Fujiwa PEB Deep Sea 1" x 1" Glazed Porcelain Pool Tile

Product Overview

Fujiwa PEB Series Deep Sea 1" x 1" Glazed Porcelain Pool Tile brings layered ocean-blue color and classic mosaic detail to swimming pools, spas, fountains, and water features. The Deep Sea colorway combines rich blue tones with subtle tonal movement, producing a vibrant surface that becomes especially dynamic beneath moving water and natural sunlight.

Each 1" square is neatly mounted on mesh for efficient alignment and easier installation across waterlines, pool interiors, raised spas, steps, benches, and curved architectural features. The compact format also makes Deep Sea an attractive option for shower walls, bathroom accents, backsplashes, and other interior or exterior tiled surfaces.

Technical Specifications

Recommended Applications

• Pool Waterlines: Creates a richly colored border that coordinates with blue, gray, white, and natural-stone pool finishes.

• Full Pool Interiors: The 1" mosaic format can be installed throughout the pool shell for a continuous, resort-inspired appearance.

• Spas and Hot Tubs: Suitable for submerged spa interiors, raised spa walls, spillways, and decorative transitions.

• Pool Steps and Benches: The compact tiles conform more readily to detailed surfaces, provided the installation meets applicable slip-resistance requirements.

• Fountains and Water Features: Brings reflective blue color to submerged basins, spill walls, and decorative water elements.

• Curved Surfaces: Mesh-mounted sheets can accommodate properly prepared radiused walls, steps, columns, and other gentle curves.

• Showers and Bathrooms: Suitable for shower walls, bathroom accents, niches, and appropriate floor applications over approved substrates.

• Kitchen and Bar Backsplashes: Provides a saturated aquatic-blue accent for interior decorative walls.

Installation and Handling Guidelines

⚠️ IMPORTANT: SUBMERGED TILE INSTALLATION

A pool-tile installation is a complete system. The substrate, waterproofing, mortar, grout, movement joints, curing period, and water chemistry must all be suitable for continuous immersion.

• Qualified Installer Recommended: Use a tile contractor experienced with submerged pool and spa installations.

• Prepare the Pool Shell: The substrate must be structurally sound, dimensionally stable, clean, properly cured, and prepared according to the waterproofing and setting-material manufacturers’ requirements.

• Waterproofing: Apply a waterproofing membrane specifically approved for swimming pools, spas, fountains, and continuous-submersion applications.

• Setting Material: Use a premium polymer-modified mortar or epoxy adhesive approved for porcelain mosaics, exterior exposure, and permanent immersion.

• Mortar Coverage: Flatten mortar ridges before setting the sheets and obtain substantially complete coverage without voids. Voids behind pool tile can collect water and contribute to bond failure.

• Sheet Alignment: Dry-fit adjoining sheets and adjust individual pieces along the edges to prevent visible sheet outlines.

• Mesh Inspection: Confirm that the mesh and mounting adhesive are compatible with submerged installation. Excessive backing adhesive can reduce the bonding surface available to the mortar.

• Curved Surfaces: Cut the mesh between rows where necessary to follow a radius without creating compressed, uneven, or excessively wide grout joints.

• Grout Selection: Use epoxy grout or a high-performance cementitious grout specifically approved for pools and continuous water immersion.

• Movement Joints: Include movement accommodation at changes of plane, perimeters, structural transitions, and other required locations. Do not fill designated movement joints with rigid grout.

• Curing: Allow the complete installation to cure for the period required by the waterproofing, mortar, and grout manufacturers before filling the pool.

• Water Chemistry: Maintain properly balanced pool water. Persistent chemical imbalance can contribute to scale, staining, grout deterioration, and surface deposits.

• Cold Climates: Porcelain is suitable for freeze-thaw environments when installed correctly, but pools and water features must be properly constructed, drained, and winterized.

• Order Allowance: Add approximately 10–15% for cuts, sheet blending, curves, breakage, and future repairs.

