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

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Five of the Oldest Buildings in Wisconsin

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Wisconsin is home to beer, cheese, and some of the oldest buildings in the United States. Most of the buildings have maintained their structural integrity and kept their original infrastructure. Here are just five of the oldest buildings still standing in Wisconsin.

Basilica of St. Josaphat: Milwaukee, WI

The Basilica of St Josaphat is one of the oldest churches in the city of Milwaukee. The architect Erhard Brielmaier planned for the basilica to be made entirely of brick. It was decided that the Basilica would contain mixed materials salvaged from the Chicago Post Office. The Basilica was the product of the growing parish and Milwaukee’s Polish community in the late 1800s. This church has served Milwaukee’s south side for over 100 years, making it one of the oldest buildings in the city.

Milton House: Milton, WI

The Milton House, located in Milton, Wisconsin, was built by Joseph Goodrich in 1844. The building was a stop on the Underground Railroad, a safe place for runaway slaves for almost 20 years. Goodrich excavated tunnels for slaves to make safe passage until the 1860s. It’s also the oldest grout building in the United States, which is a rare sight in itself!

Fairlawn Mansion: Superior, WI

On the far northwest tip of Wisconsin there lies a hidden gem. That gem, the Fairlawn Mansion, is a Victorian-era mansion that has been restored and is now a museum. The mansion served as a children’s home for over 40 years, providing shelter for a couple thousand children in need.

Wakely House: Nekoosa, WI

The Wakely House, located near Wisconsin Rapids, is the oldest home in Wisconsin. The house was built in 1842 by Robert and Mary Wakely. The couple migrated from New York, selling lumber along the way, to finally arrive in Nekoosa. The Wakely House serves as the main attraction for people visiting the Wisconsin Rapids area.

Ernest Hueffner Building: Racine, WI

Racine’s Historic Sixth Street Business District hosts many buildings that are still standing after more than 100 years. The Ernest Hueffner Building was built in 1842, making it one of the oldest buildings in the business district. It was originally built with Cream City brick, a cream-colored brick native to Wisconsin. To find out more about the significance of Cream City brick, see our blog post on the history of Cream City Brick!

Want to learn more about the oldest building in Wisconsin? Stay tuned for the second part of this post.

 

 

 

Soot: How to Identify & Remove From Brick

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If your brick house gets damaged in a fire or a fireplace made of brick, there’s a good chance your bricks developing soot. Soot, according to Merriam-Webster, is “a black substance formed by combustion or separated from fuel during combustion, rising in fine particles, and adhering to the sides of the chimney or pipe conveying the smoke.” Soot is not only cosmetically unappealing, but it also presents a wide range of health problems. Here’s what you need to know in order to identify and remove soot from your home.

What Does Soot Look Like?

Soot is likely to form wherever something burns, such as a brick fireplace or chimney. It can also appear on the outside of your home due to fire and smoke damage. According to Restoration Master Finder, soot occurs due to charred remains of wood, coal or oils. The incomplete burning of these materials leaves behind a black, tarry substance. It’s also referred to as black carbon and is commonly mistaken for mold & mildew by homeowners.

A simple method for identifying soot vs. mold/mildew with a paper towel and a little bit of bleach. According to a post from Clayton Homes’ Home Care Guide, if the substance doesn’t come off after rubbing it, it is most likely soot. It’s important to know when your brickwork needs maintenance. Having an inspection done is the best way to confirm the presence of soot.

Why is Soot Dangerous?

Breathing in carcinogens is a known health hazard. Constant exposure to smoke and carbon particles can lead to respiratory issues and cardiovascular issues similar to those who smoke or have asthma. According to a study by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, people who are often exposed to the chemical may be susceptible to developing lung cancer and other ailments. The study showed that chimney sweepers were especially at-risk due to the work environment. Being proactive in getting rid of soot is the only solution, and it’s relatively easy.

How do I Remove Soot?

You can remove soot from brickwork with the right tools and productivity. It’s important to act fast on cleaning soot due to brick’s high porosity. In a video from This Old House, they demonstrate a method for cleaning masonry work using acid-based cleaners. Beware, acid can cause physical harm, so you should consult a professional before taking a DIY approach.

When to Call a Professional

Whether it’s inside or outside of your home, it’s important to contact a professional if you suspect soot. The health hazards of breathing in carcinogens present long-lasting effects. If your brick is unsalvagable due to fire damage and incomplete burning of materials, it’s likely you’ll have to replace your brickwork. Call on Champion Brick, we specialize in brickwork & stone veneer installation across southeastern Wisconsin.

Do I Need a Brick House? Brick and the Alternatives

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Does your house need the regular brick look? Could you use brick alternatives instead?  When it comes to building a home, it’s important to know what material works and looks best. Here’s how bricks compare to other building materials, and how they fare in cost, maintenance, and sustainability.

Brick vs. Vinyl Siding

Cost

Vinyl siding, a plastic sheeting made mostly from PVC, is a popular material. It’s also a very cost effective substitute for brick. Home Advisor’s price rating estimates an average cost of $5,645 – $14,190 for vinyl siding for a home. For a brick home, the site estimates an average cost of $15,000. The high cost of bricks may be off-putting but it can be a real lifesaver.

