Product Overview

MSI Terrazo Gris® Arterra® 13" × 24" × 2 cm Matte Porcelain Pool Coping brings a clean, contemporary terrazzo aesthetic to pools, spas, steps, and outdoor living areas. Made in Italy, this glazed porcelain features a soft dove-gray background accented by charcoal-gray and white aggregate-inspired flecks.

The substantial 2 cm thickness and single-bullnose 24-inch edge create a smooth, finished transition around pool perimeters and raised structures. Its matte surface complements modern landscapes while providing a manufacturer-published wet DCOF rating of 0.60 or greater.

Terrazo Gris coordinates with the matching Arterra® 24" × 24" × 2 cm porcelain paver, allowing the pool coping and surrounding deck to share one continuous material palette.

Technical Specifications

Specifications are based on MSI’s current Terrazo Gris pool-coping page and coordinating Arterra paver specifications.

Recommended Applications

• Swimming-Pool Coping: Creates a durable, finished perimeter around concrete and masonry pool shells.

• Raised-Spa Coping: Provides a smooth bullnose transition around elevated spas and integrated water features.

• Exterior Step Treads: May be installed as a stair tread or nosing when tread depth, overhang, support, and slip resistance comply with applicable codes.

• Seat-Wall and Planter Caps: Finishes masonry walls, landscape structures, and raised planters with a coordinated porcelain surface.

• Outdoor-Kitchen Caps: Suitable for approved bar walls, island edges, and other fully supported architectural features.

• Fountains and Water Features: Provides a refined edge around properly constructed and waterproofed water-feature assemblies.

• Coordinated Pool Decks: Pairs with Terrazo Gris 24" × 24" Arterra porcelain pavers for a unified deck-and-coping design.

Installation & Handling Guidelines

⚠️ IMPORTANT: EXTERIOR COPING REQUIRES FULL SUPPORT AND DRAINAGE

Pool coping and step treads must be installed over a structurally sound, properly waterproofed and sloped assembly. The porcelain piece alone does not provide structural support or waterproofing.

• Inspect and Blend: Dry-lay material from several cartons. Terrazo Gris has V3 variation, so differences in background tone and fleck distribution are expected.

• Bullnose Orientation: Position the single-bullnose 24-inch edge toward the exposed pool, spa, wall, or stair edge.

• Setting Material: Use a premium exterior-rated polymer-modified mortar meeting ANSI A118.15 and approved for porcelain, submerged environments, and the project substrate.

• Mortar Coverage: Directionally trowel the setting material and back-butter every piece. Obtain at least 95% coverage without continuous voids beneath the coping.

• Full Structural Support: Do not leave the bullnose or body of the coping unsupported beyond the approved overhang. Step-tread installations require continuous load-bearing support.

• Positive Drainage: Slope coping slightly away from the pool or structure so water does not collect along the perimeter or freeze beneath the tile.

• Movement Accommodation: Include flexible joints between the coping and adjoining deck, at changes of plane, and wherever required by TCNA EJ171.

• Joint Selection: Use an exterior-appropriate joint width that accommodates tile caliber, substrate movement, installation conditions, and manufacturer requirements.

• Step-Tread Use: Confirm tread depth, riser consistency, nosing projection, edge visibility, and slip-resistance requirements before installation.

• Cutting: Wet-cut using a porcelain-rated diamond blade. Smooth exposed cut edges where required and follow silica-dust safety procedures.

• Curing: Allow mortar, grout, waterproofing, and sealants to cure fully before filling the pool or exposing the installation to continuous moisture.

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

Shade Variation

Terrazo Gris carries a V3 moderate-variation rating. The gray background, white flecks, charcoal markings, and aggregate distribution may differ between pieces.

Open several cartons and blend the coping before installation. Natural-looking variation is part of the terrazzo-inspired design and should be distributed evenly rather than grouped by shade.

Care & Maintenance

• Clean with warm water and a neutral-pH porcelain tile cleaner.

• Use a soft nylon brush or nonabrasive pad to remove pool residue and outdoor soil.

• Avoid abrasive powders, metal brushes, and harsh chemicals that may damage the matte surface or grout.

• Maintain balanced pool-water chemistry to reduce mineral deposits and deterioration of grout and setting materials.

• Remove calcium buildup using a porcelain-compatible product tested on an inconspicuous area.

• Glazed porcelain generally does not require sealing. Cement-based grout may benefit from a penetrating grout sealer.

• Inspect exterior movement joints, sealant, and grout periodically and repair failed areas before water penetrates the assembly.

Design Profile

• Aesthetic: Contemporary terrazzo, modern European, resort-inspired, minimalist, and mid-century modern.

• Color Character: Dove gray with charcoal and white aggregate-inspired flecks.

• Visual Advantage: The terrazzo pattern introduces subtle movement while remaining neutral enough for large outdoor installations.

• Coordinating Paver: MSI Terrazo Gris Arterra 24" × 24" × 2 cm porcelain paver.

• Complementary Pool Finishes: White plaster, pale gray aggregate, deep blue plaster, and blue-green glass mosaics.

• Complementary Materials: Architectural concrete, light limestone, charcoal tile, teak, and natural oak.

• Complementary Metals: Brushed stainless steel, matte black, graphite, and marine-grade aluminum.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the correct spelling Terrazo Gris or Terrazzo Gris?

MSI’s official trademarked product name is Terrazo Gris®, using one “z” in Terrazo.

Is Terrazo Gris genuine terrazzo?

No. It is Italian glazed porcelain designed to reproduce the appearance of terrazzo while providing the durability and lower maintenance of porcelain.

Is this product pool coping or a step tread?

MSI officially categorizes it as pool coping. The 13" depth, 2 cm construction, and single-bullnose edge can also support appropriate step-tread applications when the complete stair assembly meets structural and building-code requirements.

Which edge is bullnosed?

One of the 24-inch-long edges has a finished single-bullnose profile. The remaining edges are rectified.

What does “Dual Finish – Matte, Matte” mean?

It indicates that both the top surface and the exposed bullnose surface have a matte finish. It does not mean the coping has two visibly different finishes.

Is Terrazo Gris suitable for wet areas?

Yes. MSI publishes a DCOF rating of at least 0.60 for the Terrazo Gris matte surface. Final suitability still depends on slope, drainage, maintenance, footwear, local codes, and installation conditions.

Can it be installed around a saltwater pool?

Yes, when the waterproofing, mortar, grout, sealant, and metal components are approved for saltwater exposure. Balanced pool chemistry remains essential.

Does the porcelain need to be sealed?

The glazed porcelain surface generally does not require sealing. Cement-based grout and surrounding natural-stone materials may require sealing.

How many pieces are packaged in a carton?

A carton contains two coping pieces covering approximately 4.33 square feet in total.