DIY Microcement Kit Guide (US): AllOver vs Continuo by San Marco

Microcement gives you a seamless, concrete-look surface on walls, floors, countertops and even over existing tile, without demolition. It's also one of the easier decorative systems to get wrong, because it only performs as a complete system: the right primer, the decorative coats and the right top coat. This guide covers the San Marco microcement kits we carry in the US, how to choose one for your project, and how the application actually goes.

Quick answer: For a DIY microcement project in the US, choose one of two San Marco systems available from The Decora Company. AllOver is a single-component microcement for interior floors, walls and ceilings. There's no hardener to mix, which makes it the easiest starting point, and kits run from a 6–8 sq ft sample to 130–170 sq ft. Continuo is a two-component epoxy microcement system for countertops, vanities, shower walls and floors, where you want a harder-wearing surface. It comes as the Continuo Decor kit (30–40 sq ft) or the Continuo Living kit (100–125 sq ft). On tile or stone, switch the primer to Pro Link. The Decora Company is a US online retailer of San Marco products.

What "microcement" means, and why the kit matters

Microcement is a thin decorative coating, usually applied with a steel trowel in a few millimeter-thin layers and then sealed. The result is a continuous surface with no grout lines. It can be smooth and monolithic or textured with soft movement.

Most failures come from the system, not the trowel work: the wrong primer for the substrate, skipped steps, or a top coat that isn't designed for the surface. That's why we recommend buying microcement as a kit that already includes the matched primer, decorative coat and protective coats.

The honest framing: microcement is achievable for a careful DIYer, but it is a multi-day process with drying time between every layer. Do a sample board first, read the manual before you open anything, and don't start a shower or a floor as your first-ever trowel project.

1. AllOver: the easiest microcement kit for DIY

Type: Single-component resin microcement
Finish: Light Texture (soft movement, natural look) or Smooth Finish (refined, low-variation)
DIY difficulty: 3 / 5
Kit sizes: Sample (6–8 sq ft), Small (30–35 sq ft), Large (130–170 sq ft), plus a color chart fan deck
Best for: Interior walls, floors and ceilings, bathrooms, kitchens and living spaces

AllOver by San Marco is a single-component microcement system, so there are no hardeners to mix: you open it and apply. Each kit includes AllOver Base plus a clear coat. The Smooth Finish kits also include AllOver Finish for the flatter, more refined look. Start with the sample kit to test color and technique on a board before you buy for the room.

2. Continuo Decor (30–40 sq ft): for countertops, vanities and accent walls

Type: Two-component epoxy microcement system
Finish: Smooth and uniform to textured two-tone; tintable
DIY difficulty: 3.5 / 5
Coverage: 30–40 sq ft per kit
Best for: Countertops, bathroom vanities, shower walls, accent walls and small surfaces

Continuo Decor is the choice when the surface has to take wear. The kit includes Atomo primer, Deco A (decorative layer) with Deco B (hardener), Link A/B (clear coat), Top Coat A/B (matte/satin) and a mini roller kit. A Leveling Base is available if you need to level a surface or fill tile grout lines. Continuo is designed to be used as a complete system with its own primers and two-component top coat.

3. Continuo Living (100–125 sq ft): for full bathrooms, kitchens and floors

Type: Two-component epoxy microcement system
Finish: Smooth monolithic to textured two-tone; tintable; matte, satin or glossy top coat
DIY difficulty: 4 / 5 (it's the scale that makes it harder)
Coverage: 100–125 sq ft per kit
Best for: Entire bathrooms, kitchens, full rooms and floors

Continuo Living uses the same system in larger quantities for whole-room projects. The primer (Atomo or Pro Link) is sold separately so you can match it to your substrate. Call us to adjust quantities for your project.

Which kit should you choose?

• First project, interior wall or ceiling: AllOver, starting with the sample kit.
• Countertop, vanity or a small shower wall: Continuo Decor.
• Whole bathroom, kitchen or floor: Continuo Living, or AllOver Large for interior walls, floors and ceilings.
• Going over tile or stone: any of the above, with Pro Link primer instead of Atomo.

What you need

Primers (matched to the surface)

• Atomo Primer: a zero-VOC sealer/primer for porous mineral surfaces. It's included in the Continuo Decor kit.
• Pro Link Adhesion Primer: for smooth, non-porous surfaces such as ceramic tile, stone and mosaic.

