Champion Brick

Southeastern Wisconsin's leader in Brick, Stone, and Landscape products.

Phone: 262-786-8260
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5 Benefits of Installing an Outdoor Fire Pit

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Fire pits are perfect for s’mores and parties, and they even make your home more attractive to buyers if you decide to sell. Installing an outdoor fire pit provides many benefits to your home, and whether you choose a gas-powered or wood-burning fire pit, you’ll be turning your patio into a multi-seasonal space that’s perfect for entertaining.

Benefits of an Outdoor Firepit

  • They’re perfect for creating ambiance. For many years and counting, people have used fire pits to create a warm and unique atmosphere that nothing else can quite replicate. It gives the surrounding area a glow that immediately draws people in.
  • They make your patio functional for much longer. If you’ve lived in Milwaukee for long enough, you know that there are generally only a few months of the year you can use your patio for social gatherings. Fire pits make it possible to gather with friends and families during the spring and fall. The warmth of the fire makes cool nights much more enjoyable.
  • They provide entertainment for your guests. Crackling fire can be an exciting centerpiece when entertaining a group. Wood-burning and gas fire pits can both be used to roast marshmallows, provide the perfect ghost-story atmosphere, and are sure to provide hours of backyard amusement and relaxation.
  • It adds to the design of your patio. Your patio is an essential part of your home, and there is nothing that can pull together the design of your patio quite as well as a fire pit can. There are multiple types of brick and stone fire pit designs we can provide that will complement any backyard.
  • They add value to your home. Not only do they look great, but they can also drastically increase the value of your home. They’re a simple addition and are incredibly desirable on the market! Fire pits have become quite a popular investment for homeowners.

Contact Us

If installing an outdoor fire pit is something you find yourself interested in, don’t hesitate to contact us! We don’t just install fire pits, we also advise you on what type of fire pit is best for you and your home. We’d love to hear about your home and how we can help make your ideas a reality!

4 Reasons to Have an Outdoor Fireplace or Fire Pit

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Fall is the perfect time to enjoy campfires. You don’t have to deal with the pesky mosquitos of summer and getting to enjoy the cooler weather and warmth of a crackling fire before it gets too cold to be outside. Whether you have a campfire pit in your yard that’s self-made or you’ve been thinking about adding one to your yard, Champion Brick can give you the perfect outdoor fireplace or fire pit in time to still enjoy it. Here are four reasons why you should have one.

They’re beautiful.

The materials and different styles of fire pits or fireplaces Champion Brick offers will add elegance to your backyard that wasn’t there before. If you’re looking for something to enhance your yard, a modern-looking fireplace will do just that. Check out some of the beautiful fireplace styles and materials available to give you ideas or to choose a look you love.

They create hangout space.

If you’re someone who loves to entertain, an outdoor fireplace or fire pit is especially the perfect space to entertain. Most people enjoy being outdoors and around a toasty, crackling fire. Impress your guests with a striking outdoor seating area centered around a modern or classic fireplace. If you do have a smaller home, in particular, it can create more space to hang out and entertain.

Variety of designs.

Briefly mentioned previously, there are many options for materials, colors, and designs to choose from. Techno-Bloc and Belgard are two of the most prevalent materials used by Champion Brick but with those, a variety of fireplace or fire pit designs can be created such as:

  • rustic
  • modern
  • modern chic
  • industrial chic
  • classic

Versatility.

An outdoor fireplace or fire pit in your yard is beautiful all on its own but it’s not the only way to have one. If you already have a patio but a small yard, or just want to revamp your patio, consider adding a fireplace to it. The look of outdoor fireplaces on patios make it feel almost like another room of your home. Again, with near-endless options for designs there are many ways to make your patio exquisite. Take a look at some of the ways an outdoor fireplace could enhance your patio.

Contact Us

If you’re now convinced an outdoor fireplace or fire pit is just what you need to give your yard the look and space you want, contact us today. We’d love to talk to you and get started on the perfect fireplace or fire pit project for you.

