Does microcement crack?

Hairline cracks usually come from movement in the wall beneath. A stable, well-prepared substrate and the right system reduce the risk.

Can microcement go over existing tiles?

Often, if the tiles are firmly bonded and properly primed. The applicator checks the surface first.

Texture paint or wallpaper for a living room?

Texture paint is durable and easy to repaint; wallpaper gives more pattern choice. In a room with any damp, avoid wallpaper.

Are PU wall panels fire safe?

Fire performance differs by product. Ask for the specific panel's data before using it anywhere fire rules apply.

Microcement and nano coatings vs texture paint, wallpaper and 3D wall panels

By the GM La Surfaces team · Updated 3 October 2026

Short answer

Microcement and nano coatings are thin, jointless mineral finishes laid by hand, giving a soft, continuous stone-like surface. Texture paint is cheaper and quicker but reads as paint. Wallpaper offers pattern but dislikes damp walls. PU 3D panels add sculpted relief in a repeating module.

What is microcement or a nano coating?

A cement-based or mineral coating trowelled on in a few millimetres, in layers, with no tile joints. The result is a seamless surface with gentle movement, closer to plaster or stone than to paint. FlexNano is GM La Surfaces' version, hand-blended and laid by FlexStone installers.

The finish depends heavily on the applicator, so who lays it matters as much as the product.

How do they compare?

Look: coatings are mineral and continuous; texture paint is patterned paint; wallpaper is printed; PU panels are sculpted relief.
Joints: coatings have none; wallpaper has seams; panels have module joints.
Damp walls: none of them fixes damp. Treat the cause first; wallpaper is the least tolerant.
Repair: paint is easiest to touch up; a coating repair needs the original applicator's skill to blend.

Can a coating go in a bathroom or kitchen?

Mineral coatings can be sealed for splash areas, and FlexNano is catalogued as water resistant. Whether a coating suits a shower or a heavily used kitchen wall depends on the system and the sealer, so the team confirms it for the exact spot.

Where do 3D PU panels fit?

Polyurethane relief panels, such as GM's Leaf panels at 1200 x 600 mm, turn a plain interior wall into a play of light and shadow. They are a decorative interior wall finish: light, quick to fix, and paintable in many cases.

Common questions

Does microcement crack?: Hairline cracks usually come from movement in the wall beneath. A stable, well-prepared substrate and the right system reduce the risk.
Can microcement go over existing tiles?: Often, if the tiles are firmly bonded and properly primed. The applicator checks the surface first.
Texture paint or wallpaper for a living room?: Texture paint is durable and easy to repaint; wallpaper gives more pattern choice. In a room with any damp, avoid wallpaper.
Are PU wall panels fire safe?: Fire performance differs by product. Ask for the specific panel's data before using it anywhere fire rules apply.