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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.

 

 

 

DIY Stone Veneer Projects for Wisconsin Homes

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Winter can be a great time to brainstorm DIY projects for your Wisconsin home. Stone veneer can be the main ingredient in sprucing up your home in time for spring. Whether it be inside or outside, there are a number of ways you can incorporate stone veneer in DIY projects. Here are just five ways you can get creative with DIY stone veneer projects.

Paneling Your Walls with Stone Veneer

You don’t have to bring out the paint bucket to spruce up your walls. Adding stone veneer panels can spice up your home. One benefit of using stone veneer is that it gives your walls more dimension. A good mix of elegance and liveliness is essential for creating an aesthetic. Champion Brick is proud to offer a number of different styles of stone veneer to choose from. Stone veneer works well with appliances such as grills and fireplaces.

Stone Veneer for Grills & Fireplaces

The cold months can get you dreaming about gathering around a fire pit or grilling out with friends. Stone veneer can be the source of inspiration to craft a DIY fire pit or grill. If you’re interested in making your own DIY stone veneer fireplace or grill, Pinterest is a great place to find ideas for DIY stone veneer installations! Decking out your home appliances with stone veneer works both in and outdoors.

Deck Out Your Kitchen with Stone Veneer

Stone veneer can be a great addition to your kitchen. The versatility it provides can give your kitchen an accent that will keep people in the room. Some popular choices for adding it in are kitchen tables, breakfast bars, cabinets, and backdrops for walls. Stone can also be a great addition to your bar.

Adding Stone to the Bar

You can turn your ordinary basement or outdoor bar into something more extravagant. Adding stone veneer to your bar is a great way to give your bar new life. Do It Yourself has a great step-by-step guide on installing a DIY stone veneer bar front. It may even lead to longer conversations with guests…and a few too many cocktails. Pavers are another great DIY stone veneer project for inside and outside of your home.

Wisconsin Home Improvement Projects That Increase Home Value

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A home is a living project, both literally and figuratively. There’s always a project that can add style and value to your property. But how can you know what home improvement projects will add the most value to your home?

If you’re looking for the most bang for your buck, consider one of these five projects.

1. New Siding and Brickwork Adds New Life to Your Home

You shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, but a home’s brickwork often forms a lasting first impression. Regularly maintaining your home’s brickwork and siding adds a nice polish that makes your home look inviting.

According to a blog from Investopedia, homeowners who redo their siding can expect an average of 80.7% return on investment. However, the type of siding you install determines how much return you see. When in doubt, homeowners may see the best return on brickwork.

Alternatives to brick (like manufactured stone) are also creating a boom in return on investment for homeowners.

2. Replace Siding on Your Home

While vinyl sidings are a cheap option for dressing your home, they can also add value. According to a 2018 cost-value report from Remodeling, homeowners who invest in siding may see an average of 76.7% return on their investment. However, the type of material you use for siding your home greatly influences value.

For a high-end look with even greater returns, homeowners should consider alternatives to siding that mimic stone, like thin brick and stone veneer.

3. Add Manufactured Stone Veneer Siding

If you have the money, swapping out vinyl for manufactured stone may up your home’s value. The 2018 cost-value report from Remodeling shows that homeowners who added manufactured stone saw an average of 97.1% return on their investment.

Even if you aren’t in the market for selling, adding manufactured stone can give your home a welcoming look. Sprucing up your home’s appearance will have people wondering what other great additions your home has to offer.

4. Additions to Your Deck or Patio

A patio starts off as a blank canvas. It’s what you add to it that brings it to life. According to Remodeling’s 2018 cost-value report, homeowners who added to their deck or patio saw an average of 82.8% return on their investment.

Adding wooden additions like pergolas or brick fireplaces and ovens makes your backyard the place to be during a summer in Wisconsin.

5. Add Pavers Around Your Home for a Grand Entrance

Pavers are a product of multiple materials, such as concrete, stone, and brick. The variety of materials available gives homeowners plenty of options for finding what will look best for their homes.

Here are just a few great ways to use pavers:

  • Put them around your property to create a trail for exploration.
  • Use them to guide your guests into your home or around to the backyard.
  • Create a unique walking path through your garden.

