Contemporary Board Form Concrete Tiles - Plank form tiles are perfect for walls, floors, vertical or horizontal surfaces made by MODE CONCRETE in Kelowna BC

Plank Form Concrete Tiles

When merging the raw elements of concrete with wood, you get a striking balance between natural and man-made products. 

Board-formed concrete is poured into forms and left to cure, leaving the wood grain behind and allowing the concrete to have some seepage between the planks.  After everything is stripped, the natural wood grain is left imprinted into the concrete after the forms are removed and highlighted by the application of sealers and specialized finishing treatments which bring out the texturing of the wood and the natural colors in the concrete.  

Modern large format tiles easily create a dynamic, contemporary statement.  Our high quality, high performance concrete is our trademark creation of local and eco-friendly materials.  All of our concrete products are artistically and mindfully created.  We magically combine our love for natural raw concrete, with strong lines and architectural appeal, then add some strong Canadian pride and an even stronger environmental focus.  And tada... that is what our company and our products are all about.  

These tiles above are long thin concrete tiles that were custom made and then hand stained numerous times, sealed and then applied to the wall (similar to tile installation).  In this application, we staggered the joints and created a back-splash in the kitchen.  These would also be great applied in the bathroom or on a fire-place feature wall, interior or exterior, virtually anywhere you can apply tile.  Our concrete products are waterproof, durable, custom made and one-of-a-kind artisan created!

The quality of our products are extraordinary, have incredible longevity and are too stunning for words.  MODE CONCRETE offers luxury, high-end large-format concrete tiles.  All of our original, hand-cast concrete products are individually created, designed and fabricated in Kelowna BC, Canada.  Stained, colored and finished to your preference - many options available to achieve the 'look' you are going for. Since all of our concrete products are custom and made to order, everything is made by hand to fit your project perfectly.

Where to install concrete large format tiles?  
They are perfect for firepalces, bathrooms, on the wall or used as cladding tiles.  Our light weight, fibre reinforced, large-format concrete tiles are perfect for... walls, floors, indoor, outdoor, wet, dry, vertical, horizontal and overhead applications.  Totally endless options.

How to install our concrete large format tiles?  
If you are located near Kelowna, we can help with installation.  Any experienced tile setter can easily install the concrete tiles.

• Recommended tools and tips for installation - 
• 36" wet saw used for tile cutting
• 5" grinder + diamond blade
• grinder that smooths the edges down
• small sanding stone or sand paper to smooth down any rough areas 
• tile adhesive depends on surface you are adhering too - use same techniques and products that you'd use for natural stone tile installations
• concrete tiles chip and have similar properties to other tiles and natural stones that are often used 

Our concrete tiles have a special blend of ingredients that makes the concrete lighter weight than natural stone or other tile options.  The high tech products we use in our concrete gives it extra strength.  Our tiles are durable, are easily cut and even easier to install.

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 and ship products worldwide.

Concrete Driveway Pros and Cons - by Mode Concrete in Kelowna BC

Concrete has been a popular choice for driveways and architecture throughout history, for excellent reason. Concrete is durable, requires little maintenance, gives great longevity and is easily repaired. Not only do concrete driveways provide great curb appeal, a properly installed concrete driveway can last 20 years longer than other materials, with minimal maintenance or repair costs.

Concrete Driveway Basics

• Cost: Concrete is more expensive than gravel and asphalt driveways, but is less expensive than pavers or natural stone (like brick or cobblestone).  On average, $5 to $10 per square foot, depending on site conditions and preparation.  Extras that can be added on; various finishes, colored concrete, staining, sealing, pattern cutting, seams. 
• Durability: 25-50 years or longer with proper care and installation.
• Maintenance: Sweeping and pressure washing when needed. Chemicals may be needed to remove stains, oil or tire marks. Sealing is usually required every few years. 
• Additional options: Driveways may be stained different colors, personalized or poured into any pattern you desire.  Do you want a fancy exposed concrete surface, a stamped concrete surface, or budget-friendly broom finished?  Circles, squares, cut lines, seaming and tiles, planters, retaining walls, or any customization can be designed to compliment the design and functionality of your driveway.  

Concrete Driveway Pros

• Durable.
• Requires little maintenance.
• Gives great longevity and has a longer life than other driveway options.
• Concrete is easily repaired.
• Looks amazing.
• Unlimited color options.
• Snow removal is easy on concrete.
• Anti slip additives can be added onto surfaces.

Concrete Driveway Cons

• Initial cost is more than other options, but your get more longevity out of your investment.
• Requires yearly maintenance, in most climates.  
• As you consider concrete driveways costs, factor in the cost of sealing it every 1-3 years.

