Want to know the secret to a high end bathroom finish? Trust me when I say this is the luxurious surface finish you've been searching for

Although the thought of a microcement bathroom may feel hard and unforgiving, the reality is it's far from the truth. Offering a smooth and seamless finish to...well...every single surface in your bathroom, fans of the finish say it's the perfect solution to grimy grout and uneven tiles.

Of course, when something seems too good to be true, there's a chance it could be. So, we're asking if microcement bathrooms are all they're cracked up to be – and, just as importantly, what do you do if the cracks appear?

Find out what's in store if you're considering this flawless finish as part of your bathroom design.

Which microcement is used for bathrooms?

If you've considered microcement flooring as an option in your self-build or renovation, you'll know it's a product made from a mixture of cement, polymers, fine aggregates and additives.

It's referred to as 'micro' as it can be laid in a much thinner layer than standard concrete. However, when it comes to use in bathrooms, it's vitally important to make sure you use a product that is fully waterproof.

"The microcement that we recommend for bathrooms is 100% waterproof even before sealers," says Richie Butt, technical director at Relentless Microcement. "This means it can be applied to almost any surface and makes it an ideal material for use in bathrooms and wet rooms, where surfaces are regularly exposed to moisture and humidity."

And, while some companies may claim a non-waterproof version can be applied and then sealed, experts recommend against this. Plus, it's advisable to use the additional measures suggested when it comes to application, advises Jason Hyatt, managing director of The Resin Floor Co.

"When creating a microcement bathroom, fibreglass mesh is also often used as a supportive base," he says. "It’s also highly recommended that a tanking system be used beneath the microcement, particularly in wet areas such as showers. The purpose of these steps is to ensure that there is additional protection from water ingress beneath the microcement.

"This guidance follows recent changes to the NHBC in July last year for tiling," explains Jason. which should also be adopted with any type of finish in these type of areas."

Richie Butt

Richie and Sally, the founders of Relentless, first identified a potential market for microcement when they were renovating their own house in 2015. Richie’s previous experience is in concrete production, plastering and rendering meaning he was well suited to the work, and Sally, who’s background is in marketing, built the Relentless brand. A few years on and the product offer has grown considerably to include microcement kits for furniture, worktops, wet rooms, walls, floors and more.

Jason Hyatt

Jason has been working in the microcement and resin industry since 2010, specialising in specifying and installing high-end finishes for residential, retail and commercial projects. He has collaborated with many leading architects and designers, and his contributions have also led to several concepts, products and systems being developed and adopted by many companies and professionals.

Where can you apply microcement in bathrooms?

In a nutshell, everywhere, say the experts. From walls to window reveals, vanity units to shower trays there's very little you can't apply microcement to in a bathroom.

And, it's not just suitable for new bathrooms either. "Microcement can be applied to almost any surface, including existing tiles and concrete floors," confirms Richie Butt. "This means that it’s a great option for those who are looking to renovate a bathroom without the hassle and expense of removing existing tiles or flooring."

Weighing up a wet room v bathroom? Microcement bathrooms could be the perfect choice for either option, with this versatile material suitable for applying to any stable substrate, meaning you can form a shower, sink or even a bath and cover it with microcement, giving you a full 'wet room' design.

"Because microcement is trowelled by hand on site, you can apply it to pretty much anything that you can build," explains Richie. "It’s great for coating walls, shelves and vanity units seamlessly. It's highly adaptable, meaning that it can also be used to create a range of different styles and finishes, from smooth and sleek to rustic and textured."

To apply microcement to your bathroom, try this Venetian Microcement Plastering Kit from Amazon which contains all the tools you'll need and is suitable for microcement or Venetian plaster.

Microcement bathroom costs

While it's hard to believe that something so versatile doesn't come without a hefty price tag, in terms of the product itself, it can come in cheaper than many tiles, with kits at Relentless Microcement, for example, coming in at just £29.20 per m2.

This means that on a bathroom sized around 10m2, you're looking at less than £400 materials for the surface finish. Of course, time and prep materials will take up time and budget, as will the costs for hiring an installer if you don't feel your DIY skills are up to the job.

But, for an end result that reeks of luxe hotel bathroom ideas, it's certainly within in a more than acceptable amount for the bathroom costs element of your home improvement budget.

