Superior Masonry Ann Arbor designs and builds brick fireplaces in Ann Arbor, MI that become the centerpiece of your home or outdoor living space. We construct indoor fireplaces, outdoor brick fireplaces, and fireplace surrounds with safe clearances and proper flue connections. Whether you prefer traditional or modern styling, our brick fireplace construction focuses on performance and beauty.
Superior Masonry Ann Arbor provides professional brick fireplace throughout Ann Arbor, MI, Michigan and the surrounding area. Our licensed, insured crew delivers safe, clean, on-time work with a free estimate before anything begins. Call (734) 887-9416 or request your free quote.
Custom Brick Fireplaces Built for Ann Arbor Homes
A brick fireplace is more than a visual centerpiece. In Ann Arbor it is also a practical heat source that has to stand up to long winters, humidity swings, and older home framing. At Superior Masonry Ann Arbor we design and build brick fireplaces that fit the way you actually use your living room, family room, or outdoor space, not a one size fits all template.
When we visit your home, we start by studying how the fireplace will interact with your existing structure. In many older Ann Arbor neighborhoods like Burns Park and the Old West Side, we often find dimensional lumber framing, quirky floor elevations, and existing chimneys that were built decades ago. We check the load paths in the wall where the brick fireplace will sit, verify clearances to combustibles, and confirm whether the existing chimney or vent system can be reused or if a new flue or direct vent unit is smarter.
From there, we talk through how you want to use the fireplace. Do you want a traditional wood burning fireplace with a full masonry firebox, or a gas insert surrounded by a brick face, or simply a decorative brick feature wall with an electric unit? Your answer changes the internal construction, the necessary firebrick layout, the depth of the hearth, and the type of damper or venting. We match every brick fireplace project to your lifestyle, your heating goals, and your budget.
How We Build a Safe, Long Lasting Brick Fireplace
For a full masonry brick fireplace, we begin with the foundation. In Michigan soil that means verifying the existing footing where the fireplace will sit or pouring a new concrete pad that extends below frost depth. If the home was not originally built with a fireplace, we may core through the slab or open the subfloor to install a properly reinforced footing so the weight of the brickwork does not cause settling or cracking later.
Next, we construct the firebox with high temperature firebrick and refractory mortar. This is the inner chamber that directly contacts flames, so we size it according to your room dimensions and chimney height in order to create a reliable draft. Many do it yourself or low budget builds skip proper firebrick layout or use standard brick inside the firebox. That can lead to spalling, smoke backdraft, and even fire hazards. Superior Masonry Ann Arbor only uses UL listed firebrick and code approved mortar for this stage.
Once the firebox is in place, we build the smoke chamber and throat, then tie into the flue system. For existing chimneys we often install a stainless steel flue liner to bring older masonry up to current Michigan Mechanical Code requirements. For new builds, we design the flue height and cross section to minimize smoke roll out and to work with the prevailing wind patterns we see around Ann Arbor. Finally, we lay the face brick, hearth, and mantel supports, then tool all the joints for a clean, durable finish that is easy to keep clean.
Design Options: Brick Types, Layouts, and Mantels
Beyond safe construction, the visible brickwork is what you will see every day. We spend time on material choices so your brick fireplace looks intentional, not generic. Ann Arbor homes range from classic 1920s brick colonials to modern infill, so we maintain relationships with local brick yards in Washtenaw County to match both color and texture.
You can choose from wire cut brick for a crisp, contemporary look, tumbled or reclaimed style brick for a softer, historic feel, or smooth utility brick for minimalist designs. We often blend two or three different brick tones to harmonize with existing exterior brick or interior hardwood floors. Patterns can include standard running bond, stacked bond for modern spaces, herringbone panels inside the firebox back or on the hearth, and soldier courses that frame the opening.
