Urethane cement over old quarry tile in a Centretown kitchen?

Whether urethane cement can go over quarry tile in a commercial kitchen depends on whether the tile is still firmly bonded and on what the product's data sheet allows, so the contractor has to check it before quoting. Published 2025-2026 contractor ranges put urethane cement at or above premium epoxy, which runs about $8 to $15 per square foot installed; your quote will differ based on what the slab and tile beneath actually look like.

Ask the contractor how they will check that every tile is still bonded, and what they will do about loose or cracked tile. If tiles need to come up, old adhesive such as black mastic may contain asbestos: under OHSA s.30(1), you as the owner must determine whether any designated substances are present and give a prospective contractor that list before a binding contract is signed. Have old tile and mastic tested before any grinding or removal work begins.

The surface then has to be prepared to the profile the product's data sheet asks for; one urethane cement guide specification asks for ICRI CSP 3 to 5 on concrete, so ask what the data sheet for your product says about tile. Moisture testing follows: ASTM F1869 (calcium chloride) or ASTM F2170 (in-situ relative humidity probes) tells you what the slab is doing. One self-levelling urethane cement data sheet tolerates up to 99% RH and 20 lbs per 1,000 sq ft per 24 hours, but the data sheet for your specific product governs.

On the regulatory side, O. Reg. 493/17 s.7(1)(c) requires that a food premises floor be tight, smooth and non-absorbent in food preparation and service areas. A seamless urethane cement with an integral cove base is one way to meet that standard; it is not the only way, and the regulation does not name a specific system. Ottawa Public Health enforces that regulation and asks to be notified when you plan to significantly renovate a food premises. We found nothing that definitively says whether re-coating an existing kitchen floor counts as a significant renovation, so contact OPH before booking the work.

Ask for proof of liability insurance and references on comparable commercial kitchen floors.

With quotes in hand, compare the specific product and its data sheet, the prep method and target surface profile, whether a moisture test is included and what happens if the slab fails it, the number of coats and thickness from the data sheet, whether cove base is in scope, what anti-slip texture is specified, and the closure window the contractor is committing to.