Microcement is a thin, cement-based coating applied by hand with a trowel in several layers. The result is one continuous surface without grout lines, with a soft, slightly clouded look that suits a modern apartment as well as an old stone house. Epoxy is a two-component resin that is rolled or poured onto a floor and hardens into a smooth, tough surface that is very easy to clean.
Both suit owners who want a calm, seamless look, or who would rather not rip out old tiles. Our team does this work with trusted specialists from our network, once the plumbing, electrics and dusty work are finished.
Where microcement and epoxy work well
- Bathrooms and walk-in showers. Walls, floor, a shower bench and niches in one surface, with a waterproofing layer underneath in the wet zone. Often part of a bathroom renovation.
- Kitchens and living areas. One floor running through open-plan rooms without thresholds, and kitchen walls behind the worktop.
- Stairs. Treads and risers coated for a clean, modern look, with careful work on the edges.
- Holiday rentals. No grout lines to scrub between guests, and a fresh look without stripping the whole room.
- Over existing tiles. In many cases microcement can go over old, firmly bonded tiles, which saves demolition and barely changes floor heights.
- Epoxy floors. Utility rooms, garages, workshops and some living spaces, where a hard-wearing, sealed floor matters most.
What decides the quality
Most of the result is decided before the visible layers go on.
- The base. It must be firm, clean and flat. Loose or hollow-sounding tiles are fixed or removed, cracks are treated and uneven areas levelled.
- Moisture. Damp rising through ground floors, common in old stone houses, can lift any coating, so we check first and deal with the cause before the finish. See damp in stone walls for the background.
- Primer and mesh. A primer chosen for the base (tiles, screed, plaster or plasterboard) and a fibreglass mesh in the first layer to help against cracking.
- Number of coats. Base coats and finer finishing coats, each dried and sanded before the next one.
- Sealer or topcoat. Microcement is protected with a sealer against water, oil and stains. Epoxy often gets a topcoat; in rooms with strong sun a UV-resistant system matters, because some epoxies turn yellow.
- Curing time. Every layer needs time to dry, and the finished surface needs time before heavy use and wet cleaning. Rushing this causes most problems.
Honest pros and cons
Pros: no grout lines, one continuous look across floors and walls, a thin build-up that rarely means trimming doors, and surfaces that wipe clean quickly. Our article on bathrooms for holiday homes explains what lasts with guests.
Cons: it needs a skilled hand, and no two surfaces look exactly alike, which is part of the character. If the base moves, for example a cracked screed or a wooden floor, hairline cracks can appear. The sealer needs care and occasional renewal, a smooth finish can be slippery when wet unless an anti-slip finish is used, and invisible patch repairs are difficult. For maximum toughness and easy repairs, tiles remain a strong choice; our guide to floors for a Mediterranean home compares the options.
How it works if you are abroad
Send us photos or a short video on WhatsApp, with rough measurements and a note on what is underneath (tiles, screed, plaster). You get a rough price range, then we check the base and moisture on site and send a written quote with VAT included. Whether the house is in Pula/Pola, Rovinj/Rovigno, Poreč/Parenzo or near Motovun/Montona, you get photos of each stage: preparation, primer and mesh, coats and sealer.
What affects the price
The main factors are the area, how much preparation the base needs, shower waterproofing, the system and number of coats, the finish and colour, and details such as stairs, niches and edges. Microcement is often combined with plumbing in a bathroom, a new kitchen (see kitchen renovation in an Istrian home) or a full renovation. For an overall budget, the renovation cost calculator gives a first idea.
Send us photos of the floors or walls you want to change on WhatsApp. We will reply with a rough range and the next steps.
Frequently asked questions
Can microcement be applied over existing tiles?
Often yes, if the tiles are firmly bonded and the floor or wall is sound. Grout lines are filled, a primer for tiles and a mesh are used, and loose or hollow tiles are fixed or removed first. We check this on site.
Is microcement suitable for a walk-in shower?
Yes, when it is done as a system: a waterproofing layer underneath in the wet zone, several coats, and a sealer on top. An anti-slip finish on the shower floor is a good idea.
What is the difference between microcement and epoxy?
Microcement is a thin, hand-trowelled mineral coating for floors and walls, with a soft, slightly varied look. Epoxy is a resin, used mostly on floors, that gives a smoother, harder and more uniform surface. Which one fits depends on the room, the base and the look you want.
Will a microcement floor crack?
It can show hairline cracks if the base underneath moves or cracks. Careful preparation, the right primer, a mesh and enough drying time between layers reduce that risk considerably.
Guides on this topic
Floors for a Mediterranean Home: Tiles, Stone, Laminate or Wood?
Which floor suits a house in Istria? Tiles, natural stone, terracotta, laminate and wood compared for heat, damp, sand, guests and old stone houses.
Bathroom Renovation for a Holiday Home or Rental in Istria
Planning a bathroom in an Istrian holiday home or rental that survives hard water, humid summers and many guests: materials, waterproofing, ventilation.
Kitchen Renovation in an Istrian Home: Layouts, Worktops, Fitting
Planning a new kitchen in an Istrian stone house, apartment or holiday rental: layouts for thick walls, worktops that cope, and the right order of work.