Microcement is something I’m asked about a lot. Take a look at some of the possibilities here.
What exactly is it?
Can it go over tiles?
Is it waterproof?
Will it crack?
How much does it cost?
For me, microcement is one of the most interesting materials to work with because it sits somewhere between a practical architectural surface and a decorative finish. It can be clean and contemporary, but it can also have movement, softness, texture and variation.
What is microcement?
Put simply, microcement is a thin decorative surface finish made from a combination of cement, minerals, resins and pigments. It is applied by hand in a series of layers rather than as one thick coating. The finished surface is then sealed to give it the level of protection required for its intended use.
The important thing to understand is that microcement isn't simply one product.
It is a system.
Different surfaces require different preparation, primers, base coats, finishing coats and sealers. A bathroom wall, for example, needs to be approached differently from a dry interior wall or a floor.
This is one of the reasons I always say that the finished result is only partly about the material itself. A large part of it comes down to what is underneath, how that surface has been prepared and how the different layers are applied.
Where can microcement be used?
One of the reasons microcement has become so popular is its versatility. I use it across a range of surfaces and spaces, including:
Floors
Walls
Bathrooms
Kitchens
Worktops
Kitchen islands
Furniture
Existing tiled surfaces
It can be used to create a continuous finish across several surfaces, which is particularly effective when you want a space to feel calm and connected rather than broken up into lots of different materials.
Microcement floors
Microcement floors are probably one of the applications people associate with the material most strongly.
The appeal is obvious. You can create a continuous floor without the grid of grout joints you get with tiles, and the finish can be tailored from relatively smooth and refined through to more textured and raw.
But a microcement floor isn't just about the final colour. The texture, movement and way the trowel is worked across the surface all contribute to the finished appearance. Light moves differently across a hand finished floor compared with a completely uniform manufactured surface.
Preparation is vital. Movement in the substrate, existing cracks and the condition of what is underneath all matter. A beautiful finish cannot compensate for an unsuitable or poorly prepared substrate.
Microcement walls
On walls, microcement can be much more expressive. This is where I really enjoy working with it because there is more freedom to explore the finish.
It can be:
Smooth
Soft and cloudy
Raw and concrete-like
Matt
Slightly polished
Textured
Tonally varied
Minimal and understated
Colour can also be developed around the space rather than simply choosing something from a standard paint chart. I can work from a colour reference such as a paint sample, fabric, stone or another material, although because the finish is handcrafted, I don't always want it to be perfectly uniform. Subtle variation is part of what gives these surfaces their character.
Microcement bathrooms
Microcement bathrooms are another area where the material works perfectly.
The lack of traditional grout lines can give a bathroom a much calmer appearance, particularly when the same finish runs across the walls and floor. It can also be used around showers and other wet areas when the correct system, substrate preparation and sealing system are used.
Different microcement systems have different properties, and the waterproofing of a bathroom depends on the complete system and what is underneath it as well as the final sealer. Some manufacturers specifically state that their microcement requires appropriate treatment and sealing before it can be used in wet areas.
So if you are considering microcement for a shower or bathroom, it is important to understand what system is being used and how the substrate is being dealt with. It isn't a case of just putting some microcement over the existing surface and hoping for the best.
Microcement kitchens, worktops and islands
Microcement can also be used on kitchen walls, worktops and islands to create a continuous finish.
A microcement island can become almost like a piece of furniture within a kitchen, particularly when the sides, front and worktop are all finished together. Worktops do need some extra consideration, they are high use surfaces. They come into contact with water, heat, food, cleaning products and everyday wear, so the correct system and sealer are important.
As with any handcrafted finish, I think it is worth understanding that microcement is not trying to behave like a piece of engineered quartz. It has its own character, small changes in tone and texture are part of the finish rather than something I try to eliminate completely.
Microcement on furniture
One of the things I like about microcement is that it doesn't have to stop at walls and floors.
It can be used to transform existing pieces of furniture, cabinetry and other elements within an interior. This opens up some interesting possibilities. Rather than buying everything new, an existing piece can sometimes become part of a completely different interior simply by changing its surface.
For renovation projects, that can be particularly useful.
Can microcement go over existing tiles?
Yes. In many situations microcement can be applied over existing tiled surfaces.
