Microcement vs Tiles — a Real-World Comparison
The two finishes we get asked to compare more than any other. Both are valid; they win in different situations. Here's the honest breakdown, from an installer that fits microcement daily and grew up laying tiles.
Where this works
- Bathrooms & wet rooms
- Kitchens & splashbacks
- Hallways & open-plan floors
- Shower areas
- Commercial hospitality floors
How we install it
- 1Where microcement wins
Seamless. No grout to clean or re-grout. Only adds 2–3 mm — critical for retrofits and underfloor heating. Continuous across floor, walls and up into showers. Can be recoated in the same colour without ripping anything up.
- 2Where tiles win
Large-format porcelain is cheaper per m² on a straightforward floor. It's the default in areas with high water exposure and no tanking membrane. Damaged tiles can be swapped individually.
- 3Where it depends
Bathrooms: microcement if you want seamless / spa-look, tiles if you want cheapest and don't mind grout. Kitchens: microcement wins for continuous floor + splashback, tiles win for pure floor cost. Underfloor heating: microcement's thinness wins every time.
Common pitfalls we prevent
Frequently asked
Is microcement cheaper than tiles?+
Rarely on materials alone; sometimes on total fitted cost, particularly on complex or multi-surface installations where tiling would need extensive tanking, cutting or bespoke trims. We quote both when it's genuinely close.
Can microcement crack like grout?+
There's no grout to crack, but the microcement itself can crack if the substrate moves. That's why the mesh-reinforced base coat is non-negotiable.
Do you tile as well?+
We're microcement specialists — but part of our job is telling you when tiles are the better answer. We won't push microcement onto a project that doesn't suit it.
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