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.

Contemporary Concrete Floors on the Main Floor (our concrete is the same weight as tile!) - created by MODE CONCRETE in Kelowna BC Canada

If you want ultra-modern style and major design impact, consider concrete floors - the flooring for the stylish at heart.  Concrete floors give a super-modern look, industrial look - and like freckles, concrete floors help to camouflage wear as it gets older. With concrete we embrace and look forward to variations, irregularities, and the patina that develops with wear over time. 

Pictured is a custom black stained concrete overlay floor and tiled fireplace, we created for a client in the Okanagan.   

There are good reasons why interior designers often choose concrete for their most cutting edge spaces. Stained, colored, textured or smooth, concrete boasts limitless design options. It provides a blank canvas upon which homeowners can leave their mark.  But beyond the design advantages, these surfaces are low maintenance and they blend seamlessly with the architectural aesthetics of various design styles.

Concrete Flooring Benefits:

• STYLISH - Undeniably gorgeous, original, one of kind and a piece of art. Homeowners love their concrete floors for their personality. Some owners opt for aesthetic simplicity, while others take advantage of the broad choice of colors and textures available.
• ENERGY EFFICIENCY - Concrete floors can help you save energy. They feel cooler in the summer, so there is less of a need to use air conditioning. During the winter, concrete floors absorb the heat from the sun, helping to keep your home warm.
• SUSTAINABILITY - Using concrete floors helps to minimize waste, unlike other types of flooring, such as carpet, which creates waste from padding and carpet scraps. Also, concrete does not contain the harmful VOCs (volatile organic compounds) that many synthetic carpets do.
• NON SLIP SURFACE - Especially with a waxed surface, you would think concrete floors would be slippery. But the truth is that as long as your floor is finished with sealers and waxes, it should not be slippery. Standard practice and appropriate top coats, ensure that a non-slip additive is applied to the final finish of the floor.  Make sure you or your concrete contractors preform test areas.
• DURABILITY - If they are properly installed and maintained, concrete floors rarely need replacement and there is virtually no maintenance with concrete floors.
• LOW MAINTENANCE - Maintenance is simple. Just vacuum or sweep and follow up with a damp warm mop (use a neutral non-acidic cleaner). The amount of traffic your floors receive will determine the amount of maintenance it will need and how quickly patina's or wear marks appear. A concrete floor with normal traffic will probably need a reapplication of the finish every 2-3 years. 
• COST - Some considerations; size of job, detail (is it a basic application of stain or dye or more detailed design), preparation requirements, time frame, products and materials used (hardware store brand or professional grade) and finally, the experience level of the installer (a more experienced professional concrete artist/craftsman will charge more). Proper installation also means that you won't have to worry about moisture vapors. Vapor barriers should be installed under the concrete slab to block moisture and dampness. Keep in mind that hiring a professional concrete floor installer is the best way to ensure that you won't have problems later and recieve a high-quality concrete product.

MODE CONCRETE created this black stained concrete floor overlay (pictured above), on the main floor of this residence (on a wooden substrate). With proper prep, all surfaces can be topped with a concrete floor similar to this and are made of a light weight concrete so no extra structural supports are required for your project.  We are concrete experts, and specialize in all the services we discuss in this blog.  Please contact us for more details or a free onsite consultation and estimate.

How do you decide which contractor to hire?

This is such a great concern for all home and business owners.  How can you be sure you are getting what you pay for and will be happy with the end results?  Here are some tips on how to weed out the good contractors from the good salesmen.

Tips on choosing a contractor

• How do you know what their quality of work is, before hiring them? No matter how large or small project is, if you want a high quality outcome make sure your contractor is constantly educating themselves. Your contractor should use the most current techniques and best quality products available on the market.  The level of experience and product knowledge in your contractor is crucial in determining the life and quality of the workmanship you pay for. 
• How to decide which contractor is best for me? We suggest meeting with potential contractors and interviewing them, test out their product knowledgeable, experience, see their portfolio, check reviews, referrals and talk to your friends about local experiences.  After a few meetings, you should be able to differentiate between the fly-by-night jack-of-all-trades, and the reputable quality contractor that brings the most knowledge and experience to your project.  
• Why are all the estimates different and how do I know which one to choose? You usually get what you pay for, and getting the best deal or accepting the cheapest estimate, will probably not get you the best results or greatest longevity of the product. The difference in cost could be quality of materials, quality of workmanship, level of experience and could dictate your general level of satisfaction for years to come.

Another tip... you should look for a contractor or business owner that is 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.  

The company owner of MODE CONCRETE, Gareth Tyrrell personally consults with our customers on every job and works on every project to make sure the highest level of quality is produced (that's him in the picture below, look at how super eager he is!). 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.

If you live in the Okanagan and have any questions about our services - let us know!  

Concrete Patios, Concrete Stairs, Concrete Slabs and Forming - We are Concrete Experts Servicing Kelowna and the Okanagan

A recently completed concrete patio slab and custom concrete stairs.

MODE CONCRETE cares about the little details.  We bring the latest European concrete techniques, concrete products and  concrete design ideas to the Okanagan.  

We travel often to educate ourselves and source products worldwide, keeping us ahead of the trends and competition.  If you hire MODE CONCRETE for your next custom concrete project, you will be impressed immediately with our knowledge, quality of workmanship and customer dedication.  

We are available for free onsite estimates.  Contact us today to make a booking!  250.864.6566