Yes — microcement can be applied directly over existing tiles, in bathrooms, kitchens and floors. That is one of its biggest advantages: no demolition, no skip, no re-tiling. Below is how it works, when it's suitable, and when the prep needs to go further.
How microcement goes over tiles
The process is methodical and skill-dependent, but the principle is simple: bond a thin, jointless coating over the existing surface. In sequence:
- 1. Prep and clean — degrease the tiles, check every tile is sound, re-bond or replace any that are loose, and lightly abrade the glaze.
- 2. Prime — apply a specialist bonding primer such as KC Primer so the microcement keys to the glazed tile surface.
- 3. Base coat with reinforcing mesh — a fibreglass mesh is embedded in the base coat to bridge grout lines and prevent them telegraphing through.
- 4. Finishing coats — two thin finishing coats in your chosen colour, hand-applied for the seamless texture.
- 5. Seal — a specialist sealer makes the surface water- and stain-resistant. In showers and wet rooms this is what makes it fit for purpose.
Finished thickness is typically 2–3 mm, so floor levels barely change and existing doors, skirtings and thresholds usually stay in place.
When it's suitable to go straight over tiles
- Tiles are sound, well-bonded and level (or can be levelled with the base coat).
- There's no active damp or water ingress behind the tiles.
- The substrate below the tiles is stable (no movement or structural cracking).
- Grout joints are intact — or, where they aren't, they're repaired before priming.
When extra prep is needed
- Loose or hollow tiles — re-bond or replace before applying.
- Chipped, cracked or uneven areas — fill and level so the base coat has a sound bed.
- Damp problems — resolve the source of moisture first; microcement isn't a damp-proof course.
- Deep grout channels or textured tiles — expect additional base-coat passes to level the surface before the mesh reads flat.
Bathrooms and showers over tiles
This is the most common request in Ireland — replacing dated wall and floor tiles with a seamless, jointless finish. Once sealed, microcement is water-resistant and suited to showers, wet rooms and bathroom floors. The advantage over re-tiling is huge: no rip-out, no dust, no weeks without a bathroom, and no grout lines to scrub or discolour. See bathroom applications for examples.
Kitchens and floors over tiles
Kitchen tiles, splashbacks and tiled floors are all viable candidates. On floors especially, the reinforcing mesh in the base coat is essential to keep grout lines and tile edges from showing through, and correct primer choice matters if there's underfloor heating.
DIY over tiles, or professional?
For a small feature wall or a downstairs WC, a careful DIYer with a Complete Kit and patience can do it. For larger floors, family bathrooms, wet rooms or gloss finishes, professional application is the safer choice — the seamless look is unforgiving of poor technique, and applied work is backed by our 5-year warranty. See real projects in the portfolio.
Frequently asked questions
Can microcement be applied over tiles?
Yes — microcement bonds over existing tiles with a specialist primer and a fibre-reinforced base coat. No demolition needed.
Do the tiles need to be removed first?
No, as long as the tiles are sound and well-bonded. Loose or damaged tiles must be repaired before application.
Will the grout lines show through?
Not with correct prep — a reinforcing mesh in the base coat bridges grout lines so the finish reads as one continuous surface.
Is it waterproof over tiles in a shower?
Yes, once sealed with the correct sealer, microcement is water-resistant and suited to showers and wet rooms.
Ready to cover your tiles? Shop KC Primer, browse Complete Kits, or request a free quote.