Microcement is most efficiently incorporated into a project when it is specified at the design stage rather than added as a late-stage decision. For Gold Coast builders, architects, and homeowners planning new residential construction, understanding how to specify microcement correctly ensures the best outcome at the best price.
Why Specification Timing Matters
Microcement requires a substrate that is flat, structurally sound, and properly prepared. In a new build, these conditions are most easily achieved when the microcement installer is engaged early and the substrate is prepared to their specification from the outset.
Late-stage decisions to incorporate microcement often require additional preparation work — grinding, levelling, or priming — that adds cost and time. Specifying early eliminates most of this additional work and allows the installer to coordinate with other trades to ensure the substrate is ready when needed.
Substrate Requirements
For floor applications, microcement requires a flat, rigid substrate with a maximum deviation of three millimetres over a two-metre span. Concrete slabs are the ideal substrate and typically require minimal preparation in a new build context. Fibre cement sheet and plywood substrates are also suitable with appropriate preparation.
For wall applications, fibre cement sheet is the preferred substrate in wet areas. Standard plasterboard can be used in dry areas with appropriate priming.
The substrate must be fully cured before microcement application. For concrete slabs, this typically means a minimum of 28 days curing time. This timeline should be incorporated into the construction programme from the outset.
Coordinating With Other Trades
Microcement is typically one of the last finishes applied in a new build. The installation sequence requires that all wet trades — plumbing, waterproofing, tiling of any areas not receiving microcement — are complete before microcement application begins.
Underfloor heating, if specified, should be installed and tested before the microcement is applied. The heating system should be run at low temperature for several days before application to ensure the substrate is dry and stable.
Micro Cement King works directly with builders and project managers to coordinate the installation sequence and ensure the substrate is ready when required. Early engagement allows this coordination to happen without disrupting the construction programme.
Documentation and Specification
For builders and architects preparing documentation, microcement should be specified by system rather than by individual product. A complete microcement system includes the base coat, finish coat, and sealer, and the performance of the installation depends on all three components being correctly specified and applied.
Micro Cement King can provide specification documentation suitable for inclusion in construction contracts, including substrate requirements, application methodology, and warranty terms. Contact the team to discuss your project requirements.