For mantels, clients in Ann Arbor frequently pair brick fireplaces with reclaimed barn beams, painted wood mantels, or simple brick corbels. We coordinate mantle height to meet clearance rules for gas or wood units and to fit your television or artwork. The surround can be kept brick only, or we can integrate limestone, bluestone, or concrete caps that are well suited to Michigan temperature swings and are hard enough to resist chipping from fireplace tools and log movement.
Cost Factors for a Brick Fireplace in Ann Arbor
The price of a brick fireplace project can vary significantly, and we explain that in detail before any work begins. The largest cost drivers are the structural work required, the type of firebox and venting, and the complexity of the brick design.
If your home already has a sound chimney and the project only involves refacing in new brick and building a new hearth, the cost is usually on the lower end. When we need to open floors, add footings, or construct a new chimney from the firebox up through the roof, costs rise because of labor, materials, and roofing work. Historic homes in Ann Arbor sometimes require extra care, such as rebuilding sagging smoke chambers or correcting non compliant hearth depths installed decades ago.
Fuel type also matters. Wood burning brick fireplaces require a full masonry firebox, carefully sized flue, and additional spark protection, while gas fireplaces may allow a smaller footprint and more flexible vent path. Material choices influence the budget as well. Imported brick, complex patterns like full wall herringbone, and custom cut stone hearths add to cost, while standard modular brick in running bond keeps things more economical. Superior Masonry Ann Arbor walks you through these choices with clear line item estimates so there are no surprises.
Common Fireplace Problems We Fix Around Ann Arbor
Many of our brick fireplace projects are not new builds, but corrections and upgrades to units that are not performing well. In older Ann Arbor homes we often see fireplaces that smoke into the room, have loose or flaking bricks, or show hairline cracks in the firebox and hearth.
Smoke issues are frequently caused by improper throat geometry, undersized or damaged flues, or negative air pressure in the house. We address this by reshaping the smoke chamber, installing insulated flue liners, extending the chimney, or adding outside air kits where appropriate. For gas units, we verify combustion air supply and ensure the brick surround is properly spaced so heat does not damage adjacent framing.
For failing masonry, we remove damaged bricks, grind out deteriorated mortar joints, and rebuild sections using modern high temperature materials. Michigan freeze thaw cycles are hard on poorly built fireplaces. Moisture that gets into brick and mortar can expand in winter and cause spalling or loose joints. We repair these issues, then often add chimney caps, improved crowns, or water repellent treatments designed for masonry so the repair lasts much longer.
If you have cosmetic problems like dated brick color or soot staining, we can clean, re point, selectively replace bricks, or add a thin brick veneer over an existing structure. Our goal is to solve both the functional and aesthetic problems so you end up with a brick fireplace that looks great and works safely every day.
Our Process and What to Expect When You Call
From the first call, Superior Masonry Ann Arbor focuses on clarity and safety. We begin with a short phone conversation to understand your goals, your home type, and whether you have an existing fireplace or chimney. Then we schedule an on site visit, usually within a week for Ann Arbor and nearby communities like Ypsilanti or Saline.
During the visit, we take measurements, photograph the existing wall or fireplace, and check attic or basement areas when needed to see how the structure can support the new brickwork. We also note clearances to windows, nearby framing, and roofing details if a chimney is involved. This lets us design a brick fireplace that meets Michigan Residential Code and local Ann Arbor building department expectations.
Within a few days we provide a written proposal that outlines scope, materials, timeline, and cost. Once you approve, we help with any required permits and schedule the work. On installation days we protect floors and furniture with poly and drop cloths, set up dust control, and keep a tidy job site. Most full brick fireplace builds take several days to a couple of weeks depending on complexity and curing time.
Before we leave, we walk you through operation, basic maintenance, and when to schedule chimney inspections or cleanings. You will know how to safely use your new brick fireplace, what type of wood or fuel is appropriate, and how to spot early signs of wear. Our local team is nearby if you have follow up questions or want future upgrades, such as adding built in shelving or extending the brickwork into a full feature wall.