Pros and cons of microcement bathrooms

Aesthetics aside for one moment, if, like me, you find discoloured or stained grout a no-no in bathrooms and don't want to be constantly regrouting tiles, one of the best benefits of microcement bathrooms in my opinion, is their seamless finish.

"Unlike tiles, which have visible grout lines, microcement can be applied in continuously, creating a smooth and uniform surface. This not only looks great but also makes cleaning much easier, as there are no grout lines to trap dirt and bacteria," confirms Richie Butt.

"It's also more resistant to stains," says Richie, "which means that it’s much easier to keep clean and maintain, and is less likely to develop mould or mildew over time.

"All the Cemher microcements that we recommend for bathrooms and wet rooms been certified non-slip too," he adds, "making it a sensible choice for bathroom flooring ideas."

Worried that applying cement to all the surfaces could add weight and require the services of a structural engineer? Don't be. "As the system is 2-3mm in thickness, you could be looking at 2-3kg per m2 which is way less than a tile," says Jason Hyatt.

So what about aesthetics? Can it really match up to bathroom floor tile ideas, or give you the colours you crave if pink bathroom ideas are more your style?

"In addition to its many practical benefits, microcement is also a visually stunning material that can be used to create a range of different looks and styles," says Richie. "All our microcement bathroom and wet room kits are available in a choice of 56 colours, three finishes, including matt, satin or gloss, and three effects; continuous, stucco or coarse.

"Plus, we’ve recently introduced a number of special effect kits for bathrooms; terrazzo, sparkle and crackle effects," he adds.

Microcement repairs — a potential tricky downside

Of course, nothing is perfect, and as with most bathroom design ideas, thoughts naturally go to the problems that can occur behind the scenes. From leaking bathroom taps to faulty waste, I'll admit to having some concerns about the thought of one seamless surface and what happens if you need to remove it to repair a hidden fault.

"Microcement isn’t easy to patch, and almost impossible to do seamlessly," confirms Richie Butt. "It’s best to complete the repair and then recoat the full surface. Small touch ups can be done, however, to take your eye off an imperfection."

Of course, it's no different to having to remove tiles or wallpaper (yes, you can use wallpaper in a bathroom) to repair the concealed cistern of a back to wall toilet, but nonetheless, it could be considered a bigger inconvenience for some.

If you are concerned, speak to your installer or product supplier suggests Jason Hyatt. "Some installers have methods of blending in to the previous finishes or even use a Magic Repair specialist to minimise the visibility of any patches," he advises.

FAQs

How can you clean a microcement bathroom?

"Microcement surfaces can be cleaned with any pH neutral cleaning products," says Richie Butt.

Karndean Clean from Amazon is a PH neutral floor cleaner that can be used on other flooring in your house too.

How long will a microcement bathroom last?

"Once installed, microcement is very durable, it’s not unusual for a microcement bathroom to last over 10 years," says Richie Butt.

"Depending on the quality of the application, a microcement bathroom could last 5 - 10 years," agrees Jason Hyatt. "However, it would always be essential to upkeep any mastic and use the best bathroom sealants," he adds, "as these can perish over time."

Can you use other surface finishes with a microcement bathroom?

"Yes, microcement can be used with other media such as bathroom tiles," confirms Jason Hyatt. "However its important to ensure that there is adequate protection from possible water ingress (especially in high level water areas) where there is a change in finishes."

For a range of concrete style tiles to pair with your microcement bathroom check out the floor and wall range at Hyperion Tiles.

Do you need to remove microcement if you want to re-decorate?

"Because microcement is so thin, coming in at just 3-4mm when finished, you probably won’t need to remove it if you did want to change the surface finish in future," says Richie Butt.

If you did want to remove it completely, "microcement would need to be removed using diamond grinding equipment such as a kango hammer," adds Jason Hyatt.

Can you drill into microcement in a bathroom?

Wondering how you can attach your towel rail or hooks? You can drill into microcement say the experts. "Use drill bits that are suitable for the substrate," says Richie Butt.

"But remember this can make the area you've drilled into permeable," adds Jason Hyatt. "But in non-high wet areas, this should be fine," he says.

Looking for more bathroom inspiration that's different to wall tiles? Why not take a look at these wet wall bathroom ideas that also offer a more fluid appearance than tiles. And, make sure you avoid these common bathroom mistakes when finalising the plans for your slick new spa.