Terrace Renovation — Outdoor Tile & Waterproofing

Project Overview

This Casa Loma project involved the full renovation of a terrace built above an attached garage — one of the most demanding waterproofing scenarios a tile contractor encounters in Toronto. The existing terrace had developed water leakage into the garage below, a common failure point on structures like this where the deck assembly takes the full brunt of freeze-thaw cycles and annual temperature swings. The renovation addressed the root cause rather than patching over it: complete removal of the existing surface, a full waterproofing installation, and new 20mm outdoor porcelain tile throughout.

The Challenge: Above-Garage Waterproofing

A terrace above a living or garage space is a wet area with nowhere for water to go except down into the structure below. Toronto's climate makes this harder — water penetrates cracks, freezes, expands, and widens those cracks year after year until leakage becomes inevitable. Any renovation that doesn't start with a proper waterproofing system will fail again within a few years, regardless of how good the tile looks. We carried out a thorough assessment of the existing deck structure before specifying the waterproofing system to ensure it was suited to this specific configuration. For more detail on how we handle waterproofing assemblies, see our tile installation service page.

20mm Outdoor Porcelain Tile

For the finish surface, we specified 20mm thick outdoor porcelain pavers — a format designed specifically for exterior applications over waterproofed decks and terraces. At twice the thickness of standard tile, 20mm porcelain handles freeze-thaw cycling, foot traffic, and furniture loads without cracking or flexing. The material is frost-resistant, low-maintenance, and retains its appearance year after year without sealing. The sleek, modern finish updated the look of the terrace significantly while the underlying system ensures it stays waterproof for the long term.

Drainage and Slope

Proper slope to drain is as important as the waterproofing membrane itself. Water that ponds on a terrace surface will find any weakness in the system given enough time. We ensured the deck was correctly sloped to drain away from the structure before the tile was installed, so the finished surface sheds water consistently in all weather conditions.

Warranty and Result

The client received a 10-year warranty against water leakage into the garage below — the same coverage we back every waterproofing project with. The terrace now functions as a usable outdoor space with a durable, attractive finish and a properly engineered waterproofing system underneath. Browse more of our completed work in the renovation portfolio.