Planning a bathroom restyle featuring a sleek and easy-to-maintain shower space? Then you should consider a microcement shower. This innovative and versatile material moving on to the radar of homeowners and interior designers alike, thanks to its unique blend of aesthetics, durability, and functionality.
DirectStone is currently installing microcement showers, so we’re ideally placed to offer insights, tips and guidance on their benefits, installation, and design. Whether you’re planning a complete bathroom remodel or just want to upgrade your shower area, we’ll demonstrate why the microcement shower offers an innovative solution.
Table of Contents
1. WHY CHOOSE A MICROCEMENT SHOWER?
UK homeowners are increasingly falling in love with the shower as their source of rest and relaxation, rather than a soak in the bath. Partly this is down to environmental reasons – a shower uses 25 gallons of water, whilst a bath uses 70 gallons – but people also tell us they find them quicker, and more hygienic. Bathrooms that replace the tub with a shower have more space to work with, and greater opportunity for sleek, minimalist design choices.
Microcement offers all the benefits of polished concrete, with the added benefits of its handcrafted and versatile finish. It’s made of the highest quality water-based resins, polymers, and mineral pigments to create durable, waterproof, and seamless surfaces that require minimal maintenance.
When an innovative product appears, it’s the people who use it that will determine what makes it popular and likely to succeed. With microcement, there are 4 main reasons why customers choose microcement for their bathroom:
- Aesthetic Appeal. Microcement showers bring a sense of spatial opulence and sophistication to your bathroom. With a wide range of colours and textures available, you can achieve the exact look you desire – whether that’s urban industrial, heritage or natural.
- Seamless Design. One of the standout features of microcement is its ability to create a continuous surface with no visible grout lines. This not only enhances the visual appeal but also makes cleaning quick and simple.
- Waterproof and Durable. Forcrete microcement offers built-in waterproofing and unparalleled durability. Thanks to its unique formula, it is able to withstand moisture damage and maintain its surface finish for years.
- Hundreds of Colour Options. With microcement you can choose from hundreds of colours, or even have a custom colour made for you. We offer a colour-matching service, accommodating RAL, NCS, Pantone, and various high-end paint manufacturers’ colours.
2. INSTALLING A MICROCEMENT SHOWER
The secret of success when installing microcement is detailed, and meticulous preparation. Microcement can be applied on top of bathroom tiles, or cement board, but a clean, flat, keyed (scored) surface is required to ensure secure adhesion of the microcement.
Microcement requires a skilled hand-trowelled application of multiple layers, resulting in a finished thickness of 3-4mm. This provides the durable, waterproof, damage-resistant surface. It then undergoes a sanding and polishing process to reveal its final lustre. A sealant is applied to protect the surface and intensify its stain- resistance.
3. SHOWER MAINTENANCE AND CARE
Caring for a microcement shower is refreshingly straightforward, thanks to its smooth and impermeable surface. To ensure your microcement shower maintains its pristine appearance, simply consider the following maintenance and cleaning recommendations:
- Routine Cleansing. Clean your microcement shower regularly using mild, non-abrasive cleaners. Apply them with a soft sponge and wipe clean with a cloth
- Post-Shower Wipe Down. After each shower, wipe down the microcement surface, eliminating any excess water.
- Steer Clear of Staining Agents. Avoid contact of microcement surface with potential staining agents such as hair dyes, or aggressive chemicals. In the event of spills, clean up promptly to avoid staining.
By adhering to these simple cleaning guidelines, you will preserve the pristine condition of your microcement shower for years to come.
4. MICROCEMENT IN BATHROOM DESIGN TRENDS
Microcement is versatile enough to create the backdrop for whatever style you want your bathroom to be. Here are 3 of the most popular ways to restyle your bathroom:
1. MINIMALIST RETREAT
Minimalism is all about focusing on what’s essential in your bathroom space. Your goal is to create a simple design with functional elements only. Clear lines and a distinct colour scheme ensure calm tranquillity. Microcement’s smooth, uniform finish can be used to create a seamless and minimalist look that’s completely free from joins and grout lines.
2. INDUSTRIAL CHIC
Creating an industrial styled bathroom is all about mixing clean lines with elements that are ‘unfinished’ or imperfect. You may choose to have exposed plumbing or a feature brick wall that exposes the raw materials that make up your space. For an industrial-inspired bathroom, microcement showers can be paired with metal fixtures or exposed shower plumbing to create an edgy and stylish ambiance.
3. A BATHROOM INSPIRED BY NATURE
The growing trend for natural bathrooms uses earthy materials such as wood or stone to create a space that feels ‘grounded’. The colours selected for a natural bathroom make the space feel tranquil, relaxing, and meditative. Microcement showers can mimic the look of natural materials like concrete and stone, supporting your earthy and organic vision.
5. IS MICROCEMENT SUITABLE FOR DIY PROJECTS?
While microcement application requires precision and expertise, skilled DIY enthusiasts can undertake the task with proper guidance and training. However, for the best results, it’s recommended to hire a professional. The layers that make up the microcement surface are extremely thin and have to be hand trowelled. This not only takes skill; it also requires industry experience to achieve an optimal surface finish.
ABOUT DIRECTSTONE
DirectStone is a long-established family-run business with a reputation for creating beautiful microcement flooring and walls for kitchens, bathrooms, and residential living spaces – indoors and out. We install microcement showers and bathrooms in new builds, renovated properties, period housing and as part of home improvement projects.
Our microcement specialists work across the UK mainly in London, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, Northamptonshire, Oxfordshire, Hertfordshire, Norfolk, and Suffolk.
Are you considering a microcement shower? Why not call DirectStone today and talk to one of our microcement installers? – 01525 20863920