If you’ve been keeping up with interior trends, you’ll notice that Singaporean homeowners’ love for cement screed a couple of years ago has slowly evolved into a huge love for microcement. And this trend has shown no sign of slowing down any time soon. Beyond the industrial aesthetic, many homeowners have successfully incorporated microcement design elements into their homes to achieve an earthy and organic look. Let’s look at why microcement is exactly so popular.
What is microcement & how does it differ from cement screed?
While cement screed is made up of water, sand, and cement and applied as a thick layer, microcement is a mix of cement, pigments, additives, and water-based resin that is applied in thin layers on multiple surfaces.
Think of microcement as the more sophisticated, improved version of cement screed. Homeowners with cement screed floors will be familiar with its challenges—achieving a clean, uniform finish isn’t easy and requires an experienced hand. It also needs careful maintenance, can feel dusty if not properly sealed, and is prone to cracking over time.
[Left to right] A cement screed floor, a fully microcemented bathroom.
Image credit: Studio Appelo, Ovon Design
On the other hand, microcement seems to solve all these issues and more. Not only does it provide a sleek, cement-like aesthetic, but it’s also highly durable, waterproof, and comes in a variety of textures and colours, allowing for more creativity in your home design.
On top of that, while cement screed is limited to floor application, microcement opens up a new world with its possible application on most surfaces.
| Cement Screed | Microcement | |
| Cost | Less cost (from $800 per room) | Typically more expensive (From $16 psf) |
| Pros | Can last for up to 20 years | Resistant to cracks and water, highly durable |
| Application | Only applicable for floors | Can be used for floors, walls, ceilings, on existing tiles and water-prone areas |
Pricing adapted from Budgetpainting.sg and Panelcraft
What are some of the best ways to incorporate microcement in your home?
Image credit: Alix Normandeau, eva on Pinterest
- Bathrooms
- Kitchen countertops
- Kitchen islands
- Walls and ceilings
If you’re thoroughly inspired, here are 4 local microcement experts to look into:
1 Aftertouch—Works closely with you to achieve the right finish
Image credit: Aftertouch
With full 5-star ratings on Google, Aftertouch is a microcement expert known for its competitive pricing, professional work, and meticulous craftsmanship. Beyond just offering good warranty terms and friendly service, the company insists on working closely with its clients to ensure the final result is exactly what they want.
This includes having their artisan teams meet face-to-face with customers for hands-on sample iterations before applying them to their homes, ensuring precision and satisfaction at every step.
Image credit: Aftertouch
Address: 48 Hillview Terrace, #04-08, Singapore 669269
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 9am to 6pm | Sat 9am to 2pm
Contact: +65 9296 4453 | Website
2 CimentArt—Venetian-style Stucco microcement
Image credit: CimentArt
If you’re looking for something a bit more niche, CimentArt specialises in decorative microcement products, including metallic finish microcement and Venetian Stucco MS, designed to emulate the luxurious wall finishes of Venetian palaces.
With 20 colour finishes to choose from, CimentArt’s products come with a non-cracking, non-peel, and non-discolouration guarantee, ensuring long-lasting beauty. The brand is also renowned for its quality workmanship, making it a top choice for those seeking a refined and durable finish.
Address: 61 Woodlands Industrial Park E9, #06-04, E9 Premium, Singapore 757047
Contact: +65 6362 2608 | Website
3 MicroLux—Pastel-oriented microcement colours
Image credit: MicroLux
From wabi-sabi to Scandinavian, lots of interior design styles tend towards softer cream or pastel shades. And if you’re at a loss when it comes to finding a good selection of gentle colours for your home reno, MicroLux would probably be your best bet.
Check out the full range of colours from MicroLux’s catalogue.
Address: 6 Harper Road, #02-08, Leong Huat Building, Singapore 369674
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 10am to 2pm, 3pm to 7pm | Sun 10am to 2pm, 3pm to 6pm
Contact: +65 9296 4453 | Website
4 FloorXpert—Extra durable BAXAB microcement
Rounding out the list is a contractor that uses BAXAB brand of microcement products. It promises extra durable surfaces that are not only designed for high traffic use, but also will resist the impact of sharp objects without chipping. And with its European Standard EN 13892-8:2003 certification, you can be assured of the authenticity of BAXAB’s claims.
Address: 71 Tannery Lane #02-02, City Industrial Building, Singapore 347807
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 10am to 7pm | Sat 10am to 5pm
Contact: +65 9296 4453 | Website
Microcement experts in Singapore
Hopefully this list of contractors will help you find the exact microcement finish that you want. But if you are looking for other aspects of your home reno, you can always have a look at our glass suppliers and tile shop lists as well.
Read more articles here:
- 700sqft Brutalist bachelor pad of concrete & wood
- A brutalist Geylang Bahru HDB flat
- A $70K post-apocalyptic raw industrial HDB reno
Cover image adapted from: MicroLux, FloorXpert
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