Ramp Epoxy Flooring & Traffic Coatings

Ramp Epoxy Flooring Solutions — Vancouver & British Columbia

Slip-Resistant • Heavy-Traffic • Built for Brake Zones, Turns & Steep Grades

Ramps are not “just another concrete floor.” On an incline, vehicles are constantly braking, accelerating, turning and loading — creating high shear forces and concentrated wear that destroy standard coatings. The result is predictable: slick surfaces, tire-worn lanes, peeling coatings, spalling concrete and unsafe traction in wet or winter conditions.

Priority One Epoxy Flooring installs engineered ramp epoxy flooring and traffic coating systems for steep grades and high-friction zones across Metro Vancouver, the Fraser Valley, Vancouver Island, the BC Interior and Northern BC. These systems are purpose-built for ramps where you need:

• Engineered traction for brake zones, turning lanes and transitions
• Durability under heavy tire traffic from cars, trucks, forklifts and equipment
• Moisture and de-icing salt resistance to protect concrete and reduce deterioration
• UV and freeze–thaw stability for exterior and partially exposed ramps
• Long-term performance with simpler cleaning and lower maintenance

Whether you are upgrading a loading dock ramp, industrial access ramp, service bay ramp or a parking structure ramp section, we match the system to your slope, exposure and traffic patterns so the ramp stays safe and serviceable.

Why Ramps Need Specialized Epoxy & Traffic Coatings

Flat floors fail slowly. Ramps fail fast — because traction and adhesion are constantly being challenged by tire shear, braking forces and water on an incline. If the coating system is not designed for ramps, you will see premature wear in the same places every time: brake zones, tight turns, transitions and entry points.

In Vancouver and across BC, ramps also take a beating from rain, freeze–thaw cycles and de-icing salts. Water migrates through cracks and joints, chlorides attack reinforcing steel and surface scaling accelerates — especially on exterior or partially exposed ramps.

Common ramp-specific failures we correct include:

• Slick concrete with low traction when wet, snowy or dusty
• Spalling and scaling from weather exposure and salt/chloride attack
• Cracks and joint failure that allow water intrusion and corrosion risk
• Hot-tire pickup and peeling in high-friction braking and acceleration zones
• Ponding water caused by low spots, poor slope transitions or drain issues
• Worn markings and unclear guidance on ramps, turns and pedestrian edges

Ramp systems typically require a strong bond layer, a traffic-bearing build and a textured wear surface designed for slopes — often using quartz or aggregate broadcast and ramp-appropriate topcoats. Texture is tuned so you get real traction without creating an impossible-to-clean surface.

We design each ramp scope based on grade percentage, turning intensity, vehicle type, exposure (covered vs exterior) and moisture conditions — so the system performs where ramps fail most.

Where Ramp Epoxy Flooring Makes the Biggest Difference

Loading Dock & Service Ramps

Loading docks see heavy trucks, forklifts, pallet jacks and constant rolling loads. Bare concrete here quickly chips and erodes. Our heavy-duty ramp coatings are designed to handle impact, racking loads and constant movement while providing slip resistance for workers and drivers in wet or icy conditions.

Industrial & Manufacturing Access Ramps

In plant environments, ramps connect production areas, mezzanines and loading docks. These ramps must cope with chemicals, oils, forklift traffic and frequent washdowns. We use industrial epoxy and urethane-cement ramp systems that resist chemical attack and thermal shock from hot washes or temperature swings.

Service Bay & Shop Ramps

Automotive service bays, fleet maintenance shops and industrial workspaces often include short, high-friction ramp sections at entries and thresholds. Ramp-specific epoxy systems provide non-slip traction, stain resistance and a professional appearance that ties into the surrounding shop flooring.

Exterior Concrete & Access Ramps

Exterior ramps around commercial buildings, hospitals, schools and multi-residential properties are fully exposed to the elements. Our systems incorporate UV-stable, non-slip coatings with aggregate texture tuned to your needs — aggressive enough for traction, but still comfortable for pedestrians, wheelchairs and carts.