Floor and Step Use

The numerous grout joints associated with 1" mosaics may contribute to underfoot traction, but no published DCOF rating has been identified for PEB-166.

Before using this tile on pool steps, benches, beach entries, shower floors, or other walking surfaces, confirm compliance with the project’s applicable slip-resistance requirements. Do not describe the tile as “slip-proof” or assign a slip rating that has not been published by the manufacturer.

Care and Maintenance

• Maintain pool water within the equipment, finish, grout, and chemical manufacturers’ recommended ranges.

• Clean ordinary deposits with a soft nylon brush and a cleaner approved for glazed porcelain pool tile.

• Do not use wire brushes, aggressive abrasives, or metal tools that could scratch the glaze.

• Remove calcium deposits with an appropriate pool-tile cleaner after testing it on a small, inconspicuous area.

• Avoid using pumice stones unless their compatibility with the particular glaze has been confirmed.

• Inspect grout, sealant joints, waterlines, and transitions periodically for cracks or deterioration.

• Address failed joints promptly to reduce the risk of water reaching the setting bed or substrate.

• For interior installations, clean with warm water and a neutral-pH porcelain-tile cleaner.

Shade and Production Variation

Variations in shade are inherent in kiln-fired tile products. Differences in blue intensity, glaze movement, and tonal distribution may occur between samples, sheets, and production lots.

Inspect and dry-lay sheets from multiple cartons before installation. Blend the material across the surface and make any necessary adjustments before the mortar cures. Installation constitutes acceptance of the product’s appearance.

Design Profile

• Aesthetic Inspiration: Deep ocean water, coastal resorts, Mediterranean pools, and contemporary aquatic design.

• Color Character: Saturated ocean blue with tonal variation across the glazed surface.

• Visual Advantage: The small-format mosaic breaks reflected light into numerous points, creating movement across waterlines and submerged surfaces.

• Coordinating Pool Finishes: White, light blue, medium blue, gray, and deep-blue pool plaster.

• Complementary Coping: Silver travertine, limestone, white marble, light-gray porcelain, and warm beige natural stone.

• Complementary Materials: Clear glass, brushed stainless steel, pale concrete, teak, and light-colored outdoor furniture.

• Suggested Grout Colors: Medium blue creates a unified appearance, while light gray or white emphasizes the individual mosaic grid.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the correct item number for Deep Sea?

The Fujiwa manufacturer item number is PEB-166. PEB-168 is the North Sea colorway.

Is this a pebble-shaped mosaic?

No. It consists of regular 1" x 1" square porcelain mosaics. PEB is the name of the Fujiwa collection, not the shape of the tile.

Can Deep Sea be installed throughout an entire swimming pool?

Yes. Fujiwa states that PEB Series mosaics can be used for the entire pool body, as a waterline, or for mosaic artwork.

Can it be installed in a spa?

Yes. Use waterproofing, mortar, grout, and sealant products approved for spas, elevated temperatures, treated water, and continuous immersion.

Can the mesh sheets follow curved pool walls?

They can accommodate gentle curves. The installer may need to cut the mesh between rows to maintain consistent joints and prevent the sheets from buckling.

Is this tile slip resistant?

No published DCOF value has been identified. The small format creates numerous grout joints, but suitability for steps, benches, shower floors, and walking surfaces must be evaluated for the individual project.

How much does one sheet cover?

One mesh-mounted sheet covers approximately 1.08 sq. ft.

How many sheets are packaged in a box?

Fujiwa’s current catalog lists 20 sheets, covering approximately 21.6 sq. ft. per box.

Does porcelain pool tile require sealing?

The glazed porcelain surface normally does not require sealing. Cementitious grout or other components may require treatment according to their manufacturers’ instructions.

Will every sheet be identical?

No. Tonal differences are inherent in kiln-fired products. Blend sheets from several cartons before installation.