Choosing the Best Surfaces for Microcement Wet Rooms & Bathrooms
The great thing about microcement is that it’s incredibly versatile, it can adhere to almost anything. However, some surfaces are more straightforward than others. In this video, Richie explains all the common types of surface that can be used with microcement and explains the pros and cons of each.
Microcement is suitable for bathrooms, showers and wet rooms because the microcement system that we recommend for these areas is fully waterproof, even before sealer has been applied.
Microcement is extremely versatile and can be applied over a wide range of substrates. Because microcement is very thin, with a finished depth of just 3-4mm, it is dependent on the substrate that it is being applied to for strength.
Here are the golden rules that all substrates must adhere to before the microcement is applied. All surfaces must be:
- Completely flat & rigid
- Free from movement
- Free from dust & debris
- Cured to less than 5% moisture content
Here’s a quick summary of the main types of surfaces that you may want to microcement onto, with a quick summary of how to prepare them, click on the titles for full details of how to prepare each one for microcement:
Plastered & painted walls: these are ideal wall surfaces to apply microcement onto, since they are already flat, so shouldn’t need much prep. As long as the golden rules are adhered to, you’re good to go.
Self-levellers and Cement screeds: because these tend to be laid in one consistent pour, they are both flat and seamless, which makes them great surfaces for applying microcement to.
Plasterboard is lightweight, easy to cut and relatively easy to keep flush at joints. If there are minor differences in height or a board is slightly “lippy”, it can be skimmed or levelled before applying the Microcement.
Cement board provides a rigid and waterproof surface, but is heavier, more expensive and more difficult to cut and install accurately. Keeping joints and boards perfectly flush can also require more preparation.
Aqua4ma Panels for bathrooms and wet rooms, Aqua4ma wall and floor panels are our preferred substrate.
The panels are fully waterproof, lightweight and easy to cut using a hand saw or circular saw. Their welded tongue-and-groove joints are designed to provide a self-sealing connection, making them particularly well suited to wet-room applications.
Another major advantage is the speed of installation. Aqua4ma panels can be installed and prepared for same-day Microcement application, unlike traditional plastered surfaces where you may need to allow additional time for the plaster to dry and cure.
Tile-On Boards these foam core, cement faced boards, like Jacko Boards, Wedi Boards, Kerdi Boards & Marmox Multi Boards are intended for use with tiles. They do not have sufficient compressive strength for microcement to be applied directly onto them on floors. On walls, extra prep is required.
Boarded Floors like OSB and Cement Board flooring require high-performance primer which will bridge the joins between the boards to help prevent movement transferring through to the microcement.
Key Point
The flatter, more rigid and better consolidated the substrate is, the easier the Microcement application will be.
Microcement is a thin finish, so it will not hide significant unevenness, movement or poorly prepared joints. Always prepare the substrate correctly before beginning the Microcement application.