Environmentally Conscious Concrete Floors, A Natural & Dustless Solution for all you fellow Style Savvy Treehugger Types - article by MODE CONCRETE

Concrete floors offer a rather lovely solution for all you environmentally conscious, style savvy, treehugger types. Most people fall in love with the understated elegance that concrete floors offer. 

We provide a simple, eco-friendly, inexpensive solution to finish any existing or brand new concrete floor in your home or business. Punch up your concrete surface even further, by applying a staining agent or adding a color to the surface. 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.  

Concrete's natural raw color is always 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. Contractors grade pavement looks absolutely glorious with minimal effort or expense - and the best thing about finishing your existing concrete floors... usually most projects take only a few days for our artisan(s) to complete. 

Concrete floors are usually dried and cured for a minimum of 28 days before any finishing processes can be preformed.

MODE CONCRETE specializes in concrete floors, concrete floor finishing and concrete maintenance/repair.  Contact us for more details on our services or prices.

Luxury Outdoor Kitchen Specialist located in the Okanagan - MODE CONCRETE in Kelowna BC

Built in outdoor kitchens let you truly enjoy your backyard and outdoor entertaining. If you are lucky enough to call the Okanagan home (like we are!!!) you'll know that outdoor entertaining is the best part of living here. Why not build an outdoor kitchen and maximize your time outside this summer?

MODE CONCRETE deals with design professionals, building professionals and home-owners, to create luxury outdoor kitchens in the Okanagan Valley.  Having a luxurious outdoor kitchen has become the norm for people living in the Okanagan. Many designers, landscape architects and developers rely on our input and skill when it comes to the design and construction of an outdoor kitchen or grilling island.

To get a full picture of what your outdoor kitchen will look like, we have an artist make a rendering of your outdoor kitchen. We will show you a front view and a top view of the design.

(image on the right is an example)

And this is the end product... (see picture on the right). The client decided to switch the sink and fridge to the other ends of the countertop. The artist rendering made it easy for everyone to visualize the design and plan appropriately to maximize function in this entertainers dream outdoor kitchen. 

Steps for creating the luxury outdoor kitchen of your dreams:

• set up a consultation with MODE CONCRETE
• get ready any sketches, pictures, or ideas you have
• make a wish list of the features you would like to see in your outdoor kitchen and living space
• view our website and our suppliers lines for more ideas (we can also discuss the product line, and the pro's/con's with you at the consultation) 
• after we have dimensions of the space, an idea of what you are looking for, and any specific requests (favorite outdoor grill, must haves) we call in the design experts and start putting together some ideas for you
• you then approve your custom outdoor kitchen design
• you select the finishing touches (countertops, exterior)
• MODE CONCRETE will now begin building your outdoor kitchen
• if necessary arrangements for gas, electrical and plumbing may need to be made at this stage
• we install the equipment, accessories and make sure everything is working perfectly
• Grab some wine from your cellar, and get the invites ready - you are the proud new owner of custom built outdoor kitchen by MODE CONCRETE!
• Bon Appetit!

(this is an outdoor kitchen MODE CONCRETE created for our Kelowna clients)

We have a reputation for staying on budget & on schedule. Check out our reviews, we dare you. We also import exceptional luxury outdoor kitchen accessories and grills for our clients (custom ordered, hand picked & quality tested by us). Contact us about any services we discuss in this blog. 

How often should you seal your driveway? Concrete Driveway Sealing, Yearly Maintenance, Repair - blog by the experts at MODE CONCRETE in Kelowna BC

Applying concrete sealers are an essential part of finishing any indoor or outdoor concrete surface. Protect your concrete driveway and patio from weather, staining, oil/gas, salt, and water by making sure you have a surface barrier on your concrete. 

How often should you seal your driveway?

• Everyone has something different to say about how often to seal your driveway. Some say every 3-5 years, whereas others say every year. The determining factor here should be what sort of weather or climate zone your concrete is exposed to. Environmental factors, rain, snow, freeze/thaw zones, or high sunshine areas should be taken into consideration. If your driveway is exposed to freeze/thaw zones and lots of sunshine or heat (like the weather here in the Okanagan) your driveway might require re-sealing and maintenance every other year. If you salt your driveway or notice your sealer is deteriorating, you might have to reseal yearly. If you ever notice cracks or chips, you should fix these problems immediately. If damaged concrete is left unrepaired, water can seep into the cracks this will quickly deteriorate the concrete.  
• Properly maintaining your concrete saves money in the long run. Make sure you have a protective barrier on your concrete to get the maximum longevity of your investment.

Concrete services we offer for driveways, patios or concrete slabs:

• Concrete cleaning 
• High power pressure washing
• Concrete maintenance
• Concrete sealing (for stained concrete, aggregate concrete, or stamped)
• Concrete patching
• Concrete chip and crack repair
• Adding anti-slip surface finishes onto concrete
• Acid staining, eco-based water staining

We always offer expert concrete advice, superior workmanship and never cheap out on the products we use.  We only use the highest quality materials to repair, maintain or seal your concrete.  Whether your concrete is brand new, needs maintenance, or needs some repair... we are here to help.  We walk you through the entire process and continuously get client referrals. People all over the Okanagan put their trust in Mode Concrete to get the job done right, with long term results.  We always offer free written estimates to our inquiring clients.  We always stay within the original estimated price and on schedule (weather permitting... we live in the mountains afterall!). 

CONTACT us today for any of the services we discuss in this blog.