Concrete Driveway Repair and Maintenance 

• To extend the life of concrete, you’ll want to keep it well-maintained. The first thing to do is to have it sealed after your concrete driveway is poured, usually within the first month or two after it is fully cured. Concrete sealer cost is not cheap but this final stage will vastly improve the durability of the driveway. Expect to pay $0.50 to $0.85 per square foot for one application or coating of sealer (which usually includes the cost of pressure washing the surface).  Anti slip additives or repairing chips and cracks can increase this cost a little. 
• Sealers will keep your concrete protected from moisture and protect any tiny cracks. Without a protective sealer, moisture will penetrate the cracks and freeze in very cold weather which may increase the size of any cracks or chips.
• You may want to seal your driveway annually if your driveway is exposed to lots of moisture or freeze and thaw conditions to maintain the protective barrier of sealer between the elements and your concrete surface.  
• Not all driveway sealers are alike (even those in the same product category), and no driveway sealer will last forever. Depending on the type of products used and exposure conditions, a sealer should last anywhere from 1 to 3 years. 
• If you have a sealer buildup on the surface from multiple sealer applications over the years, stripping the sealers may be required periodically.  We would recommend stripping your concrete if your sealer is flaking in spots, holes are developing, you have a cloudy appearance throughout the sealer, there are dull spots, blistering or bubbles.  The best way to assess any of these symptoms, is to call a concrete sealing professional in your area to come check out the situation in person.  Stripping sealers is a messy process and can either be done chemically or mechanically.  
• Be careful with concrete driveway salt, this may create a chemical reaction and eat away at your sealers and stains.  Read the labels of any products you use, or reapply sealers every year if you are using driveway salt regularly.  
• Concrete naturally shifts, moves and cracks with environmental changes and with age. Easily repaired, patched, or filled, these cracks are usually only cosmetic and not structural or unsafe (but every project is different). An experienced concrete contractor should easily be able to assess your project, give you options, show you samples and work with you to achieve the results you desire.  A concrete professional can help talk you through all the options available to you depending on the state of the concrete and your budget.

When you hire Mode Concrete, you hire a professional contractor that always stays on budget and on schedule!  From the moment you hire Mode Concrete, you'll notice why our clients give us amazing referrals and recommendations, every time.  Contact us today for more information about our services. 

References:

• Concrete Driveways: Poring Over the Pros and Cons - Houzz http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/2459366/list/Concrete-Driveways--Poring-Over-the-Pros-and-Cons
• 2012 Concrete Driveway Cost Guide for Repair or Replacement - Driveway Guide http://www.drivewayguide.com/guides/cost-of-concrete-driveway-repairs-and-replacement/
• Pros and Cons of a Concrete Driveway - About.com http://garages.about.com/od/buildingagarage/a/Pros-And-Cons-Of-A-Concrete-Driveway.htm

Modern Contemporary Concrete Kitchen with Waterfall Countertop - made in Kelowna BC Canada, by MODE CONCRETE

Ultra Cool and Modern Concrete Kitchen Countertops - made locally in the Okanagan by Mode Concrete

Mode Concrete loves to use bold colors to punctuate raw concrete.  We thought this bright oriental orange would be a lovely contrast against the grey bare concrete. Color blocking is a great way to punch up architectural angles or just add some personality to raw concrete elements.  We also overextended the surface of the countertop, added a waterfall edge and voila... we were able to create this breakfast bar and make some extra livable space in this kitchen.  

This modern, double farm-style, apron concrete sink is massive in size and has a built-in draining board.  Rustic, durable, modern and superb functionality.  All of our concrete is top quality and built to last for years!  

We also created the concrete backsplash out of long thin concrete tiles.  We hand stained and painted these long tiles and then applied to wall (application is similar to tile). We wanted to combine the elements of both concrete and wood, and imprinted the long concrete tiles with wood grain.  The concrete surface that goes from the countertop up to the cupboards is incredibly durable, waterproof and all of our treated concrete surfaces are easy to keep clean and germ free.

Waterfall counters (also known as risers) have been THE trend in kitchens all over the world lately, both for their stylistic appeal and long-term durability when compared to other materials. When extended to the floor this countertop instantly looks more modern, clean and high-end.  We love the look of this waterfall edge and created a plank form looking waterfall edge to match the backsplash and countertop elements.  

MODE CONCRETE specializes in creating custom concrete countertops and we can customize the concrete in a multitude of ways, to perfectly fit within your space.  As for cleaning and maintaining, like most countertops, a mild soap and a cloth are all that should be used for routine cleanup. Be sure to avoid harsh cleansers or anything abrasive.

We also can assist you refinishing or maintaining your existing concrete countertop, concrete floors and any decorative concrete surface.  Contact us today for more details on our services. 

Nothing Beats Positive Feedback! A past clients blogs about her outdoor kitchen, built and managed by Mode Concrete in Kelowna BC.

A past clients blogs about her outdoor kitchen, built and managed by Mode Concrete in Kelowna BC. Nothing beats positive feedback and great reviews, so we were ecstatic to see how she felt about the entire process when dealing with us.  She purchased an outdoor kitchen from Mode Concrete, and we impressed her by sticking to the time line and on budget.  We referred her to any other necessary trades, scheduled them accordingly and walked her through the entire process. Now onto the good stuff... here is what she had to say about us (also check out her amazing food blog for delish recipes at Olive Oil and Lemons or go directly to http://oliveoilandlemons.com/roasted-corn-with-ancho-chili-butter-in-an-outdoor-kitchen/).

