Microcement is showing up in Southern Utah luxury homes, custom builds, and bathroom remodels at a pace I haven't seen before. Designers are specifying it. Homeowners are seeing it on Instagram and asking their builders about it. And a lot of contractors who have no business installing it are claiming they can.
I'm a certified Forcrete installer through Microcement USA — one of three in St. George. I've been doing concrete coatings work in Southern Utah long enough to know what holds up in this climate and what doesn't. Here's what you actually need to know before you hire anyone to put microcement in your home.
What is microcement?
Microcement is a thin-layer architectural coating system — not structural concrete. It's applied in multiple layers, typically 2–3mm total thickness, directly over existing surfaces. Concrete, tile, drywall, cement board — in most cases you can apply microcement over whatever is already there without tearing it out first.
The system works in layers: primer first, then build coats (with reinforcement mesh embedded in wet areas and floors), then finish coats, then a protective sealer. Every layer is troweled by hand. The texture and appearance of the final surface depend entirely on the skill of the installer applying the finish coat.
It's not paint. It's not plaster. It's not polished concrete. It's a purpose-built architectural coating system, and the quality of the product and the installer matters enormously.
The system we use: We install using Forcrete through Microcement USA — a premium architectural-grade system used in luxury residential and hospitality projects. Forcrete is waterproof from the trowel, not just after sealing. Not all microcement products are equal — cheaper systems have weaker build coats, less flexibility, and fail faster.
Where can microcement be installed in Southern Utah?
Almost anywhere inside or outside a home or commercial space:
- Floors — living rooms, kitchens, hallways, basements, entryways, commercial spaces
- Showers and wet rooms — fully seamless, fully waterproof when installed with the correct reinforced system
- Bathroom walls and floors — floor-to-ceiling continuous surface, no grout, no transitions
- Walls and feature walls — accent walls, entryway walls, fireplace surrounds, commercial interiors
- Countertops and vanities — integrated sinks, kitchen islands, bathroom vanity tops
- Fireplaces — surrounds and mantels, one of the most dramatic transformations we do
- Stairs — continuous from floor to staircase, no transitions or interruptions
- Exterior features — with the correct UV-stable sealer system for Southern Utah's intense sun
Can microcement be installed in a shower?
Yes — and it's one of the most requested applications we get. A seamless microcement shower with no grout lines is a completely achievable, long-lasting result when it's done correctly.
The key word is correctly. Showers require a reinforced system — waterproofing membrane, fiberglass mesh embedded in the build coats, and a sealer rated for constant water exposure. This is a more involved process than a dry wall application, and it's priced accordingly.
If you're getting quotes on a microcement shower and one contractor is significantly cheaper than others, ask them specifically what wet-area system they're using and whether it includes waterproofing membrane and reinforcement mesh. If they can't answer that question confidently, walk away.
Real talk: A microcement shower installed without proper reinforcement and waterproofing will fail. Not maybe — it will. Water finds every weakness in a system over months of daily use. We've been called in to fix failed shower installations done by uncertified installers. The cost to redo it is always more than doing it right the first time.
How long does microcement last?
Installed with a premium system and correct technique, microcement lasts 20+ years. The Forcrete system cures extremely hard — harder than most people expect from a coating. It becomes more durable over time as it fully cures, not less.
Interior applications in Southern Utah — floors, walls, showers — perform well because they're protected from UV. Exterior applications hold up longer with the right UV-stable sealer, but they need periodic resealing every few years given Southern Utah's intense sun exposure.
Maintenance is straightforward: clean with pH-neutral products, avoid harsh chemicals or abrasive scrubbers, and reseal periodically when the water beading starts to diminish. We walk every client through care instructions at the end of installation.
How much does microcement cost in Southern Utah?
Installed pricing in Southern Utah typically runs $15–$35+ per square foot depending on the application and complexity:
- Walls (dry areas) — generally the lower end of the range. Less labor than floors, no reinforcement required.
- Floors — mid range. More labor due to reinforcement requirements and higher durability demands.
- Showers and wet areas — higher end. Reinforced system, waterproofing membrane, more labor per square foot.
- Small projects — higher per-square-foot cost. Setup, dry times, and return trips are fixed costs regardless of size.
Anyone quoting significantly below this range is either using a cheaper product system, skipping steps, or pricing without understanding what the job actually requires. Microcement is a multi-day process with strict dry times between coats — it can't be rushed without compromising the result.
Does microcement require tearing out existing tile?
No — not in most cases. That's one of the things that makes it so appealing for remodels. Microcement bonds directly over existing tile as long as the tile is structurally sound, fully bonded, and flat. Any loose, cracked, or hollow tiles need to be addressed first.
No demolition means no construction debris, less time, less disruption, and lower overall project cost compared to a full tile replacement. We assess the existing surface during the free estimate and tell you exactly what prep is needed before we start.
What does certified microcement installer mean?
It means the installer has completed hands-on training with a specific microcement system, demonstrated installation competency, and been authorized by the manufacturer to apply their products.
Nichols Concrete Sealing is one of only three certified Forcrete installers in St. George, Utah — trained and certified through Microcement USA. That certification isn't a title we bought. It required completing a structured training program, demonstrating correct technique across multiple application types, and maintaining ongoing access to Microcement USA's technical support and system updates.
It matters because microcement installation requires real knowledge — substrate assessment, system selection, reinforcement requirements, temperature and humidity management, dry time adherence, and sealer application. There's no shortcut through that learning curve. An uncertified installer using the wrong product or skipping steps produces a surface that fails within months, not years.
Who installs microcement in Southern Utah?
Nichols Concrete Sealing is the certified Forcrete microcement installer for St. George and Southern Utah. We serve St. George, Washington, Hurricane, Ivins, Santa Clara, Cedar City, and surrounding areas. We travel for the right project beyond our primary service area.
We install microcement on floors, walls, showers, fireplaces, countertops, stairs, and entire rooms for residential homeowners, interior designers, architects, and custom home builders. Every estimate is free and on-site — we won't price a project without seeing the space.
READY TO START YOUR PROJECT?
Free on-site estimates for all microcement projects in Southern Utah. We assess the space, explain exactly what's involved, and give you a clear scope before you commit to anything.
Request a Free EstimateMicrocement vs. tile: which is better for Southern Utah bathrooms?
That depends on what matters most to you. Here's the honest comparison:
Microcement advantages: No grout lines (no grout to clean or regrout over time), seamless appearance, can be applied over existing tile without demo, warmer underfoot than stone or tile, completely custom look.
Tile advantages: Most tile installers are easier to find and less expensive, individual tiles can be replaced if damaged, more familiar maintenance routine for most homeowners.
For high-end custom homes in Southern Utah, designers and architects are increasingly specifying microcement precisely because it delivers the seamless luxury look that tile grids can't match. If the appearance and the no-grout maintenance factor matter to you, microcement is worth the investment. If you want the most affordable option or plan to sell soon and want familiar finishes, tile makes more sense.
How do I find a certified microcement installer in Southern Utah?
Ask any contractor you're considering which specific microcement system they're certified to install and who certified them. A legitimate certified installer can answer that immediately — system name, manufacturer, and training program. If they hesitate, give you a vague answer, or claim to install "multiple brands," that's a red flag.
For Southern Utah specifically, Nichols Concrete Sealing is the certified Forcrete installer. You can call us directly at (435) 752-2900 or request a free estimate online. We're happy to answer any questions about your specific project before you commit to anything.