Discover the modern, durable, and versatile flooring solution that’s transforming homes and businesses
Looking for the sleek elegance of polished concrete without the disruption and downtime? Microcement flooring might be your perfect solution. This innovative finish offers a stunning, contemporary finish with minimal installation fuss, making it ideal for both homes and businesses.
It can transform your living room, kitchen, or bathroom with a seamless, stunning floor that’s ready to enjoy in days, not weeks. Imagine your shop, office, or restaurant with a durable, high-end surface that can cope with heavy foot traffic while making a stunning brand statement.
What is microcement flooring? In this blog, the DirectStone team will answer the questions you may have about its benefits, applications, and suitability for your specific needs. Whether you’re renovating a period property or designing a brand-new commercial space, we’ll offer guidance on how microcement can bring your vision to life.
Microcement or Polished Concrete – What’s the Difference?
Both microcement flooring and polished concrete offer the popular minimalist aesthetic, but they differ significantly in their makeup and application. While polished concrete involves grinding down and polishing existing concrete slabs, microcement is a thin, cement-based overlay that can be applied to a variety of existing surfaces.
This key difference offers some major advantages:
- Thinner Application – Microcement is applied in super-thin layers (around 2-3mm), unlike the bulky 100mm typically required for polished concrete. This means less disruption to your existing infrastructure structure and a quicker installation process.
- Greater Design Flexibility – Microcement offers a wider range of colours, textures, and finishes for your flooring. Imagine achieving a bespoke shade of grey, a textured surface that mimics natural stone, or a high-gloss finish that rivals polished marble – all using microcement.
- Reduced Cracking – Microcement’s flexibility makes it less susceptible to cracking than polished concrete, which can be prone to hairline cracks over time.
- Faster Installation – With microcement, you can achieve the floor you want much faster. You can often walk on your new floor within 24 hours, and it fully cures in around a week. Polished concrete, on the other hand, requires a much longer curing time.
In essence, microcement offers a more versatile, and efficient means of achieving the polished concrete look, with less disruption.
What Surfaces Can Microcement Be Applied To?
One of the biggest advantages of microcement is its versatility. Forget messy removals and subfloor replacements – microcement can often be applied directly over your existing floor, saving you time, money, and hassle.
Ideal Bases for Microcement:
- Existing Concrete – A solid, level concrete base is perfect for microcement.
- Screed – Screed provides a smooth and stable surface for optimal microcement adhesion.
- Tiles – Yes, you can even lay microcement over your old tiles! This is a major advantage for renovations, as it eliminates the need for demolition.
Preparing the Surface:
While microcement is adaptable, proper surface preparation is important for a flawless, long-lasting finish. Here’s what’s involved:
- Cleaning – The existing surface must be thoroughly cleaned to remove any dirt, dust, grease, or loose debris.
- Repairs – Any cracks or imperfections in the existing floor should be repaired before applying microcement.
- Priming – A primer is applied to ensure optimal adhesion between the microcement and the substrate.
- Levelling (if necessary) -If your existing floor has uneven patches, a self-levelling compound may be used to create a perfectly smooth base. This is particularly important when applying microcement over tiles.
By ensuring your existing floor is properly prepared, you’ll create the perfect foundation for a stunning, durable microcement finish.
Microcement and Underfloor Heating: A Perfect Match
If you’re planning to install underfloor heating, microcement flooring is the perfect partner. Its thin profile allows for efficient heat transfer, ensuring your floors warm up quickly and evenly. Plus, microcement’s natural thermal conductivity helps to maintain a comfortable temperature throughout your space. Whether you’re installing electric or water-based underfloor heating, microcement will optimise the warmth of your space.
Effortless Maintenance for a Pristine Look
Microcement’s seamless surface makes cleaning easy. Simply sweep, vacuum, or mop with a mild detergent, and your floor will look as good as new. No more trapped dirt or grime, just a smooth, hygienic surface that’s easy to keep spotless.
But ease of cleaning is just the start. Microcement is incredibly durable, able to withstand heavy foot traffic, spills, and everyday wear and tear. Plus, it’s sealed with a high-quality protective coating that helps to repel stains and liquids, making it ideal for busy homes and commercial spaces.
For even greater peace of mind, DirectStone installs Forcrete microcement, a specially formulated product that’s completely waterproof. This makes it perfect for bathrooms, kitchens, and other areas prone to moisture. With minimal effort, your microcement floor will maintain its stunning appearance for years to come.
Professional Installation or DIY?
While microcement might seem like a simple coating, achieving a truly flawless finish requires expertise and precision. The application process involves hand trowelling to create the desired texture and effect. This level of craftsmanship ensures a seamless, durable surface that looks stunning and stands the test of time.
Proper surface preparation is equally important. From assessing the existing substrate to priming and levelling, each step needs to be carried out with care to ensure optimal adhesion and prevent future issues.
So, is DIY an option? If you’re a highly experienced DIYer with a keen eye for detail and a willingness to invest significant time and effort, you might consider tackling a residential microcement project.
However, for most homeowners, professional installation is the preferred route. It guarantees a high-quality result, minimizes the risk of errors, and saves you valuable time and stress.
For commercial spaces, professional installation is essential. Experienced installers have the skills and knowledge to handle larger-scale projects, ensuring a durable and aesthetically pleasing finish that meets the demands of a commercial environment.
Microcement Flooring – The Future of Interior Design
Microcement flooring offers a unique blend of style, durability, and practicality, making it an increasingly popular choice for both residential and commercial spaces. Whether you like its seamless styling, its versatility, or the low maintenance it requires, microcement has the potential to transform your space.
Ready to explore the possibilities of microcement flooring? Contact DirectStone today for a free consultation and discover how we can help you bring your flooring to life – 01525 20863920
