Setting 2x18 Tile on a 50-Foot Custom Pool Build

When you're building a pool this size, the finish work is where everything either comes together or falls apart. We're mid-installation on a 50-foot pool paired with a large spa at the shallow end, and right now we're focused on one of the most detail-driven parts of the entire build - the waterline tile.

We're setting 2" x 18" tile along the full length of the pool. That's a long, unforgiving run of tile. Every piece has to be level, properly spaced, and set clean. On a build this scale, even minor inconsistencies become obvious once the water is in. So we take our time here.

The spa at the shallow end adds a whole other layer to this build. Getting the transition between the pool and spa to feel intentional - not just functional - is what separates a good pool from one that actually looks like it belongs in a backyard. That's the goal with every custom build we take on.

Tile choice matters more than most people realize. The size, orientation, and color all affect how the finished pool reads from the yard. A long, horizontal tile run like this draws the eye along the length of the pool and makes the whole space feel bigger and more polished. It's a subtle detail, but it's the kind of thing you notice without knowing why.

This is the work that happens before the water goes in - the part most homeowners never see. But it's exactly what determines how good the finished product looks and how long it holds up.