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Microcement pools

A seamless, hand-finished lining for pools, plunge pools and spas. Curves, steps and benches in one continuous mineral surface, with the soft look of natural stone and no grout lines.

  • Swimming pools New build
  • Plunge & natural-look pools Indoor & outdoor
  • Spas & hot tubs Built in place
  • Pool surrounds & steps Continuous with the pool
A free-form microcement pool with a waterfall, in a courtyard under a glazed roof, with matching microcement surrounds.
Free-form courtyard pool with continuous microcement surrounds.
Why microcement

A pool that looks carved, not tiled

Seamless

No tiles and no grout lines to discolour or harbour algae. One surface from floor to coping.

Free-form

Follows any shape: round pools, curved steps, sunken benches and soft edges, all in the same finish.

Natural look

A matt, mineral surface in warm stone tones that suits Mediterranean and natural-pool designs.

Water-ready

A dedicated pool system, compatible with both chlorine and salt-water treatment.

The build-up

Seven coats, three to five millimetres

A pool is lined in a dedicated pool-grade system, never the microcement used on interior walls. Each coat has its own job.

Section through the pool lining, from the concrete shell up to the sealer Concrete shell, waterproofed Primer · 1 coat Base coat 2 · coarse Base coat 1 · coarse, unpigmented Finish coat 2 · fine, coloured Finish coat 1 · fine, coloured Pool sealer · 2 coats Water 3–5 mm
Section through the lining. Not to scale.

  1. Prepare the shell

    The concrete shell is checked, waterproofed and cleaned. The lining only goes onto sound, prepared concrete.

  2. Prime

    One coat of pool primer, rolled on to give the microcement a firm key to the concrete.

  3. Two base coats

    Two coats of coarse-grade pool microcement, the first without colour, sanded flat between coats. These build strength and body.

  4. Two finish coats

    Two coats of fine-grade microcement in the chosen colour, trowelled by hand. This is where the texture and tone are made.

  5. Seal

    Two coats of a dedicated pool sealer, a day apart, starting a day after the last finish coat.

Programme

From shell to swimming

Typical timings once the shell is ready. Weather, temperature and pool size change these, so every programme is confirmed on survey.

The pool lined in microcement before filling, showing curved walls and stepped seating.
The same pool, lined and ready for sealing. Curved walls and stepped seating in one surface.
Between coats4–8 h

Drying and sanding time between each microcement coat.

Before sealing24 h

After the final finish coat.

Between sealer coats24 h

Two coats, applied a day apart.

Before filling7 days

After sealing, before the pool is filled.

Suitability and care

Suitable substrates

  • Reinforced concrete pool shells
  • Sprayed concrete and gunite
  • Concrete must be waterproofed before lining
  • Not over existing tiles, paints, waterproof mortars or other microcements

Living with it

  • Works with chlorine and salt-water systems
  • Keep water chemistry balanced to protect the sealer
  • Clean with a pressure washer when the pool is drained
  • Lightly sand and reseal every one to two years

Every pool is surveyed and specified individually. The figures here are typical for a pool-grade microcement system and are confirmed against the manufacturer's current data sheets for each project.

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