TRADITIONAL MICROCEMENT
A Modern Solution for Dry Interior Floors
Originating in Europe to solve a classic architectural challenge—capturing the raw, monolithic beauty of poured concrete without its heavy weight or structural limitations—microcement brings a refined industrial edge to modern interiors. By fusing high-performance liquid polymers with fine mineral aggregates and cements, it forms a resilient, ultra-thin three-millimeter coating that bonds directly over stable substrates without messy hacking. Today, it stands as a premier choice for architects, designers and homeowners seeking to create continuous, uninterrupted horizontal planes across modern living and commercial spaces.
Traditional vs. Synthetic: The Pursuit of Authentic Character
Cement-Based Composition vs. Synthetic Resins
In the microcement market, there is a fundamental split between synthetic systems (which often rely heavily on liquid resins with little to no actual cement) and traditional, cement-based microcement. We exclusively use traditional, cement-based microcement because it behaves, ages, and feels like true architectural material.
Rejecting Monotone Plastic for Organic Depth
Many commercial or mass-market microcement systems (often associated with flat, monotone styles) look uniform and artificial resembling a coat of colored plastic. Traditional microcement interacts with mineral aggregates to produce authentic, subtle clouding, tactile texture, and a living organic character that synthetic alternatives simply cannot replicate.
Continuous Architectural Flooring
Seamless Dry-Area Floors and Living Spaces
Microcement provides a continuous, fluid surface that flows effortlessly across interior dry areas. Engineered specifically for architectural flooring, it eliminates expansion joints and grout lines, creating a unified horizontal plane that amplifies spatial volume, light diffusion, and modern minimalism across living rooms, hallways, bedrooms, and commercial spaces.
Deliberate Specialization: Why We Focus on Dry Floors
While microcement is sometimes marketed for multi-surface or wet applications in other markets, our hands-on experience has taught us that its absolute reliability belongs in dry environments. We restrict microcement strictly to dry-area interior floors to ensure a pristine, problem-free surface. All wet zones—including bathrooms, showers, and spa environments—are intentionally reserved for our specialized mineral lime plasters, authentic Tadelakt, and microconcrete.
Multi-Layer Application & Substrate Adaptation
Tailored Preparation: Tiles vs. Raw Cement
Because microcement is applied as an ultra-thin architectural layer, preparation depends entirely on the existing subfloor. When applying over stable existing tiles, we diamond-grind the surface to create a mechanical key for adhesion, utilizing the solid tiles as a rigid foundation. On the other hand, when installing over raw cement or screed, we forgo heavy grinding and instead embed a high-tensile fiberglass mesh across the surface to bridge potential substrate movement and prevent micro-cracking.
Multi-Tier Base Coats and Trowel Craftsmanship
Over the stabilized foundation, our specialist artisans apply multiple hand-troweled layers of the microcement. Each individual coat is meticulously applied, cured, and lightly sanded between stages to develop the signature depth, subtle clouding, and tactile texture of architectural concrete—culminating in a robust, completely seamless horizontal canvas ready for protective sealing.
Professional Sealing: Abrasion Resistance & Real-World Care
Polyurethane for Surface Durability
To protect the floor against daily foot traffic, friction, and scuffing, we finish our traditional microcement with a clear, high-performance, bi-component matte polyurethane. It is important to understand the technical boundary of this sealer: polyurethane is engineered to provide exceptional surface abrasion resistance, not structural waterproofing.
Honest Anti-Stain Protection and Maintenance
Our matte polyurethane delivers reliable anti-stain properties for everyday household life, but it is not an invincible shield. Aggressive agents—such as red wine or harsh chemicals—can still burn through the protective barrier if left unattended. We believe in being entirely transparent with our clients: traditional microcement is a living, high-end architectural finish that rewards mindful care and prompt spill management, preserving a natural look over artificial, plastic-heavy sealers.
COMMISSION YOUR PROJECT
Professional Installation by Certified Artisans
Microcement is a demanding master craft requiring precise mixing windows, environmental control, and expert hand-troweling. Because we specialize exclusively in professional installation services—with no DIY kits or retail product sales—our specialist team manages every phase from initial substrate evaluation to the final protective coat, ensuring a flawless, long-lasting result.
Connect With Our Studio
Ready to explore traditional microcement for your interior floors? Contact our studio to discuss your project layout, subfloor specifications, and how we can bring an authentic, seamless architectural finish to your space.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is microcement 100% waterproof?
