Microcement vs tiles
Which is cheaper, and which is better where — upfront cost, disruption, maintenance and the 15-year numbers, compared honestly.
Read articleEverything to know before specifying microcement
Answers to the most common questions about microcement — properties, applications, installation, care and project timelines.
What microcement is, what it does, and how it performs as a finished surface.
What is microcement?
Microcement is a thin, polymer-modified cement coating — also known as micro-cement, microcimento or béton ciré — that bonds to almost any substrate to form a continuous, seamless surface. The full system is just 2 to 3 millimetres thick, hand-applied across five to seven layers, and finished with a protective sealer.
Is microcement waterproof?
Yes. Once the polyurethane top coat has cured, microcement is fully waterproof — which is why it is specified for showers, wet rooms, swimming pools and outdoor surfaces. With no grout joints to fail, there is no porous line for water to track through.
How thick is the finished surface?
Across the entire system the build-up is 2 to 3 millimetres. That means door clearances, threshold heights and skirting details usually stay exactly as they are, even when the system is laid over an existing tiled or screeded floor.
How durable is microcement?
The sealed top coat is anti-scratch, anti-slip and stain-resistant. With normal residential use the surface holds for ten to fifteen years before the sealer benefits from a refresh — and that refresh is done in place, with no demolition.
Is microcement safe and hygienic?
Yes. The sealed surface is non-porous, so unlike grouted tile there is no joint where moisture or bacteria can accumulate. It is also low-VOC during application and inert once cured — safe in kitchens, bathrooms, and around food-prep areas.
The substrates, surfaces and rooms microcement is suitable for — and a few it is not.
Where can microcement be applied?
On almost any sound, prepared substrate — concrete, screed, plywood, MDF, plasterboard, ceramic tile, even old kitchen worktops. The substrate must be solid, fully cured, free of cracking and free of grease or release agents.
Can I cover existing tiles with microcement?
Yes. Covering existing tile is one of the most common uses for microcement — bathrooms, splashbacks, kitchen floors and showers can all be refurbished without demolition. The grout lines are filled and reinforced with mesh as part of the prep.
Can microcement be used outdoors?
Yes — using a UV- and frost-resistant grade specified for exterior use. Patios, balconies, garden walls, pool surrounds and outdoor kitchens are all viable, provided the substrate has correct falls for drainage and an expansion strategy.
Can microcement be used in swimming pools and water features?
Yes. Pool-grade microcement is fully waterproof when sealed and is offered in any of the standard 47 colours. It works for new pools, refurbished pool linings, hot tubs, fountains and ponds.
Can I refurbish kitchen worktops or furniture with microcement?
Yes. Worktops, splashbacks, vanities, tables, fireplaces, benches and built-in pieces are all regular projects for us. Worktops use a heat- and chemical-resistant grade tuned for kitchen use.
What the install actually involves, how long it takes, and what disruption to expect.
How long does a microcement project take?
Most residential projects move from sample selection to finished surface in 7 to 12 working days — surface preparation and assessment, primer with reinforcement mesh, two base coats, two finish coats, and the final sealer with cure time between each.
Does the existing surface need to be removed first?
Almost never. Microcement is designed to overlay existing tile, concrete, screed, plywood, MDF and old worktops. Removing the existing finish is usually only needed if the substrate is unsound, hollow or moving.
What does the installation process involve?
Surface assessment and prep; primer application with reinforcement mesh embedded; two base coats hand-troweled; two finish coats troweled in the chosen finish (smooth, stucco or coarse); then the protective polyurethane sealer in two passes. Each layer needs cure time before the next.
Can I install microcement myself?
In principle yes — in practice it is a skilled trade. The chemistry is unforgiving, the trowel work directly determines the visible finish, and re-doing a failed coat means redoing all the layers above it. We do not recommend DIY for visible interior surfaces.
Will the finished floor or worktop sit at the same height as before?
Within 2 to 3 millimetres, yes. That is small enough that doors, thresholds, skirting, plumbing fixtures and integrated appliances usually do not need to be touched.
Day-to-day cleaning, longevity, repairs and the products to avoid.
How do I clean and maintain microcement?
Day-to-day care is the same as a sealed natural stone — a soft mop with a pH-neutral cleaner. No waxing, no special products, no abrasive pads. For worktops, wipe spills as you would on stone or quartz.
How long before the surface needs attention?
With normal residential use the sealer holds for ten to fifteen years before benefiting from a refresh. Heavily used commercial floors may want a re-seal sooner. The base layers underneath remain in place — only the top coat is renewed.
Can microcement be repaired if damaged?
Yes. Localised damage — a deep scratch, a chip, a stain that has bled through a worn sealer — can be re-troweled and re-sealed in place without disturbing the rest of the surface. Hand-applied finishes hide patches well.
Will the colour fade over time?
In interior settings the colour is essentially stable. Outdoors, exposure to direct sun causes some shift over a long period, especially on darker tones — UV-stable grades and lighter colours hold up best in exterior use.
What should I avoid using on a microcement surface?
Avoid abrasive scouring pads, bleach, ammonia-based products, undiluted acids and harsh degreasers. Avoid dragging unprotected metal furniture or sharp objects across floors. Anything that would damage a sealed stone will damage microcement.
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