What to expect
A pool is the least forgiving place a seamless finish can go: permanent immersion, chemical dosing, ultraviolet light, and a surround that is wet, hot and walked on barefoot. It needs a system designed for it, which is why the lining specification here is Micropool rather than a general wall microcement.
The lining is a specified build-up over a correctly waterproofed and structurally sound shell. Micropool carries a declaration of performance, which is the document to read before specifying - it states what the product is rated for rather than leaving it to adjectives.
On the surround the priorities change: slip resistance underfoot, resistance to ultraviolet light and pool chemistry, and a surface that does not become uncomfortably hot. Those are sealer, colour and finish decisions, and they should be settled on the sample panel in the actual conditions.
In practice
Specify it
Microcement is a durable, low-VOC cement-based finish. It is not a natural or vapour-open material — for that, see clay plaster or lime plaster. Emission and content testing is published by the manufacturer.
View evidence — Cemher VOC emissions certificate (PDF, 0.8 MB)Pools in place
Delivered work, photographed on site. Photography: Conmarble.
Featured projects
Built with this material, by our own artisans. Open the project for the full set of photographs and the story of the installation.
Technical support for the design team
We supply the material and we apply it, so the specification and the workmanship sit with one party. Send a finishes schedule, an elevation or a mood board and we will come back with the system, the build-up, the sample programme and a completed clause.