Microcement in the shower
and on the walk-in shower base

These are the most frequently asked questions by our customers.

  1. Is the microcement suitable for use in the shower?
  2. Is microcement waterproof?
  3. Can it be used in the bathroom?
  4. How to prepare the substrate?

The answer is yes, Festfloor microcement can be used in the shower, in the bathtub or washbasin area.

Thanks to its properties, microcement is an excellent material suitable for use in bathrooms, combining aesthetics with functionality. However, one should remember that it is crucial to prepare the substrate correctly and to protect it properly against moisture.

 

How to prepare the substrate for microcement in the shower?

Microcement in the shower – wall and floor finished with Festfloor Go!, color FF9002 Grey White (©Jagody Studio)

Preparing the substrate in wet areas is extremely important and does not differ much from preparing the substrate for other finishing materials. In the case of our HydroFest microcement, designed for bathrooms, standard waterproofing should not be used, only sealing tapes at the joints between walls and between walls and floors. HydroFest microcement is water-resistant and does not require the use of liquid film over the entire surface before application.
When applying HydroFest microcement to existing tiles, there is no need to reapply waterproofing or use sealing tapes, as it is certainly already under the tiles. However, you should remove old silicone, matt the tiles, and fill the joints, e.g. with filler.
The prepared surface should be primed and, if necessary, reinforced with a layer of mesh.
Once the primer has dried, apply two coats of HyfroFest microcement, sand and then impregnate the surface. However, before applying the varnish, we recommend using FEST Primer, which improves the adhesion of the varnish, increases resistance to water and dirt, and reduces varnish consumption.

For shower floor applications, we recommend applying PU FEST Turbo varnish with the addition of Nano Silver Plus SB. For application on walls, two coats of PU FEST 2K with Nano Silver Plus WB are sufficient. The Nano Silver Plus series are products containing silver ions, effective in creating an antibacterial and antifungal coating on the surface of the varnish, which is crucial in bathrooms. You can read more about Nano Silver Plus here. 

The shower can be used immediately after 7 days of applying the varnish. After this time, the varnish is fully cured and provides adequate protection against moisture and dirt. For more details on microcement on tiles, along with photos of the individual stages of work, see this article: Bathroom renovation. Microcement on tiles. 

Important note: before starting work, we recommend that you carefully read the technical data sheets attached to the products – they contain all the necessary details for application.

Microcement in the shower:
Can I make a microcement floor
on a walk-in shower base?

Observing interior design trends, there is a clear tendency to move away from traditional shower trays and replace them with walk-in showers with a linear drain. They are often finished with microcement. After installing the drain, introducing the appropriate slope – most often with a cement screed – system waterproofing should be applied as described above. The most common are waterproofing tapes around the drain line, as well as at the wall/floor joints, and a liquid foil or other liquid waterproofing over the entire surface.

Replacing plastic shower bases with a microcement finish makes the bathroom much more hygienic and easier to maintain. This solution gives the place a uniform character and can visually enlarge a small bathroom, especially when we use a concrete total look, i.e. microcement on the floor and walls.

It is also important that the microcement is pleasant to bare feet and underfloor heating can be used underneath.

Buy microcement for your bathroom

Microcement in the shower – walk-in shower base. Festfloor Life microcement was used. Contractor: TwojaSciana

How to finish the wall/floor joint?

As the wall-floor connection is most often secured with waterproofing tape, it is not necessary to transfer expansion joints to the microcement. The tapes will transfer the stresses resulting from the movements of the building and no cracks will appear in this area.

Microcement in the shower – Festfloor Life microcement was used, color: S2 Smoke Grey | Contractor: Twoja Ściana

Festfloor Life microcement in the shower. The contractor used a wipe technique to achieve this effect: color S2 Smoke Grey + pigment | Contractor: Twoja Ściana

Microcement in the shower – walk-in shower tray. Festfloor Go! microcement in FF1502TB Taupe Beige was used | Contractor: Projekt Mikrocement

Microcement in the shower – walk-in shower tray. Festfloor GO! microcement was used. Color: FF9003 | Photos: Carolina P.

Microcement in the shower – Festfloor Go! microcement was used, color: FF2002JB July Go! Beige | Photo: Agata K.

Microcement in the shower – Festfwall Life microcement was used, color customized to order | Photo: Oak Apple Decor

Festfloor Life microcement in the shower. The contractor, Twoja Ściana, used a pigment wash here: color S2 Smoke Grey + pigment.

Festfloor Life microcement in the shower. The contractor, Twoja Ściana, used a pigment wash here: color S2 Smoke Grey + pigment.

See also our videos about microcement in bathrooms (watch it on YouTube and don't forget to turn on subtitles in your language):

Microcement application with linear drainage - Microcement in the bathroom

How to professionally apply microcement in a bathroom, especially with a linear drain.

Watch the video

HydroFest: water-resistant microcement for bathrooms – how to apply?

See how to apply HydroFest microcement to bathroom walls step by step

Watch the video

Microcement on bathroom tiles STEP BY STEP

We will guide you through the entire process of applying microcement to bathroom tiles – from preparing the substrate to the final varnishing, with all the practical tips you need.

Watch the video

Buy microcement for your bathroom