What is Microcement?
Updated November 2025
If you’re looking for information about microcement you’ve come to the right place. In this post we will cover:
What is microcement?
The benefits of microcement
Areas of application
How much microcement costs
Microcement colours & trending design options in 2025
What is Microcement?
Microcement (also known as micro concrete or micro topping) is a cementitious polymer-based coating which is thinly applied to floors, walls, ceilings, and joinery. It offers an array of design possibilities that achieve unique textural results with seamless, lightweight application.
Specifically, microcement gives architects, interior designers, builders, and home owners the ability to create a concrete aesthetic where it would not normally be possible. The strong polymer bonding power in microcement mixes allows the finish to be applied by hand to almost any existing substrate including: existing concrete, tiles, compressed sheeting, yellow tongue, plasterboard, villaboard and MDF.
But not all microcements are created equal; at Alternative Surfaces, we only trust X-Bond Microcement, Australia’s first microcement product with 30 years of global history. This year alone we’ve been installed X-Bond in over 200 projects around Victoria!
The Benefits of X-Bond Microcement
There are many reasons why microcement is becoming a popular choice in projects throughout Australia — and why X-Bond is the leading choice. Some of the benefits of our X-Bond Microcement include:
Applied at a minimal thickness (thinly applied over an existing surface at 2-3mm)
Ability to ‘Remodel Without Removal’ as the microcement topping can adhere directly to an existing substrate
Achieves a seamless finish that’s grout-free
Achieve a modern, industrial look and concrete aesthetic
Range of colours and finishes available
Can be applied over underfloor heating
High slip-rating
Can be applied internally and externally
High quality sealers available for residential and commercial uses to resist stains, mold, and de-lamination
Suitable for wet areas thanks to our innovative waterproofing techniques
Easy to maintain
Warmer underfoot than concrete
Read More: Why Consider X-Bond For Your Next Renovation
Where can microcement be applied?
There are many different types of microcement products on the market, but the X-Bond microcement topping is a versatile formula that can be applied to the floors, walls, ceilings and joinery in many areas including (but not limited to!) the following:
Residential Applications
Kitchens
Living & Dining areas
Bathrooms (including showers and splashbacks)
Wet rooms (including steam rooms & saunas)
Balconies
Alfrescos
Garden pathways
External façade
Fireplace surrounds & plinths
Joinery (cabinets & benches)
Commercial Applications
Entries & Reception areas
Breakout spaces
Workspaces
Furniture pieces (including reception desks)
Bathrooms
Change-rooms
End-of-trip facilities
Lift lobbies
External façade
Showrooms
Learn More: Microcement Substrate Guide
What is the price of microcement installation?
There are a number of factors which determine the cost of our microcement installations, as the product is hand-trowelled on-site and each project is unique. These factors include:
1. Area of application (e.g. floors, walls, joinery)
2. Total size of area
3. Existing substrate (e.g. tiles, concrete, gyprock)
4. Surface preparation (e.g. waterproofing or damage repair)
5. Intricacy
If you have project plans, drawings, or measurements, as well as the above information, we can use this to provide a quote for your job. Get in touch with quote requests here.
Read More: The Price of Microcement (Updated for 2025)
What X-Bond Microcement colours and textures are available?
The beauty about choosing a microcement finish from the X-Bond range is that there are so many colours and textures you can select from — including custom colours. X-Bond Microcement comes in 10 standard colours and four unique textures inspired by concrete and stone. View the full colour range on this page.
Read More: Concrete Textures & More Options With X-Bond
What does microcement look like installed?
Below are some images of completed projects using X-Bond Microcement on floors, walls and joinery. As X-Bond is hand trowelled, visible trowel marks and tonal variation is a natural characteristic of the microcement finish. Natural light can highlight these trowel marks.
What makes X-Bond different to other microcement?
We’re extremely proud to have first offered X-Bond Microcement to the Australian market over 25 years ago. Unlike most other Mircrocements that have entered the market in the last few years, our X-Bond has been trusted and specified on residential and commercial projects throughout Australia since the early 90s. We stand by the quality and durability of X-Bond and can confidently say X-Bond leads the way in versatility and durability. Our completed projects and clients are a testament to this. X-Bond can be installed over almost any substrate and can be installed inside pools to showers, floors, walls and joinery.
Can I see microcement samples?
You sure can! For sample requests in Victoria please contact us here. For all other states you can contact our suppliers page by clicking here.
How can I get a quote for microcement installation in Melbourne?
We would be glad to quote your project for X-Bond Microcement in Melbourne or the Mornington Peninsula. Please contact our team by clicking the button below and have your project details ready to fill in the form.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Common issues with some microcement products include cracking and staining.
To prevent these problems, it’s essential to engage a trained applicator who follows proper procedures for substrate preparation and sealing. An unstable or damaged substrate can cause cracking over time, while incorrect or incompatible sealers may lead to staining or even de-lamination when exposed to moisture.
Customers also ask us about de-lamination; and in over 25 years, we’ve never experienced a single de-lamination issue with X-Bond. Its advanced latex polymer formula provides exceptional molecular bonding, ensuring reliable adhesion to a wide variety of substrates.
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Whether microcement is cheaper than other materials really depends on the specifics of the project. In many cases, it can be more cost-effective — for example, when it’s applied over existing tiles, avoiding removal costs and labour, or when compared to high-end materials like natural stone or designer tiles. However, because X-Bond requires skilled applicators and meticulous preparation, the upfront cost can sometimes be higher than basic options such as standard tiles. Factors like substrate condition, project complexity, chosen finish, and long-term maintenance all influence overall value. In short, microcement can be cheaper — or not — depending on what you’re comparing it to and the scope of the job.
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X-Bond is a specially formulated overlay system composed primarily of:
A stone component as the base medium for strength.
A liquid latex polymer which is mixed into the cementitious material to enhance bonding, flexibility, and adhesion.
Pigments (liquid colourants) added to the mixture to create the chosen shade.
Other components of the system include a liquid waterproofing membrane applied before the microcement mix, and a sealer applied after the overlay is laid to protect the finish.
In short: X-Bond = waterproofing prep (if needed) + natural stone + latex polymer modifier + pigment + sealer, applied thinly (typically 2-3 mm) over suitable substrates.