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Which Retaining Wall Material is Right for Your Project?

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Looking to spice up your yard? Look no further than a retaining wall. Retaining walls do more than make your yard more aesthetically pleasing—they also help to prevent damaging soil erosion.

There are many factors that go into making a great retaining wall. One of the most important factors, however, is the retaining wall material. There are all sorts of great materials you can use when building your project. But you need to find the right material to fit your style and budget.

Check out our list of the different retaining wall material types from which you have to choose.

retaining wall made from natural stone landscaping materials

Natural Stone Retaining Wall Materials

Do you want a sturdy wall with a natural look? If that’s the case, you should use natural stone in your retaining wall. Some reasons natural stone is popular include:

  • Natural stone can fit almost any landscape style. It creates an organic look that pairs well with a garden or yard.
  • It is also extremely durable. It’s heavier and able to endure outdoor elements. This durability also helps to keep soil from getting through the retaining wall.
  • It offers variety. You can purchase granite, limestone, or faux stone for your retaining wall.
  • You can choose your stone based on the style and color that best fits your yard. Techo-Bloc stones, for example, come in a number of styles and shades.

It’s important to remember that natural stone is a heavier retaining wall material. So, you should only use it for shorter walls that are under four feet tall.

Concrete

You don’t have to stick to a natural-looking retaining wall. Concrete walls are a great alternative for people who want to add a modern look to their yard. When using concrete, remember:

  • Concrete walls create a sleek and contemporary aesthetic. This material can add a touch of sophistication to a garden or yard.
  • Concrete walls are not only used for their appearance. They also have practical uses.
  • Concrete blocks are strong and easy to assemble. As a result, concrete is a good option for people building tall walls, curved walls, and walls on slopes.

Wood

The average retaining wall costs homeowners over $5,000 to build. But that doesn’t mean you can’t build a great retaining wall on a budget.

You can help save money on your project by using wood in your retaining wall. Wood is much cheaper than other materials like natural stone. Wood is also popular because it’s a perfect compliment to a wooden garden or home.

There are plenty of reasons to choose a brick retaining wall over wood however, including:

  • Wood is less sturdy and more vulnerable to the elements than other material.
  • Wooden retaining walls erode over time, especially when they are exposed to moisture for extended periods of time.
  • Wood can invite infestation issues.

You can, however, purchase Douglas fir wood if you’re worried about moisture. This wood is less vulnerable to water and erosion.

Bricks

The gold standard for retaining walls, brick offers many benefits. Bricks make walls that are durable, sturdy, and can last decades. Plus, their aesthetic beauty is only limited by the imagination and skill of the designer!

If you’re planning on building a retaining wall, the first material you should consider is brick. With so many styles and design options, it offers limitless opportunities.

Choosing Your Retaining Wall Material

Are you interested in building a retaining wall? We can help!

We are a premier product supplier for commercial and residential projects. Contact us today to get started on your landscaping project today!

5 Creative Landscape Projects Made with Bricks

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Are you a homeowner looking for a fun way to spruce up your outdoor space? Buying bricks for a DIY project is easy, and the results are elegant and timeless.

There are plenty of creative landscape projects that you can build with bricks. Here are five ideas to get you started.

brick fire pit

A Pathway

Create a beautiful brick pathway winding through your garden. This is a great way to add color and interest to your outdoor space. The color of the brick is a beautiful contrast to a grassy area or a green garden.

You can paint the bricks different colors to add even more interest. Add a fun design in front of a sitting area or another focal point to get more creative. Try different things to see what you like.

A Spiral Garden

A spiral garden is a simple project that has a great end result. Simply arrange your bricks in a loose spiral pattern. The height of the spiral should increase from the outside to the inside. In other words, the inner part of the spiral will be higher than the outer part.

Then fill it in with topsoil and plant some herbs or flowering plants. Choose plants that will contrast with the color of the brick.

