What to expect
The reason microcement is specified on floors is almost always thickness. At 2 to 3 mm it can be laid over an existing screed, tile or terrazzo without lifting it, which removes the demolition, the skip runs and the programme a new floor build-up would otherwise cost.
What you gain visually is continuity. A floor with no joints reads as one plane, and it can run up a step and into a wall return without a trim. What you take on in exchange is substrate discipline: the finish is thin, so it follows what is underneath it, and movement in the base will find its way to the surface.
That is why the survey matters more than the material. Existing cracks and joints are treated before anything is applied, and structural and movement joints are carried through the finish rather than plastered over.
In practice
- Laid over sound existing screed, tile or terrazzo - no demolition in most cases
- Seamless across large areas, and continuous from floor into step and wall return
- Sealed to suit the traffic and the cleaning regime, from residential to public building
- Compatible with underfloor heating, commissioned before application
- Repairable in place by re-working and re-sealing the affected area
Specify it
| Applied thickness | Approximately 2 to 3 mm over the prepared substrate |
|---|---|
| Substrate | Sound, dry and stable; existing cracks and joints treated first |
| Movement joints | Structural and movement joints carried through the finish |
| Sealer | Selected for traffic and cleaning regime; a maintenance item |
| Slip resistance | A function of sealer and finish - confirm against the project requirement |
Microcement is a durable, low-VOC cement-based finish. It is not a natural or vapour-open material — for that, see clay plaster or lime plaster. Emission and content testing is published by the manufacturer.
View evidence — Cemher VOC emissions certificate (PDF, 0.8 MB)Floors in place
Delivered work, photographed on site. Photography: Conmarble.
Featured projects
Built with this material, by our own artisans. Open the project for the full set of photographs and the story of the installation.
Technical support for the design team
We supply the material and we apply it, so the specification and the workmanship sit with one party. Send a finishes schedule, an elevation or a mood board and we will come back with the system, the build-up, the sample programme and a completed clause.