4 Ways to Incorporate Brick to Your Home

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Brick is a material that can be used in any home to create a variety of looks. Elegant, modern, modern chic, rustic, country and more. Whatever your aesthetic appeal, brick is an excellent choice to help create that. In addition, it’s highly versatile in where it can be used. Whether you’re making plans to build or looking to give your home a makeover, consider adding brick to those plans. Here are four awesome ways to incorporate brick into your home.

Interior design

Brick is frequently used in outdoor spaces but it doesn’t have to be used only outdoors or for the structure of a home. Incorporating brick to the inside of your home gives you endless options for creating a beautiful space. It can be used in any room and you also can paint it any color you like. The versatility in looks that can be achieved make brick a fun and smart choice to add to the interior of your home.

Steps, caps, & landscape design

Some of the outdoor spaces where brick is great to use are on steps, places that need or can use cappings, such as steps or an outdoor structure, and in landscape design. Using brick for your outdoor steps is a great choice because not only do you get a striking look, it’s also highly durable and will last a long time. It makes an excellent cap for outdoor structures as well. In addition to steps or caps, brick is an eye-catching addition to landscape design. Use it to frame an area of plants or flowers to create a more elegant and attractive yard.

Driveway and walkways

Using brick for a driveway or walkway is an up and coming trend. Brick driveways have become increasingly popular again in recent years. They can blend in well with your landscaping, offer easy maintenance, and usually last for decades. They can give your home a distinguished look and both curb appeal and value to your property. Likewise, a brick walkway can be created in a range of designs and is as beautiful as they are functional.

Patios

It may not be the first thought, to use brick for a patio but it is an excellent choice. As has been mentioned, brick offers a lot of diversity in design and with creativity, the options are nearly endless. An assortment of colors only further expands the design looks that can be achieved. In addition to the aesthetics, in an area that can have a lot of foot traffic and use, the robustness of brick is another perk. Champion Brick has experience installing beautiful outdoor patios. Check out some of the projects we’ve done on our website.

Contact Us

Like to add brick to your home? Contact the experts, Champion Brick, today. We’d love to hear from you and see how we can help you achieve your dream home look.

4 Ways to Use Brick to Design an Outdoor Living Room

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Winter is approaching in Milwaukee, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still think about outdoor home additions or renovations. Use patio space to create a beautiful outdoor living room. An outdoor living room can be enjoyed year-round and provide extra space for entertaining. Brick is the perfect material to use to create an outdoor living room. Here are 3 ways to use brick to design the flawless space you want.

Brick Patio Floor

The patio floor is going to be the foundation of any outdoor living room. Choosing to use brick for the floor is a smart choice because it’s as durable as it is beautiful. With an array of colors, sizes, and shapes, any design and look can be achieved. Champion brick offers a wide variety of brick and can help you find the brick and color you want to create your perfect outdoor space.

Brick or Stone Outdoor Fireplace

An outdoor living room isn’t complete without a fireplace. Having a fireplace makes the space useable to nearly year-round. Enjoy the warmth and comfort of a fire on a summer night or bundled up in a blanket on a quiet winter night with a glass of wine. No matter when you want to enjoy your patio living room, a fireplace encompassed in brick will set an elegant ambiance for any time of the year and any occasion.

Brick Walls

You can use brick to create a more enclosed space with walls that are 3 or 4 feet tall. This will help define your outdoor living room better. If you do want to use it during cold seasons, brick walls will help make it more useable by providing some protection from the wind. Whether you want a more open, summery outdoor living space or one that is usable year-round, you can achieve it with full or half brick walls.

Brick or Stone Bar/Grill Area

Depending on how fancy you want to get, you can also add a brick bar or small grill area. Designing a bar or grill area with brick is beautiful and elegant. It’s ideal for when you’re hosting parties and don’t want to be running in and out of the house while preparing food and trying to socialize. A variety of designs and layouts can be created with one or both. Really give everyone something to talk about by adding a bar or grill area to your outdoor living room.

Contact Us

Ready to start designing your outdoor living room? Contact Champion Brick today. We’ll help get you started selecting the perfect brick to achieve the look you want.

Four Reasons to use Interior Thin Brick in Your Home

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Brick is a beautiful element to use in your home design, both inside and out. With a variety of colors to choose from, Champion Brick offers interior thin brick that can create a range of looks for your home. From elegant and modern to country chic or classic country. If you’re looking to remodel your home or are planning on building, here are four reasons to consider adding interior thin brick to your new home designs.

