Price of Microcement
The price of a microcement installation depends on several factors that might raise or lower the final base price of €50m2
a) Conditions of the surface to be coated
Surface preparation is paramount for achieving optimum results, if the conditions of the subfloor or substrate are not adequate this will require extra preparation work that might increase the cost.
b)Installation’s grade of difficulty
Coating different types of surfaces with microcement might require more input hours than others this being the case for walls, furniture, stairs or columns that might have many interior and exterior corners or when using more than one colour, so this will reflect on the final price.
c)Total size of the installation
For installations over 100m2 there will be a discount from the base price, please check with us.
d)Location
Although we work nationwide and price usually does not change it might vary depending on local prices for staff accommodation and other costs please check with us.
How long does it take to perform an installation?
It depends on several factors such as conditions of the substrate, size and difficulty of the installation but generally 3 to 5 days. Please note that there is a minimum 72 hours period after installation during which all areas where the installation took place should be closed to transit
until hardening of the new microcement surface reaches a safe level for resuming further works.
Hardness and Strength of Microcement Floors and Walls
A Microcement installation needs to be considered as a 3 elements system, the substrate, the 4 microcement coats and the 3 sealer coats, being all of them of equal importance.
Mechanical resistance
2 aspects need to be considered
a) Resistance to impact or compression resistance and resistance to abrasion or wear and tear
Although Renovacem porcelanic microcement is very strong, it is only a 4mm layer and its resistance to falling objects will largely depend on the hardness of the substrate where it is installed , Normal cement mortars have a compression resistance of 25 Nmm2 and tests to our Porcelanic microcement has shown compression resistance values of 55Nmm. After 28 days curing. If our Microcemednt was installed for instance over porcelanic tiles it will show no or little deformation from a blunt falling object but if it was installed over a softer material, let say gypsum, it might show more deformation. In regards to abrasion and wear resistance this depends on the type of microcement installed as well as in the type of sealer being the latter the one that will take all the wearing. Our Renovacem fine finish Microcement is perfect and lifelong lasting for most residential installations whereas for commercial installations is more suitable our Renovacem Microconcrete. We have a range of water or solvent based sealers that show very good anti-abrasion and waterproofing properties and that will last a long time before showing any signs of wear. If after some years from the installation there were any showing signs of wear it can easily be resealed.
b) Chemical resistance
Most cleaning products are suitable for cleaning microcement surfaces but care should be taken with hydrochloric acid, pure bleach, ammonia, acetone or cellulose thinners as if any of these products are left on the surface will damage the sealer.
What type of surfaces is suitable for the installation of Microcement?
Microcement can be installed over all kind of substrates such as sand and cement mortars, self-levelling compounds, tiles, terrazzo, plasterboard or plywood
Conditions of the surfaces to be coated with Microcement
Sound substrate preparation is as important as the installation. If the substrate does not meet these conditions the installation might be compromised.
As a general rule all surfaces need to be levelled, consolidated, clean and with a maximum 5% moisture content before applying Microcement.
In the case of the substrate being a sand and cement mortar or a self-levelling compound, it will need to cure for at least 3 weeks before applying Microcement, in order to control any cracks that might appear during the curing process.
Microcement over Tiles
Microcement can be installed over tiles as it is extremely adherent, being this one of the many advantages that allow renovating old tiled surfaces without the need for demolition and disposal of debris. It is crucial requisite that all tiles are firm and showing no movements, In the case there were of any loose tiles, these will have to be consolidated by means of re-gluing or fitting a fibreglass mesh.
Microcement in wet areas. Is Microcement waterproof?
The Microcement system is totally waterproof being the sealer the most important element that provides it’s waterproofing properties. Wet rooms shower enclosures, wash basins, or baths made with our microcement system are all waterproof.
Microcement and Under floor heating. It is microcement suitable with under floor heating?
Microcement is completely compatible with underfloor heating as it is flexible and will adapt to the expansion-contraction movements of the screed, but as with all the screeds poured over the heating system expansion joints are required . This expansion joints should be allowed in the perimeters of rooms as well as in door openings and some times dividing large rooms. Talk to us for guidelines regarding expansion joints and large areas.
Requirements for starting the heating system.
- a) Start the heating system after the screed has set or after a minimum of 3 week after the pour.
- b) Keep the water in the system at 25oC for the first 2 or 3 days. Continue raising the water temperature up to 45oC and maintain this temperature for another 2 or 3 days.
- c) Turn off the heating 48 hours before the Microcement installation
d)Wait at least 48 hours after installation before turning on the heating again and raise the heat gradually every day. Start with 25oC and continue raising by 5oC up to your desired temperature . This will allow the Microcement to set and to adapt gradually to the expansion movements.
Slippinness of Microcement. It is microcement slippy?
The slippiness resistance grade of microcement is given by it’s texture
We install Fine microcement as a finishing coat which is perfect for most residential interior use. For commercial use we have different courser grits such as our Medium or Rustic Microconcretes that will meet commercial anti slipping an skidding requirements. Please contact us for more details.
How to clean Microcement
Maintenance and cleaning your Microcement floor could not be easier and it should be done with water and and ph neutral floor cleaning products avoiding the use of abrasive products. We recommend the use of floor wax periodically as these waxes leave an acrylic residue that renew the sealer
Do I get any warranty?
All our installations carry a 5 year warranty
