Everything you need to know about microcement flooring

Microcement is one of the most widespread continuous floorings in the world due to the decorative opportunities it offers for both indoors and outdoors. A coating that can be applied on kitchen floors, bathroom floors, terrace floors, etc.

A building material that, although it has years of history, has become much more popular in recent years, especially for covering all types of flooring. Here we show you everything you need to know about microcement flooring: how it is applied, its main advantages, the types of microcement for floors, tips... and much more.

What is microcement?

Microcement is a decorative coating made from cement that is used to renovate all types of spaces without building work. With a thickness of less than 3 mm, it is applied to the surface without removing the existing coating.

Apart from its aesthetic finish, microcement flooring stands out for its functionality. A flooring that does not crack and is resistant to traffic, scratches, running water, the effects of sunlight and impacts.

Benefits of microcement flooring

Applying microcement on floors offers countless advantages. Its continuity, high resistance to traffic and wear and tear, as well as its non-slip finishes, are some of the factors why these pavements are so popular for both indoor and outdoor spaces.

Below is a summary of some of the most important benefits that this innovative decorative coating can boast as continuous flooring:

• It does not raise the level of the floor too much thanks to its minimum thickness of between 2 and 3 mm.
• It is a continuous floor, which means that there are no expansion joints or joints. The entire floor renovation is done in one single piece.
• It adheres to any type of material without the need to remove the existing substrate. It avoids generating debris and heavy renovations.
• It is unalterable to UV rays and has very good thermal resistance.
• It has enviable resistance to traffic, abrasion and domestic cleaning products.
• No two microcement floorings are alike thanks to the variety of colours and finishes offered by this decorative covering.
• Microcement it can be used as interior flooring but also as exterior flooring, for example on terraces and on the crown and edges of swimming pools.

How to make a microcement floor: application step by step

Now that you know all the virtues of microcement flooring, it is time to explain the application process. Here are the six steps to take into account to install a microcement floor successfully:

1. Cleaning the future microcement flooring

The flooring to be covered with microcement must be in perfect condition. Therefore, the first step is to clean the future microcement floor of dust, stains, grease or any other type of particles, as well as making sure that the base is in perfect condition. It is very important to check the humidity level of the floor, wait for it to dry or apply Primapox®100 Barrier to block rising damp or as a vapour barrier.

2. Primer

Once the surface is clean, apply a coat of primer on the flooring to enhance the adhesion between the existing substrate and the new microcement flooring. If the base surface is absorbent, such as concrete or self-levelling, Primacem Abs should be used; if it is non-absorbent, such as terrazzo, tile or marble, Primacem Plus should be used.

For surfaces that require the use of a moisture-blocking primer, the most suitable primer as mentioned above would be Primapox®100 Barrier.

Depending on the needs of the microcement floor, other adhesion promoters can be used. We find Primacem Fix, a primer with tacking effect; Primacem Grip, a primer with aggregate; and Primacem Joint, a filler to fill joints in tiles and gresites before applying the microcement on the floor.

3. First coat of microcement base

After priming, apply the first layer of unpigmented microcement base. The use of a fibreglass mesh is recommended, as it will help the professional to minimise the chances of cracks appearing over time. Once applied, sand the surface.

4. Second coat of microcement base

Once the surface is completely dry, apply a second coat of pigmented microcement base. In this step, choose the desired microcement colour to cover the continuous flooring and, once the surface is perfectly covered, sand the microcement flooring.

5. Two coats of finishing microcement

The fifth step consists of applying two coats of finishing microcement or pigmented finish. Depending on the finish and the degree of slipperiness desired, medium or thick microcement can be used. As specialists, we recommend two coats of Microdeck, our optimal microcement for the application of microcement on floors. Or two coats of Microstone, ideal for exterior microcement floors (link follow a noticia microcemento en exteriores).

6. Microcement flooring protection

The last step in the application of microcement flooring is one of the most important. The floor is ready, now it needs to be protected. To do this, two coats of Presealer are applied by roller, followed by two coats of our Topsealer varnishes. Sealerts that not only serve to protect the microcement floor, but also give the surface a non-slip and waterproof finish.

Types of microcement flooring

If there is one particularity that perfectly defines microcement for floors, it is its versatility, as there are different types depending on the texture and finish that you want to obtain. At Topciment we have up to five different systems, each of which is suitable for specific needs and finishes.

Microdeck, the most common microcement for floors

Microdeck is the microcement for floors par excellence. It is the most widely used because of its workability, but also because of its resistance to wear due to abrasion, traffic and impact. It is the perfect continuous coating for creating non-slip flooring and can also be applied using the fresco-on-fresco technique.

Within Microdeck, customers can choose between Sttandard Microdeck two-component microcement, the traditional line and one of the most popular;

Efectto Quartz, ready-to-use microcement for floors

Efectto Quartz is our ready-to-use microcement for floors. Thanks to its wide range of colours and its four granulometries, you can create any flooring you can imagine. Both in outdoor and indoor spaces.

