Microcement & Polished Concrete FAQs

Microcement is a thin, cement-based decorative coating (around 2 to 3mm thick) that bonds over your existing surfaces to create a smooth, seamless polished-concrete look. It works on worktops, floors, walls and furniture, indoors and out, without the weight or mess of solid concrete. Because it goes directly over what is already there, there is usually no need to rip anything out.

For most renovations, yes. Microcement gives a high-end, seamless concrete finish for far less cost and disruption than pouring solid concrete or replacing surfaces, and it is hard-wearing and water-resistant once sealed. It is also designed to be applied by a confident DIYer, which keeps the cost down further.

A complete Concrete Lab microcement kit starts at £225 (inc VAT) for a 5m² wall kit and includes everything you need: primer, two or three coats of microcement and sealer. Indoor worktop kits start at £246.60 for 5m² (£369.60 for 10m²), floor kits from £264.60, and outdoor worktop kits from £309.60, all inc VAT. Worktop, floor and wall tile kits also include reinforcing mesh for the first coat.

Microcement is a thin coating applied over an existing surface, so it is lighter, faster and ideal for refurbishments. Cast-in-place (and precast) concrete is real structural concrete cast to shape, which gives you a solid concrete piece but needs formwork, reinforcement and proper weight-bearing support. Choose microcement to transform surfaces you already have; choose cast concrete to make a solid concrete worktop or item from scratch.

Yes, and it is one of microcement's biggest advantages. It bonds well over sound, firmly-fixed tiles, so there is no need to remove them. For tiled walls our Wall Tile Kit is the right choice, as it includes reinforcing mesh in the first coat to bridge the grout lines; for heavily textured or deep-grooved tiles, order around 30% extra material, because the first coat needs more microcement to level the surface.

Yes. Microcement adheres to a properly applied tanking system, so you can fully waterproof first and still get a solid bond. We recommend a compatible system such as Dukkaboard Aqua77, applied in two coats like a thick paint and left to cure, before you prime and apply the microcement. Our bathroom wall application guide walks through applying over tanking on walls, and a full wetroom floor guide is on the way.

Absolutely. Microcement is a popular choice for bathrooms, showers and full wetrooms because it creates a seamless, grout-free, water-resistant finish once sealed. The two things that matter are correct waterproofing (tanking) underneath and our two-part sealer on top.

You use the same microcement on both the walls and the floor. Concrete Lab deliberately uses one strong formulation rather than separate wall and floor grades, which makes it stronger, simpler and quicker to apply, and means the walls and floor match perfectly. At the floor-to-wall junction the surface is blended into one continuous finish with no visible join.

Microcement can be applied to worktops, floors, walls, splashbacks, furniture and even stairs, as long as the surface is sound, clean and stable. Common substrates include tiles, plaster, plywood, cement board, existing concrete and MDF, each with the right preparation.

Our kits are made for confident DIYers and come with full step-by-step guidance and video support, so many customers do it themselves. It is a patient, multi-coat process rather than a difficult one: prep carefully, work methodically, and you can achieve a professional finish. Our team is also on hand by phone or email if you get stuck.

Applied and sealed correctly, microcement is very hard-wearing and resists everyday knocks, scratches and water. Finished with our two-part sealer and a deliberately strong formulation, it flexes with the surface beneath and resists cracking far better than a thick concrete pour. On worktops, floors and tiled walls the first coat is reinforced with mesh for extra strength, and controlling movement in the surface underneath is the main thing, which is why preparation matters.

Once sealed with our polyurethane sealer, microcement worktops are food-safe and easy to wipe clean. They are heat-resistant for normal kitchen use, but as with most worktops we recommend using a trivet or board for hot pans rather than placing them straight onto the surface.

A typical worktop or small wetroom is a multi-day job: several thin coats with drying time between each, then sealing. Most DIY projects take a weekend to a few days of working time, with the sealer reaching full cure over the following days.

Day to day, simply wipe with a soft cloth and a pH-neutral cleaner, avoiding harsh abrasives and bleach. Every so often, refresh the surface with our concrete wax or a fresh coat of sealer to keep it protected and looking its best.

Yes, sealer is included in every microcement kit, in the right amount for the kit size: the small sealer covers 5m² and the large covers 10m². If you need more for a bigger area or a future re-coat, you can buy the sealer separately.

Yes. Our sample kit covers 1m² in two coats, so you can test the colour and finish before committing to a full project. Sample kits do not include sealer, as they are for testing the look rather than a finished, sealed surface.

Yes, we ship internationally on request. If you are ordering from outside the UK, contact us with your delivery address and we will put together a shipping quote for you.