A Waterfall

Waterfalls are great additions to a backyard oasis. The sound of water running on a hot day creates such a pleasant and relaxing ambiance.

Building a brick waterfall is as easy as finding a nice corner where the waterfall will fit. Once you’ve piled your brick how you want it, line the inside with rubber. Add a pump (hidden behind bricks, of course) and your waterfall is ready to go!

For more detailed instructions, check out this DIY guide.

A Birdbath

A brick birdbath is another simple project with a big impact. This is a great idea for those who love the sound of birds chirping. And it is as simple as stacking the bricks the height and width that you want your stand. Then add a bowl of water on top.

You can even hang a bird feeder nearby. Soon you’ll have colorful feathered friends flitting about!

A Fire Pit

A fire pit can be as simple or as complicated as you want it to be. At it’s most simple, you can build a ring with space for a fire inside.

If you’re into barbecuing and backyard entertaining, a fireplace grill is a great idea. This project is a bit more complicated, though, so you may need some help. It depends on your level of comfort working with bricks.

If you want to do it yourself, you can find tutorials and DIY guides online.

Perfect Creative Landscapes in Brick

You may find that more than one of these projects appeals to you. Plus, there are a whole lot more things you can do with brick to liven up your space. Be sure to check out our idea gallery to help you find more ideas.

We’re sure that once you get started you’ll love building creative landscapes. It’s so easy and the results are so amazing!

Choosing the Right Decorative Stone For Your Milwaukee Yard

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So, you’ve just started a new landscaping project and you’re ready to find out what type of decorative stone to use. It’s only a matter of preference, but there are some other factors to consider depending on what you’re using it for.

There are a few different types of decorative stone available, and it’s important to know the characteristics and features of each type before you buy. A landscaping project is meant to last, after all.

a collection of decorative stone types

Here, we’re discussing the varieties of decorative stone you can use to complement your home’s exterior. Keep reading to learn more.

Lava Rock

Lava rock is an economical choice for a decorative stone that will cover a specified area. You can find it in lava red and various white, cream, gray, black and speckled colors. This is a porous rock, but it is also light and shaped irregularly. Lava rock is good for drainage and packs down well.

Many people use this stone in their driveways, gardens, and along pathways and walkways.

Crushed Gravel

Crushed gravel will cost you a little more, but it’s a prettier stone. It’s usually gray, white, or tan and shaped irregularly. It’s composed of sharp rock fragments.

The size of crushed gravel ranges from one-quarter inch to three-quarter inches, and it interlocks, which provides for good packing.

You can find crushed gravel on roads, driveways, and pathways. It’s also used for base rock.

Brick Chips

Brick chips are also good for drainage. They’re made from crushed fragments of bricks. As such, their terra cotta color makes a nice landscaping touch.

Sizes of brick chips range from three-quarter inch to one-and-one-quarter inches, and they’re generally used for mulch and driveway stone. This is not the most popular decorative stone available.

Marble

Marble rock for your landscape project will cost you extra, but the benefits are immense for your soil. It can actually change the pH to be less acidic.

Made from fragments of marble, marble stone is used to cover the soil in garden containers and houseplants as well as fountains.

You can typically find marble in five-pound bags in sizes that range from one-quarter inch to one-half inch.

River Rock

River rock is perhaps the most aesthetically pleasing to the eye. It’s natural and smooth, and it comes in shades of brown and grey.

River rock also provides good drainage and prevents erosion. You can find it in sizes of three-eighths inch to two-and-one-half inches. Many people use river rocks in their flower beds, garden beds, and on walkways.

Decorative Stone for Your Home’s Exterior

Choosing a stone for the exterior of your home doesn’t have to be stressful. Make a pros and cons list for each type of stone that you like, especially if you like them all. Narrow it down to just one or two, and then incorporate them into your design to create a flawless entryway or other landscape.

When you’re ready to lay the perfect stone for your next landscape project, contact us. We’re here to help with products and services that exceed general standards.