No. While microcement forms a dense, continuous surface, our clear polyurethane sealers are engineered primarily to provide exceptional surface abrasion resistance and everyday durability—not structural waterproofing. You cannot rely on a thin film of sealer to permanently waterproof a cement-based substrate; all it takes is a single microscopic impact to create a pinhole that will compromise the barrier. That is why we strictly keep traditional microcement to dry-area interior floors. Based on years of hands-on experience and realistic material performance limits, we deploy a dedicated system for wet environments instead: microconcrete for wet-area floors, and authentic Tadelakt or mineral lime plasters for wet-area walls.
Can microcement be applied directly over existing tiles
Yes. When installing over stable existing tiles, we diamond-grind the surface to create a physical mechanical key for maximum adhesion, followed by a specialized primer formulated for non-porous surfaces. In reality, almost anything can be applied over anything—provided you have the right primer and the technical know-how to execute it correctly.
Will microcement scratch easily?
Traditional microcement is an engineered blend of cement, fine mineral aggregates, and polymers. While standard cement screeds offer high rigidity, they are brittle and prone to cracking. The polymer content in microcement introduces a microscopic degree of flexibility to prevent those cracks from forming, trading off only a fraction of absolute hardness. Its surface hardness sits between parquet and cement—leaning much closer to cement—meaning heavy dropped objects can still cause a dent. For daily protection, we finish the floor with a multi-layer matte polyurethane sealer that provides robust surface abrasion resistance against normal foot traffic. However, microcement is not an indestructible material. Dragging unprotected furniture, sharp impacts, or trapped abrasive grit can still scratch or mar the finish. Ultimately, microcement is most susceptible to damage from concentrated, pinpoint pressure and requires the mindful upkeep expected of any high-end architectural floor.
What is the difference between traditional and synthetic microcement?
Synthetic microcement systems often rely heavily on heavy liquid resins with little to no actual cement, producing a flat, uniform, and artificial look. We exclusively use traditional, cement-based microcement because it interacts naturally with mineral aggregates to create authentic depth, subtle clouding, and a rich organic texture.
Will microcement scratch easily?
No, it won't stain from everyday household use, thanks to our multi-layer matte polyurethane sealer which provides reliable anti-stain protection. However, microcement is not an invincible, stain-proof shield. Aggressive agents—such as red wine, coffee, or harsh chemicals—can still burn through the protective barrier and stain the material if left unattended. Because it is a living architectural finish, it requires prompt spill management and mindful care rather than total, carefree immunity. For clients requiring maximum protection, we offer an optional service to sandwich a specialized, solvent-based stain-proof layer into the build-up. Because this heavy-duty layer is integrated within the system stack rather than sitting raw on top, the final surface maintains a considerably matte, natural appearance while significantly elevating your stain defense.
How long does it take to install microcement?
The installation timeline depends on the size of the area and the condition of the subfloor, but a typical residential project usually takes around 9 calendar days. Because microcement is a meticulous craft applied in multiple stages—including subfloor preparation, priming, reinforcement, and multi-tier sealing—proper drying and curing windows are non-negotiable. We never rush the process, as giving each layer the time it needs to cure is essential to achieving a flawless, durable architectural finish. A typical project schedule follows this structured progression: Day 1: Surface preparation, primer, mesh installation (where required), and 1st base coat Day 2: 2nd base coat application Day 3: Application of fine texture/top coats Days 4–5: Curing break Day 6: Sanding and sealer preparation Day 7: Application of matte polyurethane protective coats Day 8: Restricted entry for initial film curing Day 9: Resume entry with appropriate floor protection
Will microcement scratch easily?
Traditional microcement offers rich aesthetic flexibility while staying true to its organic mineral character. The usual customization options include: 1) Color Pigmentation: Custom mineral color matching to achieve specific design tones, ranging from raw industrial concrete grays to warm earthy and sand hues. 2) Custom Mineral Inclusions: For a truly distinct, bespoke look, we can incorporate specialized aggregates into the mix, such as colored glass, rice husks, or crushed seashells. Because these unique materials alter the material composition, they will/may increase both the overall floor thickness and the project cost. 3) Colorwashing Effects: We offer custom colorwashing at no additional cost. Drawing from our deep expertise with traditional mineral finishes, we apply specialized layering techniques to create a more pronounced, two-tone effect—making it ideal for industrial aesthetics and rustic design styles.
How much does it cost?
Please find our price list here.