February 12, 2025

POOL TILE: CLEANING AND MAINTENANCE

Our Technical Services team and Ken Milbery, director of techncial services, recently finalized new guidelines for the care and maintenance of glass and ceramic tiles installed in pools and spas.

POOL TILE: CLEANING AND MAINTENANCE

Maintaining the pristine appearance of glass mosaic and ceramic tiles in your swimming pool requires a proactive and consistent approach. Here are some key strategies for keeping your tiles looking new and beautiful.

SEALING

After the tiles have been installed and before the pool is filled for use, it is highly recommended that the installation be sealed to lessen the maintenance needed in the future. The sealer is a sacrificial product and needs to be reapplied on occasion.

REGULAR BRUSHING

Brushing the tiles weekly is essential to prevent mineral buildup, especially along the waterline, where evaporation is highest. Use a soft brush or non-abrasive scrub pad to gently clean the surface, focusing on areas prone to residue accumulation. This routine helps maintain the tiles’ finish and prevents unsightly scaling.

BALANCED WATER CHEMISTRY

Keeping water chemistry balanced is essential for the longevity and appearance of your pool tiles. Imbalanced water can lead to increased mineral deposits and potential tile damage.

Maintaining balanced water chemistry is crucial. Regularly monitor and adjust the following parameters:

Calcium Hardness: Aim for levels between 200–400 ppm. High calcium hardness can cause scaling, while low levels may make the water corrosive.
pH Levels: Maintain a pH between 7.2 and 7.8. An imbalanced pH can lead to scale formation and impact the effectiveness of sanitizers.
Total Alkalinity: Keep levels between 80 and 120 ppm to stabilize pH and prevent fluctuations that may cause scaling.

Frequent testing and adjustments help avoid conditions that promote mineral deposits.

EQUIPMENT RUN-TIME MANAGEMENT

To mitigate mineral accumulation, it’s advisable to run overflow features continuously. Constant water flow prevents the drying and evaporation cycles that leave minerals on tile surfaces, reducing the risk of buildup.

For example, perimeter overflows sometimes cycle on and off during daylight hours to save energy or run a cleaning cycle. Minerals are left behind each time the water dries or evaporates. To reduce mineral buildup, overflow features should run from sunrise to sunset.

USE OF APPROPRIATE CLEANING SOLUTIONS

For routine cleaning, mix equal parts vinegar and water with a few drops of a non-detergent cleaner like Dawn. Spray the mixture onto the tiles, let it sit for about 10 minutes, and then gently scrub with a soft-bristled brush or a nonabrasive scrub pad to remove any buildup. Avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasive materials, as they can scratch or dull the tiled surface.

NEVER PLACE MURIATIC ACID DIRECTLY ON GLASS OR CERAMIC TILE

PROFESSIONAL MAINTENANCE

If you notice persistent buildup or staining despite regular maintenance, consult a pool maintenance professional. They can evaluate the situation and suggest specialized treatments.

We advise against using mechanical abrading or blasting for glass or ceramic tile.

By adhering to these practices, you can preserve the beauty and durability of your pool tiles, ensuring that your pool continues to be a striking focal point for years ahead.

A pdf version of these recommendations can be found here:

www.LunadaBayTile.com/PoolMaintenance

Lunada Bay Tile Refreshes the Linen Ceramic Collection ,

Lunada Bay Tile is refreshing its popular Linen ceramic tile collection with a new hexagon 4-inch tile and new 4 ¾ x 9 ½ tiles available in six glossy, vibrant colors. The subtly three-dimensional woven graphic brings the textured pattern to life, giving it a rustic and elegant appearance, with all the performance benefits of porcelain tile. Linen ceramic series | Lunada Bay Tile

LINEN 4" HEX

Linen ceramic series colors | Lunada Bay Tile

LINEN 4 ¾ x 9 ½

CONCEPT BOARDS

2025 Design Trends: The Emotional Evolution of Home Design ,

The concept of "home" is undergoing a profound transformation. What was once simply a place of shelter has evolved into what Harvard professor David Kester calls "a mental, physical, and emotional healing environment." This fundamental shift is reshaping not just how we live, but how we think about interior design itself.

Feras Irikat, who brings 25 years of product design experience to his role as director of design and marketing at Lunada Bay Tile, sees this evolution firsthand. The rigid design rules of past decades have given way to a more fluid approach, where homeowners and designers freely mix eras, styles, and aesthetics to create deeply personal spaces. This transformation is being driven by key trends that will define home design through 2025 and beyond.

6 Key Design Trends for 2025

1. Nostalgic Revival with a Premium Twist

The post-pandemic era has sparked a renewed interest in comforting, familiar elements from the past – but with a modern interpretation. Designers are seamlessly blending traditional elements with contemporary features, creating spaces that honor heritage while embracing innovation. Think mid-century lighting paired with Zellige tiles, or modern shaker cabinets alongside farmhouse elements.