5 DIY Brick Projects For the Holidays

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Looking to impress your family and friends this holiday season? Whether it’s time to revitalize your landscape or spruce up your interior, the solution is as simple as, well, bricks.

DIY brick projects are perfect for giving your home an extra boost, to the envy of your loved ones. No matter your time, budget, or skill level, there are options to work for you. Need some ideas? We’ve got you covered.

backyard brick fire pit

Here are five projects for DIY enthusiasts to try this winter.

1. Walkway

Bricks are a great low-cost option for a stand-out walkway or a backyard patio trail. From formal designs to quirky, casual broken-brick styles, there are endless choices for a unique walkway. Beyond the cosmetic appeal, here are three more reasons to consider a brick walkway:

  • Resistance to adverse weather
  • Simple to repair
  • Permeable (if dry laid)

A little research and you’ll be flying. A brick walkway is a great starter project for beginners or those less handy with DIY.

2. Fire Pit

A fire pit is a great excuse to bring the family together, especially on cold winter nights. If you love spending time outdoors, a fire pit build could be the perfect weekend hobby.

As it’s one of the most popular DIY brick projects, you’ll find plenty of inspiration online. Oh, and building a fire pit doesn’t have to cost a lot, either.  What’s not to love?

Tip: Before you start building your fire pit, check local regulations. Some cities prohibit their use!

3. Barbecue

Fancy a bigger challenge? Creating a brick barbecue is undoubtedly a step up from the fire pit, but is well worth your time. We think it’s the most satisfying of all DIY projects, too. In addition to looking great, it’ll also keep you well-fed!

Get cracking now, and it’ll be ready in time for the warmer evenings. Plus, as bricks aren’t susceptible to rusting, your DIY barbecue will still look brand-spanking new after the cold winter.

4. Veneer Kitchen Backsplash

Has the thought of an outdoor project left you shivering? If so, consider an interior backsplash for your kitchen. They’re easy to install and won’t break the bank, either.

Thin brick veneers are a great alternative to full brick. With a width of 1/2″ to 1″, they give the same effect, but without the extra weight on your walls.

Tip: Before mounting the bricks, check your wall for moisture. To do this, tape a small piece of plastic to the desired area. If you find moisture after 24 hours, you’ll need a sheetrock base between the wall and veneers.

5. Birdbath

Trying your hand at the above ideas could leave you with excess bricks to play with. Rather than letting them go to waste, build a birdbath. Not only do birdbaths look beautiful, they can also help attract wildlife to your property.

Here’s how to get the job done:

  1. Construct a small brick base.
  2. Level the top.
  3. Add a pair of plastic saucers (for birds to bathe).
  4. Mount a little brick piece next to the saucers (for feather shaking).
  5. Enjoy!

New to Brick Projects?

If the above ideas have piqued your interest, but you’re not sure what bricks you’ll need, don’t worry. Check out our brick types today to find a perfect match for your home.

Can’t find what you need? No worries! Fill out our brick request form, upload a photo, and we’ll be in touch ASAP.

Experience the Elegance of Techo-Bloc Retaining Walls

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Retaining walls play an important part in your lawn’s structural integrity. Constructing one needs to be thought out and should involve quality materials and know-how.

Incorporating a retaining wall into your home’s landscape also has aesthetic benefits as well. You may not know this, but you have the ability to add a level of elegance and class to the exterior design of your home when you install a retaining wall. This all depends on the materials you use for your wall.

If you’re planning the construction of a retaining wall and want sophistication to shine through, Techo-Bloc walls will do the job.

stone retaining wall

Techo-Bloc Walls Create Natural Beauty

When you add a retaining wall, you want to remain in line with the design of your home. A synthetic-looking retaining wall set against a brick or stone home would look out of place.