This is one of its biggest advantages when renovating. Instead of removing every tile, creating piles of rubble and starting again, an existing tiled surface can sometimes be prepared and coated with a suitable microcement system.
That being said careful consideration of the tiles needs to be evaluated. Tiles need to be sound and suitable for the system being used. Joints may need to be filled and levelled, the surface needs to be properly prepared and the correct primer needs to be selected.
Depending on the situation, reinforcement may also be required. The point is that microcement doesn't magically make a poor substrate good.
It follows what is underneath it.
If the tiles are loose, the substrate is moving or there are underlying problems, those things need to be dealt with first.
Why choose microcement?
There are plenty of reasons people choose microcement:
A seamless appearance
The most obvious is the continuous appearance.
Without rows of tiles and grout lines, a room can feel much calmer and more architectural.
Fewer joints
Fewer joints also means fewer areas for dirt and grime to collect compared with a heavily tiled surface.
It doesn't mean zero maintenance, but cleaning a continuous sealed surface can be much simpler than dealing with lots of grout lines.
Design flexibility
Microcement can be adapted to the space.
Colour, texture, movement can all influence the final appearance.
Bespoke finishes
This is probably the part I enjoy most.
I don't want every project to look identical.
A surface can be pushed towards something very clean and minimal, or it can have more movement, texture and tonal variation.
Two rooms could use the same basic material and still end up looking completely different.
Renovation possibilities
Being able to work over suitable existing surfaces can also make microcement particularly interesting for renovations.
It can sometimes provide a way of completely changing the appearance of a room without removing every existing finish.
What microcement isn't
Microcement is a carefully considered system.
It isn't something that should be applied over absolutely anything without preparation.
And it isn't a shortcut around good workmanship.
The systems I work with are built up in multiple stages. The exact approach depends on the substrate and the intended use of the surface.
That might involve preparation, priming, base coats, reinforcement where appropriate, finishing coats, sanding and sealing.
The manufacturers themselves specify different primers and preparation methods for different substrates, including absorbent and non absorbent surfaces such as tiles.
That preparation isn't the glamorous part of the job, but it is one of the most important.
What can microcement look like?
One of the questions I get asked is:
“What does microcement actually look like?”
The honest answer is, it can look like quite a lot of things.
It can be very smooth.
It can have a soft, cloudy appearance where the colour moves gently across the surface.
It can be raw and industrial.
It can have a more polished appearance.
It can be completely matt.
It can have texture.
It can have a concrete look.
Or it can be something much more bespoke. Personally, I tend to be drawn towards finishes with subtle movement, tonal variation and a gentle cloudy effect. Not imperfections for the sake of imperfections, but subtle movement and variation that stops the surface feeling flat or mass produced. The light changes across these surfaces throughout the day, and that is a big part of what makes them interesting.
How I approach microcement
For me, the process starts well before the first coat of microcement goes onto the wall.
Preparation comes first.
I look at what the existing surface is made from, its condition, whether it is stable and what the finished surface will need to cope with. From there, I select the appropriate system.
Then there is colour. I don't see colour as something that should simply be picked at the end. It is part of the design from the beginning.
I like working with natural references, stone, earth, weathered surfaces, fabrics, existing architecture and the colours already present within a space. Once the system and colour are decided, the application becomes about building the surface.
Different passes create different levels of movement and variation. This is where the hand of the applicator becomes important. I don't want every project to look identical. One of the reasons I work with these materials is because they allow a surface to have some personality.
A perfectly uniform finish can be beautiful, but sometimes a little movement is what makes a space feel alive. That might be a soft change in tone across a wall, a subtle texture catching the light or a slightly more raw finish that works with the architecture around it.
For me, microcement works best when it feels like it belongs to the space rather than simply being put onto it.
How much does microcement cost?
There isn't one fixed price for microcement.
The cost depends on the size of the project, the condition and type of substrate, the amount of preparation required, the system being used and the complexity of the finished surface.
As a guide, my current pricing is around £160/180 per m² for simpler finishes on larger projects, with more detailed and bespoke finishes reaching £200+ per m².
A small bathroom can therefore cost considerably more per square metre than a large, straightforward floor. The preparation and detailing can take just as much time, sometimes more, than the actual area being covered.
For that reason, I prefer to look at each project individually rather than give a blanket price per square metre.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How thick is microcement?
