Microcement in detail: advantages and essential problems
July 20, 2022

The field of construction has advanced and with this, materials have evolved to offer better solutions and finishes to customers. In this aspect, the great popularity is acquired by the microcement for its ability to offer multiple advantages to the consumer. Thanks to its characteristics and properties, it allows major renovations to be achieved with small gestures.

Living room with dark colored microcement wall

Microcement has been on the market for more than two decades but, despite its longevity and popularity, it can often be a great unknown to consumers, even creating a slight uncertainty about its benefits, application, and results.

Discover in this news all its advantages and the problems associated with this material. Small inconveniences very easy to avoid thanks to a series of recommendations and tips that we are going to tell you next. We help to solve all your doubts about the great evolution in reforms that we have no doubt that little by little and more and more, will make a place in the life of consumers.

What are the advantages of microcement?

Microcement is a trend in space renovation. It has managed to carve out a place in the heart not only of decorators and architects, but also of individuals. And it's no wonder. Its composition based on cement, additives, aggregates, resins and pigments, makes it an excellent material for any type of reform due to its unique characteristics that range from its easy and simple application to the originality and exquisiteness of its results.

Next, we delve into the main advantages of microcement and update you on the characteristics and qualities of a unique decorative coating to transform floors and walls.

Contemporary beauty: uniform surface without joints

One of the peculiarities of microcement is the possibility of creating open spaces. This translates into a feeling of greater fullness and brightness. It transforms our four walls into a minimalist and modern place where joints and interruption lines cease to exist.

Applied both on floors and walls, it creates a completely timeless effect of lightness and spaciousness in our space that combines with any type of style.

So resistant that it becomes irresistible

The great hardness that characterizes it, positions it as an ideal material to apply in highly trafficked areas, exposed to the factors of everyday life and that are especially punished, such as the entrance to a garage or the contour of a refrigeration chamber.

With a reduced layer of two or three millimeters is enough to achieve a total coating and an application resistant to chemical or mechanical factors.

It is also resistant to scratches, blows, and abrasion. It does not crack or split and, if well maintained, it can last even for decades.

It is essential to apply a thin layer of varnish for its protection and sealing. In this way, in addition to protecting it, we will also make it non-slip and waterproof, thus avoiding the daily slips and unpleasant dampness. Who gives more?

An impeccable renovation

One of the great attractions of microcement compared to the use of other materials is, without a doubt, its ability to renovate spaces without the need to generate a speck of dust. Thanks to its easy installation on the existing support, it allows a clean reform, without construction and without the noises that characterize it and that we want to keep so far away.

Open kitchen with beige microcement floor

Renovated space: exquisiteness in the blink of an eye

Many times, thinking about making a reform and all the time it will entail, makes us reconsider whether or not to take the step forward. Often, we are more conquered by the thought of how complicated, long and tedious the process will be than the real desire to renew and change the appearance of our four walls (and it's not because they don't need a little touch of modernity).

Microcement has the advantage of achieving a renovation in a short period of time, compared to the use or application of other types of materials.

Considering the type of support and depending on the drying time, the renovation of a space with microcement could be reduced to three or four days on walls and up to a week on floors. Surely it is much less than you would have ever imagined compared to conventional renovations. However, always remember to count on the qualified hand of a professional to carry out the renovation of your spaces with this privileged coating.

Compatible with (almost) all supports

Among its many advantages, it also stands out for its good adhesion to a large multitude of supports and materials such as ceramics, porcelain, marble, mosaic, tile, and concrete. It is important to take into account for its application that whatever the material it is made of, the support must be firm and level.

One of the options to avoid cracks would be to use a fiberglass mesh. However, it is always advisable to consult with an expert in the field to get the best solutions, as this does not always apply to all supports and a qualified staff will be able to provide the best guidance.

Checking the good condition of the support is a fundamental and essential preliminary step to achieve an excellent result. Otherwise, we might not achieve that uniformity and stability for which microcement is so characterized.

While its versatility to adapt to almost any material is certain, we must avoid installing it on other materials such as wood. Being a material with movable plates, it cannot assure us those fundamental firmness conditions that we need to start the coating.

Microcement in interior and exterior? The answer is "Yes"

In addition to being compatible and very stylish on floors and walls of interior spaces, such as kitchens or bathrooms, this decorative coating presents another benefit that gives it a distinguishing character: versatility.

And it is also applicable in outdoor areas. For example, on terraces, gardens and even swimming pools. It is easy, fast and simple to achieve the perfect finish even in those areas of your home or business susceptible to humidity, contact with water or weather agents.

