Short answer: Yes, you can use microcement for an outdoor kitchen worktop. Build a solid timber or blockwork base, clad it in cement board, then mesh, prime, apply three coats and seal. Give the sealer 7 days to cure fully before you put the worktop into use. Reseal it every autumn if you can't cover it over winter.
Can microcement be used outdoors?
Yes. Microcement is waterproof in its own right. The Concrete Lab Sealer on top adds stain resistance and durability, so rain, food, oil and leaf tannins stay on the surface instead of soaking in. Barbecue surrounds, outdoor kitchens and garden bars can all have the same seamless polished concrete finish as an indoor worktop.
Microcement goes on in thin coats over a board, not as a cast slab. That means there are no moulds and no heavy top to support. If you'd rather cast a solid concrete top, the rules on thickness, freeze-thaw and heat from appliances are different. Our outdoor concrete worktops guide covers cast concrete. Everything below is about microcement.
Quick facts
| Substrate | Cement board |
| Base | Timber frame or blockwork |
| Curing | 24 hours for the microcement, then 24–48 hours for the sealer to dry, then 7 days for the sealer to cure fully |
| Kit cost | £258 (5m²) or £381 (10m²) inc VAT. That works out at about £38/m² on the 10m² kit. |
| Professional install | Typically £100–£200/m² for microcement |
| Difficulty | Achievable for a first-time DIYer who builds a solid base |
| Aftercare | Cover over winter, or refresh and reseal once a year |
What do you put microcement on outside?
Cement board. It's the substrate the Outdoor Worktop Kit is designed for, and the one we recommend outdoors. It's rigid, it doesn't rot or swell when it gets wet, and it gives the microcement a sound, stable surface to bond to.
Don't apply microcement straight onto timber, decking or painted render outside. Clad the structure in cement board first.
How do you build the base for an outdoor microcement worktop?
The base is the structure the cement board is fixed to. You have two options:
- Timber frame. Quick to build and easy to shape around a barbecue or sink. Use treated timber rated for outdoor use.
- Blockwork base. More work, but solid and permanent. A good fit for a built-in outdoor kitchen.
Whichever you choose, the rule is the same: no movement. Movement is what causes microcement to crack. Before you start, press down hard on the top and the corners. If anything flexes, add support until it doesn't.
How do you apply microcement to an outdoor worktop?
- Fix the cement board to the frame or blockwork, on the top and on every face you want finished.
- Mesh it. Tape every board joint with the fibreglass mesh tape, then lay the layflat fibreglass mesh across the surface. Both are in the kit, and they stop hairline cracks forming at the joints.
- Prime the board with the primer supplied with the microcement.
- Apply three coats of microcement.
- Leave it 24 hours, then seal with Concrete Lab Sealer.
- Let the sealer dry for 24–48 hours, then give it the full 7 days to cure before you put the worktop into proper use.
Full step-by-step instructions and videos are on our Microcement Help page. Choose a dry spell for the job and keep rain off the surface while you work.
How long does outdoor microcement take to cure?
The microcement needs 24 hours before you seal it. The sealer then takes 24–48 hours to dry and 7 days to cure fully. Treat that 7 days as the minimum before you cook on it, put a barbecue on it or leave it to the weather. Most problems we see come from a surface being used too soon, not from anything that happens months later.
How do you look after an outdoor microcement worktop in winter?
The best protection is a fitted, breathable cover over the colder, wetter months. With a built-in worktop that isn't always practical. If covering it isn't an option, plan an annual refresh and reseal with Concrete Lab Sealer, bought separately when you need it. Autumn is the best time, so the surface goes into winter freshly protected. Our guide to caring for outdoor concrete after summer covers cleaning down and covering up before you reseal.
What do you need?
Microcement Outdoor Worktop Kit
From £258 inc VAT (5m²), or £381 (10m²)
Best for: a complete outdoor worktop. It includes the primer, three coats of microcement, layflat fibreglass mesh, mesh tape and Concrete Lab Sealer. You choose the colour and a matt or satin finish.
Optional extra
Microcement Application Tools Bundle
£33.59 inc VAT
Best for: anyone without the tools already. It includes a 10" flexible steel spatula, a mixing paddle for your drill and a sealing kit for measuring, mixing and applying the sealer.
The kit has all the materials for the worktop surface. Add the tools bundle if you don't already have a spatula, mixing paddle and sealing kit. Choose the 5m² or 10m² kit to suit the area you're covering. Delivery is free on orders over £250. Browse all our microcement kits.
Frequently asked questions
Can microcement go on an outdoor kitchen worktop?
Yes, on a cement board substrate fixed to a solid timber or blockwork base.
Is outdoor microcement waterproof?
Microcement is waterproof in its own right. The sealer adds stain resistance and durability.
How long before I can use my outdoor microcement worktop?
Allow 24 hours before sealing, 24–48 hours for the sealer to dry, and 7 days for it to cure fully before full use.
Do I need to cover it in winter?
Ideally, yes. If that isn't practical, refresh and reseal it once a year, preferably in autumn.
Can I put microcement straight onto a timber frame?
No. Clad the frame in cement board first, then mesh and prime it before you apply the microcement.
How much does a DIY outdoor microcement worktop cost?
The kit is £258 for 5m² or £381 for 10m² inc VAT. That's about £38/m² on the larger kit, against a typical £100–£200/m² for a professional install.
Still not sure? We're happy to talk you through it: info@concretelab.co.uk