Improving Your Wisconsin Home Means Choosing the Right Materials

While trends come and go, adding beautiful hardscapes and maintaining your home will inevitably add value to it. If you’re looking for a change for the better but don’t know where to start, contact a local company with experience and expertise. They can help you find the right materials to meet your goals.

To see the many ways our clients have used our high-quality brick here in Wisconsin, visit our project gallery. For more information on our bricks, manufactured stone, or hardscape materials, contact us today.

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!

4 Unique Ways to Use Landscaping Stones to Spruce Up Your Backyard or Garden

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Are you looking to give your backyard a makeover? Or maybe you just want to spruce it up a little. Incorporating stone can add depth and contrast to your landscape design.

Landscaping stones come in a multitude of sizes, hues, textures, and shapes. And they’re easy to find. They can be purchased at local landscape businesses, the garden shop at home improvement stores, or a local stone yard.

Your budget will determine what you can buy and how big you want to go. In this area, stones native to Southeast Wisconsin are typically more easily accessible and less expensive. But if your dreams are fixed on something different, be willing to absorb the expense.

manufactured stone used as landscape edging in a backyard

Continue reading for four unique ways you can use stones in your landscape design.

1. Create a Stone Walkway

Stone walkways have become increasingly popular. When planning your walkway, remember:

  • Pavers come in numerous sizes and styles. There is also an array of neutral colors that will add great contrast to lush green lawns and vibrant blooms.
  • A design can be as simple as a walkway on the side of the house that takes visitors from the front gate to the backyard.
  • A walkway can be a solid 2 ft. wide path or strategically laid so that grass grows in between the steps.

Another idea is to create a pathway from patios, decks, and lanais to other areas in the lawn, like a fire pit or fish pond.

2. Use Landscaping Stones as a Flowerbed Topping

When it comes to flowerbeds, choosing rock vs mulch is a common comparison. Both bring their own appeal, but there can be drawbacks. For instance:

  • With mulch, you have to replace it at a minimum of once a year. The color fades from harsh sun and changing weather conditions.
  • Rocks come in a variety of colors and last indefinitely. Rock mulch gives a great return on investment and adds an undeniable richness to flower beds.

3. Have a Stone Centerpiece

If your budget will allow, landscaping with rocks can add allure to a bland corner of your backyard. Our tips:

  • Create a centerpiece with a large stone. Have it engraved with a special message for visitors. You can also consider having it chiseled into a unique shape.
  • Surround your centerpiece with exotic flowers or plants. You can also install decorative fencing panels behind the stone or an arbor above it.
  • Cap off your centerpiece with integrated outdoor lighting fixtures to illuminate the artwork as the sun sets on your cookouts and evening outdoor parties.

4. Build a Rock Garden Around a Fish Pond

Backyard ponds are unique fixtures to backyard landscaping. A fish pond can add a touch of serenity to an otherwise lively scene, and they are definitely conversation starters at backyard gatherings.

Accentuate your pond with a rock border consisting of various rocks. You can also create a stone bench for visitors to rest on as they admire your fish collection.

Are You Ready for a Backyard Makeover?

We hope these ideas for landscaping stones have you thinking about creative ways to update your outdoor living space.

If you have questions or would like to review our products, please click here to contact us.

5 Benefits of Using Manufactured Stone for Exterior Renovations

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Renovating your home is a great way to update your living space, boost your home’s value, and to make your house better fit you and your family’s needs. But renovations can also be costly depending on the amount of work you plan to do.

Spending on renovation projects has seen a steady increase in recent years, especially among young homeowners. And with the costs going up, it’s never been more important to do your research and choose the right materials for the job.

retaining wall and house hardscaping made with decorative stone veneer

If you’re looking to renovate the outside of your home, manufactured stone veneer is one great option. From affordability to a wider selection of styles, there are tons of benefits you’ll enjoy. Keep reading to learn more.

1. It’s Affordable

One of the biggest benefits of choosing manufactured stone veneer for your exterior renovations is how affordable it is.

Compared to choosing natural stone, manufactured stone offers huge cost savings. Other benefits mentioned later on this list, such as manufactured stone’s light weight and ease of installation, can also help homeowners save money when it comes to having the stone applied to the exteriors of their homes.

2. You Can Choose from a Range of Styles and Colors

When it comes to choosing real, natural stone, your options are somewhat limited. But manufactured stone veneer can be made to match any color or style, natural or otherwise.