Four Reasons for Interior Thin Brick

Add Warmth

Add more warmth and coziness to any room by creating an accent wall using thin brick. Want more than just an accent wall? Add the thin brick to connecting walls as well. The different shades of color of natural brick create an effortless warmth. You can enhance or contrast that warmth with complimentary furniture, woodwork, decorations and lighting.

Versatility

Interior thin brick is a great way to create warmth but it’s also versatile enough that it can give you a variety of other looks and effects as well. For example, if you want a bolder look that makes a statement, that can be accomplished by painting the brick black, white or silver. As an added bonus, the texture of brick enriches any room. If you’d like to make a room look particularly masculine, the raw texture of a brick black wall combined with industrial fixtures will do the trick. On the other hand, if you want modern and edgy with little effort, a silver brick wall with it’s design lines will give you that contemporary and elegant look in one. The versatility really is nearly endless. 

Easy Application

Interior thin brick is not a structural brick, so it can directly adhere to a prepared drywall or plywood substrate. This is what makes it especially easy to add if you are wanting to do a home remodel and create a new look. Not all home renovations have to be extreme projects. Adding interior thin brick will give you a dramatic new look that was actually fairly simple to do.

On Trend

Exposed brick walls are coming back as a contemporary look that’s on trend. Whether the brick is from an original structure or installed makes no difference. As already discussed, the looks that can be created with thin brick is almost endless. Whatever contemporary design you want to accomplish, a brick wall will not only help create that, it will enhance it. If you choose the brick color and the furniture coordinately, you are bound to get some attractive interiors that look like those from the magazines.

Contact Us

Champion Brick has tackled a number of projects with interior thin brick for clients and has a wide variety of thin brick options for you to choose from to create any aesthetic you’re going for. If you’d like to schedule a consult for a project or have questions about any of Champion Bricks products or services, contact us today and we’d love to talk with you.

Pavers and Designs That Fit You

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Pavers are a great way to add a beautiful aesthetic appeal to your home and jazz up the look of any driveway, pathway, or walkway. Champion Brick offers a wide selection and can help you with design ideas as well. With a variety of colors, textures, shapes, and sizes, the design possibilities are almost endless.

TYPES OF PAVERS

While there are a variety of different types, at Champion Brick, we utilize four main types of materials for pavers.

Clay

Clay pavers provide a classic look that come in red or brown tones typically. These earth tone colors are a great choice as the natural color is more fade resistant compared to artificially colored ones. Check out the select Champion Brick offers on our website.

Belgard (stone/porcelain)

Stone is another common material pavers are made of. For its stone product, Champion Brick uses one of the best brands called Belgard. Because Belgard is such a great brand, Champion Brick uses it not only for stone material but porcelain as well. Porcelain is a great option if you want a more contemporary look to your home. It’s also frost-resistant, skid-resistant, stain-resistant and easy to clean. To see the selection by Belgard that Champion Brick offers, view our webpage here.

Techo-bloc

Techo-bloc is another brand that Champion Brick uses for their paver material. All Techo-Bloc pavers designed to withstand vehicular traffic, are salt-resistant and color-consistent all the way through. With their superior thickness and interlocking characteristics, Techo-Bloc pavers are the perfect choice for stone driveway projects especially. They also are an excellent option for modern looks and designs. For a selection of the techo-bloc Champion Brick carries, visit our website.

Wood plank

Wood plank pavers are another beautiful and a more unique option, solely for the purpose that they can handle foot traffic only. A timeless look, the wood plank pavers Champion Brick uses are from Reading Rock and unlike any other. Each piece mimics aged oak wood pulled from an old barn in Kentucky. There are six different molds used to create the variety of patterns on the pavers which allows for a versatile, natural, and rustic look that could make anyone believe that it is real wood. To view the selection of aged oak wood plank pavers offered, visit the Champion Brick website.

PAVER DESIGNS

As mentioned previously, there are hundreds, if not thousands of different of pavers designs that can be created based on the layout of the pavers and variety of material. Champion Brick has worked on many paver project utilizing different designs and paver material. For ideas for your walkway or patio or just to see Champion Brick’s work, take a look at our project gallery just for pavers and outdoor living spaces.