That’s why Techo-Bloc manufactures stones that have a rustic and natural look. This brings a seamless elegance to the entire property. And because they offer different styles and shades, you can match your new wall to your home. This will create a much more natural balance.

The texturing captured in these stones also mimics what you see in nature. This level of detail is what you’re looking for when you build your retaining wall.

Versatile Design and Functionality

We use retaining walls for a number of different reasons. This greatly depends on the geographic landscape of your property. For instance:

  • They help on sloped lawns to keep the soil firm and in place.
  • If your project includes adding a garden or gazeebo, they help gracefully section off flat areas.
  • You can also use them to accessorize fire pits or flower beds, bringing added elegance to what was once an ordinary lawn feature.

Techo-Bloc walls compliment both the style and functionality of your property. Their quality will ensure your lawn stays in great condition.

Customization Is in Your Hands

An advantage of Techo-Bloc retaining walls is they make it easy to get a unique look that fits your style. Because of the wide variety of stone choices, you can mix and match to achieve an elegant look.

Just a few of the lines they offer include:

  • G-Force – for a sleek and clean look
  • Baltimore – for a rugged, strong feel
  • Prescott – for a natural, imperfect look
  • Mini-Creta – for a classic design element

Keep in mind, they offer many other design options as well, all of which deliver superior functionality. Their bricks and stones come in varying lengths and colors, so if you want to create steps or columns, you have complete design control.

Another benefit is that Techo-Bloc’s products are all compatible with each other. That makes the seamless elegance you’re going for easy to achieve in all stone and brick landscaping features.

Get the Most out of Your Retaining Wall

When planning your new retaining wall, the most important thing is that it’s built correctly. The health and integrity of your property depend on it. Using Techo-Block walls will ensure quality while opening up your options for elegant design.

Champion Brick supplies residential brick and retaining wall materials, including Techo-Bloc in Milwaukee, New Berlin and Southeast Wisconsin. Contact us today to discuss your options.

How to Choose a Great Mortar Color for Your House

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A beautiful facade can make it a joy to come home every day, and it can also dramatically improve the value of your home. In fact, great curb appeal can help you get a 10% higher offer when selling your house!

As you look at projects to upgrade the outside of your home, you’ll want to make sure your stonework or brick is in good repair. You may even want to change it entirely. But choosing the right exterior isn’t the end of the project. You also have to choose a mortar that will complement the look.

Here are some ways to choose the right mortar color every time.

brick wall with white mortar

Why is Mortar Color Important?

You know that mortar is the glue that holds the stone on your home together, but you may not realize that it’s important for more than structure. The mortar you choose can affect how your home looks overall, including influencing the appearance of your stones.

For instance, the color of the mortar can bring contrast to make the stones stand out, or it can help your home have an even, single-color look. It’s completely up to you.

Set Your Goals

The first step in choosing the best mortar color is to know what you’re going for. Here are some things that mortar can do:

  • Make individual bricks or stones “pop” with color
  • Create a uniform appearance
  • Give a home a traditional or modern look
  • Highlight light or dark tones in a varied facade

So, what are you trying to accomplish? It might help to look at examples. A white mortar can bring out cool tones, while a gray mortar may look dated. A red mortar can give a uniform look to red brick, whereas a lighter color with red brick gives a traditional feel.

Test in Several Light Levels

It’s important to remember that as the sun moves across the sky each day, the light on your home will change. Don’t choose a mortar color based only on the early-afternoon look of your home. Instead, try a test area that you can look at several times a day. In fact, you can even try it in the dark with your car’s headlights. You’d hate for the nighttime look to be terrible when you come home from a late dinner!

Choose the Right Mortar and Color it Yourself

Having the right mortar is essential. For instance:

  • You need to make sure it stands up to the weather conditions in your area.
  • You should check to make sure it will hold up over time.
  • It should work well for the type and condition of your stone or brick.

