Yellostone microtopping
Microtopping for walls
One continuous material, from floor to ceiling.
Yellostone microtopping goes on walls as well as floors, at 2 to 3 mm. It can cover a feature wall in the living room, the wall behind a bed, a splashback or a whole bathroom, with no joints and, if you wish, in the same shade as the floor.
Which walls can you cover?
With the bonding primer, it bonds to almost any indoor wall:
- Plasterboard: suitable if it is rigid and the joints between boards are treated.
- Painted, concrete or plastered wall: sanded, dusted, then primed.
- Wall tiles: the grout lines are filled first with a skim to zero, or they show through. See our page on microtopping over tiles.
- Damp wall: a moisture check is required before application (5% maximum).
Texture effects
The final look depends on the hand. The second coat, applied with random strokes, gives a grainy, mottled or more textured finish; light sanding keeps these effects, heavier sanding softens them. Before you start, try it out on a board or a sample to get your technique right.
Microtopping or tadelakt?
Tadelakt is a traditional lime plaster, polished with a stone and treated with black soap. It needs an experienced craftsman. Yellostone microtopping gives a similar mineral look, but it comes as a paste with nothing to mix, goes on at 2 to 3 mm over the existing surface, plasterboard and tiles included, and is protected by two coats of varnish. And unlike most microcement, it contains no cement, so it does not crack.
On bathroom walls
On a shower wall, the complete system with its two coats of varnish protects against water. See our page on microtopping for bathrooms.
How much microtopping for a wall?
Microtopping is sold by the m², in 5 m² kits. Multiply the length of the wall by its height, then subtract doors and windows: a wall 4 m long and 2.5 m high is 10 m², so two kits.
Application in brief
Sanding and vacuuming, primer, three coats of microtopping, then two coats of varnish. Allow 4 to 5 days on site and 7 days for it to harden fully.
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 go on plasterboard?
Yes, if the board is rigid and the joints between boards are treated. The bonding primer goes on after a light sanding.
Can microtopping go over wall tiles?
Yes, once the grout lines are filled with a skim to zero. Without it, they show through.
What is the difference between microtopping and tadelakt?
Tadelakt is a lime plaster polished with a stone, applied by a craftsman. Yellostone microtopping comes as a paste with nothing to mix, goes on at 2 to 3 mm over the existing surface and is protected by two coats of varnish.
How much microtopping do I need for a wall?
Length × height, minus doors and windows. A wall 4 m by 2.5 m is 10 m², so two 5 m² kits.