What Is Microcement? A Complete Beginner's Guide

You have probably seen it without knowing its name. That smooth, seamless surface on a restaurant floor. The grout-free bathroom walls in a luxury hotel. The industrial-modern kitchen countertop that looks like polished concrete but is not.

That is microcement. And it is one of the fastest-growing surface finishes in the world.

Microcement in Plain English

Microcement is a thin, cement-based coating that gets applied by hand over existing surfaces. It creates a seamless, waterproof finish on floors, walls, countertops, furniture, and more — at just 2–3mm thick.

It is not concrete. It is not paint. It is not plaster. It is its own category — a multi-layer system of primer, base coats, finish coats, and sealer that work together to create a surface that is beautiful, durable, and functional.

Microcement USA distributes the Forcrete system, one of the most advanced microcement systems available. It has been used across Europe, Australia, and the Middle East for years, and it is now making a major push into the U.S. market.

How Does Microcement Work?

Microcement is applied in layers, each one serving a specific purpose:

Primer. Creates the bond between the existing surface and the system. Different primers for different substrates — tile, concrete, wood, drywall.

Base coats. The structural layers. They build up the surface and create the foundation, with mesh reinforcement embedded where needed for strength.

Finish coats. Where color and texture come in. The installer applies the finish by hand with a trowel, creating the subtle variation in tone that gives microcement its handcrafted character.

Sealer. The final layer protects against stains, water, and daily wear. Different sealers create matte, satin, or gloss sheens.

The complete system is 2–3mm thick — thin enough to go over almost any existing surface without changing floor heights or interfering with doors and fixtures.

Where Can You Use Microcement?

Floors. The workhorse application — open-plan living, kitchens, hallways, and stairs as one continuous surface. See our full microcement floors page.

Bathrooms, showers, and wet rooms. The most popular application in the U.S. right now. Seamless, waterproof, no grout lines — the system handles fully open showers without a separate membrane. See microcement bathrooms and showers.

Walls. Feature walls, fireplace surrounds, and full rooms with depth and movement that paint cannot match. See microcement walls.

Kitchens and countertops. A continuous look across floor and counters that handles a working kitchen.

Pool decks, patios, and outdoor spaces. UV-stable and slip-aware finishes for outdoor living — a huge application in the Sun Belt.

Commercial spaces. Restaurants, hotels, retail, offices, and spas use it for durability, design flexibility, and easy maintenance.

Stairs, fireplaces, and furniture. Shelving, tables, vanities, and built-ins — one material through a whole space.

What Does Microcement Cost?

Professionally installed microcement in the U.S. generally runs $30 to $75+ per square foot installed, depending on the space, the prep, and the finish. Detailed shower work prices at the higher end; large open floors at the lower end. Materials alone run roughly $10–$30 per square foot, but this is not a DIY product — the performance comes from the full system, properly installed.

For the complete breakdown, see our microcement cost guide.

How Does Microcement Compare to Other Finishes?

	Microcement	Tile	Epoxy	Polished concrete
Seams / grout	None — continuous	Grout lines throughout	None	Control joints
Waterproof	Yes, through the system	Grout is the weak point	Water-resistant only	No — needs sealing
Goes over existing surfaces	Yes, at 2–3mm	Sometimes, adds height	Concrete only	No — is the slab
Walls & verticals	Yes	Yes	No	No
Look	Natural, handcrafted	Modular, patterned	Glossy, synthetic	Industrial
Demolition needed	Rarely	Often	Often (coatings removed)	N/A

Deeper comparisons: vs. epoxy, vs. polished concrete, and vs. concrete overlay.

What Are the Benefits of Microcement?

Seamless. No grout lines, no joints — a continuous surface across an entire room.

Waterproof. Microcement USA products are waterproof through the full system, not just the surface — ideal for bathrooms, kitchens, and outdoors.

Goes over existing surfaces. In most renovations, it applies right over tile, concrete, or other stable substrates without demolition.

Thin. At 2–3mm, no raised floors, no transitions between rooms.

Customizable. A wide range of colors, textures, and sheens to match any design vision.

Durable. Installed as a complete system by a trained professional, microcement lasts 15–25 years or more.

Low maintenance. Sweeping and mopping with pH-neutral cleaner is all it takes.

What Is Microcement NOT?

It is not polished concrete. Polished concrete means grinding down an existing slab. Microcement is a thin coating that goes over almost anything.

It is not paint. Paint sits on top of a surface. Microcement is a multi-layer cementitious system with structural integrity and waterproofing.

It is not a DIY product. Professional results require training, proper products, and skilled application. That is why Microcement USA only sells to certified installers.

It is not fragile. Installed correctly, it handles heavy foot traffic, moisture, and daily use without issue.

Who Installs Microcement?

Trained professionals — typically tradespeople with backgrounds in painting, tiling, concrete, or general contracting. Application is done by hand with specialized trowels, and it requires understanding substrates, moisture management, and the specific system.

Microcement USA offers hands-on training that takes you from zero experience to job-ready, and your training fee comes back as product credit. Here's how to become a certified microcement installer.

Quick Questions, Quick Answers

Is microcement waterproof?
Yes — the systems we supply are waterproof through the full build-up, which is why they work in open showers and wet rooms. See it in action on our bathrooms and showers page.

How long does microcement last?
15–25+ years installed correctly, with simple maintenance along the way.

Can it go over my existing tile?
Usually yes — over most stable tile, concrete, and even drywall for walls, at 2–3mm with no demolition.

Is it slippery?
Texture and sealer choices control slip resistance; slip-aware finishes are standard for wet areas and outdoors.

How much does it cost?
$30–$75+ per square foot installed by a certified pro; see the full cost guide.

Why Is Microcement Growing So Fast in the U.S.?

Microcement has been mainstream in Europe for over a decade — homes, hotels, restaurants, and commercial buildings across Spain, Italy, and the UK use it widely. Now the U.S. is catching up: designers are specifying it, homeowners are requesting it, and there are not enough trained installers to meet demand.

That gap is the opportunity — whether you want this finish in your space, or you're the one who wants to install it.

Want microcement in your space? Connect with a certified Microcement USA installer near you.

Find a certified installer →

Work with your hands for a living? One training and this finish becomes your highest-margin service. Check training dates →