Tools

• Pennelli Tigre Trapezoidal Stainless Steel Trowel: stainless steel won't blacken the surface as you smooth it.
• 80-grit sandpaper (substrate prep) and 300-grit (optional between coats), a power mixer, mixing buckets, a roller and brush for the clear and top coats, tape and drop cloths.
• Fiberglass mesh: only if you are using a leveling base over tile or an uneven surface.

How to apply microcement: the step-by-step

This is the basic Continuo sequence from the product page. AllOver follows the same logic (prep, primer, two decorative coats, clear coat) without mixing a hardener. Always follow the kit's instruction manual for mixing ratios, coverage and drying times. Email us to request it.

Stage 1: Prep and primer

1. Sand the substrate with 80-grit to create a key. Over tile, sand the tiles too.
2. Prime. For porous surfaces, dilute Atomo 1:1 and apply one coat. For tile or stone, use Pro Link. Allow to dry.
3. Optional: if the surface needs leveling or the grout lines need filling, apply Leveling Base, embed the mesh in the wet base, cover with another layer of base and let it dry. Then apply one more coat of diluted primer.

Stage 2: Decorative coats

4. Split Deco A and Deco B into two equal halves. Mix one half of Deco B into one half of Deco A. Power mixing is recommended.
5. Apply the first Deco layer with a stainless steel trowel to cover the surface and smooth it. Allow to dry.
6. Mix the second half and apply the second Deco layer to your desired pattern. Allow to dry.
7. Optional: sand lightly with 300-grit and clean off the dust.

Stage 3: Link and top coat

8. Mix Link B into Link A, dilute with water, apply by brush or roller and allow to dry.
9. Mix Top Coat B into Top Coat A and apply. Trim in with a brush and roll the rest. Two even, uniform coats are recommended.

The most common mistake: skipping or swapping the system's primer or top coat. Microcement's durability comes from the full system, so use the primer that matches your surface and finish with the kit's protective coats.

Where microcement works best

Walls and ceilings: the easiest place to start. AllOver Light Texture hides minor trowel variation well.

Countertops and vanities: use Continuo, whose two-component epoxy top coat is built for high-use surfaces.

Over existing tile: microcement can go over tile without demolition. Sand, prime with Pro Link and level the grout lines first.

Showers and wet areas: ask us before you start. Waterproofing requirements depend on your location and substrate, and the system has to be specified for it.

Ready to start? Here's the right order

• Order a sample kit or the color fan deck. See the color and texture on a board in your own light.
• Identify your substrate. Drywall and concrete take Atomo. Tile and stone take Pro Link.
• Request the instruction manual and read it end to end before mixing anything.
• Call or email for project sizing: (608) 620-5066 | info@thedecoracompany.com

Browse and order:
AllOver Microcement Kit → The Decora Company
Continuo Decor Kit (30–40 sq ft) → The Decora Company
Continuo Living Kit (100–125 sq ft) → The Decora Company

Frequently asked questions

What is the best microcement kit for DIY in the US?

For a first project on interior walls, floors or ceilings, AllOver by San Marco is the easiest choice, because it is single-component and there's no hardener to mix. For countertops, vanities and other high-wear surfaces, choose the Continuo Decor or Continuo Living two-component epoxy system.

Can I put microcement over tile?

Yes. Sand the tile with 80-grit, prime with Pro Link adhesion primer, and fill the grout lines with Leveling Base and mesh if needed. Then apply the decorative coats.

How much microcement do I need?

Measure the area and add a margin. AllOver kits cover about 6–8, 30–35 or 130–170 sq ft. Continuo Decor covers 30–40 sq ft and Continuo Living 100–125 sq ft. For custom sizes, call (608) 620-5066.

What's the difference between AllOver and Continuo?

AllOver is a single-component resin microcement: open and apply. Continuo is a two-component epoxy system with a hardener in the decorative coat and top coat. It's more involved to apply, but it's built for countertops, floors and high-traffic surfaces.

Do I need a primer for microcement?

Yes. The primer is part of the system. Use Atomo on porous surfaces and Pro Link on tile, stone and other smooth, non-porous surfaces.

Is microcement waterproof?

The protective top coats help it resist water, but showers and wet areas need a properly specified system, including waterproofing where your location requires it. Contact us before starting a wet-area project.