Emergency Egress & Pedestrian Ramps

Stairwell ramps, emergency egress routes and accessible entries must stay safe year-round. We install high-visibility, slip-resistant ramp coatings with contrasting nosings, arrows and wayfinding markings so people can see exactly where to walk, even in low light.

Parkade Ramp Zones (Supporting Your Deck System)

Ramps inside parking structures experience intense turning and braking, especially at tight-radius corners and transitions between levels. We install ramp-focused traffic coatings that work alongside your overall parkade deck system. For full parkade traffic deck membranes and waterproof coating scopes, see our Parkade Traffic Deck Membranes & Waterproof Coatings page.

Ramp Coating Systems Engineered for Performance

Not every ramp needs the same system. We select materials based on slope, traffic, exposure and structural conditions. Typical ramp epoxy flooring and traffic coating options include:

Urethane Cement (Urethane Mortar) Ramp Systems

Urethane-cement systems are the workhorse for high-traffic and exterior ramps. They offer:

• Outstanding thermal shock resistance for outdoor or wash-down areas
• High compressive strength to handle heavy vehicles and point loads
• Excellent chemical resistance to salts, fuels and de-icing materials
• Ability to be installed with integral texture and slope adjustments

These systems are ideal where durability and moisture tolerance are critical, such as loading ramps, exterior access ramps and high-traffic industrial ramps.

Traffic-Bearing Epoxy & Urethane Ramp Coatings

High-build epoxy combined with elastomeric or aliphatic urethane topcoats provides a sealed, traffic-bearing ramp surface that protects the concrete from water, chlorides and abrasion. These systems can be tuned with different textures for:

• Drive lanes and straight sections with moderate texture
• Brake zones, turns and transitions with more aggressive traction
• Pedestrian walkways using contrasting colours and fine texture

Quartz Broadcast & Aggregate Ramp Systems

Quartz broadcast and aggregate-filled systems deliver serious slip resistance for steep or high-risk ramps. Coloured quartz or selected aggregates are broadcast into the wet resin and locked in with clear or pigmented topcoats. This creates a durable, textured ramp surface that resists slipping, gouging and wear.

Flexible Crack-Bridging Membranes

Where structural movement or hairline cracking is a concern, we integrate flexible crack-bridging membranes beneath the main ramp system. This helps absorb minor slab movement and reduces the risk of reflective cracking telegraphing through the coating.

Moisture & Vapour Control Layers

Many ramp slabs suffer from moisture drive, especially on grade or over occupied spaces. We can install moisture mitigation primers and vapour control systems to improve adhesion and reduce blistering or debonding, particularly when the ramp is above parking, retail or storage areas.

Our Ramp Epoxy Flooring Installation Process

Ramp projects demand careful planning, traffic management and technical execution. Priority One Epoxy Flooring follows a detailed process so your ramp coating system performs as designed and downtime is minimized.

1. Site Visit & Assessment: We review the ramp layout, slope, drainage, cracking, previous coatings and traffic patterns. We also look at adjoining decks and transitions to ensure a complete solution.
2. Specification & System Design: Based on your goals, we recommend an appropriate system (urethane cement, epoxy/urethane, quartz broadcast, etc.) with the right texture level, thickness and colour-coding.
3. Surface Preparation: Using industrial diamond grinders or shot blasters, we remove weak concrete, laitance and failing coatings to create the correct profile for adhesion. Joints and cracks are opened up and treated as needed.
4. Repairs & Slope Corrections: Spalls, potholes and divots are repaired using compatible materials. Where slopes or ponding are an issue, we can feather or re-profile areas to improve drainage.
5. Primers & Membranes: Moisture-tolerant primers and optional crack-bridging or waterproof membranes are installed to protect the structure and enhance bond strength.
6. Ramp System Build-Up: Epoxy, urethane mortar or aggregate-filled coats are installed to the specified thickness. Texture is created with quartz, broadcast aggregate or specialty non-slip media.
7. Topcoats, Markings & Detailing: UV-stable and chemical-resistant topcoats are applied, along with line markings, arrows, stop bars and safety zones integrated directly into the system.
8. Curing & Return to Service: We coordinate curing times with your team so you know exactly when ramps can be reopened to pedestrian and vehicular traffic.
9. Care & Maintenance Guidance: After completion, we provide simple cleaning and inspection guidelines to help you maximize the life of your ramp coating.

