What Is Microcement? Understanding Its Versatility, Benefits, and Applications in Modern Design

What Is Microcement Made Of?

Microcement is a versatile decorative coating made from cement, water-based resins, additives, and mineral pigments. It can be applied to a wide range of vertical and horizontal surfaces due to its excellent adhesion qualities. This construction material is particularly notable for its ability to be applied directly onto existing substrates, including tiles, plasterboard, floor tiles, marble, terrazzo, and plaster, among others. With minimal effort and a thickness of just 3 millimeters, it facilitates quick renovations of spaces.

Most microcements are primarily made of rapid-hardening cement, fine fillers like calcium carbonate or a fine quartz powder, fine aggregates, and an adhesive polymer that allows the product to adhere to a variety of surfaces, including cement screeds, concrete, tiles, cement boards, and plasterboard.

When these ingredients are mixed together, they create a strong and flexible medium that can be applied to floors, walls, and furniture installations. The rapid-hardening cements and additives facilitate quick strength development.

A state-of-the-art cladding solution that is jointless and suitable for use in both outdoor and indoor environments. This continuous cladding can be installed on floors, walls, stairs, ceilings, swimming pools, and even furniture. Its versatility has contributed to its growing use in the renovation of private residences, as well as in commercial spaces and large areas such as sports centers, industrial buildings, hotels, and restaurants.

Main Characteristics of Microcement

• Suitable for application on both new and existing floor and wall surfaces.

• Seamless surface.

• Quickly hardens and offers excellent abrasion resistance.

• Wide variety of microcement colours and textures.

• Highly resistant to cracking and flexible, making it ideal for use over underfloor heating.

• Trowel-applied in thin layers, perfect for floors, walls, countertops, and furniture.

• Waterproof.
• Easy maintenance and cleaning; with water and neutral pH soap.

How Is Microcement Applied?

The application process typically involves one base coat layer, which consist of cement mixed with coarser particles of sand to enhance strength and durability. This is followed by one finer finish coat made of cement and fine filler, which help achieve the desired texture and appearance of the microcement surface.

To visualize this, think of a cross-section of a plywood board. It is composed of multiple thin layers bonded together, which contribute to the board’s enhanced strength and durability. Similarly, microcement and microconcrete overlays are constructed from several thin layers that are adhered to one another. Each layer features a slightly different texture and is sanded to create a surface profile that allows for better adhesion of the subsequent layer.

In the case of our Betonlook Microcement Basa and Betonlook Plus overlays, the aggregates chosen for the base layers are specifically designed to interlock, much like the stones in a dry stone wall. This design maximizes both the compressive and tensile strength of our micro overlay products.

Additionally, microcement formulations often incorporate a liquid polymer instead of water, which results in superior bond strength to substrates, enhanced water resistance, and greater flexibility compared to standard concrete and plaster.

Applications and Advantages of Microcement

Microcement and Microconcrete overlay products are versatile and suitable for a variety of uses. For instance, you can apply a microcement overlay to both new and existing floors, as well as to tiled surfaces, achieving an elegant polished concrete finish.

These products can also be used on walls to mimic the appearance of concrete partitions, while offering enhanced flexibility and crack resistance compared to traditional concrete. Moreover, the thickness of a microcement installation is only about 3mm, in contrast to the 100mm typically required for a concrete slab.

Provided that the substrate is properly prepared and is free from movement and vibration, applying a microcement or microconcrete product is generally achievable.

Additional applications for microcement include as a coating for furniture such as worktops, countertops, coffee tables, dining tables, stairs, and partitions. It’s suitable for both interior and exterior use, with products like Betonlook Microcement offering a durable and aesthetically pleasing finish for various substrates.

Our microcement products are made from recycled materials, quartz, and premium liquid polymers, combined with a highly abrasion-resistant and water-resistant solvent sealer. As a result, you can expect our microcement installations to have a long lifespan. Additionally, due to the minimal build-up compared to standard concrete, heat transfer from underfloor heating is more efficient, leading to lower heating costs overall.

