Microcement Flooring

Microcement is a cement-based render that is trowelled on to floors by hand to create a seamless surface finish. The finish is similar to what you would expect to see with polished concrete. Because it’s trowelled by hand on site, you’ll get truly unique texturing to your floor that won’t be exactly replicated anywhere else. Microcement is the perfect floor finish for anyone who is looking for an alternative to timber or tiled floors. It creates a soft, neutral seamless, contemporary base layer for you to build your interiors around.

What’s the difference between Microcement and Polished Concrete Floors?

You won’t be able to control the texture & colour quite as much with polished concrete as you can with microcement. There are natural variations in colour of concrete, depending on where in the country the concrete has been produced and differences in the stone colours, sizes and distribution. So you may find that a polished concrete surface is more varied in it’s texture than a microcement one. This works really well if you’re looking for a raw industrial feel. Polished concrete is also exceptionally strong and you can achieve so fantastic reflections in it. Microcement is softer, warmer and the texture is more uniformly distributed.

Colour Options

We’ve been around for a while now and have seen the colour trends changing over the years. It’s really wonderful for us to see how clients are embracing microcement as a finish that will give them so many different looks. The 2021 look seems to be all about the warmer shades for floors, like Escorial, Piedra de Lago, El Alamo, Nebulosa & Concrete. Our microcement is available in a wide choice of on-trend colours. Check out our Colour Options to see them all for yourself.

How long does a Microcement Installation take?

Microcement is applied seamlessly by hand trowel, which means it isn’t a quick process. It will most likely take 7 to 14 days depending on the size of the floor. The microcement will be very susceptible to staining or marking until the sealers are applied at the end of the process, so during that time, you’ll need to make sure no water is spilt on it and it doesn’t get marked. The microcement process does take time and effort. And it shows in the superior finish that can be achieved. Microcement certainly isn’t a quick fix, it takes time, patience and experience.

How much do Microcement Floors Cost?

Because installers will be on site for at least 7 days, they will have to charge a bit more per square metre for smaller areas and can charge a bit less per square metre for larger areas. We’re more than happy to do an estimate for materials and put you in touch with an installer.

Is Microcement Durable?

The microcement that we use for all our floors has been specifically designed for high traffic areas. So, it’s stronger and more durable than most other microcement products on the market. Once sealed, the microcement has fantastic stain resistance, which will last for years. Cemher are so confident in their products that they offer a 2-year guarantee on all Cemher microcement products.

One thing to bear in mind is that microcement does take 28 days to fully harden. So, it needs to be protected with a breathable covering like Ram Board for the first few weeks or take light foot traffic only.

When should I schedule the Microcement in?

Microcementing is a finishing trade, so Microcement Installers should be one of the last trades to work on a project. If the area includes a kitchen, it’s not uncommon for them to come in after the kitchen has been installed. You’ll just need to leave the kick boards off and they’ll trowel as far under them as they can reach – usually about 100-200mm. Alternatively, you can install kitchens on top of microcement, but you just need to ask other trades to take care not to drop or drag anything on the floor.

If the microcement is going onto concrete or screeds, they must be fully cured before you start to microcement. The time this takes will depend on the manufacturer’s recommendations and the depth of the pour, but it can be up to 3 months, so you’ll need to bear this in mind when scheduling your build.

Can Microcement be used with Underfloor Heating?

Yes, it can be used with both electric and piped underfloor heating. Both need to be screeded over first, in line with the manufacturer’s recommendations. And then the underfloor heating needs to be turned on and taken right up to the top temperature (increasing by small intervals each day) before gradually decreasing the temperature down to “off”. This process will force any contraction & expansion to happen before the microcement is laid.

Does Microcement Crack?

Microcement will not crack of its own accord, it will only crack if there are cracks or movement in the subfloor. it’s important that we work closely with your main contractor from early on in the build to ensure the subfloor is suitably prepared for microcement.

Does Microcement need Expansion Joints?

Becuase microcement has high flexural strength, it can be laid over an entire surface seamlessly without the need for expansion joints.  The only time you’ll see expansion joints in a microcement floor is when there’s expansion joints in the subfloor – in this case we will need to respect these joints and follow them through the finish.

What Surfaces can Microcement go onto?

Microcement is amazingly versatile with fantastic adherence properties, it can be applied seamlessly onto pretty much any surface. We regularly microcement onto screeds, concrete, self-levellers, floor grade ply, floor grade OSB boards and cement board. We just ask that you and your contractors follow the Surface Preparation Guidelines to avoid any extra costs or delays.

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