I‑BETON PLUS — Frequently Asked Questions

I‑BETON PLUS is an Italian Microcement system for continuous concrete‑reading floors, stairs and walls. It is built up in layers — substrate‑specific primers, Meteore 14 body coats, reinforcement where needed, pore sealing and polyurethane finishes — so that the floor and stairs behave as part of the architecture rather than as a thin cosmetic coating.

Many microcement kits are essentially a thin cement skim and a clear sealer. They depend heavily on perfect conditions and can struggle with movement, cleaning products and long‑term wear.

I‑BETON PLUS is treated as a specification‑grade build‑up:

• Substrate survey and preparation are taken seriously.
• Meteore 14 body coats create the concrete mass and profile.
• Reinforcement is used at stair nosings, thresholds and changes of substrate.
• Pore sealing and polyurethane top coats are matched to use and cleaning regimes.

The result is closer to an engineered floor or stair system than a decorative skim.

Floors and stairs are its core use, but the system can also be used on walls, plinths and built‑in furniture where a concrete reading is required and continuity with the floor is important.

A typical project might have:

• I‑BETON PLUS on the main floor and stair flights.
• Selected walls or plinths in the same concrete language.
• E‑VOLUTION PLUS providing the wet‑area body in showers and wet rooms.

Within the ISF Framework:

• I‑BETON PLUS = Italian Microcement for concrete floors, stairs and walls.
• E‑VOLUTION PLUS = wet‑area body for Waterproof Artistic Walls.

In practice, a project may use I‑BETON PLUS through living areas and staircases, then E‑VOLUTION PLUS inside bathrooms and spa spaces, with the concrete language flowing between them.

Typical applications include:

• Open‑plan kitchen / dining / living floors.
• Hallways and circulation spaces where a single surface ties rooms together.
• Stair flights and landings linking floors in the same concrete language.
• Bedrooms and home offices where a calm, matt floor is preferred to timber or tiles.
• Boutiques, galleries and hospitality spaces using concrete as a neutral backdrop.

Yes — often in combination with E‑VOLUTION PLUS. A common pattern is:

• I‑BETON PLUS on bathroom floors outside the shower tray or wet‑room area.
• E‑VOLUTION PLUS as the technical body inside showers and fully wet zones.
• Both systems tuned to read as one family of surfaces.

This gives the look of a continuous concrete bathroom while respecting the different technical demands of wet and dry zones.

Yes, in many cases. Italian Microcement with I‑BETON PLUS is frequently used in:

• Boutique retail and gallery spaces.
• Reception areas, lobbies and corridors.
• Hospitality settings where a quiet concrete background is desired.

Suitability depends on loading, point loads, trolleys, cleaning regimes and expectations about wear. These are discussed at specification stage with Italian Surface Finishes.

Often, yes. Over‑tile Italian Microcement is a common route in refurbishments, but it is not a quick skim:

• Hollow or loose tiles are removed and replaced.
• Mechanical preparation and deep cleaning are carried out.
• Tile joints, lippage and local irregularities are dealt with.
• Primers and the I‑BETON PLUS system are applied on top of this prepared base.

Italian Surface Finishes will always review photos and basic information before confirming an over‑tile specification.

Yes — provided the screed and heating system have been designed and commissioned correctly. In particular:

• The screed must be suitable for UFH and properly reinforced where needed.
• Heating cycles (gradual warm‑up and cool‑down) must be completed before coating.
• Movement joints must be respected in the design and in the I‑BETON PLUS build‑up.

Italian Surface Finishes generally reviews heating information as part of the specification process.

Existing slabs can be excellent substrates if they are structurally sound and compatible in terms of moisture and movement. Often we:

• Survey and treat cracks where required.
• Grind and clean the slab to remove laitance and contamination.
• Prime and level selectively before applying the I‑BETON PLUS cycle.

This approach is often used in warehouse conversions or modern extensions where the existing slab is retained.

No. Grey concrete is the starting point, but I‑BETON PLUS can be tinted across a family of neutrals and deeper shades. The objective is usually to keep the floor architectural and calm rather than decorative, so colour is chosen with furniture, joinery, stone and lighting in mind.

Movement is largely controlled by:

• The number of Meteore 14 passes and how they are trowelled.
• The choice of colour and how it is applied.
• Lighting (especially grazing light along corridors and stair flights).

At the London Studio or Academy we usually agree a sample panel that defines how quiet or expressive the concrete reading should be, and then repeat that logic on site.

Yes. One of the strengths of the ISF Framework is the way systems connect:

• I‑BETON PLUS floors with silk or suede walls (Valsetin / Valrenna) in adjacent rooms.
• Concrete floors meeting Waterproof Artistic Walls in bathrooms.
• Concrete floors with metallic or patina feature walls (Klondike, Valmetal, Arteco 7) in hospitality projects.

Italian Surface Finishes coordinates these combinations so there is a single visual language and a clear technical logic.

When designed and installed correctly, Italian Microcement with I‑BETON PLUS is intended as a long‑term architectural finish. Durability depends on:

• Substrate design (screed quality, reinforcement, movement joints).
• System build (reinforcement in critical zones, coat numbers).
• Choice of polyurethane top coats and cleaning products.

In very demanding commercial settings we will often tailor the specification or propose zoning so that expectations and performance stay aligned.

Day‑to‑day maintenance is straightforward:

• Vacuum or sweep to remove dust and grit.
• Mop with neutral detergents and soft mops.
• Rinse, and avoid leaving strong detergent films on the surface.

Very aggressive chemicals, steam cleaning and machine scrubbers can be considered in some commercial environments, but should always be discussed with Italian Surface Finishes as part of the specification.

Slip performance depends on:

• The micro‑texture left in the Meteore 14 body and smoothing coats.
• The polyurethane top coat type, sheen and any anti‑slip measures.
• How the floor is cleaned (soap films can make any surface more slippery).

On stairs and landings, we typically favour a slightly more tactile finish and careful detailing at nosings. Slip requirements are agreed at design stage.

Local repairs are often possible, but they must be handled carefully to maintain a consistent reading. Depending on the issue, repairs may involve:

• Local patching and re‑trowelling.
• Re‑topcoating a whole zone or room.
• Occasionally re‑working an entire stair flight or run of floor for complete consistency.

Early communication with Italian Surface Finishes is key — particularly if damage occurs during construction or fit‑out.

Italian Surface Finishes curates and controls the use of I‑BETON PLUS in the UK. We:

• Operate the London Studio and the Valpaint Academy.
• Write project‑specific specifications and details.
• Manage tinting, stock and logistics.
• Train and support the Approved Applicator Network.

That means there is a single framework behind Italian Microcement, Waterproof Artistic Walls and the wider Valpaint range.

We strongly recommend using trained applicators for I‑BETON PLUS — particularly on underfloor‑heated screeds, staircases and over‑tile refurbishments. The system relies on correct timing, detailing and protection.

Italian Surface Finishes provides training at the Valpaint London Academy and maintains an applicator network for specification projects.

A typical starting point is:

• Send drawings, photos and a short brief to Italian Surface Finishes.
• Visit the London Studio to see Italian Microcement boards and sample floors.
• Agree zones, substrates, heating, cleaning expectations and desired concrete reading.
• Receive an I‑BETON PLUS specification coordinated with any E‑VOLUTION PLUS / Waterproof Artistic Walls elements.