Microcement in Seattle

What is microcement, and where did it come from?

A thin, hand-troweled coating of cement and polymers, usually about 2–3 mm in total, that turns floors, walls and showers into one seamless surface.

Start Your Project Read the origin story ↓

One thin skin, no grout lines

Microcement is cement, fine aggregate and polymers, applied by hand in thin coats and sealed with a polyurethane topcoat. It bonds to most sound, primed surfaces, including concrete and well-bonded existing tile, so a lot of projects skip demolition.

It's water-resistant, not waterproof on its own. In a shower, the waterproofing is the membrane underneath. We make sure it's sound first, every time.

Same wall, two finishes

The origin story

Where the seamless look comes from

Microcement is a modern material, but the look it goes for is centuries old. Here's the story in four steps: the old lime plasters, the tile era, microcement catching on in Europe, and our work in Seattle.

The look is old

Hand-finished lime plasters

Long before microcement, lime plasters gave walls a smooth, seamless surface. Think Venetian marmorino, lime mixed with crushed marble, and Moroccan tadelakt, polished with stones and traditional in bathhouses. Microcement uses cement, not lime, but goes for the same look.

Early 1900s · America

Tile moves into the bathroom

By the early 1900s, tile had become a go-to finish for new bathrooms. It's hard-wearing and simple to keep clean, so it went on floors and lower walls, and grout lines came with it. Tile is still a strong choice, and we install it too.

Recent decades · Europe

Microcement catches on

Thin decorative coats of cement mixed with polymers became popular in Europe. French and Spanish makers both claim they got there first, and nobody agrees on one inventor. The French call it béton ciré ("waxed concrete"). The Spanish say microcemento.

Today · Seattle

Right at home in Seattle

In older Seattle houses, coating over sound tile instead of tearing it out often means less demolition and mess. If a shower is already leaking, or the surface underneath is compromised, we don't coat over it. Our microcement of choice is EPODEX, simply because it's a good product.

What's under the finish

The finish is the skin. The membrane keeps the water out.

Microcement with a polyurethane topcoat resists water. What actually keeps the water out in a shower is the membrane underneath. If a company tells you the coating alone is "100% waterproof," ask what's behind it.

There are two ways we do it. If the tile or surface is sound and its waterproofing hasn't been compromised, we clean it, prime it and apply the microcement right over it. If it's leaking or compromised, we demo to the substrate, rebuild the waterproofing, then apply the microcement.

How a DuetRight microcement job runs

Look and diagnose
We check for hollow tile, active leaks and soft spots before promising anything.
Clean, repair, prime
Cracks filled, grout lines leveled, everything dry, then a primer matched to the surface.
Sound base, or rebuild
Sound, dry surfaces get primed and coated. Anything leaking or compromised is torn out and the waterproofing rebuilt first.
Two hand-troweled coats
Thin coats with drying time in between. That's where the texture comes from.
Seal and cure
Two coats of polyurethane, then 7 days before a shower takes steady water.

Straight answers

Price

$57–$60

per sq ft, materials included

The condition of what's underneath and the shape of the room move the final number. You get an itemized plan before anything starts.

Care

Wipe it down. Roll on a fresh topcoat every 1–2 years.

Warm water and a mild cleaner for everyday cleaning. Skip harsh chemicals and abrasive pads.

Finish

Matte, soft, hand-textured

We use a matte polyurethane topcoat. The texture comes from the grain of the mix: walls get two medium-grain coats, and floors get a coarser base coat under a medium-grain top. Pale floors show dirt faster, so we'll talk color with you.

A duet: at least two on site, every layer checked

What we're on a mission to do

Doing it right, layer by layer

Our mission is to make renovation feel easy, and that starts with the parts you'll never see. Every job still runs with at least two people on site, so there's always a second set of eyes on every layer, which is the duet in our name. We check what's there before promising anything, and in wet areas we make sure the waterproofing is sound before any finish goes on. We'd rather be Seattle's best contractor than its biggest, so we don't skip steps, and we tell you plainly what we find.

What clients say after the job

"Smart, professional, innovators. Helped me turn a nasty tub into a microcement spa. Excellent communicators."

Cody P.

Read the West Seattle project story

"They fully repaired the problem areas and then applied micro-cement on the walls, floor, and shower… The transformation is honestly incredible."

Eric C.

Read the Kirkland project story

Explore microcement

BathroomsWalls, vanities and floors in one finish ShowersGrout-free walls over a real membrane FloorsSeamless floors over what's already there Microcement vs tileHow to pick the finish for your wet zone

Thinking about microcement?

Tell us about the room. We'll look at what's there now and give you a clear, itemized plan for your project.

Start Your Project

Getting started with Microcement

Whether you're hiring an installer or considering a DIY approach, going in prepared makes all the difference. These resources give you everything you need to ask the right questions, set realistic expectations, and move forward with confidence.

The Microcement Printable

1-page diagnostic for Seattle homeowners

Download

Material Comparison Chart

Microcement vs other surfaces

Download

Maintenance Schedule

2-3 yr care timeline + cleaning do's & don'ts

Download

Contractor Interview Questions

Questions to ask before hiring an installer

Download

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does microcement installation cost?

Our microcement price is $57–$60 per sq ft, materials included. Substrate condition and surface complexity can affect final pricing, and your total depends on the size of the room. Start your project and we'll give you a real number for your space.

Can I install microcement myself or do I need a professional?

You can DIY, but it can be unforgiving. The most common problems are applying coats too thick, rushing the drying time between layers, and skipping proper surface prep. Those mistakes show up as cracking or uneven color within weeks, and they're nearly impossible to fix without starting over.

If it's your first time, a professional installation protects the investment. If you're committed to DIY, our Contractor Interview Questions resource is a good starting point for knowing what you're getting into.

How long does microcement last?

It depends on the prep underneath and on keeping the topcoat fresh. Wall surfaces tend to last longer since they see less wear. The most important maintenance step is rolling on a new polyurethane topcoat every 1 to 2 years, which keeps the surface protected and looking sharp.

How do I clean and maintain microcement?

A pH-neutral cleaner and a microfiber mop are all you need for regular cleaning. Avoid bleach, ammonia, vinegar, abrasive scrubbers, and anything acid-based that strips the sealer over time. Wipe spills quickly, especially anything acidic. Roll on a fresh topcoat every 1 to 2 years and the surface stays protected.

Is microcement actually waterproof enough for a shower?

Yes, when it's built on the right system. Microcement with a polyurethane topcoat is water-resistant, not waterproof on its own. What keeps the water out is the waterproofing underneath, so we check it before anything else. If the existing tile or surface is sound and its waterproofing hasn't been compromised, we prime it and apply the microcement right over it. If the shower is already leaking or the surface is compromised, we don't coat over it. We demo to the substrate, rebuild the waterproofing, then apply the microcement. Either way, the shower gets 7 days before it takes steady water.

Table of Contents

Getting Started With Microcement

Frequently Asked Questions

Resources

The Microcement Printable

1-page diagnostic for Seattle homeowners

Download

Material Comparison Chart

Microcement vs other surfaces

Download

Maintenance Schedule

2-3 yr care timeline + cleaning do's & don'ts

Download

Contractor Interview Questions

Questions to ask before hiring an installer

Download