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Many believe that the kitchen is the heart of the home. A space where families and friends congregate over food and drink to enjoy the convivial joys of fellowship, the kitchen must reflect warmth and radiate with welcoming qualities. Where longevity is concerned, it is a matter of great importance that the kitchen is built to endure. After all, it literally has to take the heat!
Chief among important considerations for kitchen surfaces is the aspect of durability. Some may even argue that a surface that lasts is more important than a surface that is pretty! But, what if we told you that you could have your cake and eat it too? Listen up, it’s microcement.
What Is Microcement?
Microcement, also known as micro-topping or micro-concrete is a building material that combines the strength of cement with added polymers and aggregates.
While most of us may be familiar with concrete screed, which is primarily used for leveling surfaces, waterproofing, preparing subfloors, and creating exterior facades, microcement is a newer addition to local material options.
Concrete Screed vs Microcement
| Thickness | Uses | Comparison | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete Screed | 20 to 50mm | leveling surfaces, waterproofing, preparing subfloors, creating exterior facades | cracks, expands & contracts |
| Microcement | 2 to 3mm | finishes, decoration | durable, scratch resistant |
Where the two differ, however, is in thickness and application; the former usually comes up to a thickness of 20 to 50 millimeters, while micro-cement generally clocks in at 2 to 3 millimeters thick!
Kraffit Microcement Singapore
Kingsley, Co-founder of Kraffit - a local company that transforms spaces with the captivating beauty of micro-cement and other surface materials, shares:
“It provides remarkable durability for its final thickness. This is especially advantageous in the kitchen, as it is a high-traffic area prone to spills, heat, and daily wear.
Because of this, we can assure our clients that micro-cement surfaces are resistant to scratches, stains, and light impact, ensuring elegance and functionality for years to come.”
Principal Architect of Kaizen Architecture Melvin Keng agrees. “Natural cement screed finish tends to crack easily and deteriorate fast in our climate and weather, with expansion during hot days and contraction during cool nights.
To circumvent this, microcement can be employed instead. The material has a finer composition and is more malleable. It’s also more moisture and heat resistant, and so is less susceptible to cracks as it innately helps to regulate material contraction and expansion. The final finishing is also much nicer as an end aesthetic.”
Microcement Advantages
If you’re looking to imbue your kitchen with functionality and aesthetic versatility, microcement is a wonderful solution.
Microcement can be applied over existing surfaces
Because it is a coating, it can be applied on a variety of existing surfaces including countertops, backsplashes, floors, walls, glass, and even furniture.
This allows homeowners a wide berth when designing the interiors of their kitchen; there is little to no demolition during installation, which means no risk of structural integrity.
Lesser material wastage
Environmentally, microcement also stands out as a sustainable choice. Because minimal material waste happens, homeowners can lower their renovation carbon footprint. Additionally, microcement has the added bonus of being able to spruce up old surfaces, extended life whilst negating the need to rebuild with fresh materials.
In line with Singapore’s national agenda to reduce carbon footprint in architecture, Melvin put microcement to good use in his Terrace Flat project.
“In Singapore, the construction industry is one of the highest carbon emitting activities. We decided to play our small part by reducing the utilisation of unnecessary finishing materials like tiles, paint, laminates, and so on.”
Microcement Bathroom, Flooring, Walls
Aesthetically, micro-cement also allows homeowners to create sleek, sophisticated, and seamlessly finished interior spaces. Available in a wide range of textures, colours, and finishes, the coating also eliminates the need for grout lines, giving way to an open and visually expanded space.
This is particularly advantageous in small spaces like kitchens, where the slightest illusion of space can make a huge impact! Micro-cement is versatile in more ways than one! Depending on the manner in which it is applied, homeowners can also create textured patterns and designs on their surfaces as desired.
Suitable for various interior design styles
Kingsley goes on to add, “Micro-cement provides a canvas for personalised design. Whether it is a minimalist monochrome look, industrial-inspired aesthetics, warm and cosy Japandi or wabi-sabi, or something bold and artistic, micro-cement can be tailored to fit the homeowner’s style. This allows the creation of culinary spaces that reflect the homeowner’s personality and vision.”
For his Terrace Flat project, Melvin took full advantage of micro-cement’s aesthetic flexibility. He shares, “We used the material to colour block the space as a form of demarcation between activity and circulation. Micro-cement was used to demarcate circulation, whilst terracotta tiles were used to demarcate kitchen activity.”
Microcement price
Kingsley shares that micro-cement is priced in the mid-range in comparison to tiles and vinyl. “Large-format tiles can easily be more expensive, and that’s excluding demolition, waste haulage, rebuilding, and self-leveling of your flooring to accommodate the tiles.”
As a whole, it pays off for homeowners to consider the cost of redoing their space in an all-inclusive way, factoring in not just the material, but also time, additional preparations, work, clean-up, and longevity.
The combination of these elements brings us to the conclusion that micro-cement is well worth its cost for all the ease, flexibility, and durability it provides.
Microcement Problems
Here are four other potential factors and problems that you should consider before making your decision to use microcement for your house!
1. Microcement requires levelled surface
Because micro-cement cannot be used as a levelling material, it is important for you to prep your surfaces beforehand. Take this into consideration when factoring in your costs.
2. Not all interior designers may carry microcement (yet)
Micro-cement may be fairly new to the renovation game, but most surface service providers will be more than happy to answer your questions. Set up a meeting, show them your space, and get talking.
3. Microcement has to match your interior design style
Because micro-cement can be applied several ways to create different textures and designs, it’s important for you to think of how this can jive with your existing space.
4. Can microcement be coated over any existing surfaces?
Similarly, consider your pre-existing space, its furnishings, and their design. You could just coat microcement over an existing surface to save on demolition and "make good" costs. Consider how the rest of your home's interior might match with microcement surfaces to give you the home aesthetic you want.