Acid Stain your Concrete Block Retaining Wall - article by concrete staining & sealing specialists at MODE CONCRETE in Kelowna BC

Punch some style into your boring concrete, by staining it!

A concrete retaining wall is an important, functional element in any outdoor living space, especially on your driveway or in your backyard.  Concrete left unfinished however, can be plain, boring and totally yawn worthy.  At the very least, you should seal your concrete to protect it from the elements and give it a little luster.  If your concrete surface needs more style consider staining your concrete.  An experienced concrete staining specialist will have a multitude of stains, colors and finishes to choose from.  

Before                                              After

 Before                                               After

After the stain has been applied, we always recommend sealing your concrete to further protect and enhance the concrete's appearance of the stained finish.  MODE CONCRETE can also apply a wide range of concrete sealers... simply alone, or on top of any concrete stain.  Concrete surfaces like walls, driveways, patios, sidewalks, floors, pool decks, garage floors all require sealers to protect them from damage, wear/tear and the natural environmental factors the surface is exposed to.  By properly maintaining and protecting your concrete, you will add years of life to your concrete surface.

Here is the plain concrete block (left), next to a stained concrete block (right).  

If you want to hire a professional high-quality concrete company that will stand behind their work and their reputation - contact MODE CONCRETE today.  We provide free onsite consultations to inquiring clients, a written estimate and unparalleled customer service... we continuously surpass our clients expectations every time!

Concrete Acid Stain Color Chart - created by MODE CONCRETE in the Okanagan, BC, Canada

Acid stains can be applied to any horizontal or vertical concrete surface.  It's a great way to punch up brand new or boring old concrete, camouflage and disguise cracks or repairs, and a wonderful way to add a designer touch. Acid stain consists of a acid and water solution mixed with metallic salts that can be applied in a wide array of colors. The effect is a natural looking color pattern with mottled shades of the same hue, marbling occurs and each stained piece of concrete is a piece of art.  The art of concrete staining is only as good as the artisan. This is a highly technical and specialized process, we advise that you receive test or sample areas before deciding colors, finishes or assessing the skill of the contractor.  Due to the high level of unpredictability that concrete naturally exhibits, concrete staining is a tricky project even for the most ambitious DIY'er.  Each concrete surface will stain uniquely according to variations in surface density, texture, porosity, and composition.

MODE CONCRETE can also apply a wide range of concrete sealers... simply alone, or on top of any concrete stain.  Concrete surfaces like walls, driveways, patios, sidewalks, floors, pool decks, garage floors all require sealers to protect them from damage, wear/tear and the natural environmental factors the surface is exposed to.  By properly maintaining and protecting your concrete, you will add years of life to your concrete surface.

We have many great dyes and pigment options available.  Concrete staining and sealing is great for driveways, patios, concrete floors (garage, basement), concrete slabs or any concrete surface.  MODE CONCRETE provides all the services we discuss in this blog.  If you'd like anymore information please contact us.  We service Kelowna & area, in BC Canada.