers and high-end villas in Geneva and Vaud – the rules change. Direct sunlight is reduced or absent. Tiling then becomes the dominant factor, and its rendering is more uniform and predictable than outdoors: no variations from hour to hour, no reflections of vegetation, no changing skies. What you choose in our Nyon showroom is very close to what you’ll get in your own pool.
The real variable, indoors, is artificial lighting. And this is where the choice of tiles takes on an architectural dimension.
| Lighting type | Effect on water | Recommended use |
|---|---|---|
| Cool light (5,000-6,500 K) | Bluer, brighter, invigorating water | Sports pool, fitness center |
| Neutral light (3,500-4,500 K) | Color true to tile, without deviation | Versatile, natural look |
| Warm light (2700-3000 K) | Golden hues, enveloping ambience | Wellness area, spa, hotel |
Beyond color temperature, it’s the direction of light that shapes the atmosphere. Direct underwater lighting brings out the texture of the tiles and creates beams of light in the water – a spectacular effect with mosaic tiles or relief porcelain stoneware. Indirect or low-angled lighting, from the walls or ceiling, softens contrasts and envelops the space in diffused light – ideal with stone-effect or travertine tiles in beige tones to recreate a thermal grotto ambience.
For architects and hoteliers, this predictability is a considerable advantage: unlike an outdoor pool, where the result depends on the sky and the season, an indoor pool makes it possible to design an exact and constant chromatic ambience. Tiling and lighting function as an inseparable duo – which is why we recommend that they be considered together right from the design phase.
Depth also plays its part indoors, but more subtly than outdoors: the light-dark gradient between the steps and the background remains visible, but the gaps are less marked. Tiling in medium tones – pearl grey, sandy beige – works particularly well indoors, as it offers sufficient visual depth without absorbing light in a space already deprived of sunlight.
Designing an indoor pool? Our advisors help architects and builders choose the right tiles and lighting recommendations. Make an appointment at our showroom in Nyon or request a site visit to assess the lighting conditions for your project.
Tile color and water temperature: a functional choice too
What many homeowners don’t realize is that the color of the tiles doesn’t just affect aesthetics – it also has a direct influence on water temperature.
Dark tiles – deep grey, anthracite or black – absorb more solar radiation. The result: the water is naturally 1 to 3°C warmer than in a pool with light-colored tiles. The heat accumulated during the day also dissipates more slowly in the evening, prolonging bathing comfort after sunset.
Conversely, light-colored tiles – white, ivory or beige – reflect sunlight and keep the water cooler and brighter. An appreciable advantage at the height of summer, when temperatures exceed 30°C.
In French-speaking Switzerland, this aspect is particularly strategic. The outdoor swimming season is naturally short – from May to September at best. Choosing dark tones for your tiles will save a few weeks of comfort in the shoulder seasons of April and October, without increasing heat pump consumption. For villa owners in Geneva or Vaud who want to enjoy their pool from April to October, this is a concrete way of saving energy.
Conversely, for indoor pools in hotels or fitness centers – already heated to 28-30°C – light-colored tiles are often preferable to maximize the luminosity of the space and avoid overheating.
| Tile color | Thermal effect | Ideal for |
|---|---|---|
| Dark tones (anthracite, black, deep gray) | +1 to 3°C naturally, better retention in the evening | Extend season, reduce heating |
| Medium tones (grey, beige, sand) | Neutral thermal balance | Year-round versatility |
| Light tones (white, ivory, cream) | Cooler water, maximum light | Indoor pools, hot summer |
Astro Piscines tip: if you combine anthracite tiling with a Full Inverter heat pump (which we also install), you can extend your swimming season by two months while keeping your energy bill under control. Our advisors will calculate the estimated heat gain when you submit your quotation – one more argument for choosing the right tile color right from the start.
Technical standards
| Criteria | Requirement | Details |
| Anti-slip | R11 minimum | ABC barefoot |
| Frost resistance | Certified reliability | Indispensable in French-speaking Switzerland |
| Chemical resistance | Chlorine, salt, UV | Ideal porcelain stoneware |
| Exterior thickness | 20mm | Must be laid on studs |
| Absorption | E ≤ 0,5 % | Submerged basin |
| Seals | Water-repellent epoxy | Chemical-resistant |
| Gluing | Double C2S1/C2S2 | Mandatory exterior |
Why choose Astro Piscines for your tiling?
Since 1974, Astro Piscines has been helping homeowners in the Lake Geneva region with all their pool projects. Here’s what sets us apart:
Personalized advice at our Nyon showroom Every pool is unique. Come and discover our tile collections – stone effect, imitation concrete, wood look, travertine – in our showroom in Nyon. Our advisors will help you choose the shades, formats and finishes to suit your pool, terrace and style.
Installation by our own tilers We don’t subcontract. Each job is carried out by our experienced tilers, who prepare the substrate, double-glue, epoxy joints and apply a meticulous finish. From the pool to the coping, you have a single point of contact from A to Z.
Right-angled, rounded, free-form: we cut and shape your porcelain stoneware coping to fit your pool perfectly. The result? An impeccable finish to match your terrace.
Reactive after-sales service in Geneva and Vaud If you have any questions after installation, our teams respond quickly throughout the canton of Geneva, the Côte (Nyon, Gland, Rolle) and the canton of Vaud (Lausanne, Morges, Vevey, Montreux).
Materials selected to last Non-slip porcelain stoneware R11, frost-, chlorine- and UV-resistant, with virtually zero water absorption. We only work with certified tiles for outdoor and submerged pools – because pool tiles should last 50 years, not 5.
Ready to transform your pool and terrace? Ask for a free quote or visit our showroom in Nyon to discover our collections.
FAQ – Frequently asked questions about tiles
Which tiles to choose for a concrete pool?
Porcelain stoneware is resistant to frost, chlorine and UV, with E absorption ≤ 0.5%. Available in stone, concrete or wood effect. Ask for advice at our showroom in Nyon.
How much does it cost to renovate swimming pool tiles in Switzerland?
The cost depends on the surface, the tiles chosen and the condition of the substrate. Free estimate within 48 hours.
How long do swimming pool tiles last?
Approximately 50 years for properly installed porcelain stoneware, versus 10-15 years for liner.
Can I lay over old tiles?
Possible if the old surface is stable and the substrate sound. Diagnosis by our tilers before each project.
What color for turquoise water?
Light blue, turquoise or lagoon green tiles. Light tones (ivory, white) give crystal-clear water.
Do I need special tiles for my terrace?
Yes: anti-slip R11, frost and UV-resistant. 20mm porcelain stoneware recommended for installation on blocks.