What if you’ve found the perfect mortar but it doesn’t come in the right color? Get a white mix and add a dye pack! You can make your mortar color as light or dark as you care to. Just remember that the final color will be the color of the dry mix. It will look darker when wet, but don’t worry—once it dries, it will be perfect.

Get Started with Your Brickwork Today!

We know how important it is to have the right brick or stone for your home. You want a home that stands the test of time, both in terms of quality and style. And we’re here to help that happen.

Champion Brick is your Milwaukee area brick and mortar experts. If you have questions about residential brick applications or want to see samples in person, stop by our showroom in New Berlin or contact us today!

Why Quality Stone Steps Are a Great Addition to Any Home

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As the popularity of hardscaping continues to rise, many homeowners are looking for new ways to incorporate natural stone into their yards. Stone steps are a wonderful option for homeowners looking to beautify their homes with a sustainable, low-maintenance material.

Keep reading for more reasons why stone steps would make a great addition to your home.

outdoor stone step staircase

Why You Should Add Stone Steps to Your Yard

They’re a Great Way to Deal with an Uneven Landscape

If parts of your yard feature uneven elevation, steps can offer you and your guests a safe way to move from one area to the next. This is a functional way to utilize areas of your property that may have been too difficult to get to in the past. Steps can bring any low-lying or steep parts of your yard together with the rest of your landscaping.

Steps also provide an anchor for other aspects of your landscaping. A terrace garden would provide a dramatic complement to your new outdoor steps. You might also consider adding a hardy groundcover plant for a low-maintenance option.

They’re Durable and Low Maintenance

The best thing about these steps is, when they’re installed correctly, they’ll last for years to come. As opposed to poured concrete, which is prone to cracking, stone is strong enough to withstand temperature changes and repeated pressure from constant use. That means your steps will continue to provide a safe, stable path well into the future.

Stone is also exceedingly easy to care for. Regular sweeping will keep your steps free from debris, while an occasional wash will remove more stubborn stains.

They Add a Natural, Rustic Look to Your Yard

Steps made of natural stone give off an organic look that can easily blend in with the landscape of your yard.

You can use them to create the look of a cozy cottage pathway. If your home leans more Mediterranean, they make a beautiful lead-in to a rustic piazza.

With the help of a professional, you can create an endless variety of looks using natural stone.

They Improve Your Home’s Curb Appeal

Aside from being functional, durable, and easy to care for, steps made from natural stone can instantly boost the curb appeal of your house. That’s a big deal if you plan on selling your home in the future.

Unlike live plants, hardscape additions like steps look great without the need for special care or maintenance. Steps made from stone will improve the look of your home’s exterior no matter the season. That could be a big deal to buyers, as well. It’s easy to admire a lush, landscaped yard, but the thought of caring for a suburban jungle is sometimes enough to send buyers searching for the door.

If You’re Ready to Add Stone Steps to Your Yard, Contact a Professional

At Champion Brick, we know how to use brick, veneer, and other hardscape materials to add curb appeal to your home. If you’re in the Milwaukee area, check out our selection of stone steps today.

How to Choose the Ideal Outdoor Fireplace for Your Home

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Gathering your friends and family around your outdoor fireplace is one of the best ways to spend an evening.

Whether you’re cooking up a feast or relaxing over a bottle of wine, there’s no better setting. The ambiance is so sublime, you’ll find everyone’s willing to gather together without the need for TV or technology.

Since it’s such a large investment, you want to make sure you get it right the first time. Let’s consider three key factors as you begin your design process.

brick outdoor fireplace

1. The Location

Whether you’re setting up your fireplace just outside your back door, or next to a pool or guest house, you want to make sure it’s within easy reach.

If you’re setting it up on your back porch, you might want to consider attaching the fireplace to the patio or deck, or even the back of the house. The goal is to create a cozy setting where it’s easy to carry out a tray of hors-d’oeuvres or a full-blown meal.

