Microcement for Walls and Floors
Microcement is a type of cement that is polymer-modified to give it a range of desirable properties that regular cement lacks. It has superb gripping power and can be applied to a much more extensive range of surfaces. The polymer imbued in the cement makes it somewhat flexible and, as a result, resistant to cracking, further increasing the number of situations in which it can be used.
Microcement is a coating and is designed to be applied thinly over the top other surfaces. It makes an excellent flooring material thanks to it being naturally anti-slip and hygienic, as well as great looking.
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One of the problems with regular cement as a floor surface is that it is a very inflexible substance. If the surface on which the concrete is being poured onto is in any way flexible, it can result in the concrete cracking. Cracks are not just unsightly; they can allow moisture to get into the cracks and cause problems with damp and mould. Microcement’s more flexible nature means that it can move (within reason) when needed, preventing it from cracking.
A side effect of concrete’s inflexibility is the need to break large areas into smaller sections, since the larger the area of concrete, the more prone to cracking it will be. This typically results in concrete “pads” being poured, with flexible grout used to fill the gaps, allowing each pad a certain amount of movement without damaging the concrete itself. This system works, of course, but it leaves the floor broken up by the seams between each pad. With microcement, there is no need to break the floor up into smaller sections, meaning you can achieve a much smoother overall look thanks to the lack of seams.
And, speaking of smooth, the finish of microcement is considerably smoother than that of concrete. You can achieve a similar result with concrete by polishing it; however, this adds a significant amount of work to the process, and you are still left with the same underlying problems of having a concrete floor, such as the susceptibleness to cracking that we just mentioned.
Another area where microcement makes for a considerably better flooring surface is in the fact that it is anti-slip and hygienic by its nature—no additional treatment necessary. But if you do opt to give it some further treatment, you can seal it against water as well, making it suitable for use in wetrooms, like bathrooms and kitchens.
Get the Look You Want
The visual advantages of microcement don’t stop at the smooth, jointless finish. The colour can be mixed into the cement itself, saving further work in painting the floor after it has set. Furthermore, this is a far more durable finish than a painted floor, since there is no paint layer to wear away. Even if the wear and tear of the floor did rub away some of the surfaces, the colour permeates the entirety of the microcement, meaning you would have to strip away of it down to whatever is underneath the microcement in order to expose a different colour.
Thin Application
As microcement is a coating, rather than a structural material, it only requires thin layers of application, which means the weight is kept down considerably over regular cement. This makes it great for achieving that industrial concrete look in spaces that are not on the ground floor since the thin layers of microcement will not add that much weight to the room.
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Versatile
Owed to the fact that it is flexible and only requires thin layers of application, microcement can be used over the top of a variety of surfaces, such as concrete, tiles, and even prepared wooden flooring. The preparation part is essential in the case of wood flooring, as failing to do so will result in microcement pouring through the floorboards.
This can save you a great deal of time and money in not having to pull up old flooring before laying down the new. And, similarly, if you later decide to go with a different look, microcement is durable enough to have other flooring materials laid over the top of it. This includes permanent options—such as tiling—as well more easily removable ones, like carpet or laminate flooring.
Longevity
Microcement creates a very durable surface that will stand the test of time as well as—if not better than—alternative options. It is a hard, resistant material that is shock, scratch, and even chemical resistant. It is not water-resistant by default, though it can be treated to add this property, as we mentioned above.
Thanks to the fact that there are no joins, there is very little maintenance involved in having a microcement floor. In fact, if there are no major accidents that damage the floor, you won’t have to do much more maintenance than an occasional cleaning.
How Long Does Microcement Take to Dry?
Because the coating is generally thin, the drying time for microcement is considerably shorter than regular concrete. However, we would recommend giving your new floor or walls a few days before subjecting them to any kind of serious abuse. That involves placing heavy furniture on them or dragging anything substantial across them.
What Situations is Microcement Good For?
Any situation where you need a smooth, unbroken surface—be it a floor or a wall—is an ideal situation for microcement. This could be an industrial setting, a commercial setting, or even in your own home.
The basic look of microcement is a modern industrial look and one that is particularly popular in recent years. And, as it is suitable for use on both walls and floors, it can be used to give a space a uniform and cohesive look, while simultaneously coating your surfaces in an extremely durable material.
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It is also a great way to get back to a “blank canvas” in spaces where completely gutting the existing decor might be impractical. For example, a large room with a tiled floor would involve a lot of work to remove those tiles. With microcement, you could simply cover them up.
