Polished concrete and micro-cement are increasingly specified in high-end London renovations. Here is what each product actually is, and where each works well.
Polished concrete and micro-cement have become two of the most discussed floor and wall finishes in contemporary London renovation. They are often conflated — both give a smooth, grey, industrial-influenced appearance — but they are fundamentally different products with different applications, costs, and performance characteristics.
Here is an accurate account of what each is and where each works.
Polished concrete: what it actually is
Polished concrete is exactly what it sounds like: a concrete slab that has been ground and polished with progressively finer diamond tooling to achieve a smooth, reflective surface.
There are two ways to achieve polished concrete in a residential renovation:
New poured slab: A concrete slab is poured, allowed to cure, then ground and polished in situ. The concrete mix must be specified for polishing — aggregate type, size, and distribution affect the appearance of the finished surface. The slab must be thick enough (typically 75–100mm minimum) and reinforced appropriately.
Existing slab revealed and polished: In a building with a concrete ground-floor slab (common in 1960s–80s construction), the existing slab can sometimes be exposed, ground, and polished. The condition and composition of the existing slab determines whether this is feasible — not all concrete is suitable for polishing.
Characteristics of polished concrete: - Hard and durable — resistant to most impacts and scratching - Hygienic and easy to clean - Cold and hard underfoot — less comfortable for prolonged standing than timber or stone - Heavy — a 100mm slab weighs approximately 240kg/m²; structural implications for upper floors are significant - Shows wear patterns over time in high-traffic areas, particularly at thresholds - Can be coloured with integral pigments (added to the mix before pouring) or surface dyes (applied after grinding)
Where it works well: Ground-floor extensions, basement conversions, kitchen extensions with underfloor heating (the thermal mass of a concrete slab works well with underfloor heating). Industrial-loft-style conversions where the raw material aesthetic is intentional.
Where it does not work well: Upper floors in timber-joisted buildings (too heavy, requires structural upgrade); period properties where the finish is architecturally inconsistent; anywhere requiring warmth and comfort underfoot; bathrooms without adequate waterproofing treatment (concrete is porous).
Micro-cement: what it actually is
Micro-cement (also called micro-topping, micro-screed, or by brand names such as Topciment, Cementec, or Pandomo) is a thin-layer cement-based coating — typically 2–3mm thick — applied over an existing substrate. It is not concrete. It does not require structural support beyond a solid existing floor or wall. It can be applied over existing tiles, screed, or concrete.
Micro-cement is a coating product, not a structural material. It relies entirely on the substrate beneath it and on the correct preparation, application, and sealing.
Characteristics of micro-cement: - Very thin — adds minimal height to a floor (2–3mm vs 75–100mm for a poured concrete slab) - Can be applied to floors, walls, wet room surfaces, kitchen surfaces, and furniture - Available in a wide range of colours and finishes (smooth, textured, matte, satin) - Requires very flat and structurally sound substrate — micro-cement follows the substrate; any cracks, movement, or deflection in the substrate will telegraph to the surface - Requires sealing (typically polyurethane or water-based topcoat) to achieve moisture resistance and durability; the sealant determines the feel and performance - Will crack if the substrate cracks or moves — it is not flexible - Requires specialist applicators — poor application results in pin-holes, patchiness, and premature wear
Where it works well: Bathrooms and wet rooms where a seamless, grout-free surface is desired; kitchen splash-backs; extension floors where raising the floor level is not possible; walls in contemporary interiors. As a cost-effective way to achieve the polished-concrete aesthetic without a structural concrete slab.
Where it does not work well: Over deflecting or moving timber floors (will crack); over substrates with existing cracks or movement; anywhere where a durable long-term surface is critical without commitment to periodic reapplication or refinishing.
The confusion between the two
Micro-cement is often sold as "polished concrete" or "concrete floors" by designers and contractors who are either confused or deliberately vague. A client who asks for a polished concrete floor and receives a micro-cement topping has received a different product with different durability and maintenance characteristics.
The distinctions matter:
| Polished concrete | Micro-cement | |
|---|---|---|
| Structural requirement | High (mass and loading) | None beyond a solid substrate |
| Thickness | 75–150mm | 2–3mm |
| Floor height gain | Significant | Minimal |
| Durability | Very high | Moderate — depends on sealing |
| Cracking risk | Low (if well-designed slab) | Moderate (follows substrate) |
| Applicable to walls | No | Yes |
| Suitable for retrofitting | Limited | Yes |
| Cost per m² (supply/install) | £80–150/m² (plus slab cost) | £60–120/m² |
Application considerations for London properties
Underfloor heating: Both polished concrete and micro-cement work with underfloor heating. Concrete slabs are particularly good — the thermal mass stores and re-radiates heat effectively. Micro-cement over a screed with underfloor heating is also effective. In both cases, the floor must be allowed to warm slowly for the first weeks after installation.
Acoustic performance: Concrete and micro-cement are both hard surfaces that transmit impact sound. In an upper-floor bathroom or kitchen, this is a consideration — an acoustic underlay beneath the micro-cement (if the substrate allows) can help. In a ground-floor extension or basement, this is not typically an issue.
Movement joints: Both products require movement joints at regular intervals and at perimeter edges. Movement joints in polished concrete floors should be designed as an intentional feature — saw-cut joints that follow the geometry of the space.
Applicator quality
The quality of a polished concrete or micro-cement installation is almost entirely determined by the applicator. The materials are not difficult to source; the skill is in the preparation and application.
For polished concrete: the mix design, curing, and grinding sequence must be managed by someone who has done it before and can show you previous installations.
For micro-cement: preparation (priming, levelling, and repairing the substrate), application (multiple thin coats, each feathered consistently), and sealing (correct sealant type and application temperature) are all critical and all require skill. Ask for references and visit completed installations before appointing.
ASAAN's approach
ASAAN specifies and manages both polished concrete slab installations and micro-cement applications across renovation projects in London. We coordinate structural preparation, underfloor heating integration, and specialist applicators as part of the main construction programme.
If you are considering either finish for a renovation project, contact us to discuss suitability for your specific building and use.
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