Season's Greetings from MODE CONCRETE

Raw Concrete Floors Naturally Look Clean and Contemporary - A Simple, Inexpensive Process with Concrete Sealers & Waxes perfect for Commerical or Residential spaces - article by artisans MODE CONCRETE

If you like the natural look and color of regular standard grey concrete, we usually recommend sealing and waxing.  It's our favorite look, and totally differs from project to project - every piece of concrete is original in it's coloring, textures, irregularities, and variations that occur naturally when the concrete dries and cures.  And the best thing about finishing your existing concrete floors... usually most projects (like this featured project) only take a few days. Taking the time to put down this final layer of protection not only prolongs the life of your concrete floor, but also greatly enhances and preserves its natural beauty and appearance.

Here is a natural concrete floor we completed for our Kelowna client.  Natural concrete is where it's at.  Look at all that natural concrete beauty + amazingly high ceilings.  This is space feels light, airy, open and contemporary with a pop of sparkle coming from the light fixtures.  Love.

Think of a concrete floor sealer as a protective barrier or sacrificial layer that will improve its appearance, durability and longevity.  Stain protection is the main reason for sealing concrete floors, especially in areas of your home or business where food and drink will be consumed. High traffic areas or exposure to machinery or pets may also cause damage to a concrete floors that can be prevented with adequate sealant and wax. New concrete floors should be sealed after they are completed (make sure concrete is fully dried and cured first), while existing concrete floors should be sealed every few years based on wear and tear.

Here is a natural concrete floor we completed for our Kelowna client.  Natural concrete is where it's at.

Properly sealed and maintained concrete (natural or stained) will give the same beautiful appearance for years to come. It is extremely durable, requires very little maintenance, and will likely outlast the home or business which surrounds it. The materials used to seal stained concrete include water-based sealers, waxes, alternative green sealers and solvent based sealers. Always make sure that the concrete contractor preforms tests on small areas, or shows you samples of what to expect. Also make sure that your concrete is protected during the construction phase to minimize visible marks, staining and concrete damage that often occurs.

The top question we get 'AREN'T CONCRETE FLOORS COLD AND HARD?' and our answer is always, 'expect the same temperature and hardness as tile or other natural stone flooring options.'

And there's your daily dose of concrete flooring information from the artisans at Mode Concrete in Kelowna BC.  Please contact us for pricing or more information for any services we discuss in our blog.  We service Kelowna and the entire Okanagan Valley, in BC Canada (and can travel anywhere depending on client requirements). 

Contemporary Concrete Flooring Overlay Possible on Wooden Substrate - by specialists Mode Concrete in Kelowna BC

A concrete overlay we applied to a wooden subfloor, for our Kelowna client.

Concrete floors are modern, natural and raw. People who want a meticulous pristine material that will always look flawless, steer clear of concrete. It develops wear marks, patinas, natural irregularities, marbling and hairline cracks naturally as it ages. Concrete is a natural material, and regardless if you keep your floor natural grey concrete or stain the surface, the natural patina is what makes concrete so fab and makes your floor totally unique. We are true concrete lovers, are you?

Why do people love concrete floors?

• Well, firstly and most importantly... they look AWESOME!
• They are easy to clean and maintain.
• Amazing longevity, concrete will likely outlive you and your house.  Concrete lasts much longer when compared to other flooring materials.
• Concrete is heat and spill resistant.
• Super durable and easier to repair than other options.
• Concrete is a clean flooring surface, with little worry of bacteria or allergens since there is usually no grout lines.
• Concrete floors wear wonderfully, concrete is totally unique and raw - it ages just like natural stone.
• Future changes (colors, finishes, stains) are usually easy to change and personalize, if your style changes or if you sell your house.  Concrete is easy to cover if you ever want to install other flooring on top.
• Concrete skim coats, micro-toppings and overlays are similar to the thickness and weight of tile.
• The top reason that people love concrete floors, is how shockingly stunning they are!

 Here is a standard grey concrete overlay we applied to a wooden subfloor, for our Kelowna client.

 Here is a standard grey concrete overlay we applied to a wooden subfloor, for our Kelowna client.

If you’re looking for some information about putting concrete floors on wooden substrates, you've come to the right place. Keep in mind we use the most cutting edge products and techniques for our applications and only experienced artisans should complete these sort of applications. Our overlay can be laid onto existing substrate and achieve the look and feel of polished concrete. Our overlays are VOC (volatile organic compounds) and emission free. Our dustless process of finishing concrete floors is done with natural, safe, non-toxic finishing products. After preparing the surface, we can pour a thin layer of new concrete to virtually any surface or room in your house. 

Depending on the flex in your wooden subfloor, hairline cracks are natural and expected to appear on the surface. This comes from the concrete slab being a single, solid piece of rock and the wood underneath is flexible and changes and shifts consistently. When the foundation of the house shifts, the concrete is subjected to various flex points and pressures which take the form of tiny hairline fractures in the material. For us, we love this aspect of concrete and it adds tremendous character to the floor.  

For additional information, check out the Concrete Networks article about Concrete in the Kitchen or other rooms in your house - http://www.concretenetwork.com/kitchen-floor.html.

If you have any more questions about anything we discuss in our blog, please contact us today for additional information.