Yellostone microtopping
Cement-free microtopping
The microcement look, without the cement that makes it crack.
Yellostone microtopping is a decorative mineral coating whose binder contains no cement. That is what stops it cracking: without cement, the layer does not shrink as it hardens. It goes on at 2 to 3 mm over the existing surface, on floors and walls, in showers and on worktops.
Why most microcement cracks
Most microtoppings and microcements are cement-based. As cement hardens and then dries, it loses water and the layer shrinks. In a 2 or 3 mm layer bonded to a substrate that does not move, that shrinkage creates stress. The stress opens hairline cracks, sometimes several weeks after application.
What replaces the cement
The Yellostone binder is mineral and non-hydraulic: it does not harden by reacting with water, as cement does. The paste stays slightly elastic and follows its substrate instead of shrinking against it.
The product arrives as a paste: no powder to mix, no water to measure. It does not dry out in the tub and keeps for at least 8 months stored free from frost.
What the tests show
- Floor use: U3 P3 E3 C2 (French UPEC classification: wear, indentation, water, chemicals). Suitable for homes and for shops with heavy footfall.
- Screed, EN 13813: CT-C25-F4 (compressive and flexural strength).
- Tensile strength: 1.5 N/mm² minimum.
- Reaction to fire: Bfl-s1 (EN 13501-1): very limited contribution to fire, little smoke. In France, it is approved for buildings open to the public (ERP).
- Indoor air: EMICODE EC1, the lowest-emission class. The varnish is water-based.
Sources: microtopping technical data sheet (YS-FT-BCM-001, revision 03, April 2026) and IFTH fire classification report no. 16-01513 L (2023, valid until 2028).
What it does not do
- It does not stabilise a substrate that moves. A cracked slab or a floor that flexes must be dealt with before application: microtopping follows its substrate, it does not repair it.
- It does not go on a damp substrate. Maximum substrate moisture: 5%. Minimum application temperature: 10 °C.
- Its varnish needs upkeep. Allow for a fresh coat every 3 to 5 years, depending on footfall.
Application in brief
Bonding primer, three coats of microtopping, then two coats of varnish, or three in a shop. Allow 4 to 5 days on site. At 20 °C, the surface can get wet after 3 days and reaches full strength after 7 days. At 10 °C, these times double.
Depending on your project: floors, bathrooms and showers, over tiles or worktops.
What surfaces can microtopping go on?
| Substrate | Application | Main condition |
|---|---|---|
| Cement screed or slab | Suitable | Sound, dry, stable and prepared substrate |
| Underfloor heating | Suitable, following the protocol | Heating run beforehand, stability, movement joints respected |
| Existing tiles | Possible after inspection | Adhesion, stability, sanding and the right primer |
| Plasterboard on walls | Suitable | Rigid boards, treated joints and preparation |
| Wood or wood-based panels | Suitable except solid wood | Dimensional stability and sound assembly (screwed and glued) |
| Terracotta or damp substrate | Not recommended on substrates soaked deep with old oil or wax. Max. moisture 5% | Surface and moisture check required beforehand |
Frequently asked questions
Can microtopping be made without cement?
Yes. The name describes the look and the technique: a 2 to 3 mm mineral coating, smoothed with a trowel and protected by varnish. In French, this finish is called béton ciré. The Yellostone binder keeps the look, without the cement that causes cracks.
What is the difference between microtopping and microcement?
Microcement is cement-based, as are most microtoppings. Yellostone microtopping has the same look and the same thickness, with a cement-free mineral binder that does not shrink.
Is cement-free microtopping strong enough for a floor?
Yes. It is rated U3 P3 E3 C2 (French UPEC classification) and CT-C25-F4 (EN 13813), for homes and for shops with heavy footfall alike.
Can it go on underfloor heating?
Yes. The heating must have been switched on 24 to 48 hours before application.