Micro concrete in exteriors, floors that make a difference.

Micro concrete in exteriors has become the decorative continuous paving of the moment. A coating increasingly present in the minds of architects and builders for its great advantages that have made it the great alternative for coating outdoor floors such as terraces, patios, porches, gardens, swimming pools and even walls and facades with Micro concrete.

If you are one of those who until now thought that micro concrete was an exclusive coating for interior decoration, when you read this article your perception will change completely and for the better.

Here you will find everything you need to know about micro concrete for exteriors, an absolute decorative trend on the rise: advantages, price, application, finishes.... Take notes!

Why choose micro concrete for exteriors?

There are many reasons why it is a great idea to choose micro concrete for exteriors, whether as a coating for walls, façades, porches or as continuous outdoor paving, the latter being the preferred option of experts.

Whatever the case may be, applying micro concrete outdoors guarantees the creation of incredible atmospheres, as it forms a covering which has a magnificent adherence that allows it to be applied on the most diverse substrates and materials. A continuous decorative coating that combines a powerful visual aesthetic on the one hand, and on the other, functionality in capital letters.

Here are the six main advantages that have made micro concrete popular for outdoor use:

1. Micro concrete for exteriors provides continuity

Micro concrete is a continuous coating that is applied directly on the existing substrate. In other words, it does not need expansion joints. This is a great added value that allows micro concrete for exteriors to blend in perfectly with the rest of the architectural and decorative elements, providing a sensation of continuity and harmony between all the components. A continuity that can go one step further and serve as a link between the micro concrete for exteriors and the interior space of the home or premises.

2. Micro concrete for exteriors is very resistant to traffic

The high performance of micro concrete remains intact outdoors. This is the case of its resistance to traffic, the main factor that has led to micro concrete in exteriors gaining renown as an alternative to other coatings such as natural or artificial stone, tiles, concrete or gresite, among many others.

3. Rain and heat do not affect micro concrete in exteriors

Weather conditions are a determining factor in the choice by architects, decorators and other construction professionals of the materials to be used outdoors. micro concrete, if a quality one is used and it is protected and sealed with the appropriate varnishes, will not be affected by rain and heat.

4. Micro concrete for exteriors has antiseptic properties

Thanks to its continuity, outdoor micro concrete prevents the growth of fungi, weeds or bacteria, thus obtaining an antiseptic space. In addition, it is a decorative coating that is very easy to clean and requires minimal maintenance and care.

5. Micro concrete exterior flooring is non-slip

The pursuit of materials that provide a non-slip finish on exterior coatings is a must. So you'll be glad to know that there are types of micro concretes (such as Sttandard Microstone, our micro concrete for exteriors) that have this ability and will make exterior continuous micro concrete flooring a completely slip-free space.

Another of the anti-slip micro concretes for exteriors is Atlanttic, our two-component micro concrete specifically for swimming pools. In fact, at Topciment we also have Topsealer WT Anti Slip, our water-based polyurethane varnish that makes outdoor surfaces coated with micro concrete slip-resistant.

6. Micro concrete for exteriors is very durable

Last but not least, if there is one peculiarity that perfectly defines outdoor micro concrete, it is its durability. It is a coating for walls and floors capable of maintaining its performance in optimum conditions despite the passage of time.

In this way, with micro concrete for exteriors, not only is a highly decorative, elegant and sophisticated finish achieved, but also a very durable coating, almost imperishable.

Ideas for using micro concrete in exteriors

Micro concrete can be used to perfection in many ways in outdoor spaces. Here are some of the best ideas for using micro concrete for exteriors thanks to its unlimited customisation of finishes and colours. Take notes!

Micro concrete for outdoor terraces

Micro concrete flooring is the most common use of micro concrete outdoors, especially on terraces. It is a coating capable of covering large areas such as terraces in a single piece, thus preventing the accumulation of dirt. But above all for the beauty of its finishes and the magnificent resistance to water and environmental humidity that micro concrete for exteriors presents.

