Some believe that microcement has become fashionable recently, but the truth is that it has been with us for many years, providing us with one more solution for the finishing of our home surfaces. What exactly is the microcement? Can not it end up giving to our house a look too rough?

Although its name inevitably takes our thinking to the roughness of cement, it has nothing to do with its appearance. The microcement, in fact, is made up of cement, but it is also combined with quartz and resins that give it a flexibility and versatility that we do not find in the other material. In a way, it is an evolution of that polished cement that began to be applied in industrial or commercial warehouses.

Until recently, when the technology had not yet allowed to endow it with greater resistance -as it already has-, a microcement surface was not exempt from scratching or being marked by the impact of the fall of a heavy object. Fortunately, and with these latest innovations, we can already enjoy smooth surfaces without joints – which gives a greater breadth – with the resistance to scratches and bumps like ceramic materials. It’s so much so, that not only has it become a regular presence in bathrooms and kitchens but, even, in outdoors where conditions are much more extreme.

Microcemento

Resistance and versatility

The thickness of this type of surface is, in fact, very thin, of just two or three millimeters, which brings many advantages over other solutions. Thus, not only is it much easier to level the floor, but also, it is not even necessary to lower the doors so that it does not rub. In addition, the thinner the layer, the greater is the resistance and the lower the risk of scratches. As for its impermeability, microcement alone is not waterproof, so it is recommended a finish with sealant, to enjoy this quality.

 

Another advantage of this material is that it can be fixed on any surface, including the walls, avoiding reforms or the annoying works of removing the previous coating. And without expansion joints! Something very important in order to avoid future areas where dirt can accumulate, so simplifying the cleaning tasks. However, parquet is not usually recommended, not so much because the fixing is inferior, but because due to the mobility of the parquet, cracks could appear in the microcement.

Range of finishes

We spoke previously of versatility as a quality added to hyper-flexibility. It is not for less, because we can choose between different types of finish, from smooth (either matte or satin, which is usually the most usual) or rustic, especially suitable for rural environments. To this is added, in addition, the wide variety of colors that can be applied in this type of surfaces, with light colors being the ones that show the least watermarks from the microcement application.

For its care, it is only necessary to use water and neutral soap, although it is also recommended to apply from time to time self-polishing waxes diluted in water, which provide greater protection to the surface from damages caused by falling of objects, furniture legs, etc.

Finally, we must bear in mind that, although it greatly simplifies the reform because it does not require major works, it does require a time of about three days-depending on the surface-for its application, since it has a marked craft character and are applied around eight layers, each of which has to respect its drying time, for optimal performance of the new surface.