For homeowners, this means a chance to choose the look, style, color, and stone size that matches your home and your personal style.

3. Installation Is a Breeze

Natural stone is heavy, making it expensive and difficult to transport and install. This slows down the installation process, costing homeowners a premium. But manufactured stone is lightweight and easy to handle. It is more durable as well, reducing the risk of materials getting damaged during installation.

For homeowners, this means faster, less expensive installation compared to natural stone.

4. Consistency Makes for a Better-Looking Finished Product

One of the biggest drawbacks to choosing natural stone is that you have little control over the product. You’ll get stones of different sizes, shades, and looks. Even if you’re using a single type of stone, the finished product can sometimes look like it’s a compilation of a variety of looks.

Manufactured stone doesn’t have this problem. You’ll get a consistent, great-looking finished product every time. The consistency will be the only way anyone will be able to tell that you chose manufactured stone rather than natural!

5. Manufactured Stone Is More Environmentally Friendly

Quarries for various types of natural stone can have devastating effects on their surroundings. They change the landscape, reduce natural resources, and drive wildlife in these areas out of their natural habitats.

Manufactured stone production is far more environmentally friendly. You can rest easy knowing that your purchase helped protect nature rather than further damaging it.

Choosing Manufactured Stone Veneer for Your Exterior Renovations

Another great benefit of choosing manufactured stone is that it offers superior durability compared to other products you might choose for your exterior renovations. You’ll get to enjoy your environmentally friendly, gorgeous, custom-designed, and affordable choice for years to come.

If you’re ready to start searching for the perfect manufactured stone veneer for your exterior renovations, start shopping our wide selection of looks and styles today. We offer an excellent selection of premium styles!

Can You Tell the Difference: Manufactured Stone vs Natural Stone

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Do you know the difference between manufactured and natural stone? For instance, are the prices different? Which will last longer, and which has the most options for your home?

In this article, we’ll review a few of the biggest differences between natural and manufactured stone veneer.

Natural stone landscaping in home garden with stairs

Natural Stone vs Manufactured

What’s the difference? Which one is right for your project?

To keep it simple, natural stone is the real deal. It’s cut light enough so you can move it, but it comes from nature.

Manufactured stone, on the other hand, is usually dyed concrete that looks like the natural stuff but weighs less. Quality manufactured stone can be designed to look and feel (at least on the exterior) like most types of natural stone.

Here are three of the biggest differences between the two that you should consider:

Manufactured Stone Costs Less

If you have a tight budget for your stone remodeling project, you may consider manufactured stone over natural stone.

Besides the reduced cost of transporting a lighter material, manufactured stone also has the benefit of creating less waste. All the pieces come pre-designed to fit together, so you will have to dispose of less natural stone when it isn’t used in your project by the end.

Natural Stone Lasts Longer

If budget matters less than getting the job done right the first time, then natural stone is probably the way to go.

You can expect the real material to last beautifully for hundreds of years. On the other hand, manufactured products may only last about 50 years, and any cracks in the surface will expose the obvious synthetic material underneath.

Manufactured Stone Has More Options

“Manufactured stone is available in almost any texture, shape and color you can think of,” says Leslie Rouda Smith, 2016 chairwoman of Texas Association of REALTORS.

In the link above, Leslie also walks through the staggering statistics for ROI and increased property value on stone that matches one’s home. For example, Austin, TX reported increases of over 160%!

With manufactured stone, a company can easily customize the design of your material to complement the aesthetic qualities of your home or backyard. You will have many more options to choose from than its natural counterpart.

However, don’t think natural stone only comes in one size or shape. This article walks you through the cut and color options available to you if the manufactured route isn’t your choice.

Which Is Best For You?

Now that you see some of the differences, take a moment to consider what’s best for your project. For instance:

  • If your budget matters most, manufactured product is probably the way to go.
  • If you’re focused on the long-term, natural stone will last longer and look better even if it’s damaged.

And depending on the project you’re picturing, both types of stone offer plenty of customization options. Manufactured stone certainly has more, but natural stone isn’t one size fits all, either.

If you’re in the market for new stone, or simply have questions about how to approach a project, we’re happy to help. Simply fill out this contact form, and we’ll be in touch soon!