Its main advantage is that it allows you to increase the speed of application of microcement flooring. A low thickness coating available in 16 colours and with a very natural finish.

Atlanttic, microcement for the floor around the swimming pool

Atlanttic is one of our most exclusive decorative solutions. A microcement developed for the floor around the swimming pool thanks to its innovative formula. It gives the microcement flooring a non-slip and automatically waterproof finish. It can also be used in the pool basin due to its unbeatable resistance to immersion.

Microstone, microcement for exterior flooring

For other applications of microcement on exterior flooring other than swimming pools, we have developed Microstone. A two-component microcement with superior mechanical and abrasion resistance and anti-slip finish without the need to apply any type of treatment. Like Microdeck, it can also be applied using the fresco-on-fresco technique. However, the thickness of the Microstone aggregates is greater.

Industtrial, microcement for industrial flooring

Last but not least, Industtrial. A microcement especially indicated for industrial flooring such as offices, large warehouses, workshops, etc. Spaces that require greater resistance to traffic and hardness, due to the machines and weight exerted on the surface.

Needs that Industtrial, thanks to the epoxy resin included in its composition, satisfies. A microcement for industrial floors that is also much more waterproof than other conventional microcements.

Microcement flooring in bathrooms and kitchens

Microcement can be used both as exterior flooring and interior flooring in any room. Among its many qualities, its capacity to be waterproof to running water and anti-slip and its excellent resistance to heat, traffic and stains make this covering an ideal material, especially for kitchens and bathrooms.

Thanks to the large number of microcement colours that exist, it is possible to create an infinite number of floor coverings. In our gallery you will find multiple microcement floorings in bathrooms and kitchens.

Colours for microcement flooring

White microcement is undoubtedly one of the most demanded colours due to a marked minimalist style that is increasingly present in the interior decoration of private homes and commercial premises. But grey microcement floors are not far behind either. The industrial style is gaining more and more followers to its cause, a style that gives the feeling that it will not go out of fashion no matter how many years go by as it fits perfectly with offices, large surfaces and warehouses and also houses.

Although white and grey are the microcement colours par excellence, there is a wide range of possibilities. In Topciment we have multiple colours for microcement floorings depending on the character you want to give to the room where the microcement flooring is going to be applied. We have designed specificpigments according to the microcement systems we manufacture .

Cleaning, care and maintenance of microcement flooring

Microcement is a covering that does not require exhaustive cleaning and maintenance, as it has very good resistance. However, it is very convenient to use a series of products that will enhance the optimal state of the floor for a much longer period of time.

How to clean a microcement flooring

Fortunately, it is a floor that is not very demanding in terms of cleaning. It only needs to be washed from time to time with water and a mild detergent thanks to its lack of joints.

Even so, we have special products for cleaning microcement flooring: the Ecoclean range. Biodegradable products with which the floor will maintain its shine and chromatic intensity at 100%, looking like new. For domestic use, using Ecoclean Basic once a week is more than enough. On the other hand, for floors that are more exposed to traffic and impacts, such as commercial premises and industrial businesses, Ecoclean Pro is more advisable. A product that should be applied every two months or so, combined with Ecoclean Basic on a weekly basis.

How to care for and maintain a microcement flooring

For the care and maintenance of microcement floors, we have developed Ceraciment protective waxes. Products that provide extra hardness and shine to the floor, preserving its original appearance. Waxes that better protect the surface from traffic, wear and tear, stains, etc.

Before applying the wax on the microcement floor, it is important that the pavement is perfectly clean. It is also important that at least 15 days have passed since the floor has been sealed, if it has just been installed. One coat of Ceraciment is more than enough.

If you want to repeat the waxing process, which logically is not permanent, repeat the same operation every two months on floors that are used more aggressively (offices, workshops, warehouses, restaurants, etc.) or every six months (homes). For the first case we recommend Ceraciment Pro, for the second Ceraciment Basic.

Tips to avoid problems with microcement on the floor

During the first few days after applying the microcement flooring, it is essential that the room is properly ventilated to ensure correct drying. If this is not done, the final finish of the continuous flooring will be far from what is sought.

Similarly, it is essential to avoid stepping on the microcement flooring in the first week after its application. It is also important to avoid spilling liquids that could generate significant stains or damage the resin and, lastly, to avoid moving furniture around. If all these tips are taken into account, there will be no future problems with microcement floorings.

Price of microcement flooring

If you have already decided to opt for microcement flooring for your renovation project, you will want to know the cost. An amount that depends on specific factors but which we can tell you is very competitive compared to other construction materials.

The labour and complexity of the work, the square metres of surface to be covered, the quality of the microcement for floors chosen and the state of the substrate will vary the final price.

Taking all these considerations into account, the price of microcement flooring is between 100 and 200 euros per square metre approximately.