Microcement is a cement-based concrete alternative that’s hand-installed over existing surfaces as a seamless, joint-free coating. We’ve been installing X-Bond Microcement since 1999, one of the first microcement products in Australia, and have watched it become a preferred finish in modern homes.

There are plenty of reasons why microcement is popular in residential architecture. Many clients love that it looks similar to concrete yet has an easier application process. In particular, designers and architects are specifying X-Bond for renovation projects, as it can be installed over existing surfaces and therefore saves the costs and time associated with demolition.

Here are three of our most recent residential projects featuring X-Bond in various applications, installed by the Alternative Surfaces team.

Hideaway House - Cera Stribley

This home in Melbourne’s inner-east represents a new way of thinking about the suburban dream.

When the owners of the original dwelling needed more space for their growing family, the plot next door was put up for sale at the perfect time.

They engaged the talented team at Cera Stribley to plan excavations for the adjacent block to create a “subterranean recreational oasis” concealed underneath a tennis court — hence the name, Hideaway House.

Designed for the adults, this disguised space is described as “Mad Men meets the Batcave” and features an indoor pool, golf room, gym, basement bar and lounge. What more could you want?

A sense of contemporary elegance is evoked through sophisticated materials and a moody palette. This is where X-Bond Microcement comes in; a perfect match for the rich, velvety textiles and sparkling marble.

At Hideaway House, we installed X-Bond on the walls, ceiling, and support columns surrounding the pool — with liquid waterproofing membrane to keep it practical in the wet area.

Thanks to the tactile finish of visible trowel marks, these microcement surfaces form highly textural backgrounds in this refined contemporary space.

Brunswick Residence - Bryant Aslop Architects

Two words come to mind when you see this epic Californian Bungalow-inspired transformation: light and airy. A classic Brunswick terrace transformed, it features an open-plan layout that epitomises indoor-outdoor living with big sliding doors and plenty of sunshine.

Our favourite room of the house? It’s a tie between the bathroom and the kitchen.

We installed X-Bond to the bathroom walls, including inside the shower. In one of our lightest colourways, it’s a perfect match for the peachy marble and timber. Best of all, the seamless grout-free shower will keep the clients happy with its easy maintenance.

There’s a lot to love about the kitchen, from the timber beams to the hand-made splashback tiles — but our favourite part is the asymmetrical microcement rangehood, covered in X-Bond. This is a prime example of the versatility of a microcement finish; it’s not just for floors or walls — you can get creative!

St. Kilda Residence - MLK Design Studio

Microcement was the perfect surface to fit in with a cast of other beautiful yet practical finishes at Liz’s Loft, a space all about modern luxury.

In this house, X-Bond features in two rooms with two different palettes: one dark and smoky, the other bright and neutral. It’s an example of how materials and colors can be used to create different moods throughout the home.

In the bathroom, stone and tiles are softened by the trowel marks of X-Bond Micro. It’s not an overwhelmingly large space, but joint-free surfaces create a feeling of endless openness, dark without being uninviting.

The dining nook is light and warm, complete with a custom leather bench and curated artworks. We installed X-Bond microcement in a neutral wall color, while touches of black enhance the luxe contemporary vibe.

These three projects are all vastly different, but they all have X-Bond in common. They’re a perfect example of the possibilities to get creative with your microcement designs, featuring a contrast of light and dark colours in various applications, from dining room walls to rangehoods and showers.

If you’re interested in specifying X-Bond Microcement for a project in Melbourne, contact the Alternative Surfaces team.