"In hardships, we tend to think about memories, we tend to think about the good old days that passed because that's a comforting moment that puts our mind at ease,” Irikat said.

This post-pandemic trend isn't about simple reproduction – it's about giving heritage a modern spin. As Irikat demonstrates through Lunada Bay Tile's collections, such as Mistral and Vesuvio, it's possible to take traditional patterns and "keep the soul existing and identifiable, but add something new to it."

2. Sustainability Meets Nature-Inspired Design

The Pacific color glaze on the Shinju Reef pattern covering the backsplash and back wall feels right at home in this modern kitchen, showcasing natural materials and metallic finishes. Design: Jamie Jackson Design

Environmental consciousness is moving beyond mere eco-friendly materials. Designers are now drawing direct inspiration from nature, translating organic patterns, textures, and color palettes into interior spaces. This trend emphasizes recycled materials and sustainable products while maintaining a sophisticated aesthetic that connects inhabitants with the natural world.

"Let nature inspire your concept, your color palette, your design aesthetic," Irikat urged.

He notes how designers are increasingly "relying on something a lot more natural, a lot more emotional to create something physical." This approach goes beyond using eco-friendly materials – it's about creating deeper connections with our environment through thoughtful design choices.

Lunada Bay Tile’s recycled glass tile collections, which contain up to 70% post-consumer recycled glass, are one way to implement a more sustainable material selection to your spaces.

From the weathered patina of coastal stones to the soft iridescence of ocean waves, Lunada Bay Tile's collections draw their color inspiration directly from the natural world. Each colorway tells its own environmental story – whether it's the warm earth tones reminiscent of desert landscapes in the Vesuvio collection, the crystalline blues and greens that mirror tidal pools in the Agate series, or the subtle gradients that echo morning mist in the Tozen line.

These nature-derived palettes create visual harmony in spaces and forge a deeper connection between indoor environments and the organic world outside. By translating nature's timeless color schemes into contemporary tile designs, Lunada Bay Tile helps designers and homeowners bring the calming, restorative qualities of the natural world into everyday living spaces.

3. Technology Integration with Purpose

Smart home features are evolving beyond novelty to focus on meaningful functionality. From water-conscious faucets that track usage to versatile wall systems that transform spaces for multiple uses, technology is being integrated thoughtfully to enhance daily living while maintaining aesthetic appeal.

"Technology is impacting the way we live, the way we cook, the way we engage and the way we entertain," Irikat observed.

He points to innovations in home automation, water conservation, and versatile living spaces as examples of how technology is meaningfully integrated into our homes. "Technology was one of the things that enabled us to survive a very hard pandemic," he noted, and its influence on design continues to grow.

4. Playful Optimism in Design

Left: Graphite 4-inch Hex in Molten Bronze and Black Iron. Middle: Graphite Duet in Black Iron and Klein Blue. Right: Graphite in multiple sizes and colors.

There's a growing emphasis on creating spaces that spark joy and positive emotions. This trend manifests in mixed metal finishes, unexpected color combinations, and playful pattern mixing. The focus is on personal expression rather than following strict design rules.

"I love the world of optimistic design," Irikat said. "It's nice to ask your clients what puts a smile on your face."

He advocates for moving beyond traditional questions about color preferences and instead focusing on emotional responses. "Today's design world is incredibly fluid," he noted, allowing for unprecedented mixing of styles, eras, and finishes in ways that spark joy and personal connection.

5. Authentic Personalization

The most significant trend is the move toward genuine personalization. With 48% of consumers willing to spend more on personalized experiences, customization is becoming crucial in home design. From custom blends of handcrafted tile to bespoke furniture pieces, homeowners seek spaces that truly reflect their individual style and needs.

"We have to start paying attention to that consumer that wants personalized options and offering them ways to make spaces uniquely their own," Irikat said. "Custom blends allow designers and homeowners to tell their story through color and pattern."

Lunada Bay Tile makes this creative expression possible through its custom blend program. Designers can combine different colors, finishes, and sizes from collections to create unique mosaic patterns. These custom blends can range from subtle tonal variations to bold, artistic statements, giving each project a distinct personality that cannot be replicated.

6. The Soft Revolution

Colors and shapes are taking on softer, more subtle forms. Earth tones are lightened and softened, while harsh angles give way to gentle curves. This "soft home" approach creates more welcoming, less jarring environments that support emotional well-being.

Choose tile collections with fewer 90-degree angles and rounded edges for a softer aesthetic. Lunada Bay Tile’s Agate, Tozen, JAW, and Lapis glass tile collections are just a few options, offering soft curves and nature-inspired colorways for your designs.

As we move into 2025, the most important trend isn't about specific colors or patterns – it's about creating environments that support emotional well-being and personal expression. The future of design is less about following strict rules and more about creating spaces that resonate on a deeply personal level.

"You don't persuade people through intellect. You do it through emotions," Irikat emphasized.

Watch the recent video on Design Trends for 2025