This step-by-step approach ensures your ramp epoxy flooring system is not just durable on paper, but proven in real-world conditions.

Case Study — Downtown Vancouver Parkade Ramp Upgrade

A multi-storey property in downtown Vancouver was experiencing slick surfaces, scaling concrete and recurring leaks into the levels below. The existing ramp coating was patchy and had failed in the main ramp and turning zones.

Priority One Epoxy Flooring was hired to remove failing materials, repair the slab and install a new ramp traffic coating system. Our scope included:

• Full mechanical preparation of the ramp and adjacent drive lanes
• Crack and spall repair, with slope touch-ups to eliminate ponding
• Installation of a flexible membrane in key transition and joint areas
• Broadcast aggregate for aggressive traction in brake and turn zones
• High-visibility line markings and directional arrows built into the coating

After the upgrade, the building manager reported:

• Improved driver confidence in wet weather with noticeably better traction
• Reduced complaints about leaking and surface deterioration
• A cleaner, brighter ramp that better reflected the property’s image

Ramp Epoxy Flooring Across British Columbia

Priority One Epoxy Flooring installs ramp flooring and traffic coatings for commercial, industrial, institutional and multi-residential properties across BC, including:

• Metro Vancouver: Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond, Surrey, Coquitlam, Delta, North Vancouver, West Vancouver
• Fraser Valley: Abbotsford, Langley, Maple Ridge, Mission, Chilliwack
• Vancouver Island: Victoria, Nanaimo, Duncan, Courtenay
• BC Interior: Kelowna, Kamloops, Vernon, Penticton
• Northern BC: Prince George and surrounding communities

Whether you are managing a single access ramp or an entire network of ramps and loading areas, we can design a ramp coating system that aligns with your budget, timeline and performance needs.

Frequently Asked Questions About Ramp Epoxy Flooring

How long does ramp epoxy flooring last?

Service life depends on traffic levels, exposure and maintenance, but properly specified ramp epoxy and urethane systems typically last 10–20 years before major refurbishment is required. High-traffic ramps may need periodic topcoat renewals to maintain texture and appearance.

Is ramp epoxy flooring slippery when wet?

No. Ramp systems are installed with engineered non-slip textures using quartz or aggregate broadcast into the coating. Texture levels can be adjusted to suit your traffic — more aggressive for steep grades and brake zones, and finer for pedestrian routes.

Can you install ramp coatings over damaged concrete?

Yes, provided the underlying structure is sound. We routinely repair spalls, patch holes, treat cracks and re-profile low spots before installing ramp epoxy flooring. Severely damaged or structurally compromised ramps may require engineering and concrete restoration work before coatings are applied.

How long will our ramps be out of service during installation?

Ramp projects are carefully scheduled to minimize disruption. Many projects can be completed over 2–4 days depending on ramp length, repair requirements and the chosen system. Fast-cure materials can allow staged work so parts of the facility remain operational.

Can ramp epoxy flooring be used outdoors?

Yes. We install UV-stable, freeze–thaw-resistant systems specifically designed for exterior ramps. These systems handle rain, sun, snow and de-icing salts while providing consistent traction year-round.

Do you provide line markings and safety striping?

Absolutely. We can integrate arrows, lane lines, stop bars, pedestrian crossings and safety striping directly into the ramp system so markings last longer and stay highly visible.