Systems · ErreLAB · Outdoor microcement
Outdoor microcement
Seamless, UV-stable floors for patios, terraces, balconies, paths and pool surrounds, with no grout lines for weeds or dirt. ErreLAB’s outdoor systems hold their colour in the sun and can run straight on from your indoor floor.
Can microcement be used outside?
Yes, but only the outdoor versions. ErreLAB Spatolato Outdoor and Pietra Continua Outdoor are made for patios, terraces, balconies, paths and pool surrounds. Both are fully UV stable and weather resistant, and they go over sound concrete, screed and existing stone or tiles once prepared.
Outdoor microcement is a thin, hand-trowelled resin laid as one continuous surface, so there are no grout lines for dirt or weeds to settle in. Politura microcement and ErreFast are made for interiors only.
Both outdoor systems share their colours with the indoor versions, so a floor can run from the kitchen straight out onto the terrace, with any expansion joints carried through.
At a glance
- Systems
- Spatolato Outdoor, Pietra Continua Outdoor
- Use
- Patios, balconies, terraces, paths and pool surrounds
- Sun
- Fully UV stable
- Grout lines
- None
- Installation
- Professional installation recommended
Where it goes
Patios, terraces, balconies, paths and steps, in Spatolato Outdoor and Pietra Continua Outdoor.
PatiosSeamless, with no grout for weeds
TerracesFrom the living room straight outside
BalconiesLight, UV-stable finishes
Paths and stepsContinuous surfaces with no grout lines
See it outside
Terraces, balconies, steps and paths in Spatolato Outdoor and Pietra Continua Outdoor.
Why choose microcement outside
How much does outdoor microcement cost?
There’s no single price per m², because it depends on the system, the size of the space and the surface underneath. Here’s what moves the price:
| What changes the price | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| The system | Spatolato Outdoor for a smooth trowelled look, or Pietra Continua Outdoor for natural stone effects |
| The surface underneath | Sound concrete, screed, stone or tiles each need the right preparation |
| Shape and detail | Steps, curves and pool edges take more time than a flat terrace |
| Labour | It’s best applied by a trained installer, who prices the work |
Tell us about your outdoor space and we’ll give you a price for the right system.
Our pick for outside: ErreLAB Outdoor
Outside, we recommend ErreLAB’s two outdoor systems. Choose Spatolato Outdoor for a smooth trowelled finish made to mimic traditional microcement, or Pietra Continua Outdoor for natural stone effects.
Both are water-based polyurethane resins, fully UV stable and weather resistant, and they share their colours with the indoor versions, so the same colour can run from the kitchen to the terrace. They can also be used indoors, in rooms with lots of big windows, where the extra UV resistance helps the colour stay true.
At a glance
- Type
- Water-based polyurethane resin
- Systems
- Spatolato Outdoor, Pietra Continua Outdoor
- Sun
- Fully UV stable
- Colours
- Same charts as the indoor versions
- Installation
- Professional installation recommended
Which outdoor system
Both are water-based polyurethane resins, fully UV stable and made for outside. The difference is the look.
Water-based polyurethane
Spatolato Outdoor
- Look
- Smooth trowelled finish, the same look as indoor Spatolato
- Sealer
- Gloss, satin or matt
- Colours
- Same charts as Spatolato; a few aren’t available outdoors
- Best for
- Modern terraces, balconies and pool surrounds
Water-based polyurethane
Pietra Continua Outdoor
- Look
- Natural stone in four finishes: Basalto, Calcare, Quarzite or Travertino
- Sealer
- Protective satin
- Colours
- Same colours as Pietra Continua
- Best for
- Patios, paths and steps where you want a stone look
Which outdoor microcement should you use?
| Where | What we’d recommend | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Modern terraces and balconies | Spatolato Outdoor | A smooth, trowelled finish in gloss, satin or matt |
| Patios, paths and steps | Pietra Continua Outdoor | Natural stone effects in Basalto, Calcare, Quarzite or Travertino |
| Pool surrounds | Spatolato Outdoor | Follows pool edges, and is fully UV stable |
| Rooms opening onto a terrace | Either, matched to the indoor colour | The outdoor versions share their colours with the indoor systems |
We’ve worked with outdoor microcement since the early 90s
Our team was among the first in the UK to use outdoor microcement, in the early 90s, when many concrete surfaces were too good to rip out. Those early outdoor surfaces are still down more than 30 years later.
That first system came from Australia. It was a cement-based product that needed very dry conditions, and any moisture could make it “bloom”, leaving salt crystals on the surface. It wasn’t suited to the UK’s climate.
Technology has moved on a long way since then. Today’s ErreLAB outdoor systems are hard, water-based polyurethane resins made for British weather, and that’s why they’re what we recommend outside.
Questions about outdoor microcement
Can Politura or ErreFast go outside?
No. Both are for interiors only. Outside, use Spatolato Outdoor or Pietra Continua Outdoor.
Can I use the outdoor versions indoors?
Yes. In a room with big windows and lots of sun, their extra UV resistance helps the colour stay true.
What can it go over?
Sound concrete, screed and existing stone or tiles, once they’re prepared. Call us on 01472 240 340 to talk through the build-up for your surface.
How do I look after it?
Sweep and wash it like a tiled terrace. Each system has its own cleaning and maintenance sheet in its Downloads.
Can I apply it myself?
It’s best applied by a trained installer. If you want to learn, see our training courses.
Will outdoor microcement fade in the sun?
Spatolato Outdoor and Pietra Continua Outdoor are fully UV stable, so they hold their colour in the sun.
How long does outdoor microcement last?
Many years when it’s prepared and applied properly. Outdoor microcement our team worked on in the early 90s is still down more than 30 years later, and today’s resins are much tougher.
Does the weather matter?
Only while it’s being applied, when you need good weather. Once it’s down, the weather doesn’t matter.
Is outdoor microcement slippery when wet?
The outdoor systems have the same slip ratings as the indoor versions. Spatolato is R10 as standard, or R11–R12 with Top Clear SOL (DIN 51130).
Does outdoor microcement crack?
The products themselves are designed not to crack, but cracks or movement in the surface underneath can show through. Repair cracks and carry expansion joints through the finish.
How much does it cost?
It depends on the system, the size of the space and the surface underneath. Ask us for a price for your project.
See it outside
More guides
Floors
What to know about microcement floors, from substrates to sealers.
Read the floors guide →
Walls
Feature walls, kitchens and living spaces, and how to prepare the background.
Read the walls guide →
Bathrooms and wet rooms
Which systems work in showers, wet rooms and on vanity tops.
Read the bathrooms guide →
Commercial spaces
Slip, fire and hygiene data for shops, hotels, restaurants and clinics.
Read the commercial guide →
Over tiles
Cover tiled walls and floors without ripping them out, and the preparation that makes it last.
Read the over tiles guide →
Microcement vs tiles
Seamless or grouted: how they compare, and how microcement can go straight over old tiles.
Read the guide →
Applying microcement
Who it suits, which system is easiest to learn, and how to get good at it.
Read the guide →
Questions answered
Underfloor heating, cracks, tiles, slip resistance, samples and more.
Read the FAQs →
Microcement vs polished concrete
A similar seamless concrete style, without pouring a new slab.
Read the guide →Make your outdoor space seamless
We’ll help you choose a system and colour, send samples and talk you through the build-up for your terrace, path or pool.