Maintenance

According to The Brick Industry Association (BIA), both materials are low maintenance; however, bricks have an average 100-year lifespan while vinyl siding averages at 25 years. On top of all that, bricks offer more protection from winds and fire than vinyl siding. A brick’s ability to provide more benefits with less maintenance gives it an edge over vinyl siding. With that being said, the production of brick is more environmentally friendly.

Recyclability

Bricks take the cake for being both low maintenance and environmentally friendly because they require minimal manufacturing. This means there are fewer emissions, and energy is reduced when producing bricks. Brick is also highly recyclable. Damaged bricks from construction sites can be used for fill-in when pouring concrete, DIY home projects, and even making new brick!

15 Creative Ways Old Bricks Can Be Turned Into Beautiful Decorations

Brick vs. Manufactured Stone

Cost

According to roofingcal.com, it can cost you anywhere from $27,000 to $80,000 to install manufactured stone for an average sized home. Brick takes the cake for the most budget-friendly, but each material has its own unique benefits.

Maintenance

Manufactured stone is very malleable, meaning it’s easy for customized design. This makes it a very easy material to install and perfect for getting creative with your home’s appearance.  However, it does not provide the same level of protection as brick does. The BIA points out that manufactured stone does not provide fire protection and may be susceptible to water damage.

Recyclability

According to the BIA, the information on manufactured stone’s recyclability is limited due to it being a newer product.

Brick or Stone? Which One Should I Go For?

It’s important to know the benefits and drawbacks that come with each building material. No matter the material, each one provides its own level of sustainability and either can add a distinguished look to your home.

Can’t decide which one you like? Contact Champion Brick for more information!

How to Choose the Perfect Thin Brick for Your Home

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There seem to be veneers for everything these days. You can have porcelain veneers placed on your teeth to cover damaged teeth, or you can have manufactured wall veneers placed on the outside of your home.

Thin veneers for buildings can come in many styles including stone, tile, and brick. Thin brick veneers are extremely popular because they’re a cheaper alternative to brick construction. Brick is the second most popular exterior siding material in the U.S. but can be out of reach for some homebuyers.

If you’re looking to give your home a makeover, learn more about your brick veneer options here.

man adding thin bricks to wall

What is Thin Brick, Exactly?

Thin brick veneers are 1/2″ to 1″ bricks that can be installed on nearly any interior or exterior surface. Because they are thinner and weigh less, you don’t need to worry about structural elements of your home being able to bear the full weight of bricks.

Using brick veneers allows you to add brick exactly where you want it in your home at a fraction of the cost. For example, if you have a fireplace with no decorative elements around it, thin bricks are a great option to create the appearance of a full brick chimney and fireplace.

For the most part, brick veneers are made with the same materials as full-sized bricks like clay and shale. You can also find veneers made from fiberglass, cement, and other faux materials.

Designing Your Brick Walls

Thin brick is not only flexible in where it can be installed, but also what it looks like. Brick veneers come in a variety of colors, textures, and shapes, so you can create the exact look you want for your home.

When designing an interior brick veneer wall, you want to take the existing elements of the room like furniture and lighting into consideration. For example, does the room get a lot of sunlight or not? If it doesn’t get much light, you might want a lighter brick color to help make the room appear lighter.

You’ll also have to choose the grout. White grout automatically brightens a wall, while colored grout can look a bit more natural and traditional.

You will have to consider the same things if you’re adding brick to the exterior of your home. Consider the surrounding landscaping, how much you want your home to stick out, and your personal preferences. For example, a home that sits farther back from the road and is surrounded by trees would benefit from having a lighter brick color and white grout to make it stand out. This is a typical practice in painting homes.

Make Brick Your Next Project

Adding thin brick to your home might seem like a huge undertaking, but it isn’t. There’s less labor involved and doesn’t require any alteration to the structure of your home. Brick veneers are an affordable way to quickly spruce up your home or add an element you’ve always desired in your home.

Champion Brick is your Milwaukee area thin brick experts. If you have questions about brick veneer installation or want to see samples in person, stop by our showroom in New Berlin.

Brookfield Welcomes Portillo’s!

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Wisconsin residents rejoice! Brookfield is the new home of Wisconsin’s first Portillo’s! (And look at all of that fantastic brick!)

Brick Veneer Restaurant BrookfieldThe beautiful brick exterior of this Chicago-born favorite was supplied by Champion Brick and is a blend of Cinnamon Ironspot, Ebonite Smooth, and Brown Colonial Smooth; all utility size and all manufactured by Sioux City Brick in Iowa.

The expert craftsmanship by Craft Masonry Co., of Slinger, combined with a beautiful brick choice make the exterior of this Italian Beef hot spot stand out alongside the ever-growing Bluemound Road.  The choice to use a brick veneer is always a wise decision, and a sound investment, when you want a wall system that will last for many years to come.

Now, let’s eat!

Brookfield Brick Veneer

Portillo’s – 17685 W Bluemound Rd, Brookfield, WI 53045