A commercial kitchen floor gets hot water, grease, dropped pans, harsh cleaners and constant foot traffic, often 7 days a week. It also has to pass a health inspection. Here is what Toronto restaurant owners and operators should look for before choosing a floor.
What inspectors look for
Ontario's Food Premises Regulation (O. Reg. 493/17) and your local public health inspector expect food areas to have floors that are durable, non-absorbent and easy to clean and sanitize. In practice, that means no cracked tile, open grout lines, gaps at the walls or damaged areas where food and water collect. Always confirm specific requirements with your local public health unit before a renovation.
The five things a kitchen floor needs
Seamless surface: no grout lines or joints for bacteria and grease to settle into.
Integral cove base: the floor curves 4 to 6 inches up the wall so there is no corner seam to clean.
Slip resistance: textured aggregate so staff do not slip on grease and water.
Heat and thermal shock resistance: handles hot water, steam cleaning, fryer oil and oven areas.
Drainage: sloped to floor drains so water does not pool.
Which system to choose
Urethane cement: the best fit for cooking lines, dish areas and walk-in coolers. It handles heat, thermal shock and food acids.
Epoxy: works in dry storage, offices and front-of-house, but is not the best choice for hot, wet cooking areas.
Quarry tile: the traditional option, but its grout lines need constant upkeep and crack over time.
Installing without closing for weeks
Most restaurants cannot close for long. Many kitchen floors can be done over a few days, often around a weekend or a planned closure, using fast-curing systems. Plan for old tile removal, slab repair and drain adjustments in the schedule.
Keep it inspection-ready
Clean daily with a degreaser approved for the floor system.
Fix chips and cracks early, before water gets under the coating.
Keep cove base and drain edges sealed.
Get a kitchen floor that passes inspection
Hardbond installs seamless, slip-resistant kitchen floors with integral cove base for restaurants, commissaries and food facilities across Toronto and the GTA, with a 3-year written warranty. Book a free site assessment and we will plan the install around your hours.
