We renovated a 9×4.2m concrete pool in Birkenhead and added a 2x2m infinity-edge spa alongside it. The job included full retiling in Bisazza glass mosaics, new natural granite coping, and upgraded lighting and plumbing. Total project value was around $45,000 + GST.
Artisan Stone & Tile works right across the North Shore, and Birkenhead pools tend to share the same story: a solid concrete shell that just needs the surface, the edge and the plant brought up to date.
The main pool was sound but tired, and the client wanted to add a spa without ripping the whole area apart. Fitting a 2x2m infinity-edge spa next to an existing pool is a design job as much as a build one. You have to line up levels, share services where it makes sense, and keep the finished result looking like it was always meant to be there.
We planned the spa, the retile and the coping upgrade as one project so the finishes matched and the plumbing was done once, properly.
The spa runs an infinity edge, so water spills over a level lip for that clean, floating look. We built it to share filtration with the main pool while keeping its own heating circuit, which is the sensible way to run a spa you want warm on demand without heating the whole pool.
Getting the edge dead level is the hard part, and it’s where experience shows. Done right, the spa reads as a natural extension of the pool rather than a bolt-on.
For the edge we chose natural granite coping. Granite is a premium natural stone: dense, hard-wearing and full of character, with a depth of colour that manufactured products can’t quite match. Plenty of clients prefer the look and feel of real stone, and for this pool it was the right choice.
We set the coping onto the prepared bond beam with a high-strength adhesive rated for the splash zone. The result is a solid, natural edge that suits the North Shore setting. For more options, see our pool coping stones page.
We retiled the waterline in Bisazza glass mosaics, the Italian brand known for its colour and consistency. Glass mosaics give a pool real depth, and Bisazza’s quality means the colour holds over years of sun and chemicals.
Every tile went down on an epoxy grout system. Epoxy is the only grout we trust at the waterline: it resists chemical attack and won’t crumble the way cement grout does. More on our approach on the swimming pool tiling in Auckland page.
At the time, we finished the interior in Hydrazzo Catalina Blue polished plaster, which gave a smooth, rich blue.
We no longer use Hydrazzo. The supplier is stopping supply at the end of 2026, so we don’t recommend it for new work. On a resurface today we’d specify one of our two current plaster finishes – Quartz Pool Finish by Oceania or Ultra Plaster by SSL Distributors – which are harder and hold up better against chemical etching than older plaster marble, or a fully tiled finish. See our pool renovations Auckland page for current finishes.
We upgraded the pool plumbing so circulation is even across the pool and the new spa, and replaced the lighting with modern LED units. Good flow keeps the water clear and the chemical bill down, and the LED lights make the spa and tiled waterline a feature after dark.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Pool size | 9m x 4.2m concrete, plus 2m x 2m infinity spa |
| Tiling | Bisazza glass mosaics |
| Coping | Natural granite |
| Grout | Epoxy grout system |
| Upgrades | LED lighting and plumbing |
| Location | Birkenhead, North Shore, Auckland |
| Project value | ~$45,000 + GST |
Birkenhead’s older pools sit on North Shore clay and cop plenty of coastal weather, which is hard on plaster surfaces and metal fittings over time. A renovation makes sense here because the concrete shell usually has decades left, and you can add features like a spa for far less than a full rebuild.
We work across the Shore, including nearby Waiake and Castor Bay. Every job is trade-certified, uses BRANZ-appraised materials, and is backed by 35+ five-star Google reviews.
Thinking about adding a spa or retiling an older pool? We’ll design it around your existing shell and give you a fixed-price quote after a free site visit.
or call Mario on 021 123 8672.
