Microcement

Microcement (mikro beton in Turkish) is a surface coating made of cement, fine aggregate, polymer additives and pigments, trowelled on in several thin coats. The result looks like exposed concrete but is much thinner and has no joints. It can be applied to floors, walls, stairs, countertops, basins and even furniture.

Why people choose it

Its main appeal is a continuous surface. With no tile joints, bathrooms and kitchens get a calm, unified look, and the same material can run from floor to wall to worktop. Because it is thin, it can often go over properly prepared existing tiles or screed without demolition, which saves time on renovations. It sits well with minimal, industrial and Japandi styles.

Practical points

• The substrate must be sound, dry and flat; cracks below can telegraph through the coating.
• Application is handwork; trowel marks and tonal shifts depend on the applicator’s technique, and every surface turns out a little different.
• In wet areas, waterproofing and a suitable protective sealer are essential; the sealer also sets the stain resistance.
• Structural movement joints in the building must be carried through the coating.

In renders, microcement looks real thanks to soft, cloudy tonal variation and gentle changes in roughness across the surface. Given as a flat single color, it reads as paint. For calm bathroom examples where microcement often appears, see minimalist bathroom designs.