Microcement showers

Is microcement suitable for showers?

Microcement showers are achievable, but they need to be planned in the right order. On its own, microcement is not waterproof. Once a suitable sealer is applied it becomes water-resistant, which is what allows it to be used in bathrooms and other wet areas.

The essential distinction is between finish and waterproofing. Microcement is the visible finish; it is not a waterproofing membrane. Waterproofing, falls to the waste and drainage are separate elements that your builder or the relevant professional confirms before any microcement is applied. The guide is microcement waterproof? explains the difference.

What can be finished in a shower

Most parts of a shower can share the finish:

• Shower walls, to full height or to a set line.
• Shower floors, continuing the finish of the bathroom floor.
• Niches and ledges, for a built-in look without tile trims.
• Hobs and bench seats, with softened or crisp edges.

Plan the positions of glass screens, tapware and the waste early, and agree with your builder which items are fitted before the finish and which after. A shower is one part of a larger room: the microcement bathrooms page covers the wider space, and the bathroom renovation guide sets out the planning sequence.

Substrates and preparation

Existing tiled showers can be suitable if the tiles are firmly adhered and stable, which avoids stripping the room back. Cement mortar and self-levelling mortar are other suitable bases. Every surface also has to be clean and level, with humidity below 5%, so an existing shower needs time to dry out before work begins.

If there is any doubt about the waterproofing behind existing tiles, resolve it before the new finish goes on, since microcement will not fix a failed membrane. Our guide to coating existing tiles explains how tiled surfaces are assessed.

Finish, colour and slip

Colour choice in a shower is also practical. Very dark colours tend to show water spots and soap residue more readily, so soft tones such as Alaska, Gris, Plomo, Gris-liquen and Nacar are forgiving choices that still look considered.

On the floor, texture and sealer change how the surface feels when wet. The slip resistance a shower floor needs is decided for each project with the builder or relevant professional, and the finish is chosen with that requirement in mind rather than on looks alone.

Cleaning a microcement shower

A quick squeegee or wipe-down after showering reduces water spotting and residue build-up. Clean weekly with a pH-neutral product, and avoid bleach, abrasive pads and strong acidic limescale removers, which can wear the sealer. Keep the room well ventilated, and maintain the sealer over time so the shower stays water-resistant; the maintenance guide has more detail.