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Seamless Surfaces · Residential & Commercial Interiors
Micro cement creates seamless, joint-free surfaces across walls, floors, and worktops. Ultra-thin, durable, and available in a wide range of colours and textures.
Overview
Micro cement is a thin-coat cementitious coating, typically 2 to 3mm, that creates a completely seamless, joint-free surface. Applied over existing walls, floors, tiles, or concrete, it transforms a space without the need for demolition or structural work. It is one of the most versatile finishes in contemporary interior design and one of the most technically demanding to apply correctly.
Riley's Pro Trowel applies micro cement across Plymouth, Devon, and Cornwall for residential clients, interior designers, and commercial operators. The technique is particularly popular for kitchens, bathrooms, wet rooms, open-plan living spaces, and commercial environments including bars, restaurants, hotels, and retail. It delivers an industrial-luxe aesthetic that is both contemporary and highly practical.
In detail
Riley's recently completed a full-scale property refurbishment in Plymouth through a sister company, Insta Lets. The project involved complete project management, all trades coordinated from start to finish, and a comprehensive finish specification throughout. Micro cement was among the finishes applied to achieve the high-standard result the project demanded. The property demonstrates what is achievable when plastering and rendering works are planned and executed as part of a complete interior vision rather than as a standalone trade.
Micro cement is technically demanding. Failures such as cracking, delamination, and patchy colour almost always trace back to substrate preparation, product mixing, or application technique. Riley's uses only quality-specified products, prepares substrates correctly to the product manufacturer's requirements, and applies micro cement as the multi-coat system it is, not as a quick single-coat application. We will be honest if a substrate is not suitable for micro cement. It is better to address that before application than after.
How we work
The existing surface is assessed for stability, moisture, movement, and flatness. Micro cement cannot bridge structural cracks or unstable substrates. These must be addressed first. Any existing tiles or surfaces to be overcoated are assessed for adhesion.
A specialist primer coat is applied and allowed to cure fully. On floors, a fibreglass mesh is embedded in the first primer coat to provide crack resistance across movement joints. This stage is often skipped by inexperienced applicators. It is not optional..
Two base coats of micro cement are applied in thin, even layers with a stainless steel trowel. Each coat is allowed to cure before the next. This is where colour depth and texture begin to develop.
The finish coat is applied and worked to the specified texture: smooth, fine grain, or coarse. Colour consistency is checked across the entire surface in raking light. Any variations are addressed before sealing.
Two or three coats of polyurethane or epoxy sealant are applied depending on the application. Floor sealant is rated for the traffic level of the space. Shower and wet area sealant is waterproof-rated. Sealing is critical. Unsealed micro cement will stain and absorb moisture.
What clients say
"Riley's understood exactly what was needed from the first visit. Correct specification, proper curing time, no cutting corners. The conservation officer passed the work without comment."
"Venetian plastering throughout our Plymouth townhouse. Meticulous work, superb finish, and the team were professional and tidy throughout."
"Used Riley's for a full re-render on our Cornwall holiday property. Clean, consistent finish and the property has held up well through two winters since."
Questions
Yes, provided the existing tiles are fully bonded, flat, and free from movement or cracking. The tile joints must be filled before application to prevent them telegraphing through to the micro cement surface. Where tiles have failed or are hollow, they must be removed before micro cement can be applied. Riley's assesses all surfaces before committing to application over existing tiles.
Micro cement itself is not inherently waterproof. The sealant coat makes it so.. In wet areas such as showers, wet rooms, and around baths, a specialist waterproof sealant system is applied. This system is fully effective when correctly applied. The number of sealant coats and the sealant specification depends on the level of water exposure. Riley's specifies the correct sealant system for the application.
Correctly applied micro cement over a stable substrate with proper priming does not crack under normal conditions. Cracks that appear in micro cement finishes almost always indicate either substrate movement that was not addressed beforehand, skipped or inadequate priming, or structural cracking that micro cement cannot bridge. Riley's is honest about substrate suitability before work begins.
Micro cement surfaces are maintained with pH-neutral cleaning products and occasional re-sealing, typically every 2 to 5 years on high-traffic floors. Avoid acidic cleaners, bleach, and abrasive pads. Spills should be wiped promptly on food preparation and bar surfaces. With normal care, a micro cement surface will look excellent for 10 to 15 years before any cosmetic attention is needed.
Micro cement is available in a very wide range of colours. Most suppliers offer 50 to 100 standard colours across warm and cool tones, and RAL or NCS colour matching is available for bespoke specifications. Effect finishes such as washed stone, aged concrete, and light aggregate textures, are all achievable. We advise on colour selection and can provide samples before committing to a colour.
Get started
We visit the site, assess what's needed, and provide a written quote. No hidden additions.