Micro concrete for exterior façades

Walls and façades coated with micro concrete offer the same benefits as pavements. And if it is also combined with an exterior micro concrete floor, the feeling of spaciousness will be multiplied exponentially. The wide range of customisation makes it possible to obtain finishes ranging from more minimalist and industrial to rougher or rustic.

Micro concrete for outdoor swimming pools

When it comes to building a swimming pool, it is common to resort to building pools. With micro concrete pools, the same spectacular result can be achieved with the added advantage of not having to carry out costly building work. This time saving is directly proportional to the saving in labour costs.

Not to mention that outdoor micro concrete for swimming pools adapts perfectly to any type of space, even if your terrace is small or has complicated slopes.

How much does micro concrete for outdoors cost?

It may seem that the price of micro concrete outdoors is higher than indoors. However, this is completely wrong. The final cost of applying micro concrete for exteriors and interiors depends on the same factors: the state of the substrate (if it is damp, if it is not stable, if it needs to be repaired, etc.), the surface area in square metres to be coated and the difficulty of the work itself.

Only on one occasion is the price of outdoor micro concrete higher: in the case of swimming pools. Why? Because its application is much more complex and requires more expensive labour.

How to apply micro concrete in exteriors correctly

In order to apply micro concrete on exteriors without problems, a series of steps must be followed to the letter. Making mistakes in the process would mean a final finish very different from the desired and expected one. That is why it is so important to have a trained and experienced professional.

These are the six steps to apply micro concrete in exteriors:

1. Condition the substrate to be coated with micro concrete for exteriors. Check that it is in good condition and, if not, repair it.

2. Place the fibreglass mesh on the exterior micro concrete floor or wall, which will help to reinforce the future continuous decorative coating for exteriors.

3. Prime the exterior micro concrete coating with an adhesion promoter.

4. Apply two coats of micro concrete base for exteriors.

5. Apply two coats of exterior finishing Micro concrete.

6. Seal the exterior micro concrete coating with a good varnish.

Application process of an exterior micro concrete floor

The application of an exterior micro concrete floor is always the same. The only thing you have to choose is the type of micro concrete you want , we recommend you Sttandard Microstone, and the colour.

In this case the application of an exterior micro concrete floor with Sttandard Microstone would be as follows:

1. Fibreglass mesh and primer on the future exterior micro concrete floor.

2. A layer of unpigmented Sttandard Microbase Micro concrete.

3. Apply two coats of Sttandard Microstone, our finishing micro concrete for exterior floors, which are already pigmented.

4. Seal and protect the exterior micro concrete floor. First with two coats of our Presealer water-based acrylic varnish, then with another two coats of one of our polyurethane varnishes from the Topsealer family.

Application process of exterior micro concrete on walls

The application of exterior micro concrete on walls differs from that on floors. Instead of using Sttandard Microstone as a finishing micro concrete, any of the Microfino micro concretes should be used: Sttandard Microfino (two-component), Evoluttion Microfino (one-component) or Efectto Quartz Small Grain (ready-to-use micro concrete).

In addition, unlike exterior micro concrete floors where a single layer of micro concrete base was used, a double layer will be necessary to apply exterior micro concrete on walls.

Process of applying exterior micro concrete to swimming pools

The non-slip and waterproof nature of micro concrete pools, as well as their resistance to the effects of the sun, make it one of the most intelligent uses for exterior Micro concrete. As mentioned above, its application is somewhat more complex.

Atlanttic, our exterior micro concrete system for swimming pools is applied in the following way:

1. Before applying the exterior micro concrete for swimming pools, a layer of resin will be necessary. We have developed Acricem.

2. Two coats of Atlanttic Aquaciment XL micro concrete base, the first one unpigmented and the second one already pigmented.

3. Two coats of Atlanttic Aquaciment M, our finishing micro concrete for swimming pools.

4. Finally, seal the exterior micro concrete in swimming pools with two coats of Presealer, which will waterproof the substrate.