Is Micro Cement Flooring Right for You? A Balanced Look at the Pros and Cons
Micro cement is having a massive moment in interior design, celebrated for its grout-free finish, durability, and personalised textural warmth. It sounds perfect in the sales pitches, doesn’t it? Choosing a floor, however, needs careful research and consideration of the micro cement floor pros and cons.
In this blog we’ll look past the marketing gloss and dig into the specific characteristics that determine if this flooring material is actually the right match for your home.
Why take advice from us? At Capital Screeding, we care about precision and honesty. We are trained and approved installers of Forcrete, the most robust micro cement system on the market today. This certification means our insights come from genuine hands-on expertise, not guesswork.
Summary – Weighing the Benefits and The Costs of Micro Cement Floors
Micro cement is an incredible material, but it isn’t a “quick fix.” Here is an honest breakdown of the benefits we deliver versus the considerations for your installation and budget.
The Major Benefits
Guaranteed Waterproofing – Forcrete technology ensures the system is waterproof throughout, not just on the surface.
Crack Resistance – Reinforced with epoxy and mesh for superior tensile strength.
Design Flexibility – Available in unlimited colours and textural finishes.
Eco-Conscious – Low VOCs and minimal waste compared to ripping out old tiles.
The Realities of Installation
Strict Application Process – We cannot rush the drying times between coats. Quality installation relies on patience.
Substrate Preparation – The floor underneath must be prepared to a rigorous standard (which we handle).
Repair Complexity – While durable, deep scratches can be harder to “spot fix” than replacing a single plank of wood.
The Pros – Why We Back the Forcrete System
As installers, we work with various materials, but micro cement – specifically the Forcrete system – solves structural and aesthetic problems that more traditional flooring materials can’t. Here are the technical benefits from an installation and longevity perspective.
Proper Waterproofing (Not Just Sealed)
One of the biggest myths about standard micro cement is that it relies entirely on the top coat of varnish to keep water out. If that seal gets scratched, the floor fails. However, the system we use at Capital Screeding can be trusted to be the real deal.
Forcrete is 100% waterproof throughout the entire body of the product before any sealer is even applied. For wet rooms, bathrooms and kitchens, this makes all the difference. It means that even if the surface experiences heavy wear over the years, the substrate underneath remains protected from water seeping through the floor.
High Compressive Strength
Micro cement is often confused with polished concrete, but it is actually a polymer-modified cement. This modification gives it flexibility and incredible compressive strength. Despite being applied at only 3mm thickness, it forms a rock-hard, durable surface that resists abrasion from high foot traffic, pets, and furniture movement much better than softer natural woods.
Seamless Hygiene
From a builder’s perspective, joints are often a floor’s weak point. They trap dirt, allow for water tracking, and often crack. By eliminating grout lines entirely, we create a single seamless surface. This isn’t just about aesthetic choice; it makes the floor far more hygienic and easier to maintain, as there are no porous gaps for bacteria or grime to accumulate.
The Cons – Logistics and Labour
While the finished product is exceptional, getting there requires a detailed installation process. Micro cement is not a “fast track” flooring solution like click-vinyl or carpet – it’s applied by hand, which dictates the amount of time spent on-site.
The Installation Timeline
A professional Forcrete installation is a multi-stage process involving priming, meshing, base coats, top coats, and sealers. Each layer needs specific drying times. Realistically, we need exclusive access to the floor for 5 to 7 days. During this time, no other trades can be working in that area. If your project is on a tight deadline, this needs to be factored into the schedule early on.
Substrate Sensitivity
Micro cement is a covering. This means it will mirror the behaviour of the subfloor underneath. If your screed is loose or your timber subfloor has deflection, the micro cement is at risk. We spend time on detailed “prep” to mitigate this, but the system demands a stable, high-quality substrate to achieve a long-lasting floor.
High Skilled Labour Costs
The material cost is only one part of the equation with micro cement. What you’re also paying for is the time and expertise of the installer. It’s physically demanding, detailed work that cannot be mechanised. As a result, the price per square metre is higher than mass-produced flooring options; the reason being that you’re paying for a bespoke flooring finish, not just a product.
Capital Screeding’s Honest Advice
We love working with micro cement, but we’re well aware that it needs the right environment to achieve its potential. When the conditions are right – it offers a combination of industrial strength and warm, organic design that you just can’t get with other materials.
The success of a micro cement floor comes down to two things – the quality of the product and the skill of the installers.
Get a Specialist Opinion
Every subfloor is different so let’s have a chat. We can take a look at your project and let you know exactly what preparation is needed to get the Forcrete finish you are looking for. Give us a call on – 020 3369 3396
