The Reasons Why Microcement Flooring is Trending

In the world of architecture and design, microcement flooring has emerged as a standout choice for homeowners, builders, and architects alike. Known for its seamless finish and versatile applications, microcement is rapidly becoming the preferred alternative flooring choice to concrete in modern living spaces.

But what exactly is microcement, and why is it becoming a go-to for residential and commercial flooring projects? Let’s explore the reasons behind the growing popularity of microcement flooring and its potential to transform any space.

What is Microcement

Microcement (also known as micro concrete or micro topping) is a cement-based surface coating applied by hand to floors, walls, ceilings, and even furniture.

Our product X-Bond consists of natural stone, latex polymers, and colour pigments resulting in a thin yet durable layer that provides a seamless finish over your floors. To break it down: the stone creates a durable cementitious mixture, the polymers ensure adhesion to the surface underneath, and the colour pigments let you customise your design to suit your preference. The result is a long-lasting, beautiful floor that offers solutions for any design aesthetic.

Why Should You Choose Microcement Flooring

1. Remodel Without Removal

Microcement is an overlay, which means it can be installed over an existing floor surface, including: concrete, tiles, compressed sheeting, plaster, villa board, brick, ply, laminate and MDF. This gives renovators and new home builders the option to remodel their flooring without the cost and inconvenience of removing and disposing of the existing materials — as well as not adding any more landfill into the environment. For clients who are looking for concrete resurfacing options or want to replace their tiles, this is great news.

2. Versatility

Suitable for floors, walls, ceilings, and joinery both internally and externally — microcement is one product that does it all. It has a wider range of applications when compared to other materials like concrete; from wet areas like bathrooms and saunas, to furniture pieces, floors in office buildings and shopping centres, and every room of the house. This means you can have one material across all your home’s surfaces, from floor to ceiling and beyond.

3. No Joints or Grout Lines

One of the most unique features of microcement flooring is its lack of joints or grout lines, which not only enhances its visual appeal but also simplifies maintenance. For those who appreciate minimalist design, the seamless surface offers a clean, uninterrupted look that nails modern elegance. This feature is also particularly advantageous in bathrooms, where grout lines in traditional tiles often become breeding grounds for mould and mildew. Without these lines, microcement bathroom floors (including shower basins) are much easier to keep clean and hygienic, making them a practical and attractive choice for your space.

4. Minimal Thickness

Applied at only 2-3mm thick, microcement will hardly alter the load-bearing capacity of your flooring. This is a key benefit in multi-level developments like shopping centre fit-outs, office buildings and apartments. It also means the height of your floor surface won’t be impacted, making it an ideal solution for renovations where maintaining existing floor levels is important. In comparison, concrete is often hard to install in residential setting due to its weight and thickness.

5. Aesthetics

First developed in 1991, X-Bond Microcement was presented to the market as an alternative flooring option to concrete. Now, it comes in four different texture finishes and multiple colours — so clients can customise the look to suit any design preference. Most often, we see microcement specified where the home owner or designer wants a look similar to polished concrete with a more matte finish. In these cases, X-Bond Micro is the most popular flooring choice. The trowel markings create subtle tonal variation while the actual feeling underfoot is smooth and soft.

6. Strength & Flexibility

This is a benefit that’s specific to X-Bond, our microcement of choice. SEMCO engineers specially formulated the X-Bond system to balance durability and resilience with a flexible formula. This means it’s strong under pressure, but will resist cracking with settlement and comes with a guaranteed resistance to de-lamination. Flooring that’s hard-wearing while able to withstand the rigours of moving substrates (provided there is no pre-existing damage) is important if you want your build to stand the test of time. When installed and maintained according to correct guidelines, X-Bond will last for decades.

7. Easily Waterproofed

Microcement is becoming more and more common in wet areas, including bathroom flooring and pool surrounds. While microcement alone isn’t waterproof, a waterproofing membrane makes it perfectly suitable for applications exposed to water — or even fully submerged (hello microcement pools!). We install X-Bond with the SEMCO Liquid Membrane™ to create a completely waterproof system. Then, our high-grade sealers are the finishing touch for long-lasting protection in any conditions.

8. Resistance to Temperature

With outstanding heat resistance and thermal conductivity, microcement coatings are one of the most suitable flooring materials for underfloor heating. Moreover, your outdoor flooring will be UV-resistant, and will resist temperature changes. Unlike concrete, microcement won’t contract or expand in extreme cold or heat.

Case Studies

Sussex Street

This family home, designed and built by Mancini Made, required low-maintenance materials that contributed to a light-filled, warm, and welcoming atmosphere. Initially, polished concrete was considered for the flooring. However, the softer matte finish and light grey colour options of X-Bond Microcement ultimately won the client over. It also met the need for a durable, easy-to-clean surface in the home’s high-traffic areas; especially the kitchen and living spaces.

Law Institute of Victoria

The Victorian Law Institute by Gray Puskand balances practicality with aesthetics to such effect that it’s garnered critical acclaim — shortlisted for multiple Commercial Interior Design awards. Accommodating thousands of members, this multi-purpose space needed surface materials that were hard-wearing and easy to maintain across a large floor plan. X-Bond Microcement ticked all the boxes.

Vik & Woods

Golden designed a minimalist, gallery-like retail space for the luxury fashion label Vik & Woods. We installed X-Bond Microcement flooring in the shade Umber, a warm brown tone that complements the neutral shades that the high-end designer is known for favouring. Located in Chadstone Shopping Centre, Australia’s largest retail precinct attracting 23 million visitors last year, this store’s flooring also had to hold up under high levels of foot traffic. Discover more about this space from the INDE.Awards.