Microcement is loved for its seamless appearance, subtle texture and ability to bring walls and floors together. But when choosing a finish for your home or project, there is more to consider than how it looks.
The system you choose, the surface underneath and the skill of the applicator all influence how the finish performs.
At The Finish, we supply Spanish-made Cemher microcement and support its installation through our nationwide network of Certified Applicators. With different systems for different applications, waterproof layers and a 10-year performance warranty, Cemher offers a considered approach to seamless surfaces.
Here is what makes Cemher different, and what to ask when comparing microcement for a New Zealand project.
Is all microcement the same?
No. Microcement describes a category of thin decorative surface finishes. Individual systems can differ in their composition, texture, strength, water resistance, sealing requirements and intended uses.
That means a statement about one microcement product does not necessarily apply to another. When comparing options, ask which specific system is being proposed and whether it is suited to your bathroom, floor, wall or exterior surface.
With Cemher, we select the system around the application and the finish you want to achieve.
Waterproof in every layer
One of the key features of Cemher Microne Microcement is that its microcement layers are waterproof. The material's waterproof properties extend through those layers, rather than depending solely on a surface sealer.
For bathrooms and other spaces exposed to moisture, this is an important distinction. It is also important to understand what it means within the complete installation.
In New Zealand, the Building Code states that waterproof microcement does not replace the waterproofing membrane required beneath a wet-area finish.
The membrane, substrate preparation, junctions, microcement layers and sealers each have a role. Cemher microcement is compatible with multiple waterproofing brands.
Sealers remain part of the finished Cemher system, providing surface protection. Waterproof layers do not mean the finish can be installed without sealing or ongoing care.
Seamless design with individual character
Cemher microcement creates a continuous appearance across surfaces, with texture and movement shaped by hand application.
Microne offers a fine-grain aesthetic, while Microrock brings a more textured and cloudy appearance. Texture choices can also change the character of the finish, from restrained movement to a more expressive surface.
Custom colour matching is available, but physical sample approval is essential. Mineral finishes and hand application create natural variation, and different Cemher systems can produce different tones. An exact colour match cannot be guaranteed.
Reviewing a physical sample helps you assess colour, texture and the way the finish responds to light before committing to the installation.
A thin finish for renovations
Microcement can be particularly useful when you want to update a space without adding substantial thickness.
Cemher's decorative finish is typically around 2–3 mm thick, with a typical total system build-up for floors approximately 3–4 mm. Additional levelling, repairs or substrate preparation may increase the overall build-up.
It can also be applied over suitable existing tiles which makes it an excellent option for no-demo renovations.
Cemher offers several microcement systems, allowing the material selection to respond to the demands of the space.
One of the biggest shifts is visual.
Microcement allows surfaces to flow uninterrupted from floor to wall, wall to ceiling, and across different zones within a space.
This creates:
A more resolved architectural outcome
Greater sense of space and continuity
Fewer visual interruptions
Tiles, by contrast, introduce a grid. Even with large formats, the pattern remains.
Skilled installation makes the difference
Behind a seamless microcement surface is a careful sequence of preparation, layered application and sealing.
A typical Cemher installation involves around six to seven layers, depending on the specified system and preparation required. Each stage contributes to the finish, and the applicator needs to understand both the technical process and the visual effect of their work.
The Finish supplies Cemher to trained applicators and supports a nationwide Certified Applicator network. Our Cemher training covers substrate preparation, system application, finishing, sealers and warranty requirements.
This gives clients access to applicators trained in the products they are installing, alongside local specification and technical support.
Why choose Cemher microcement through The Finish?
Choosing Cemher through The Finish brings together material selection, design guidance, trained application and ongoing local support.
Our team can help you explore finishes, review samples and identify a suitable system for your project. We work with specifiers and homeowners across New Zealand and can connect you with our Certified Applicator network.
You can visit our Tauriko showroom to see the finishes in person and discuss your plans with the team.
Whether you are planning a seamless bathroom, updating an existing tiled surface or specifying a commercial floor, we will help you understand what the finish needs to perform in that setting.