CONNECT WITH US

If you’re interested in adding or redoing you walkway, driveway, or patio it’d be our pleasure to connect with you and discuss further exactly what you’re looking for and how we can help. Connect with us via email on our contact page or find our number there and call us today!

Natural Stone Veneer For Homes

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If you’re planning on building a new home or want to renovate your current one for an updated look, consider adding natural stone veneers into you plans. With a variety of shapes and colors you can create a look for home that is edgy and modern or classic suburb. Champion Brick currently offers six natural stone veneer options to choose from that provide a variety of looks for any home. Natural stone veneer is a great option to consider as it’s become a growing popular item in the market over the last several years.

What is natural stone veneer?

Stone veneer is a product that can be made from natural stone or manufactured stone, similar to how precious gems have their alternative faux items. Natural stone veneer is made from real stone that is either collected fieldstone or quarried. The stone is cut to a consistent thickness and weight for use as a veneer. Manufactured stone veneer is composed of Portland cement, lightweight natural aggregates, and iron oxide pigment for coloration. Natural thin stone veneer is cut to approximately one-inch thickness, weighing no more than fifteen pounds per square foot. This is important because it allows the contractor to install stone without building a block or concrete base that has to support the weight of a full bed stone.

They can weigh up to fifty-five pounds per square foot, which is a lot of weight to support and one of the reasons why natural thin stone veneer has become so popular.

Stone designs/cuts

Natural stone veneers can come in many styles. Here are typical cuts you can find:

Round: These are natural shaped round and ovals that have a balance of size. They’re great for that old farm look or for oceanside communities. Farm walls or country fireplaces are a very desirable look, especially in the northeast and mountain areas.

Square and Rectangular: This cut enables you to get an excellent ratio of size which is a plus for larger applications. It’s a great choice for a classic “old world” look.

Rectangular: This is rustic or a finely cut shape; a very universal cut that can be used in most applications large and small. It has a balance of size but not as dramatic as the square and rectangular.

Ledge Cut: Ledge cuts are smaller in width two to four inches and have varying lengths. If used alone they can create a “stacked” look and are an excellent choice for contemporary designs.

Mosaic Cut:This is a cut with points and angular shapes that have a mix of large, medium, and small sizes. Mosaic is another great option for larger areas where you can show the contrast of the shapes and size.

Contact Us

Champion Brick can assist you with any questions you may have about the product or design ideas. Check out our project gallery for ideas and to see some of the work we’ve done already with natural stone veneer. If you’d like to schedule a consultation or just have a question contact us and we’d be happy help.

5 Reasons to Add a Pergola to Your Home

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Pergolas can provide an elegant way to enjoy your back patio during the summer, fall and even spring seasons. They provide a nice sitting area that allows you to enjoy fresh air and sunlight without having to sit completely exposed to the harsh sun. Incorporating a brick foundation to your pergola is a way to elevate it even more. Champion Brick can help you to select just the right paver or decorative stone to add to your pergola and give it the look you want. Here are 5 reasons to add a pergola to your home.

Create a defined space.

Depending on the layout of your backyard and what you have done already, if you are looking to create a more purposeful space there or perhaps more functional one, a pergola is a great solution for both. This is especially true if you have a small back yard or don’t have a deck or patio. A pergola automatically creates an entertainment lounge or dining area, perfect for when you are entertaining guests.

Create privacy.

If you just have an open patio area but want to feel like you have a little more privacy a pergola is a great remedy. It is an open structure. but with that structure you can create privacy by adding drapes, latticework, or screens to a couple of sides. Get the feeling of some privacy while still enjoying an open space.

Create protection from the elements.

Already mentioned briefly, pergolas provide protection and shade from the harsher elements, such as direct exposure to sunrays or wind. They create a space to enjoy the beautiful weather while it’s around without having to worry too much about a sunburn.

Add value to your home.

According to experts, you can add as much as 20 percent value to your home with attractive landscaping. Unlike gazebos, pergolas are extremely affordable, but still add worth. They add a lot of beauty and interest to your outdoor area, making it a poignant asset if you decide to sell your home.

