microcement / polished concrete for a patio

3 years ago

Hi all

I am looking for people who have done microcement/ polished concrete outside for a patio (see current rough concrete base in attached photos).

Why did you choose that product? Did you like the finish? How resistant and durable do you find it? Is it truly scratch and crack resistant? What brand did you use and would recommend? I don’t like the glossy finish the protecting layer gives, how can you achieve a Matt finish as you see indoors on microcement/polished concrete walls?

We have a drop of about 7 cm from our internal floor to the existing concrete slab on the patio, would you level it up (given the microcement is about 4mm we would need to add 6.5 cm of concrete layer) or leave it a bit lower?

I am hesitant between tiling and doing microcement, any views?

Porcelain paving

Microcement

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Comments (8)

Carolina
3 years ago
Following with interest, curious to hear people's experiences too :-)
Sonia
3 years ago
I’ve got a porcelain patio. It’s non slip which is great but it does get grubby and quite difficult to clean despite what manufacturers say.
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Hi There - have to say we love polished concrete - so much so we put it in our (kitchen) showroom and its been in situ for the last 7 years. Its so easy to keep and maintain. In terms of colour, we had no choice as we were polishing an existing concrete floor. I have attached a picture below - its a grey colour but there is a huge reflection off it so its by no means dark and also quite warm to the foot. best of luck with the project.
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Hi Dawn, we offer a microcement application surface. Unlike polished concrete it requires no joins regardless of size. It's highly durable and fully waterproof, it's considered to be a more cost effective option in comparison to concrete and can be completed in a shorter time span. please take a moment to visit us at www.wallstothefloor.com to see our range of colours and finishes. Thanks for reading
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Hi Grant, this is possible but often the cost of the additional preparation works (extra diamond grinding, fibreglass mess and special epoxy primer) out ways the cost of simply taking them up and starting again. Without doing the correct preparation listed above the live span / durability of the microcement would be very much reduced. If you need anymore information please visit www.fortiscoatings.co.uk
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Wumi
3 years ago
I personally wouldn't raise the level of the outdoor patio without first consulting a pro about the ramifications of that (rain/standing rain water, drainage etc).

Have you considered painting the concrete? I've seen some cool diy painted stencilled concrete patios. Not sure of longevity, but I imagine it'd be easier to clean and touch-up than tile.

https://dawnnicole.co/diy-faux-brick-stenciled-concrete-patio/
Celine Fenech
Original Author
3 years ago
Thank you Wumi for your comment - as you might not see very well on the pictures the existing concrete is very rough and was always intending for laying down something else on top.. the more I look at tiles the less I like them - but talking to microcement experts levelling up will create risks of cracking
Celine Fenech
Original Author
3 years ago
Such as this person’s experience https://www.houzz.co.uk/discussions/4758208/help-has-our-polished-concrete-patio-gone-wrong
Wumi
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
Ah I see! Better understand your dilemma. Have you considered a resin bound/bonded surface? It's used mostly commercially but I have seen it on front drives in domestic properties and it looked pretty fantastic.
Celine Fenech
Original Author
3 years ago
Thank you Wumi - I am not sure our budget will stretch to that - I think I am going to try to achieve this look - large concrete looking porcelain tiles?
Celine Fenech
Original Author
3 years ago
Tiles

microcement / polished concrete for a patio

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Carolina

Sonia

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microcement / polished concrete for a patio

Comments (8)

Carolina

Sonia

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