ENGINEERED
ALTERNATIVES
An innovative product to hit the market is
a cement finish overlay system called X-Bond.
“It’s a mixture of stone, liquid polymer and
colour pigment applied onto floors, walls,
ceilings and joinery,” says national manager
Laura Di Bartolo of Alternative Surfaces.
A hand-trowelled finish adds texture and
colour variation, and its minimal depth
mirrors the concrete look without the weight.
“It can be applied over plasterboard, tiles, FC
sheeting, laminate and brick, so it’s a great,
cost-effective retrofit option,” adds Laura.
Concrete’s popularity has inspired
Caesarstone’s range of tactile engineered stone
surfaces for all areas of the bathroom (pictured
in this shower recess is ‘Airy Concrete’). Linda
says, “It’s chip and stain resistant, making it
very user-friendly and easy to maintain.”
Cement-look tiles are another option for
floors and walls. Prices start at $900/sqm
for Caesarstone Concrete; concrete-look
ceramic tiles start at around $30/sqm. >