Microcement guide

Microcement vs tiles

Tiles mean grout lines to scrub, and replacing them means weeks of mess. Microcement gives you one seamless, hard-wearing surface across floors, walls and showers, often laid straight over the tiles you already have, in a matter of days.

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The short answer

Microcement is usually the better choice if you want one seamless surface with no grout to clean, or want to cover existing tiles without ripping them out. With ErreLAB, microcement goes straight over well-bonded tiles in 4–5 days.

Tiles are laid as separate pieces with grout between them. Microcement is trowelled by hand in thin layers, about 2–3 mm in total, to make one continuous surface with no grout lines.

At a glance

Microcement: About 2–3 mm, seamless
Tiles: Separate pieces with grout lines
Over old tiles: Yes, with ErreLAB, once prepared
Cleaning: No grout lines to clean

Is microcement better than tiles?

If you want a clean, seamless finish with no grout to look after, we think so. Here’s what microcement gives you that tiles can’t.

No grout linesNothing for dirt, mould or mildew to collect in, and nothing to re-grout.

No ripping outErreLAB goes over well-bonded tiles once they’re prepared, so there’s less mess and less waste.

Done in daysPolitura and ErreFast take 2–3 days, ErreLAB 4–5 days.

Extremely hard wearingErreLAB’s epoxy resins are harder wearing and more stain resistant than a mineral microcement.

Made for showersErreLAB is waterproof at every layer, so it can go in showers and wet rooms.

One finish, floor to ceilingRun the same surface across floors, walls and vanity tops, with no edges or trims.

Very little added heightAt about 2–3 mm in total, it adds far less height than a new layer of tiles, so there’s much less to deal with at doors and thresholds.

Follows every curveBecause it’s trowelled by hand, it follows curves and niches that would mean fiddly cuts in tile.

Your choice of colourErreLAB alone comes in over 250 colours, so you’re not limited to what a tile range happens to offer.

The tile problems microcement avoids

Tiles are a familiar choice, but they come with problems that a seamless surface simply doesn’t have.

Grout that needs scrubbingGrout lines collect dirt and can discolour over time, and eventually need redoing.

Cracked and chipped tilesIndividual tiles can crack or chip, and a matching replacement isn’t always easy to find years later.

Cuts and trimsCorners, pipes and awkward shapes all mean cutting, and tiled edges often need trims.

Breaks between roomsTiles usually stop at a threshold. Microcement can run from room to room and floor to wall as one finish, with any expansion joints carried through.

Is microcement cheaper than tiles?

Usually not. Microcement generally costs more upfront than a standard tile, because it’s a hand-applied, multi-coat finish that takes real skill to lay. Natural stone and designer tiles can match it or cost more, and the gap can close once you count complicated tile cuts or the cost of stripping out old tiles.

What you’re paying for is one seamless, hard-wearing surface with no grout to scrub or redo. Going over well-bonded tiles with ErreLAB can also save the strip-out, the skip and the making good.

Microcement cost also depends on which system you choose, so there’s no single price per m². Here’s what moves the price on each side:

What changes the price	Microcement	Tiles
Materials	Depends on the system: Politura microcement, ErreFast or ErreLAB	Varies widely with the tile, adhesive and grout
Old tiles	ErreLAB can go over well-bonded tiles, so there’s no strip-out	Usually come off first, with waste to clear
Preparation	Tiles are cleaned and sanded, lippage levelled, joints filled and mesh or carbon fibre added	A flat, sound background, which may need making good after a strip-out
Labour	A skilled, hand-applied finish over 2–5 days, depending on the system	Depends on tile size, layout and cuts
Upkeep	No grout to clean or redo	Grout needs cleaning, and redoing over time

Send us the size of your space and what’s on the walls and floor now, and we’ll give you a price for the right system.

Our pick for replacing tiles: ErreLAB

To replace tiles, or cover them, we recommend ErreLAB’s resin systems: Spatolato, Velato, Pietra Continua and Metallo Continuo. Spatolato, for example, is made to mimic traditional microcement but with better performance.

They’re epoxy resins, so they’re harder wearing and more stain resistant than a mineral microcement, and waterproof at every layer, including showers and wet rooms. ErreLAB also has the primers and the carbon fibre or mesh reinforcement to go straight over well-bonded tiles.

Prefer a mineral finish? Politura is traditional microcement and suits bathrooms away from direct water. It has no tile primer of its own, so with Politura we recommend taking the tiles off first.

At a glance

Type: Epoxy resin finishes
Finishes: Spatolato, Velato, Pietra Continua, Metallo Continuo
Over tiles: Yes, once prepared
Water: Waterproof at every layer
Time: 4–5 days

ErreLAB Pietra Continua Basalto resin floor and shower wall in a modern bathroom with a freestanding bath

Side by side

Both go on floors, walls and in bathrooms. The difference is the joints, and what that means for cleaning and renovating.

