What Is Microcement Flooring?

Microcement flooring is a thin, cement-based decorative floor finish that creates a seamless, modern surface without tiles or grout lines. It’s applied in multiple thin layers over a prepared substrate and then sealed to make it durable, stain resistant, and suitable for everyday use.

The microcement finish itself is typically around 1–2mm thick. In some installations, a separate preparation layer (such as a self-levelling compound with reinforcement mesh) may be installed first to create a flat, stable base. That preparation layer is usually around 2–3mm thick and sits beneath the microcement — it is not the microcement itself.

What is microcement made of?

Microcement is a polymer-modified cement coating designed to bond strongly to prepared surfaces. A complete microcement floor system typically includes:

• Primers to promote adhesion
• Reinforcement mesh (used where needed to help manage movement)
• Multiple thin coats of microcement (typically 1–2mm in total)
• Protective sealers to improve durability and stain resistance

It’s important to understand that microcement flooring is a system, not just a single product.

How is microcement flooring different from concrete?

Microcement and concrete can look similar, but they behave very differently:

• Microcement flooring is a thin decorative coating applied over an existing base.
• Concrete flooring is a structural material poured or cast at much greater thickness.

With microcement, the strength of the floor comes primarily from the substrate beneath it. The microcement provides the finish, not the structure.

Where can microcement flooring be used?

Microcement flooring can be used in many areas of the home, provided the substrate is stable and correctly prepared:

• Kitchens and living areas
• Bathrooms and wet rooms (with correct detailing)
• Hallways and high-traffic zones
• Commercial interiors such as shops and studios

It can be applied over suitable existing surfaces, including concrete, screeds, tiles, and some boarded floors.

Is microcement flooring suitable for DIY?

Yes — microcement flooring can be installed by confident DIYers, but it’s not a “quick win” product. Success depends far more on preparation, patience, and following the system correctly than on physical strength or specialist tools.

DIYers who do well with microcement flooring tend to:

• Spend time preparing a flat, stable substrate
• Use reinforcement mesh where appropriate
• Apply microcement in thin, controlled layers
• Respect drying and curing times
• Take sealing seriously

Rushing stages or trying to apply microcement too thickly is one of the most common causes of problems.

Why people choose microcement floors

• Seamless, joint-free finish
• Modern concrete-style aesthetic
• Very low build-up thickness
• Works well with underfloor heating when detailed correctly
• Can be applied over existing floors in renovations

Is microcement flooring right for everyone?

Not always. Microcement flooring suits people who value design, continuity, and texture, and who are comfortable with a hand-applied finish that may develop subtle variation and patina over time.

If you want a factory-perfect floor that never marks and requires no thought at all, other flooring types may be a better fit.

Microcement flooring FAQs