Combine it with different materials to make it shine.

If the previous four aren’t reason enough, incentive number five takes the cake for those who love landscape design and architecture. Pergolas have an elegant look in and of themselves, but when you combine that with other materials such as brick pavers, that look of elegance is furthered even more. Champion brick has a beautiful selection of stone or wood pavers that fit beautifully with a pergola or even decorative stone to frame the outside. Check out Champion Brick’s Heartland Pergolas page for examples of some of the striking looks of the combination of pergolas with brick and paver materials to see for yourself.

CONNECT WITH US

If you’re interested in adding a pergola to your home, Champion Brick would love to hear from you and talk with you about design options that fit your style. Connect with us via email on our contact page or find our phone number there to talk a professional today.

Brick and Design Advice from Champion Brick

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Finding expert resources, home design advice and materials isn’t always easy, especially in one place. Whether you’re remodeling your home or designing and building a new one yourself, it’s exciting to make changes and updates to the feel of your home or have the creative control to make it look just how you want from the start. Although it is an exciting endeavor, it can also be overwhelming with so many decisions and choices to make when it comes to design, materials, and look, as well as what business to trust with your investment. Champion Brick is the best choice in Milwaukee for any work you’re looking to be done regarding:

  • Building your home out of brick
  • Entry ways
  • Indoor designs or archways
  • Indoor or outdoor fireplaces
  • Pavers for your driveway, walkway or patio
  • Retaining walls
  • Pergolas
  • Decorative stone
  • A wide variety of stone and brick selections to choose from

Resources on Brick Selections, Design Advice and More

Having one place to go for all the information and research you may want to do before hand can be extremely valuable. It not only saves on time but also, if you know you’re getting the information from an expert in the industry, you can know you’re getting advice that you can trust. That’s why we have compiled a list of resources with information on:

Champion Brick is a company that is an expert in the business and will provide you with the highest quality end product.

Contact Us

You can contact us through email or by phone if anything from our resource pages prompts a question or something you’d like to find out more about. It’d be our pleasure to hear from you and talk with you about any inquires you might have.

For a little extra consolidated, fun information about different types of bricks and what kind is best for certain uses check out the link here.

Retaining Walls Provide Beauty and Function

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Retaining walls are a functional way to fix a landscape problem or create extra space that can be beautiful as well. Whether you’re a residential or commercial owner, Champion Brick can help you pick out the perfect brick to create just the look you want. We can also discuss design ideas with you if you’re not quite sure what to do. Here are some reasons you might consider adding retaining walls to your property and some options of the kind of brick and look you can create.

Functions That Retaining Walls Serve

Extra support and water correction. One of the most practical reasons for a retaining wall is to provide extra support where needed to help prevent ground from moving from downhill erosion. A retaining wall does this by being designed to offset the lateral force of a slope, decreasing the angle of it and holding back soil. In addition to providing support, they also help slow the flow of rainwater and reduce flooding in areas prone to it.

Create extra land space. For residential and commercial owners in areas that are especially hilly, retaining walls automatically provide a space where it’s easer to plant flowers or bushes. Landscaping is always easier to do on a level space, even if it is on a smaller scale.

Extra seating space. While not the first idea of what comes to mind when you think “retaining wall”, a residential retaining wall could become a spot to sit for you and guests on a nice summer day.

Brick Options

Champion Brick has several types of brick and color options for you to choose from to create anything from a modern and chic look to simple and classic. Our brick selections include:

Wall Designs

The retaining wall design is important, not only so that you are happy with the look and final product of it, but also for structural purposes. If a wall is improperly installed it can lead to cracks, bulging, or leaning. This defeats the primary purpose of it to begin with.  The most common wall designs are interlocking blocks or poured concrete and natural stone. Either are great options, again, depending on the look you desire to achieve. Typically, interlocking blocks or poured concrete are more cost effective and pair well with homes and businesses with a modern feel. However, the slightly more expensive natural stone wall is frequently thought of as the most attractive and can add character and elegance to an otherwise simple layout.

To discuss options you’re most interested in, or if you have questions about adding a retaining wall, contact us today and we’d be glad to talk with you.