Seamless

Microcement

Surface: One seamless surface
Cleaning: Wipes clean, with no grout lines for dirt, mould or mildew to collect in
Thickness: About 2–3 mm in total
Over existing tiles: Yes, with no demolition, so the room is back in use sooner
Water resistance: Depends on the system: ErreLAB goes in showers and direct water; Politura and ErreFast suit bathrooms away from direct water
Slip resistance: Politura R9 as standard; ErreLAB Spatolato with Top Clear R10, up to R11–R12 with Top Clear SOL (DIN 51130)
Time: Politura and ErreFast 2–3 days, ErreLAB 4–5 days
Underfloor heating: Yes. Run new underfloor heating for at least 28 days, then switch it off before starting

Read the microcement guide →

Grouted

Tiles

Surface: Separate pieces with grout lines
Cleaning: Grout lines need cleaning
Thickness: Varies by tile and adhesive
Over existing tiles: The old tiles usually come off first
Water resistance: Depends on the tile and grout
Slip resistance: Varies by tile
Time: Depends on the room, the tile and the layout, plus any strip-out first
Underfloor heating: Yes, with a suitable tile and adhesive

Which microcement should replace tiles in each room?

Where	What we’d recommend	Good to know
Showers and wet rooms	ErreLAB	Waterproof at every layer; we also recommend tanking
Bathrooms away from direct water	ErreLAB, ErreFast or Politura microcement	Politura microcement has no tile primer, so take tiles off first
Over existing tiles	ErreLAB	Tiles must be well bonded and properly prepared
Kitchen floors and worktops	ErreLAB indoor systems	Includes Spatolato, Velato, Pietra Continua, Metallo Continuo and ErreFast
Shops, hotels and restaurants	ErreFast or ErreLAB	See the commercial guide for slip and fire data
Outdoors	Spatolato Outdoor or Pietra Continua Outdoor	Only the Outdoor versions go outside

Which lasts longer, microcement or tiles?

Both can last for many years when they’re done properly, and our team has worked with microcement since the early 90s.

What decides it is the work you can’t see: a sound background, careful preparation, the right system for the room, the right sealer, and the right care afterwards. ErreLAB’s epoxy resins are extremely hard wearing and stain resistant, which is why we recommend them for the hardest-working rooms.

Does mould grow on microcement?

Grout lines are where mould usually takes hold on a tiled wall, and microcement doesn’t have any, so there’s far less for it to cling to. Mould can still form on any surface in a damp, badly ventilated room, so a working extractor fan and a regular wipe down still matter. In showers and wet rooms, choose ErreLAB, which is waterproof at every layer.

What to get right with microcement

Microcement gives its best when it’s done properly. Here’s what matters most, and how to get each one right.

It needs a skilled handIt’s applied by hand, so the result depends on who applies it. We can put you in touch with people in your area who apply our products, and we train applicators too.

Preparation can’t be skippedLoose tiles or a moving background can cause problems later. Well-bonded tiles, filled joints and mesh or carbon fibre in the base coat are what make it last.

Not every system goes everywherePolitura microcement and ErreFast suit bathrooms but not direct water, and only the Outdoor versions go outside. Choosing the right system for the room avoids this.

Tile-free bathrooms and floors

6 photos

Showers, bathrooms and floors finished in microcement, with no grout lines.

Looking after it

Wipe cleanA damp cloth is usually all it needs, with no grout lines to scrub.

Follow the care sheetEach system has its own cleaning and maintenance sheet in its Downloads.

Ask for the care guideWe’ll send the maintenance guide for your system.

Questions about microcement and tiles

Can microcement go over my existing tiles?

Yes, with ErreLAB, on walls and floors, if the tiles are well bonded. They need deep cleaning and sanding, lippage levelled, joints filled, and carbon fibre or mesh in the base coat so the joints don’t show through. Politura has no tile primer of its own, so with Politura we recommend taking tiles off. See microcement over tiles.

Will the grout lines show through?

Not if the joints are filled, the surface is levelled and carbon fibre or mesh goes into the base coat.

Is microcement OK in a shower?

ErreLAB is, including direct water, and we also recommend tanking. Politura and ErreFast suit bathrooms but not direct water.

Is it as hard wearing as tiles?

Yes. ErreLAB’s epoxy resins are extremely hard wearing and stain resistant, and Spatolato is tested to R10 slip resistance with Top Clear, up to R11–R12 with Top Clear SOL (DIN 51130).

Does it work with underfloor heating?

Yes. Run new underfloor heating for at least 28 days, then switch it off before starting.

Which should I choose?

For showers, wet rooms or covering tiles, choose ErreLAB. For a traditional mineral finish in a bathroom away from direct water, choose Politura. Call our technical team on 01472 240 340 to talk it through.

Is microcement cheaper than tiling?

Usually not. Microcement is usually more expensive than a standard tile, though going over existing tiles can save the cost of stripping them out. The price depends on the system, the size of the space and the surface underneath. Ask us for a price for your project.

Does mould grow on microcement?

There are no grout lines for mould to take hold in, so there’s far less for it to cling to. Good ventilation and regular wiping still matter in any bathroom.

How long does microcement last?

Many years when it’s prepared, applied and sealed properly.

Can I do microcement myself?

It’s a skilled, hand-applied finish, so it takes practice. Our applying guide explains who it suits and which system is easiest to learn, and our training courses are hands-on.

More microcement FAQs →