Friday 22 August 2014

Contemporary Concrete Fireplace with Flush Wood Grain Cabinetry - Concrete Large Format Tiles created by MODE CONCRETE

Here is a gorgeous modern concrete fireplace and hearth that MODE CONCRETE just completed. 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.

 All of the concrete tiles used for this fireplace feature wall were created and designed by MODE CONCRETE in Kelowna BC.

We can make recommendations based on your application and give you various options depending on your budget.

All of the concrete tiles used for this fireplace feature wall were created and designed by MODE CONCRETE in Kelowna BC. Here is Gareth Tyrrell (owner and concrete artisan) making sure everything is 100%.  He works directly with all of our clients to ensure the highest level of product quality is achieved on every project.

Contact MODE CONCRETE today to discuss your project at modeconcrete@shaw.ca or call / text 250.864.6566.  We specialize in high-end artisan concrete, servicing Kelowna and the Okanagan Valley.

Wednesday 20 August 2014

Considering a Concrete Floor Overlay for your Basement? Call the pros at MODE CONCRETE in Kelowna BC (featured in Globe & Mail, and Azure's Product Guide)

Considering concrete overlay floors on your basement?  Well, you've come to the right blog... A concrete floor is the perfect solution to any home-gym, basement, garage, or any space you want something super durable that is easy to maintain. 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.

We specialize in this tricky technique and won't skimp on products, skill or quality to be the cheapest in town. When you hire Mode, you hire the company owner to work directly on your project to attain the highest level of quality possible that stands behind our work. Check out our reviews, we always make sure our customers are happy and will use again in the future.




This client was renovating their basement and hired us to apply our ultra thin concrete overlay on the entire surface.  And ta-da... check out the spectacular results!  All the pictures above are of MODE CONCRETE's concrete overlay on an existing basement floor.

Concrete floors are modern, industrial 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.  If you are staining your concrete floor, the darker or more vibrant the stains you choose, the natural patinas may be more obvious. The reason is simply because there is a greater variation between the top layer of stained concrete and the concrete material itself.  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?

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

Tuesday 5 August 2014

How often should you seal your exterior concrete? Concrete Pool Decks, Patios, Driveways and Pathways - Sealing, Yearly Maintenance, Repair & Refinishing

Concrete Pool Decks, Patios, Driveways and Pathways - Sealing, Yearly Maintenance, Repair & Refinishing 

ARTICLE BY THE PROS AT MODE CONCRETE IN KELOWNA BC.

Now is the perfect time of year to look at your exterior concrete, especially if your concrete is exposed to the extremely hot temperatures we have in the Okanagan.  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 exterior concrete? 
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 concrete is exposed to moisture, freeze/thaw zones and lots of sunshine or heat (like the weather here in the Okanagan) your concrete might require re-sealing and maintenance every other year. If your concrete is exposed to salt 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.

How can I tell if my concrete needs resealing? 
Water should bead up on the surface of the concrete if your sealer is doing its job. If this is not happening, it's time to reseal your concrete. High traffic areas or highly acidic areas (exposure to salt, chlorine, vehicles) will likely need resealing on a more frequent basis. 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.It is recommended you seal your brand new concrete after it is cured (28 days after it's poured). If you don't seal your concrete, water may seep into the surface pores of the concrete, which can eventually lead to surface or structural damage.
Above is a driveway MODE CONCRETE sealed in Penticton BC.

Concrete services we offer on pool decks, pathways, 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
  • Mildew removal
  • Moss removal
  • Troubleshooting water damaged concrete

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.  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.