If you’re setting your outdoor fireplace somewhere near a pool or guest house, the same principle applies. You want to make sure it’s close enough to offer plenty of warmth and light to all your visitors.

2. The Style

After you’ve measured your space and chosen a location that’s easily accessible, you’ll want to decide on the style of your fireplace.

The first question to ask yourself is whether you want a fire pit or a fireplace. Fire pits are, of course, much smaller and can be centered within your outdoor patio furniture.

A fireplace requires more space. It’s usually a permanent feature, most often designed in a rectangular shape. The firebox located inside can feature another rectangular shape or be arched.

The exterior of the fireplace is usually covered with stone or brick. You can even decide to have some fun with a mantle, wrought iron, or decorative tiles.

3. The Materials

Fire pits and fireplaces can be constructed from an array of materials, from brick or stone to river rock or concrete, and more.

Brick will provide a timeless, traditional feel. It’s also more affordable and available in a wide variety of colors and textures. Read our three-part article on the history of this timeless material.

Stone is another beautiful material that will enhance the look of your fireplace. It can create either a modern or a traditional look with its pretty hues and varied textures.

The options for stone are endless, too, as you can choose from limestone, sandstone, fieldstone, and more.

The Perfect Outdoor Fireplace for Your Home

Browse our selection of outdoor fireplaces today. Our Belgard Bristol Fireplace features two spacious storage areas for your firewood, continuing in the same beautiful style as the fireplace. If you’re looking for a more modern look, our Techno-Bloc Raffinato Fire Pit is a popular design among those looking for clean lines and a little bit of an edge.

Visit our full-service showroom today to begin browsing the style and materials that will fulfill all your outdoor fireplace dreams.

What Kind of Decorative Stone is Right for Your Project?

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Outdoor landscapes and gardens are beautiful homes to flowers, trees, and fruits and vegetables. They bring life to your property and give you a relaxing hobby to take on as a family. Creating such a beautiful space takes careful planning and regular maintenance, though.

It is a team effort, which gets more rewarding with time and upgrades. One of the best ways to give your garden a face-lift is adding decorative stone. Stones bring a vibrant, yet sophisticated, feel to the look of your outdoor space. They can be helpful for growing plants or a simple touch to boost the overall aesthetics.

There are many kinds of stones available in the market, but choosing one is easier than you think. Here are three things to consider when adding decorative stones to your space.

different types of decorative stone

1. Know the Purpose

Are you planning to replace your mulch or create a barrier for your garden pond? This may help narrow down the stone you are looking for because each purpose will require something different.

Small, gravel-like stones tend to work best for pathways. They are the easiest to even out and will feel light to step on. Gravel also works as a mulch replacement, and it never has to be replaced like mulch does.

Bigger stones can create pathways along grass or on top of gravel. Or, you can use large cobblestones to suggest a barrier around your special garden.

2. Consider the Climate

Once you know what you want to do with your decorative stone design, consider the climate in which you live. The right stone for a hot, humid area may not necessarily work as well in places where your property receives heavy snow or rainfall.

Make note of the conditions your rocks will endure as you choose between large or small and river rock or bark.

3. Pick a Color and Theme

After determining what the best rocks are for your home’s conditions, you can start to get creative! The best way to make the most of your space is to pick a theme and make it come to life.

Something like a tranquil reading garden is the perfect place to lay a gravel path with a comfortable chair and a source of natural water. You can even make the path a walking space lined with flowers and potted plants.

Or, maybe you prefer a more vibrant, exciting area to mix and match native and exotic plants. This would be the perfect chance to use large decorative stone as a natural barrier. It serves a purpose and adds a funky, rough element to the space.

No matter the direction you choose to go in, there is a way to make it happen. The use of stones ties your garden together in a low-maintenance, high-quality way.

Choose Your Decorative Stone

Ready to transform your garden from grassy greens to luscious landscaping? Order your decorative stone to get things started!

Contact us today to discuss the perfect option to make your outdoor visions come to life.