Cool and Modern Concrete Floors - by MODE CONCRETE

If you want to create a major design impact, consider concrete floors - the flooring for the stylish at heart.  Concrete floors get so much better with age 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. 

Below are images of a natural concrete floor that we recently polished and finished. We love love love the final look!!

Recently, the use of concrete as a residential flooring option has become more popular as more beautiful and economical techniques have become available, and major designers are spreading the word about the amazing benefits of concrete floors. Concrete flooring is so durable that it has become a great option economically and packs quite the style statement. 

Benefits of concrete flooring:

• it's a green, eco-friendly, zero-waste option - the flooring is already in your home
• as your taste or style evolves, it's easy to change the look of your concrete floor
• every house already has a concrete floor waiting to show it's potential and personality
• our process is eco-friendly, dust-free and non-toxic
• it is has great longevity when compared to other flooring materials
• it enhances the integrity of your homes' architectural design elements
• they are super easy to maintain, keep clean and are hypo-allergenic
• it's easy to change, especially if you sell your home; the next owner can place other flooring on top of the concrete slab
• they are great in regions with a lot of sand, snow or moisture

 

Above are pictures of another gorgeous project completed by Mode Concrete in Kelowna BC. Please contact us to discuss any of the services we talk about in our blog. 

Contemporary Concrete Kitchen with Waterfall Countertop - made by MODE CONCRETE in BC

This is a renovated kitchen that we recently worked on. This countertop was overextended and a waterfall edge was added. Waterfall edges are great because they finish off the end of the kitchen cabinetry nicely, while providing extra livable space with the bar edge. 

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.  The concrete surfaces that we create are incredibly durable, waterproof and easy to keep clean and germ free. All of our concrete is top quality and built to last for years!  

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 details on any of the services discussed in this blog. 

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

We created all of the the concrete in this kitchen, from the backsplash and to the oversized apron farmers sink.  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.

And's let talk about this brilliant innovation. With concrete we can literally imprint anything or customize in any way... like this built-in draining board that is sloped and drains into the concrete sink. Brilliant and functional on so many levels. 

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.  

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. 

Check out our concrete DREAM LOUNGER at FACTOR FURNITURE in Kelowna BC - Grand Opening this week!!

So the time has finally come, Factor Furniture the Gallery will be opening this week!! They only sell the most outstanding, high quality, modern furnishings available on the market. They will have a grand opening open to the public this Friday (Nov 21st, from 2pm-6pm) and an industry elite event for contractors, designers and fellow industry pros on Thursday (Nov 20, from 12pm-2pm). Check out the flyers below for more details!!

Why should you go check out Factor Furniture the Gallery: 

• They will be selling our concrete Dream Lounger, as featured in Azure and in the Globe & Mail.
• They will be selling some of our modern paintings (all original, ultra modern pieces, created by Mode Concrete co-owner Cindy Manchur).  
• We said it before, and we'll say it again... they only sell the most outstanding, high quality, modern furnishings available on the market. So what are you waiting for? Mark it in your calendar and go check out their goods this week! Did I mention there will be food, drinks, face-painting and a huge giant prize they will be drawing for?!?  
• While you are there, you can also see their super cool and contemporary concrete floor that MODE CONCRETE helped finish and polish.

The Grand Opening details for the masses.

The industry elite Meet & Greet details.

If you'd like any more details about either of these events, please contact Factor Furniture for the low down. Cheers and good luck to anyone who enters their amazing prize giveaways!

Concrete Floors Naturally Look Amazing and Modern - Simple, Inexpensive, Quick Process - ARTICLE by MODE CONCRETE in Kelowna BC Canada

No concrete floor is complete without the application of a surface treatment. 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.

All pictures above, is a concrete floor surface finished and completed by MODE CONCRETE in Kelowna BC.

Think of a concrete floor sealer as a protective 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. Pets may also cause damage to a concrete floors that can be prevented with sealant and wax. New concrete floors should be sealed after they are completed, while existing concrete floors should be sealed every few years based on wear and tear. 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. Always make sure that the concrete contractor preforms tests on small areas, or shows you samples of what to expect.

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 basement floor pictured below) it takes less than a week!

For more information on sealing, waxing or staining any interior or exterior concrete floors, decks, or surfaces, please contact MODE CONCRETE.  We service Kelowna and the entire Okanagan Valley, in BC Canada.

Give New Life to your Concrete with Acid Stain - Concrete Patio completed by Kelowna BC, MODE CONCRETE

Concrete 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. With concrete we embrace and look forward to variations, irregularities, and the patina that develops with wear over time. Adding a stain can further add a depth and character to your concrete surface and camouflage any naturally occurring imperfections. Here we created a rich patinaed, antiqued brown concrete patio for our Kelowna client.

Here are some before and after pictures, so you can see the impact that concrete staining has on existing concrete.

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.

Some before and after pictures, so you can see the impact that concrete staining has on existing concrete.

We have many great dyes and pigment options available.  Concrete staining and sealing is great for driveways, patios, concrete floors, retaining walls , 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.

Here is the acid stained concrete patio, completed by our expert artisans in Kelowna BC.  Contact MODE CONCRETE for more details or pricing today!

DIY concrete staining advice: Concrete art is only as good as the artisan completing the project. DIY'ers contact us all the time... but without proper technique, product exposure and the experience, results could vary greatly in this regard.  We always advise doing test areas to see how the concrete reacts before treating large surfaces.  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.

If you plan to hire professionals:  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.

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

Considering Modern Concrete Floors in your Home or Business? We address top questions & concerns - by MODE CONCRETE

Are you considering concrete floors in your home or business?  Our clients absolutely love the concrete floors that we have created.  Concrete benefits include durability, flexibility of design options, incredible longevity, easy maintenance, cost and best of all it embraces age by developing a one-of-kind patina that is totally unique.

 The floor before we worked our concrete magic.

 Here is a brand new polished natural concrete floor we did for the Manteo / Rykon Group Head office in Kelowna BC.

 Here is a brand new polished natural concrete floor we did for the Manteo / Rykon Group Head office in Kelowna BC. 

 Here is a brand new polished natural concrete floor we did for the Manteo / Rykon Group Head office in Kelowna BC.

Top questions we get about concrete floors or overlays:

• For people wondering if concrete floors can be done on wood subfloors and substrates... well yes you can!  After preparing the surface, we can pour a thin layer of new concrete to any 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.
• We are often asked if concrete is bone chillingly cold? Concrete floors will have similar properties to natural stone or tile.  In warmer months, the daily temperature of the floor will stay as cool as tile does - perfect for where we live in the Okanagan.  
• Will concrete be hard on my joints and on my feet all day?  Concrete has similar properties and hardness to tile or natural stone, so you can expect the same level of cushioning under your feet and joints.  If this is a concern, put a throw rug (or gel mat) where you expect to stand for long periods.
• Does concrete crack and chip easily?  It acts the same as natural stone and is a very durable material, it is easily repaired if something should happen to your floor.  It is easier to repair than tile or wood, since we can patch fix and fill any damage that may occur over your floors life. With adequate sealers and waxes, your floor will have a barrier protecting your concrete.  Proper concrete sealing/waxing every few years will maintain your floor and renew that wonderful brand-new sheen or reflective quality to your concrete floor.

If you have any more questions about our services, or would like to make an appointment please contact us today.