The industrial style in interior and object design has been around for a long time, and continues to set the trend. One of the easiest ways to include this style in your project is with the use of concrete — or concrete-inspired textures. There are many simple yet innovative concrete-looking surfaces that have been developed, including microcement. Due to their versatility, strength, durability, and ability to incorporate different textures and colours, microcement finishes are used in a wide range of projects to mimic the concrete look.

The Journey of Concrete Textures So Far

Although concrete flooring is now a fashionable coating, it’s always been an essential part of the human environment. Originally, its use as a floor covering was limited to industrial buildings and facilities. In modern design, it's now considered an economical and low maintenance option for beautfiful, architectural spaces — and it’s a technology that has not stopped evolving.

Various projects were carried out throughout the 20th century to give artistic value to the raw material. Architects and designers dedicated themselves to study it and modify its appearance to obtain pieces that could be considered beautiful, such as Carlo Scarpa and Tadao Ando. As a result, new approaches and treatments to concrete textures have been sought to achieve the coveted aesthetic while pushing the limites or performance and convenience — enter X-Bond Microcement. X-Bond is frequently requested in the construction and remodelling of spaces where real concrete is not a possibility.

Qualities of Microcement Surfacing

Minimalist and industrial styles are in vogue for modern decoration. They are the ideal framework for X-Bond Microcement. With a smooth and seamless appearance, X-Bond recreates the feeling of polished concrete. However, it has the advantage that it is much more versatile and lighter in weight, all while retaining the same durability, thanks to the hand-installed technique and adhesion directly to old materials.

If you don’t want to — or can’t — pour a concrete slab, microcement helps you achieve a concrete texture in your space. Below are six ways you can incorporate X-Bond into your project to achieve the concrete look.

Ways to Use Microcement to Achieve Concrete Textures

1. Perfect For Joinery

With microcement, you can achieve a uniform and continuous surfaces; this makes it applicable as a joinery/furniture coating. Use it as a topping for tables, benches, or cupboards over materials like MDF or laminate. At 2-3mm thick, this is much lighter and thinner than concrete so you can achieve a more consistent finish.

2. Make Your Wall a Feature

Using an overlay system like microcement, you can create various concrete textures on a feature wall. Some of the textures are polished, while others are sprayed with a spray-gun to create a rough texture. View the range of concrete-inspired textures here.

3. Seamless Flooring

Seamless surfaces work very well for low-maintenance floors and minimalist design briefs. When polished, microcement looks incredibly similar to polished concrete — and performs much the same in terms of strength.

4. Concrete Sinks

A beautiful sink can transform the look of your bathroom, especially if it’s seamlessly integrated with the vanity and splashback. The versatility of microcement means you can have a seamless concrete-looking basin in your bathroom, laundry or kitchen. A great way to add texture to your room and turn smaller, functional details into focal points.

4 Ways to Get Concrete Textures With Microcement