Why you might want to rethink microcements
Microcements: ideal for the “industrial look”
The “industrial look” has firmly cemented itself as a design trend. Search for “industrial look” and the suggestions cover everything from kitchens, bars, design studios and art galleries to furniture, shelving, lighting and worktops. So it’s no surprise that polished concrete, screeds and microcements have grown hugely in popularity, in homes and commercial spaces alike.
Microcements suit this look perfectly. They look and feel like concrete, and they bring plenty of extra benefits too. As a result, architects, designers and contractors all find them versatile. Using microcement on walls as well as floors adds another dimension to a project. What’s more, it can go over many surfaces, including concrete, screeds, tiles, timber and even metal.
Everyone should love microcements
Surely everyone should love microcements for their versatility and the creative scope they offer?
Unfortunately, that isn’t always the case. When microcements first appeared decades ago, they were a basic mix of polymer, cement and aggregate, and they didn’t always perform as expected. Some systems needed almost a lab set-up on site to mix liquid polymers, pigments, aggregate and cement. On top of that, fiddly calculations for humidity and heat made things harder. Aggregates based on calcite, such as limestone or chalk, couldn’t give a hard-wearing surface. Bonding could also be a problem, which sometimes led to delamination. In short, older microcement systems could be a faff, and they didn’t always last.
However, microcements have moved on a great deal in recent years. Modern microcement systems have tackled many of the weaknesses of earlier products. As a result, they are easy to use, they perform as expected, and they offer the design scope today’s interiors call for.
Improvements in modern microcement systems
Newer microcement systems are much easier to use. Some are purely powder based, so the aggregate, cement, polymer and pigment all come in one kit, and the contractor just adds water. This makes life far easier on site. It also ends problems with colour and consistency, because the first mix is the same colour as the last.
Some of the latest products also use harder aggregates, which makes them extremely hard-wearing and durable. Combined with new polymer blends, this solves problems with strength, durability and bonding at the same time. Thanks to their excellent bond strength, some newer systems can go on walls and shelving, and over timber and tiles. That makes them a great choice for renovations.
In addition, some microcements can now be polished after they are laid. This is a great alternative where a polished concrete floor isn’t practical. Some systems even reach a shine so high it is almost like a mirror. In these systems the aggregate and polymer mix is so well balanced that the polymers no longer burnish or darken under the heat of the polishing discs. In other words, you polish the microcement itself, not a sacrificial top coat.
So if you haven’t tried modern microcement, or not for a while, take another look at what’s available. The industrial look started in the late 1980s and is still gathering interest. Unlike the shoulder pads and mullets of the time, it looks here to stay.
If you have more questions, see our microcement FAQs.