Choose microcement if you want a seamless basin, jointless and soft, silky to the touch; choose terrazzo if you want a piece with visible aggregate, bespoke colour and artisanal character. Concrete is the rawest, most contemporary option. All three are made to measure and, well sealed, are waterproof and perfectly suited to the bathroom.
In the workshop we've made bespoke basins in all three materials for decades, and the question we get most isn't 'which is best' —none is in the abstract— but 'which is best for my bathroom'. Let's break it down with the honesty of those who cast and polish them every week.
What is each material? (microcement, terrazzo and concrete)
All three are born of cement, the family of materials we've worked with since 1975, but they behave very differently:
- Microcement: a continuous cement-based coating applied in very thin layers over a substrate. The result is a smooth, uniform surface without a single joint.
- Terrazzo: marble, quartz or glass aggregate bound in a cement base and polished to reveal the speckle. It's the material we cast in a mould and polish to measure in the workshop, piece by piece.
- Concrete: a solid mass of cement, with no decorative aggregate on show. It's the most textural, with the most body and weight.
What's the difference in finish and touch?
This is where you really tell which material you're looking at. Microcement is smooth, warm and velvety to the touch; its continuity, with no joints or sharp edges, is what minimalist bathrooms are after. Terrazzo, once polished, reveals the aggregate and plays with light: it's the most 'jewel-like' of the three, the one that makes the basin the centrepiece. Concrete shows a mineral texture, pores on show, and brings an industrial yet noble aesthetic.
Which allows the most colour customisation?
Terrazzo and microcement are the kings of customisation. In terrazzo we choose the base colour and the aggregate selection, so we can go from a restrained speckle to a vibrant one. In microcement we work with a palette of pigments blended into the body. A maker's detail worth knowing: in both, the colour is pigmented into the mix itself, not a surface paint, so a scuff or slight wear won't reveal a different tone underneath.
Are they waterproof? And how are they maintained?
This is the key question and deserves a clear technical answer: waterproofing doesn't come from the raw material, it comes from the seal. Cement, raw, is porous. That's why every basin leaves the workshop with a water-repellent treatment applied to the finished piece, which is what makes it fit for daily bathroom use and protects it from limescale and soap. On a basin, where water is always present, that step isn't optional: it's what separates a lasting piece from a problem.
Daily upkeep is simple for all three: mild soap and a soft cloth. What you must always avoid are acidic products, bleach and abrasive scourers, because they attack the seal and, with it, the cement's protection. With use, it's worth refreshing the seal from time to time —microcement a little more often for its thin layer; terrazzo and concrete, with more body, space it out more—. It's a matter of minutes that extends the piece's life by years.
Can I order a bespoke terrazzo basin, with the colour and aggregate of my choice?
Yes, and it's exactly where a workshop makes the difference against an off-the-shelf basin. In terrazzo we choose the colour base and the aggregate mix (marble, quartz, glass); in microcement, the pigment from the palette. Each basin is cast or applied and polished to measure, with the shape and dimensions your unit or worktop calls for. You don't adapt your bathroom to a catalogue: we make the piece for your bathroom. You can see examples and start your project on the bespoke basins page.
What basin formats can I make in each material?
All three materials lend themselves to practically any format:
- Countertop: the sit-on basin, bowl or tray style, as the centrepiece.
- Freestanding: a sculptural piece that stands on its own.
- Built-in or run: the basin and the worktop merged into a single continuous surface.
- Wall-hung and double, for shared bathrooms.
So, microcement, terrazzo or concrete?
In short:
- You want continuity, zero joints and a soft touch → microcement.
- You want character, bespoke colour and visible aggregate → terrazzo.
- You want a raw, textural aesthetic → concrete.
At Mosaics Torra we make bespoke basins in all three materials, with the shape, colour and aggregate you choose, and we seal every piece in the workshop before delivery. As with any noble material, the best decision is made with the sample in your hand.
Ask for a microcement and terrazzo sample to see and feel the difference. And if you're planning the whole bathroom, look too at the bespoke bathroom worktop, the bespoke shower trays and baths, or the full range of bespoke pieces.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between a microcement basin and a terrazzo one?
Microcement is a continuous, smooth, jointless surface, soft to the touch. Terrazzo shows the polished aggregate on view and is more customisable in colour and grain. One seeks discreet continuity; the other, the leading role.
Is a microcement basin waterproof?
Yes, thanks to the water-repellent treatment applied to the finished piece. Raw cement is porous; the workshop seal is what makes it fit and waterproof for daily bathroom use.
Which basin needs the least upkeep?
All three are equally easy to care for daily (mild soap). Terrazzo and concrete, with more body, space out the seal refresh more than microcement. In all, avoid acids, bleach and abrasives.
Can I choose the shape and colour of the basin?
Yes. As bespoke basins, we define the shape, dimensions, base colour and, in terrazzo, the aggregate mix. The piece is made for your bathroom, not the other way round.
