Are you looking for a way to press the refresh button on that tiled splash back or rejuvenate a whole living room?
Would you like a space that has a more defined and seamless, continuous aesthetic? Are your tiles stained or making the space look busy and dreary? Is the grouting cracking and replacing the tiles is way off your budget?
If you answered yes to any or all of those questions, the holy grail of practical, versatile and economical decorative finishes is here. It’s Microcement and the practical advantages and splendid appeal means that it is here to stay.
When it comes to tiling, microcement finishes are an easy, cost-effective and aesthetic upgrade from the time, work and cost of replacing old tiles. They are versatile in appearance and can be customised for functionality. In fact, micro cementing small surfaces such as countertops, splash backs or bathroom walls can be a great way to assess if you want to use the finish for bigger tiled projects.
Here are some ‘best-practice’ tips for microcement over tiles:
1. Surface preparation: First, the surface must be textured so that microcement coating adheres to it readily. Some convenient methods include power washing or diamond grinding. The substrate must be sound, clean and dry. Any surface cracks must be repaired before proceeding.
2. Preparing a sturdy base: Tiles have irregular surfaces due to the grouting and other reasons. This must be levelled before the finish is applied. An unmovable and sturdy reinforcement can be prepared by laying a fiberglass wire mesh that is stuck to the tiles with a primer coat.
3. Applying microcement: It is applied in thin layers. The key is a drying time of 10-24 hours (depending on specs) between coats and sanding with an electric sanding machine. The texture can be prepared with a steel trowel. For larger surfaces, the mix should be prepared in small but accurate batches because the cement is quick setting especially at high temperatures.
4. Applying top coat: Microcement in itself is porous and permeable. Therefore a couple coats of pre sealer and sealant varnish must be applied to really lock the surface from moisture, stains and contaminants.
Things to remember:
When applying microcement over tiles, the tiles and grout lines have different absorption rates. Care must be taken that the joints are extremely dry before undertaking any coating or there is a risk that the tile profile remains visible after drying. Microcement for tiled floors can withstand especially heavy traffic but only after being cured properly according to specifications. For a non-slippery profile, an antiskid coating is to be applied over the top coat. The seamless, grout-free surface ensures that there is no dirt collected. Any unrelenting stains can be easily cleaned with just water and a pH neutral detergent.
