OUR INSIGHTS — SURFACING, ARCHITECTURE & DESIGN
Product information, material guides, design inspiration.
Latest Posts
There is no "best" stone for microcement: the right choice depends on the atmosphere you want to create. Here are some of our favourites.
If you've started comparing quotes for microcement installation, this explains why they might vary.
The best commercial interiors don't just look good — they communicate a clear message about the brand or business.
Investing time in understanding the material is the most important decision of the entire project.
With 25+ years of experience as microcement installers, who better to answer your questions than Alt Surfaces?
Focused on strengthening the connection between people and nature, biophilic spaces are designed to improve wellbeing.
REALISM hard launched a new store at Melbourne Central featuring X-Bond, and it’s anything but a traditional retail fit-out.
Discover seamless render alternatives to bathroom tiles including microcement, Tadelakt and Venetian plaster.
See how the use of X-Bond achieves seamless continuity in this project inspired by its environment.
More Articles
Design Inspiration
There is no "best" stone for microcement: the right choice depends on the atmosphere you want to create. Here are some of our favourites.
The best commercial interiors don't just look good — they communicate a clear message about the brand or business.
Focused on strengthening the connection between people and nature, biophilic spaces are designed to improve wellbeing.
Discover seamless render alternatives to bathroom tiles including microcement, Tadelakt and Venetian plaster.
Why interiors featuring a single colour family are quietly dominating 2026 design trends.
The votes are in: Cloud Dancer is the colour of 2025, and you can’t deny its timeless neutrality in modern design.
Discover four unique, textural wall finishes: Venetian plaster, limewash, microcement, and Tadelakt.
As a concrete-inspired flooring option, microcement offers a practical and design-forward alternative.
Let’s unpack exactly how these two unique, traditional design schools have merged into one.
Discover hospitality designs that balance brand identity, practicality, and unforgettable guest experiences.
Here are some key material trends you’ll want to keep an eye on in 2025 — from microcement to metals and Moroccan tiles.
Our team has picked a selection of amazing houses from Australian architects that express everything we love about modern design.
Here are a few things you can do to spice things up when it’s time to specify your flooring materials, and make your home stand out.
In 2024, spaces are all about about blending form and function. These trends can inspire your next project.
In this blog post, we’ll explore six retail stores with beautiful interior designs from around the world.
In this blog post, we’ll take a look at six bathrooms that use microcement for a beautiful, practical result.
These five homes use the concrete aesthetic to create spaces that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing.
Check out these popular design trends for 2022 to give you inspiration for upcoming projects.
From where we’d rather be… Three luxurious and dreamy locations and hotels for poolside adventures.
Renovating a bathroom? Here are some minimalist bathroom design ideas for your moodboard.
We’ve compiled a list featuring five of our favourites in hospitality design across Melbourne (Australia’s culinary capital).
Add these stores to your list of places to visit in Melbourne — you won’t be disappointed!
Products & Information
Microcement is reshaping the design world — an innovative and practical alternative for concrete resurfacing.
In this guide, we’ll explore some of the best commercial flooring options: microcement, stone overlays, and polished concrete.
Incorrect application can lead to microcement issues down the line. Here’s how to save time, money, and frustration.
The answer is yes! Keep reading to find out more about concrete resurfacing with a microcement overlay.
We answer all your substrate-related FAQs to help you understand how X-Bond Microcement works across different surfaces.
Innovative alternatives that offer all the seamless beauty of concrete but with added benefits.
Microcement and Venetian plaster have different characteristics and are best suited for different applications. Here’s a comparison.
The key to achieving a flawless and durable microcement finish is choosing the right installer…
In this blog post, we’ll compare microcement and concrete floors, and how each might fit into your vision for your space.
In this blog post, we'll explore the many benefits of microcement, and why it's becoming a go-to finish.
In this blog, we'll cover the price of X-Bond Microcement, factors that affect installation costs, and how to get a quote.
The answer is YES, microcement can be used in outdoor areas. Here's why X-Bond is an excellent choice.
Do you have damaged, discolored, or cracked concrete that needs fixing? Here are our solutions.
Our experts address some of the most common misconceptions and hesitations about microcement.
Why is it microcement becoming a go-to for residential and commercial flooring projects?
Looking for durable, long-lasting outdoor flooring that balances function with aesthetics?
Ever wondered what your options are for external surfacing? Here’s everything you need to know about microcement outdoors.
Here’s everything you need to know about microcement in the bathroom, and why you should choose X-Bond.
We love seeing how designers specify and use our stone overlay systems Quartz Carpet and Terradec in their projects.