"Ever since we bought our rooftop abode in Kelowna a couple of years ago we have been talking about having an outdoor kitchen installed on the north side of the patio. I like to cook and thought it would be nice to have an additional kitchen outdoors that would be handy for entertaining, perhaps informal cooking classes for friends, food photography or just for us to have fun with it.

Finally this summer we got around to making inquiries and found Gareth from Mode Concrete (http://www.modeconcrete.com/) who owns and operates this leading company in the Okanagan designing and installing outdoor kitchens among other things concrete. Gareth came over to look at the space, discuss the equipment we needed for our style of cooking and consider the overall design. Gareth and I hit it off immediately and had fun thinking this project through together. I told him about my blog so he knew I liked to cook and needed a good design and high quality appliances. A couple of days later he emailed me drawings of the proposed design. He proposed a 12 foot long kitchen with a fridge, a grill, two gas burners and a sink. The counter space allowed for two work areas, one between the burners and  the sink and one next to the grill. The design allowed for storage below the grill and the sink as well as a few drawers for storing smaller items. We discussed the choices for the front and sides of the cabinetry and settled on river rock, to match the river rock along a couple of other areas on the patio. This was to be the first river rock kitchen for Mode Concrete and Gareth seemed just as excited about it as I was. For the countertop we chose a black slate tile that nicely offset the grey tones of the river rock and the silvery stainless steel of the appliances. Gareth was fun to work with and made good suggestions about the placement of the appliances to allow for more work and storage space in the outdoor kitchen. Then we discussed the appliances. Mode concrete offers a selection of high end outdoor appliances and on their recommendation we chose the Luxor line. Luxor is a US manufacturer of high end stainless steel products using high grade steel that is necessary in this cold climate where the appliances have to withstand low temperatures during the winter (now that I have cooked with it I can say it is a fabulous product).

Once we settled on the design, appliances, finishings and price we signed a contract and Mode Concrete provided us with a time-line for completing the project. Gareth promised to have the kitchen fully installed within two weeks and I must admit that in my mind I thought yes… sure… Amazingly enough, he was right on target and within two weeks I had the kitchen fully installed and functioning. As he told me from the beginning, they were on time and on budget. Mode concrete managed the entire project, including ordering the appliances, hiring and supervising trades, installing the frame and appliances and even did a demo on how to use the appliances when the kitchen was ready. I was impressed, and hence this endorsement in this post (nothing to disclose, it was a straight forward business deal)."

We love the review and the final look of her outdoor kitchen. I'm sure this client will be making some delicious masterpieces in this outdoor kitchen!!  If you click the link to Olive Oil and Lemons, you can also see a delicious corn recipe that she cooked on her brand new Luxor grill. Below is a picture she sent to us, we love the final look and the final touches!

Please contact us for more details on any services we discuss in this blog or to talk to Gareth directly about your upcoming project.

Outdoor Kitchen Contractors - Mode Concrete in Kelowna BC

We can help you design, build, order and import any items for your outdoor kitchen and living area. Here are the final pictures of a recent outdoor kitchen, located on a penthouse rooftop patio in Kelowna, overlooking Okanagan Lake.  We love the client's choice of river rock, with a black slate tiled countertop.

And check out their view... you can see Okanagan Lake and the mountains surrounding the Okanagan Valley.  I'm sure it'll be quite the affair when entertaining in this gorgeous outdoor space!

When you hire Mode Concrete, you hire a professional contractor that always stays on budget and on schedule!  From the moment you hire Mode Concrete, you'll notice why our clients give us amazing referrals and recommendations, every time.

Contact us today for more information about our services.  

Outdoor Kitchen Specialists - here is another built-in outdoor kitchen created by Mode Concrete in Kelowna, BC

Here is another brilliant outdoor kitchen created by the pros at Mode Concrete in Kelowna, BC. This outdoor kitchen was managed and fabricated by Mode Concrete, from ordering and installing the stainless steel Luxor appliances to organizing all the necessary trades required, we take care of everything and manage the entire project.  Best of all, we always stay on budget and on schedule!  

For this project, we had to match the rock with the existing rock columns that were already in place on the exterior of the house.  We also called in our stucco expert and he was able to color match the stucco to perfectly match the pre-existing arch overhead.  

Regardless of the project you hire us to do, Gareth the owner and president of Mode Concrete, works directly with all our clients throughout the process.  Gareth has a keen eye for the lay out of projects, is an experienced concrete expert and can easily outline available options to fit within your style and budget.  We have a network of excellent and reputable trades people to help with any part of your project.

When deciding who to hire for your project... you should look for business owners that are involved in the entire process of your project.  This ensures you are getting the most experienced contractor or craftsmanship possible for your investment in the agreed upon price.  

Contact MODE CONCRETE for more details about our services and prices.