Don't Get Mold: Why Toronto Basements Need a True Waterproof Floor (Epoxy vs. Laminate)

If you live in Toronto or anywhere in the GTA, you already know how our weather works. One minute it's humid and sticky, the next minute it’s raining, then winter shows up and freezes everything. Your basement feels all of it especially the moisture.

That musty smell? That damp concrete feeling? That weird chill in the air?

Those aren’t small issues. They’re signs of basement moisture, and if you’re renovating, the flooring you choose can make or break your whole project.

As a company that installs basement epoxy floors across Toronto, we see the same thing over and over again: homeowners choose laminate or vinyl because it looks nice and seems affordable… and then the floor fails because of moisture. And once mold sets in, the whole basement becomes a problem.

Here’s the truth: you need a floor that is fully waterproof, not “water-resistant.”

The Hidden Threat: Why Laminate and Luxury Vinyl Fail in Basement Moisture

Many Toronto homeowners choose laminate or LVP (Luxury Vinyl Plank) for their basements because they’re affordable and look great initially. However, these materials are often only "water-resistant" on the surface. When installed directly on a concrete slab, they face two key failure points that feed basement moisture issues:

Concrete in Toronto Basements Sweats

Your concrete basement slab is naturally porous. Humidity and temperature changes cause condensation ("sweating") on and under the slab. Laminate and LVP are installed as a floating floor, creating a perfect, dark, sealed-off void between the flooring material and the concrete. This gap traps moisture, quickly becoming a breeding ground for:

• Mold

• Mildew

• Dust mites

Seams + Edges = Moisture Entry Points

Manufacturers use words like water-resistant, but that only protects the surface of the plank. Moisture still gets in through:

• Click-lock seams

• Edges

• Expansion gaps

Once it gets underneath, the floor starts warping, bubbling, lifting and yes, mold spreads quickly. This is incredibly common in Toronto and GTA basements.

Why Epoxy Is the Only Truly Waterproof Basement Floor

Epoxy is different from every other flooring option because it doesn’t sit on the concrete it bonds to it. When done professionally, epoxy becomes one with the slab, forming a waterproof, seamless surface that moisture can’t get through.

Here’s why it works:

It Fully Seals the Concrete

Epoxy sinks into the pores of the concrete and creates a complete, solid barrier. There are no seams, no joints, no gaps meaning water has nowhere to go.

It’s Built for Moisture

Epoxy doesn’t absorb water, doesn’t warp, and doesn’t peel. Whether your basement is humid or dry, epoxy stays the same.

Mold Can’t Grow on It

Because it’s non-porous and seamless, mold has nothing to latch onto. This alone saves homeowners thousands down the line.

Our Watertight Warranty (Because We Actually Stand Behind Our Work)

We’re fully licensed, insured, and have completed over 1,000 projects across Toronto, the GTA, and surrounding cities. When we install basement epoxy, we offer a Watertight Warranty, guaranteeing the floor won’t fail due to moisture.

Epoxy vs. Laminate: Toronto Basement Breakdown

Feature	Epoxy	Laminate/LVP
Waterproof?	Yes — 100%	No — only the surface
Mould Risk	Zero	Very high
Durability	Industrial-grade	Scratches, warps, lifts
Ideal Use	Toronto & GTA basements	Dry upstairs spaces

Choose Flooring That Can Handle Toronto’s Climate

If your basement is in Toronto, Markham, Vaughan, Richmond Hill, Scarborough, North York, Etobicoke, Mississauga ,anywhere in the GTA you need a flooring solution designed to handle moisture.

Stop fighting with laminate. Stop replacing flooring every few years. Stop stressing about mould.

Choose a solution that lasts.

📞 Get a Free Basement Epoxy Estimate Today

If you want to protect your basement and finally have a waterproof, beautiful floor that lasts for decades, we’re here to help.

Cedarwood Development Group Inc.

Toronto & GTA’s Trusted Basement Epoxy Specialists

📱 Call or WhatsApp: (437) 477-7366

📧 Email: info@cedarwooddevelopment.ca

🌐 Visit: cedarwooddevelopment.ca