Difference Between Microcement and Polished Concrete

Although a power-trowelled polished concrete floor may resemble a microcement overlay floor, they differ significantly in their construction. A concrete floor is poured as a single thick slab, which is then tamped and flattened before being smoothed through several passes with a power trowel. This surface requires approximately a month to cure and harden before any diamond polishing and sealing can take place.

In contrast, an overlay is constructed with multiple thin layers that are applied individually and left to harden before being sanded smooth and layered further. Each layer contributes additional smoothness, color, and tone to the final surface. The layers are part of a systematic approach, which is crucial for achieving the best finish with a microcement overlay.

Due to its substantial weight, a traditional concrete floor restricts placement options significantly. In contrast, an overlay is easily mixed in a bucket and hand-applied to desired areas, offering much greater flexibility for installation, especially in weight and height-restricted situations. Overlays can be applied around kitchen units and up to skirting boards and kickboards. Additionally, they can be used on both new and existing substrates, allowing for a wide range of application possibilities.

Are There Any Drawbacks to Microcement Overlays?

While I wouldn’t strictly label them as drawbacks, it’s worth noting that some brands of microcement overlays are not very high quality. A closer look at their formulations reveals that they often use basic ingredients that fall short of modern innovation.

Many microcement products include calcium carbonate as a fine filler, which is essentially a low-cost chalk-like material that can enhance the mixture’s smoothness. However, calcium carbonate is relatively weak, soft, and prone to abrasion. If you’ve come across reports of overlays being dented due to foot traffic, this can largely be attributed to its use.

Additionally, it’s important to recognize that numerous microcement brands are produced by the same manufacturers, offering similar products under different names or labels. Therefore, thorough research is advisable.

Do Microcement Floors Crack?

Any surface finish, including microcement, polished concrete, tiles, timber floors, or resin, can experience cracking or damage when subjected to forces or movements that exceed the tensile strength of the material.

For instance, if a floor screed beneath tiles shifts during the installation of an underfloor heating system, it’s likely that the tiles will crack along the grout lines. Excessive movement, especially when flexible adhesive is not used, can lead to cracks in the tiles themselves.

Similarly, a microcement floor can also crack under comparable conditions, as movement from underlying issues can transfer stress to the microcement layer. A 3mm thick microcement layer simply cannot withstand the stress from a screed or concrete substrate that is 50mm or 100mm thick.

Careful substrate design and proper installation of underfloor heating systems are crucial factors to keep in mind.

How to Care for Microcement

When properly installed and sealed, microcement is easy to maintain. Regularly dry mop the surface using a microfiber flat mop to pick up fine dust and debris. If this layer of dirt is not consistently removed, it may cause micro scuffs and scratches due to foot traffic, which can eventually penetrate the protective seal, leading to chemical or contaminant damage to the microcement beneath.

Additionally, it’s advisable to clean the floor periodically with a pH-neutral cleaning product, such as our SA PU cleaner. These specialized cleaners help maintain the sealed surface by removing dirt for easier cleanup and by filling in small damage areas with a sealing additive that enhances durability and shine.

If you require assistance or advice on cleaning and maintaining your microcement floor, we are happy to provide complimentary guidance on maintenance methods and suitable products. Our team also offers professional cleaning and resealing services for any existing microcement surfaces you may have.

Conclusion

Microcement is a cutting-edge material that provides a sleek, modern finish for various surfaces, including floors, walls, furniture, and decorative elements.

This versatile option is perfect for both residential and commercial spaces, delivering stunning aesthetics while ensuring practicality.

It can be applied through multiple techniques, such as traditional mortar methods or by spraying thin layers onto surfaces, which can then be smoothed by hand.

For further details or to order equipment for your projects, please reach out to us for assistance today.