Microcement is not what Instagram shows.

Microcement, Mortex, Pandomo, Béton Ciré, Naturofloor, Marmorino: this is one of the most requested materials in contemporary interior architecture. The images on Instagram and Pinterest show seamless, joint-free surfaces in warm earth tones. What they do not show: the cracks after the first winter, the maintenance demands and the cost of remedial work.

This document explains what microcement really is, what it can and cannot do, so that specifications are based on facts, not images.

What microcement is.

Microcement is a cement-based coating system applied in thin layers (1–3 mm) to existing substrates. It consists of cement, fine quartz sand, polymers and pigments. The name 'micro' refers to the thin application thickness, not the particle size.

• Mortex (Beal): Belgian, mineral, hand-applied. The classic. Matt, velvety surface. Must be sealed.

• Pandomo (Ardex): industrial, cement-based, with epoxy sealing. Smoother and more uniform than Mortex.

• Béton Ciré: generic term for various French systems. Quality varies considerably between manufacturers.

• Naturofloor: Swiss system, mineral, with its own colour palette. Certified specialist installers.

• Marmorino: not cement, but lime plaster. A different material with a similar look. Older (Venetian), softer, breathes better.

What microcement can do.

• Joint-free: no joints across large surfaces. Floors, walls, staircases, furniture, showers. The primary reason architects specify it.

• Thin: 1–3 mm application enables renovation without changing floor build-up heights. Ideal for existing buildings.

• Versatile: on concrete, screed, tiles, wood, MDF. Almost any substrate is possible (with primer).

• Aesthetics: a crafted, lively surface with natural cloudiness and depth. No industrial product looks like this.

• Colours: practically any hue is mixable. Earth tones, grey, white, even deep darks.

• Acoustics: on walls and ceilings, microcement slightly improves room acoustics, better than concrete, worse than textile.

What microcement cannot do.

And this is where it matters.

• Crack-free: microcement cracks. Not perhaps: it cracks. When the substrate moves (screed, wood), the movement transfers to the coating. Hairline cracks are normal and in many systems are 'part of the character'. For clients who expect perfection, this is a conflict.

• Stain resistance: unsealed microcement is porous. Red wine, coffee, oil penetrate and remain. Sealing protects, but must be renewed every 2–5 years.

• Wet rooms: microcement in showers is possible but risky. The sealing must be flawless; expansion joints at wall-floor junctions are mandatory. Not every installer can deliver this.

• Abrasion: floors in heavily used areas (entrance zones, hospitality) show wear after 3–5 years. Re-sealing is possible but not invisible.

• Uniformity: the hand-applied technique creates natural variation. Those who want a uniform, homogeneous surface are choosing the wrong material.

• Substrate: the substrate must be dry, crack-free and load-bearing. A poor substrate destroys any microcement coating. Preparation often costs more than the coating itself.

The costs, honestly calculated.

• Material + application floor: CHF 180–350/m² (depending on system and installer)

• Material + application wall: CHF 120–250/m²

• Substrate preparation: CHF 30–80/m² (often underestimated)

• Sealing: CHF 20–40/m² (and renew every 3–5 years)

• Remedial work/repair: CHF 50–100/m² (if cracks or stains need treatment)

• Comparison: a quality natural stone floor costs CHF 150–300/m² and lasts 100 years without sealing.

When microcement is the right choice.

• Renovation projects: where build-up height is restricted and a joint-free finish is desired.

• Wall surfaces: this is where microcement excels. No abrasion load, full aesthetic effect.

• Furniture and built-ins: washbasins, kitchen islands, shelving. Here the surface area is small and controllable.

• Clients who understand 'wabi-sabi': when natural ageing and hairline cracks are accepted as character, not defects.

When to think twice.

• Clients who expect perfection: microcement is not a perfect material. Those who cannot accept cracks or cloudiness should choose porcelain stoneware.

• High-traffic commercial spaces: hospitality, retail with chair-leg abrasion. Natural stone or porcelain stoneware is the more durable choice.

• Showers without an experienced installer: a poorly sealed microcement shower is a moisture problem that becomes expensive.

• When the budget is tight: microcement 'looks inexpensive' but is not. With substrate, sealing and ongoing maintenance it is often more expensive than natural stone.

The installer makes the difference.

No other interior material depends so heavily on the installer as microcement. Two identical systems applied by two different installers look completely different. Specifying the system alone is not sufficient: the installer must be co-specified.

Certified specialist installers (e.g. Naturofloor applicators, Mortex-trained companies) offer a quality assurance that independent tradespeople can rarely match. Via our catalogue you can find certified applicators directly through the supplier.