What could be better than making that dream space a reality, where you invest a lot of your time while enjoying the sun's vitamin and the outdoors? With Luxury Concrete® microcement for outdoors, it's already a fact: take advantage of every corner of the house to make it yours and completely to your liking, creating an atmosphere of escape now also outdoors.

Housing with outdoor microcement terrace

Take a look at our Luxury Concrete® Stone range. This two-component microcement is ideal for outdoors thanks to the anti-slip property that its robustness and homogeneity provide. The tranquility of a firm and safe floor to calmly enjoy the best summer days in your favorite space.

Always remember to apply a coat of our Primacrete Finish varnish for better maintenance and greater sealing and protection.

Aesthetic possibilities without limits

Another particularity of this coating is its high decorative value. It allows creating infinite aesthetic combinations thanks to its wide variety of colors, effects and textures.

The result? Exclusive and personalized designs that adapt to all tastes and decorative styles: minimalist, rustic, industrial, vintage or classic. A personalized luxury and completely adaptable to the desires and qualities of each person, which make microcement a unique, original and creative material that allows a different finish in each of the spaces.

Beauty, luxury, and personality merge to create a unique combination: coatings with Luxury Concrete®.

Cleaning has never been so easy

As we were saying, microcement completely eliminates joints, thus achieving a clear and minimalist space. And not only because of the modern and renewed aspect it creates, which we mentioned in the previous paragraphs, but also because it translates into greater ease for cleaning, as it prevents the accumulation of dirt in the small gaps that existed before its application.

A material undoubtedly "Easy to Clean" thanks to its attributes of ease of cleaning and maintenance. This also translates into saving time dedicated to cleaning. Which is not just an advantage, but a "huge advantage".

For its cleaning, a classic mix of water and neutral pH soap is enough. However, at Luxury Concrete® we have specialized products to get the maximum technical and aesthetic performance. Thus, we will achieve a complete cleaning, the total elimination of germs and bacteria, and an impeccable result and maintenance.

Problems with microcement easy to avoid

The good news is that your minor inconveniences are very easy to avoid. And that's because most of them usually appear due to malpractice, the use of poor quality materials, or lack of information on the subject.

Next, we tell you the main problems with microcement and some tips to keep in mind to avoid them very easily.

Poor condition of the support

While it is true, the poor condition of the support will be the first major factor to consider that will make a correct installation of the microcement difficult. We could say that its main problem would be to ensure that this support or material on which we are going to apply our coating is in perfect condition: completely firm and stable.

To achieve this, first of all, we have to make sure that the support is in good condition, that is, without breaks, cracks or any other type of defect that could risk a bad application. If not, before anything else, it will be necessary to carry out a repair of it.

Then, it is essential to achieve stability and firmness in the support. As complicated as it may seem, this is easier than it seems. In some application areas, such as on the floor, it is always advisable to include a fiberglass mesh to achieve this firmness.

In summary, it is absolutely necessary before the application of microcement to ensure that the support is perfectly ready for its installation: this can be the first step to guarantee (or hinder) the success of your renovation. Always remember to rely on the experience and knowledge of an expert in the field.

Appearance of defects

The appearance of defects can occur especially after its application.

The causes are easy to detect and we will easily avoid them thanks to the use of the appropriate materials and techniques.

Cracks

In general, it is usually the most common defect to appear. This is because the support where the coating is to be applied may tend to move. An example would be tiles, since, being applied on another lower layer of concrete, it can move due to factors that are not in our hands, such as temperature changes or changes in the settlement of the building.

To avoid them, especially in more problematic areas or with a tendency to their appearance, it is recommended to use a material with elasticity for the damping of these movements.

Dampness

As we were saying, a thin layer of varnish after the application of the coating is essential for proper sealing, optimal protection, and lasting maintenance.

In addition, it will serve us to create a waterproof space and avoid annoying dampness, so difficult to control and at the same time, so anti-aesthetic.

In case of areas susceptible to filtering or in permanent contact with water, we must always apply a range of special microcement dedicated to such purpose.

Keep in mind that the appearance of defects, gives a look of neglect on your walls or floors can create an effect contrary to the desired one. Remember: it's always better to prevent than to cure.

Inexperienced labor

Having qualified personnel in the sector is getting closer to the guarantee of success. Always for your installation of the coating, surround yourself with the best professionals, follow their advice and consult all those doubts that may arise before taking an action on your own. No one better than them will advise you and guide you towards a luxury result.

Now that you are aware of the advantages and problems that characterize microcement, are you still thinking of not carrying out your reform? The advantages are multiple compared to small inconveniences that are very easy to avoid.

You are just one step away from absolute luxury. If you have any questions or need more information, you can get in touch with the team of professionals at Luxury Concrete® by clickinghereand filling out our contact form. We will respond to your questions as soon as possible.