Microcement: choosing the right system
Mineral, acrylic or resin? How Politura, ErreFast and ErreLAB compare, where each one works best, and what to check before you start.
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What is microcement?
Microcement is a thin decorative coating, trowelled by hand in several layers to create a seamless, joint-free finish on floors, walls, stairs and worktops. It’s usually about 2–3 mm thick, so it can often go over an existing surface without raising floor levels much, which makes it ideal for renovations.
There are three types. Mineral microcements, like our own Politura, are cement-based with polymers and get their water resistance from the sealer. Acrylic systems, like ErreFast, are quicker to apply but are also protected by the sealer. Microcement-effect resins, like ErreLAB, are epoxy or polyurethane systems that look like microcement but are water resistant at every layer.
As the UK’s leading microcement experts, we supply all three, with technical support from our team in Grimsby, so you can choose the right one for each project rather than the one product we happen to sell.
At a glance
- Thickness
- About 2–3 mm
- Applied
- By trowel, in thin coats
- Use
- Floors, walls, stairs and worktops
- Types
- Mineral, acrylic and resin
- Finish
- Hand-finished, with natural variation
Compare the systems
All three make seamless floors and walls. The differences are in water resistance, speed and where they can go.
Mineral
Politura
- Made from
- Quartz-based mineral microcement
- Mixing
- One product, just add water
- Water resistance
- From the sealer
- Bathrooms
- Floors, walls and worktops away from direct water. Not showers
- Time
- 2–3 days
- Best for
- Homes and commercial floors and walls
- To apply
- Our easiest system to learn
Acrylic
ErreFast
- Made from
- Single-component acrylic paste
- Mixing
- Add pigment, mix and apply
- Water resistance
- From the sealer
- Bathrooms
- Not for bathrooms, wet rooms or areas with regular water
- Time
- 2–3 days
- Best for
- Homes and commercial spaces, when speed matters
- To apply
- Quick and forgiving, a bridge to resin systems
Resin
ErreLAB
- Made from
- Epoxy indoors, polyurethane outdoors
- Mixing
- Two- or three-part systems
- Water resistance
- Every layer
- Bathrooms
- Yes, including showers and wet rooms
- Time
- 4–5 days
- Best for
- Wet areas, high traffic and commercial spaces
- To apply
- Needs more care with mixing and technique
Guides by room and project
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 →
Questions answered
Underfloor heating, cracks, tiles, slip resistance, samples and more.
Read the FAQs →Before you specify
Microcement is only as good as what’s underneath it and the system you choose.
Can I apply it myself?
You don’t need a specialist qualification, but microcement isn’t a casual weekend project. It suits people with trowel or finishing experience, such as plasterers, tilers, decorators and flooring contractors, who will follow the data sheets carefully. Politura is the easiest to learn, ErreFast is quick and forgiving, and ErreLAB needs more care with mixing and technique.
Our training courses are hands-on, with no more than four people per session. If you’d rather not do it yourself, we can put you in touch with experienced installers who use our products.
Videos
Mrs Microcement answers the questions we’re asked most.
Still not sure which to choose?
Tell us about your project and we’ll recommend a system, send samples and talk you through the build-up.