The finished microcement layer is generally only a few millimetres thick, although the exact thickness depends on the system and the substrate preparation.
That relatively thin build-up is one of the reasons it can be useful for renovations where adding a large amount of additional depth isn't desirable.
The important thing is not to think of it as one thin coat. The finished thickness is built up through several layers as part of the complete system.
Can microcement go over tiles?
Yes.
Provided the existing tiled surface is suitable and properly prepared. The tiles need to be sound and stable, joints may need to be filled, and the correct primer and base system need to be used.
In some applications, reinforcement may also be required. The condition of the existing surface is therefore just as important as the microcement itself.
Can microcement be used in bathrooms?
Yes.
Microcement can be used on bathroom floors, walls and suitable wet-area applications, including showers, when the correct system is specified and installed properly.
Bathrooms are one of the most popular areas for microcement.
Is microcement waterproof?
This is one I always like to clarify.
Microcement should not automatically be considered waterproof simply because it is microcement.
The finished performance depends on the complete system, including the substrate, preparation, products used and sealer.
Some systems are specifically designed for wet areas and can provide waterproof finishes when installed according to the manufacturer's requirements.
How durable is microcement?
A correctly specified and professionally installed microcement system can be highly durable.
But no decorative surface is indestructible.
The expected level of wear, the substrate underneath, the system selected and the quality of the installation all make a difference.
A floor in a busy hallway is going to experience something very different from a decorative wall.
How do you clean microcement?
For everyday cleaning, microcement generally benefits from being treated quite simply.
Use a soft cloth or mop and a suitable pH neutral cleaner rather than aggressive or abrasive products.
The exact cleaning recommendations should always follow the sealer and system used on the particular surface.
One of the practical advantages is that there are no traditional grout joints to contend with, which can make routine cleaning easier.
Can microcement crack?
It can.
This is another reason I don't like the idea of selling microcement as a miracle material.
Microcement is thin, so the condition and movement of the substrate underneath it matter enormously.
Cracks or movement in the substrate can potentially transfer through to the finished surface.
Correct preparation, reinforcement where required and choosing a system suitable for the particular substrate are all important parts of reducing that risk.
How much does microcement cost?
Every project is different.
As a broad guide, my current prices start at around £160/180 per m² for simpler finishes on larger projects and can reach £200+ per m² for more detailed and bespoke work.
Bathrooms, smaller spaces and projects requiring significant preparation can have a higher overall cost per square metre.
The best way to price a project properly is to understand the existing surface, the area, access, preparation required and the finish you want to achieve.
How long does microcement take to install?
There isn't one answer because it depends on the size of the project, the substrate, the number of areas being finished and the particular system being used.
Microcement is applied in multiple stages, with drying time between coats, followed by sanding and sealing.
A straightforward project may take several days, while a larger or more complicated renovation can take considerably longer.
I would always rather allow the time needed to do the preparation and application properly than rush a finish simply to make the programme shorter.
Can microcement be applied to any surface?
No.
This is another common misconception.
Microcement can be applied over many different substrates, including suitable tiles, plaster, cement based surfaces and other prepared backgrounds, but that doesn't mean every surface is automatically suitable.
The substrate needs to be stable, sound and properly prepared, and the correct primer and system need to be selected for it.
Sometimes the right answer is to repair or rebuild the substrate first.
That is part of the job.
So, is microcement right for you?
I think microcement is at its best when you want something more than a standard finish.
Something continuous.
Something tactile.
Something that can move between architecture and furniture, between practical surface and decorative finish.
It can be minimal and understated, or raw and expressive. It can completely transform an existing tiled bathroom without necessarily stripping everything back.
It can turn a kitchen island into a piece of furniture. It can create a floor that feels calm and uninterrupted, and it can bring walls, floors and other surfaces together so that the materials become part of the architecture rather than simply something applied to it. But it isn't magic.
The material is only one part of the result. Preparation, system selection, application and sealing are just as important.
For me, that's what makes microcement interesting. It isn't about creating a perfect imitation of concrete or making every project look the same.
It's about taking a material system and using it carefully to create a surface with its own character. Something that feels considered, tactile and connected to the space around it.
And perhaps most importantly, something that doesn't look like it has come straight off a production line.