Is microcement good for bathrooms?
It can be, where the build-up is right. Microcement leaves no grout lines, covers walls, floors and showers in one finish, and can go over sound existing tiles, subject to assessment. Its limits are those of any thin coating: it depends on the substrate beneath, on the tanking membrane in wet zones and on a sealer that is kept up.
Microcement or tiles in a bathroom?
| Aspect | Microcement | Tiles |
|---|---|---|
| Grout lines | None | Many, which need cleaning and care |
| Over an existing surface | Possible over sound, well-bonded tiles, subject to assessment | Usually removed first |
| Upkeep | Wet areas are resealed every 2-3 years | Grout care and occasional replacement |
Atelier applies microcement to bathroom walls, floors, showers and bath surrounds. The microcement bathrooms and wet rooms page describes the service.
What goes wrong, and how is it prevented?
Cracking is the usual concern. Microcement is a thin coating, so cracks come from movement in the substrate beneath, at joints, between boards or where materials meet. The controls are a technical assessment, joint sealing and fibre mesh reinforcement before the finish goes on. Unsealed joints and a sealer that is not renewed also cause early failure.
The five steps, in order:
- Technical assessment. Substrate condition, moisture levels, alignment and structural stability are assessed before any work begins. The assessment sets the preparation required.
- Surface protection. Surrounding areas and adjacent finishes are protected before application begins.
- Reinforcement and structural control. Joint sealing and fibre mesh reinforcement are applied to the substrate to control the movement that causes cracking in a thin coating.
- Controlled application. The finish is applied in layers with precision alignment and clean edge detailing. Each coat is assessed before the next begins.
- Final quality inspection. The surface is sealed and inspected, including every edge and joint, before completion.
Does microcement get mouldy?
No grout lines and a sealed surface remove the grout joints where mould usually settles. Ventilation and sealer upkeep still matter in any bathroom. Wet zones should be wiped down after use, and how often the sealer is renewed is covered in the guide to how long microcement lasts.
What does a wet-room build-up look like?
A wet-room build-up combines a tanking membrane, joint sealing, fibre mesh reinforcement, layered application and sealing, after a technical assessment of the substrate. The membrane provides the waterproofing and the microcement is the sealed surface above it. Who installs the membrane on a given project is confirmed at survey.
From the substrate up:
- The substrate, assessed for condition, moisture levels, alignment and stability.
- A tanking membrane in the wet zones, which is the waterproof barrier.
- Joint sealing and fibre mesh to control movement.
- Microcement, applied in layers.
- The sealer, which protects the surface and is renewed on schedule.
This is a general description of the system, not a specification for a particular project.
How long a bathroom installation takes is set out on the microcement bathrooms and wet rooms page. How often a bathroom is resealed is covered in the guide to how long microcement lasts. Prices for wet rooms and bathrooms are in the microcement cost guide.
Frequently asked questions
Can you use microcement in a shower?
Yes, within the wet-room system: tanking membrane, joint sealing, fibre mesh reinforcement, layered application and sealing. The tanking membrane beneath provides the waterproofing.
Does microcement crack in a bathroom?
Cracks come from movement in the substrate beneath a thin coating. Joint sealing and fibre mesh reinforcement, applied in step three of the five-step system, are the controls.
Does microcement get mouldy in a bathroom?
No grout lines and a sealed surface remove the grout joints where mould usually settles. Ventilation and sealer upkeep still matter in any bathroom.
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Tell us about the space and the finish. We review the details and reply with the next step.
