Microcement - explained properly
A system-first guide to microcement across floors, bathrooms, walls, and connected spaces. Built for people who care about long-term performance, not quick cosmetic finishes.
- Microcement is a system coating, not just a decorative skim
- Wet areas require a waterproofing strategy plus sealing system
- Substrate behaviour determines long-term performance
What microcement actually is
The surface you see is only the final expression. Performance depends on everything beneath it.
Microcement is a multi-layer surface system used to create seamless architectural finishes across floors, bathrooms, walls, and connected spaces.
It is applied in thin coats, typically 2–3 mm total thickness, over a prepared substrate. Despite its thin profile, microcement is not a simple coating or paint. It is a system made up of multiple functional layers, each serving a specific purpose.
- Substrate assessment and preparation
- Primers and bonding agents
- Reinforcement mesh where required
- Multiple resin-modified coats (system dependent)
- Wet-area waterproofing strategy where relevant
- Protective sealers matched to the environment
The finished surface you see is only the final expression of this system. The long-term performance depends on everything beneath it.
When microcement is designed and installed correctly, it creates a continuous, grout-free surface with subtle texture and mineral depth. When it is not, failures often appear within months rather than years.
Microcement is a system, not a standard finish
The most common misunderstanding around microcement is treating it as a finish rather than a system.
The finished surface is only as sound as the substrate beneath it.
Any movement, cracking, moisture, or instability in the substrate will eventually express itself through the surface unless it has been identified and managed correctly.
- What the substrate is made of
- How it moves under load and temperature
- Where stress concentrates
- How moisture behaves within the structure
- How different materials interact at junctions
Why microcement fails when treated as a finish
Microcement failures are rarely caused by the material itself. They are almost always caused by decisions made before application.
- Skipping or underestimating substrate assessment
- Applying microcement over unstable or moisture-affected surfaces
- Inadequate crack treatment or movement management
- Omitting reinforcement layers where required
- Using incompatible primers or sealers
- Treating wet areas like dry areas
Many failed installations look fine when first completed. Problems often appear weeks or months later as the system is exposed to normal use, moisture, and movement.
What microcement is not
Where microcement works best
Chosen when continuity, calm, and architectural clarity are prioritised over surface pattern or repetition.
Applications
Whole-home continuity
In some projects, microcement is used across multiple zones to create continuity between floors, walls, and wet areas. This approach requires careful sequencing and detailing but delivers a highly cohesive outcome.
Substrate behaviour and movement
Ignoring substrate behaviour doesn’t eliminate risk - it transfers it to the finished surface.
Microcement is only as stable as the surface beneath it.
Different substrates behave in different ways, and understanding this behaviour is essential before any system is designed.
Preparation and reinforcement
Preparation is the most critical phase of a microcement installation.
- Mechanical abrasion or grinding
- Removal of unstable materials
- Crack treatment and stabilisation
- Levelling or localised repairs
- Reinforcement mesh embedded within base layers
- System-specific primers to ensure bond
Reinforcement does not make microcement stronger. It manages movement and distributes stress so it does not concentrate and cause cracking.
Most long-term issues originate in inadequate preparation, not the finish itself.
Installing microcement over existing tiles
In many renovations, microcement can be installed over existing tiles. This reduces demolition and disruption, but it is never assumed.
- Tiles must be well bonded
- Structurally stable
- Free from moisture issues
Installing over tiles is an assessment outcome, not a default approach.
Waterproofing and wet-area logic
Wet areas require a fundamentally different approach to dry areas. Treating them the same leads to failure.
Waterproofing is achieved through system design.
Traditional cement-based microcement approaches in wet areas often rely heavily on the final sealer film for protection. When that film is scratched, worn, or compromised, water can migrate into the surface and staining or damage can occur.
Modern microcement systems can be resin-modified or resin-based, allowing the wet-area build to be engineered with a more robust waterproofing strategy before the final protective topcoats are applied. Sealers still matter for stain resistance, cleaning ease, and wear behaviour — but the wet-area logic must be designed, not assumed.
- Floor wastes and penetrations
- Wall-to-floor junctions
- Falls and drainage behaviour
- Compatibility between membranes and microcement layers
- Treating microcement as the waterproofing layer
- Poor detailing around penetrations
- Incompatible membranes or primers
- Inadequate curing time between layers
Sealing and surface protection
Sealers are functional, not decorative. The right choice depends on the environment.
Sealers control water resistance, stain resistance, cleaning behaviour, slip, and maintenance requirements.
Different environments require different protection strategies. A living room floor, a shower base, and a kitchen surface should not be sealed in the same way. Incorrect sealer selection or application is one of the most common causes of premature wear and dissatisfaction.
Durability, wear, and patina
Microcement is durable, but it is not indestructible. As a mineral-based surface, it develops a natural patina over time.
- Traffic paths becoming more apparent
- Subtle surface variation
- Minor marks from everyday use
- Widespread cracking
- Delamination
- Softening or breakdown of the surface
Slip resistance and texture control
Slip resistance is influenced by texture, aggregate selection, sealer choice, and environment (wet vs dry).
Expansion joints and detailing
Microcement does not remove the need for expansion joints. It must respect them. Structural joints, movement zones, and transitions must be detailed correctly. Attempting to bridge or hide them often leads to cracking.
Timeline and living considerations
Most residential microcement projects take 7–14 days, depending on surface area, substrate condition, number of layers, and curing and sealing requirements. Some disruption is unavoidable. Understanding this upfront avoids frustration later.
Maintenance and ownership
Microcement is low maintenance, not maintenance-free.
- Neutral cleaners
- Soft cleaning tools
- Prompt cleaning of spills
Seal longevity depends on use and environment. Periodic resealing may be required to maintain performance.
- Using harsh or acidic cleaners
- Abrasive scrubbing
- Treating microcement like tiles or stone
Microcement compared to other finishes
Each finish has valid applications. The correct choice depends on priorities, conditions, and expectations.
What affects cost
Microcement pricing is driven by complexity, not just area.
- Substrate preparation requirements
- Wet vs dry areas
- Detailing and junction complexity
- Access and sequencing
Large price differences between quotes usually reflect differences in preparation scope or system quality.
When microcement is not the right choice
- Substrates are unstable and cannot be corrected
- Movement exceeds what the system can accommodate
- Expectations conflict with material reality
Identifying this early saves time, cost, and disappointment.
Why MicroLux Finishes
System-first microcement. No shortcuts. No cosmetic installs.
MicroLux Finishes specialises exclusively in microcement systems. We do not install decorative concrete or shortcut applications. Every project is approached as a system, not a surface.
If microcement is not suitable for your space, we will tell you. If it is, it will be installed properly - or not at all.