DIY expert shares the ‘perfect material’ for transforming your home - it looks ‘bespoke’
Microcement, which is also known as micro-topping or micro-concrete, is a cement and polymer-based decorative coating that has been making the rounds on social media lately.
Renovating a bathroom, kitchen or any room in a property can be an expensive task, especially for homeowners looking to add a touch of luxury. While marble and stone look beautiful, adding these materials to a kitchen or bathroom can cost a small fortune. This is where microcement comes in. Those on TikTok or Instagram may have seen microcement kitchens and bathrooms pop up in reels and videos on the platforms.
The decorative coating is versatile, deceptively solid, cost-effective and can be used in a number of ways to add a touch of luxury to a room.
DIY and home influencer Claire Douglas has shared exclusively with Express.co.uk five reasons why microcement is the “perfect material” for transforming the home.
1. It’s versatile
Microcement can be applied to almost any strong, sound surface once a primer has been applied.
This means if DIYers have a structurally-stable base, they can layer it with microcement to create a beautiful, concrete-style piece of furniture.
Claire said: “On many occasions, I’ve used microcement to replicate an expensive piece of decor or furniture and saved a packet.
READ MORE: Laundry expert shares how to make stained socks ‘super white’ for 59p
“It’s so versatile that I made some decorative concrete-style vases from material that I soaked in leftover microcement mix.”
2. It’s cost-effective
Claire, who is a freelance DIY and home interior writer and content creator, specialises in money-saving and creative home interior projects.
She notes that stone and marble interior design trends have risen in popularity over the past few years and are continuing to be popular in 2023.
However, while these statement designs are stunning, Claire is aware that features made from these materials like kitchen islands can “run into the tens of thousands, making it a hard trend to get involved with unless you have access to a hefty budget”.
The DIY expert managed to create an “expensive” and “bespoke-looking” kitchen worktop and backslash using MDF and microcement.
Don't miss...
Four deterrents to get rid of pigeons from your garden [LATEST]
21p kitchen item gardeners find ‘really effective’ to deter slugs [INSIGHT]
How to create a home fit for a King - interior tips [TIPS]
3. It’s lightweight with good coverage
DIYers don’t need a huge amount of microcement for a project as the material is applied in thin layers.
The overall thickness is around two to four millimetres but despite this, it’s still surprisingly strong once it’s fully cured.
Claire added: “The thin layers and lightweight finish make microcement the perfect material to use for larger installations, as it goes a long way.
“I only used half a kit to cover the built-in fridge unit I constructed, making it extremely cost-effective.”
4. It’s food-safe and watered proof once sealed
Applying the sealant can be a laborious process as it requires several layers which need to be mixed in varying concentrations.
However, Claire assured it is “completely worth the effort”.
READ MORE: DIYers urged to avoid ‘carpet-scraping’ or risk causing ‘balding’
She explained: “Once sealed, microcement goes from porous and stainable to graffiti-proof, food safe and waterproof, making it ideal for kitchen and bathroom installations.”
5. It makes a statement
Claire said: “Microcement can now be found in various colours, making it ideal for edgy and on-trend interiors and minimalistic and neutral schemes.
“Let’s face it, a dusky pink microcement bathroom or a sage green microcement sink unit will get a lot of attention for all the right reasons.
“Don’t panic if pastel hues are a step too far; trusty off-white or the grey shades of microcement will tick all your boxes bringing understated simplicity for the win.”
Claire’s advice for a microcement project
Claire said microcement comes in a kit comprising of a liquid primer, bags of microcement powder and bottles of resin liquid that need to be mixed into the powder prior to application.
DIYers have a limited time frame to work with the microcement before it starts to set, so it pays to mix up small batches and get organised so no time is wasted once the mixture has been combined.
Claire's top tips
- Work from the top down during the microcement application process to avoid spilling microcement over areas you’ve already covered and smoothed.
- Apply the sealant carefully, spreading with a roller from the bottom up, so you don’t drip splashes on unsealed microcement, which could leave marks.
- Use a flexible spreading tool to get a smooth finish.
- Be sure to wear a mask when sanding to prevent inhalation of the dust; a sander with a dust extractor/collector is helpful too.
- Don’t cut corners on the sealant, especially for high-traffic or food prep areas.
- Don’t apply too thickly or thinly, as this can lead to cracking.