Living with it
Will it crack? An honest answer
No installer can promise a surface will never move. What we can tell you is what decides the result, and what we do about each part of it.
4 min read
It is a fair question, and the honest answer is not a simple yes or no. Cracking is something to take seriously, and it is worth understanding what causes it.
Three things decide the result
The result depends on three things: the product, the substrate and the installation. If any one of them is weak, the finished surface can suffer. If all three are right, you give the surface the best chance of performing well for years.
- The product. A proven system made to a consistent standard.
- The substrate. The surface the finish is bonded to.
- The installation. How each layer is prepared, applied and allowed to be ready.
The product
We use one proven system: Atria Super Titanium, made in Sicily by Colorificio Atria, which has been making these products since 1968. The layers work together: substrate preparation, primer, base coats, Super Titanium finish, Atriafloor Filler and Atriapol protective topcoat.
We do not mix and match products from different suppliers. One system, used the way it is designed to be used.
The substrate
This is where many problems begin. If the surface underneath moves, is unstable, or is not properly prepared, the finish on top can be affected. That is why every substrate is tested and prepared before a single coat goes on.
There are two specifications. Internal walls can go straight over paint-ready plaster without base coats. The complete system adds two base coats and is required over MDF and similar board substrates. Which one applies is confirmed at the Site Assessment.
The installation
A good product on a good substrate can still go wrong in the wrong hands. MicroLux uses its own specialists, not a rotating set of subcontractors. You receive daily photo updates during the install, so you can see the work as it happens.
What we will not do
We will not tell you that a surface can never crack, because nobody can honestly say that about any material in a home. What we will do is test the substrate, tell you plainly if there is a risk, and decide with you how to deal with it before work starts.
If something is not right
Every project comes with a 5-year workmanship warranty from MicroLux and a 10-year product warranty from Atria Australia, both transferable to a new owner. We also include a free on-site check-up at 24 months.
If you are worried about a specific surface in your home, the Site Assessment is where we look at it properly and give you a written report.
Keep reading
Want the whole picture?
The free Seamless Home guide walks through choosing a seamless surface from start to finish. Or, if you would rather talk it through, book a short call with our team.