Microcement vs Cement Screed
not the same thing.
Is microcement the same as cement screed?
No. Cement screed is a 20–50mm structural substrate made from cement, sand and water, while microcement is a 2–3mm decorative finish made with cement, polymer resin, pigment and aggregate. Screed usually sits under tile or vinyl; microcement is sealed in 2 coats and costs S$30–70/sqft.
Cement screed is the structural base under your finish. Microcement is the decorative surface you see and touch. People mix the two up constantly — here is the clean distinction.
at a glance
| Cement screed | Microcement | |
|---|---|---|
| Role | Structural substrate | Decorative finish |
| Thickness | 20–50mm | 2–3mm |
| Composition | Cement + sand + water | Cement + polymer resin + pigment + aggregate |
| Look | Grey, utilitarian, hairline cracks | Continuous, hand-trowelled, sealed cream tones |
| Where | Under tile, vinyl, or as raw industrial floor | Walls, splashbacks, bathroom walls, feature floors |
| Sealer needed? | Optional | Always (2 coats) |
| Cost | $4–7/sqft | $30–70/sqft |
"screed floor" is usually one of three things
- Raw cement screed. Industrial look, exposed substrate, sealed. Cheap, but greys aggressively and hairline-cracks.
- Polished concrete. Mechanically ground and sealed. Much more expensive than screed; closer to microcement in finish but not the same.
- Microcement floor. A 2–3mm decorative layer over screed. This is what most Singapore homeowners actually mean.
what we usually recommend
If you like the look of grey, brutalist screed — you are usually looking at microcement on a feature wall, not raw screed on the floor. Raw screed is unforgiving in a humid HDB. For floors, the SPC microcement-vinyl plank gets you 90% of the aesthetic at 20% of the cost and zero hairline cracks.
faq
is microcement the same as cement screed?
No. Cement screed is a 20–50mm structural substrate (the base under your tile). Microcement is a 2–3mm finish (the surface you see). One is structural, the other is decorative.
can i put microcement over cement screed?
Yes — and that is the textbook substrate. A flat, cured cement screed is the cleanest base for microcement plaster.
is cement screed cheaper than microcement?
On its own, yes. Screed alone is roughly $4–7 per sqft. Microcement plaster finish is roughly $30–55 per sqft (walls) or $35–70 per sqft (floors). The screed is the canvas; the microcement is the artwork.