Quartz Carpet’s seamless finish and high durability make it the perfect choice in commercial projects.
From driveways to balconies and pool surrounds; here are our external flooring recommendations.
For close to 30 years we have proudly been installing X-Bond concrete floor overlays to projects throughout Australia.
A guide on concrete overlay systems like microcement, and why they’re a go-to flooring choice.
Read this article if you’re looking to use a microcement finish in your residential or commercial project, and are curious about pricing.
If you've started comparing quotes for microcement installation, this explains why they might vary.
Investing time in understanding the material is the most important decision of the entire project.
With 25+ years of experience as microcement installers, who better to answer your questions than Alt Surfaces?
As specialist X-Bond Microcement installers, here’s how to achieve a durable, beautifully rendered result.
Looking for a durable, low-maintenance, and visually appealing finish? Quartz Carpet is a strong contender.
Let’s explore why our microcement system X-Bond is a great alternative to concrete for outfoor flooring.
Microcement is often marketed as a surface that can be applied over anything, but there are some conditions to substrate compatibility.
Microcement is the design world’s answer to quick, clean renovations that don’t compromise on luxury or performance.
The X-Bond Microcement system stands apart as one of the only CodeMark Certified microcements in Australia. Learn More.
Should you resurface or demolish? Learn when overlay systems like X-Bond Microcement outperform traditional demolition.
Yep, microcement products like X-Bond can be installed directly over the top of your old tiles!
Backed by decades of innovation and trust, X-Bond is an industry leader that’s been engineered for excellence since day one.
Choosing between microcement and epoxy depends on your project needs. Here’s a guide to help compare the benefits of each.
What builders, designers, and homeowners should know about the X-Bond installation system before our team gets started.
Discover Quartz Carpet™, a more versatile alternative to exposed aggregate concrete and pebblecrete.
Offering smooth, seamless appeal with unmatched durability, microcement outperforms other interior wall finishes.
Here are five essential questions you should ask before selecting a microcement brand for your next project.
Quartz Carpet is a seamless stone overlay rising in popularity. Here’s everything you need to know about it.
Projects
REALISM hard launched a new store at Melbourne Central featuring X-Bond, and it’s anything but a traditional retail fit-out.
See how the use of X-Bond achieves seamless continuity in this project inspired by its environment.
From the interiors to sculptural elements outside, X-Bond continues to unify this luxury Mediterranean-inspired home.
A closer look at five of our latest bathroom projects, highlighting just how adaptable microcement can be in wet areas.
The new Dissh boutique reflects the label’s recent rebrand into the world of elevated basics and sophisticated minimalism.
View some of our favourite residential and commercial X-Bond Microcement installations in Melbourne.
Quartz Carpet flooring is often used in commercial projects as both aesthetics and durability are essential.
Our team flew out to Sydney to install microcement flooring at Winning Appliances Redfern.
This project comprises six 3-bedroom townhouses — and we installed X-Bond flooring to all of them.
Here are three of our most recent residential projects in Melbourne featuring X-Bond in various applications.
At Sculpt, X-Bond covers the space from floor to ceiling, creating an environment for reflection and tranquility.
Esoteriko gives us a lot to smile about at FY Smile, an interior that provides a calm environment for patients.
A luxury floor finish for a luxury home. Take a look inside the Windsor House feat. X-Bond floors.
Melbourne is renowned for its coffee culture — and we can’t get enough of Maker, a new cafe in the CBD.
Society is a multi-faceted dining experience with an extravagant yet strikingly modern design profile.
We’ve rounded up five of the best residential and commercial interior applications of X-Bond Microcement.
What our clients love most about X-Bond is its versatility. Here are some examples of our X-Bond applications in retail projects.
Our Quartz Carpet is a durable and seamless finish used widely across commercial and residential projects.
A Brighton home where timber meets X-Bond, achieving the perfect combination of modernity and warmth.
Located in, Fitzroy, Highline is a bright and vibrant creative space featuring X-Bond BIade flooring.
The Mercedes Benz Showroom features Quartz Carpet flooring be installed over fleece tile covering.
The Alternative Surfaces Pavilion by Latitude for Sydney Indesign 2017, showing the versatility and textures of our products.
Interviews
Hear from architects and designers who’ve specified Alt. Surfaces in their projects.
"Materiality and texture were driving forces in the project. We knew we wanted a soft and calming interior palette inspired by contemporary Mediterranean architecture."
Anthony Mancini provides us an insight into the project brief of Sussex and the reasons why X-Bond flooring was chosen.
Penny, Director at Indesign International provides an insight into working with X-Bond for a master ensuite renovation.