Winter Masonry Maintenance
It’s no secret that the winter months can be hard on masonry. As water freezes and thaws it can cause damage to brick structures. Because of this, most people choose to repair their masonry either preemptively in the fall or later in the spring. You may have noticed damage to your masonry patio or chimney but are holding off on repairs until March rolls around. But is this always the best course of action? Is there masonry maintenance that you can, and should, perform in the winter?Read more
Why Does Santa Come Down the Chimney? + Holiday Fireplace Safety Tips
It’s that time of year again — the time of year when “stockings are hung on the mantle with care” as families wait for Santa Claus to slide down the chimney. Even if you don’t celebrate Christmas you may be wondering: “Why does Santa come down the chimney?” It seems like an impractical move for a big-bellied man with a large sack of toys. Still, this mythology has a special place in our hearts, and we’re happy to provide you with its origins (and some bonus holiday safety tips) as you celebrate around the fireplace this year.Read more
Meet Kevin!
Meet Kevin: B+E's Outfitter of the Month for November.
Kevin has been working with Brick + Ember Outfitters for over three years. He is not only a vital part of our sales team but also of Brick + Ember Outfitters as a whole, as he has served on our leadership team. Kevin and the team contribute to the success and growth of the company as we look to expand into new cities. Kevin and his wife currently reside on the north side of Indy.
You Can Sell Your House in November: Here's How
November. The month of gray skies, colder temperatures, icy rain and bare trees. Even if you haven’t consulted experts, you might instinctively assume that November is not an ideal month for selling your house. It turns out, as we reveal in this blog post, that most in the real estate industry would agree with that assessment. Generally speaking, spring is prime time; winter is off-season. However, if you are preparing to sell a house this month, do not be discouraged. There are aspects of the November market than can work to your advantage. You can sell your house in November.Read more
Fireplace Décor: How To Style Your Mantelpiece
Your fireplace is always a centerpiece in your home, but during November and December it really takes center stage. As your family and friends gather in the home to celebrate winter holidays (whether that’s Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukah or the Solstice), your fireplace mantelpiece provides the perfect opportunity for seasonal décor. You may deck your mantelpiece with autumn leaves and pumpkins, evergreen branches and candles. But how can you best impress your loved ones as they gather around the cozy fire? We’ve put together some basic tips that will help you create a balanced and beautiful look — no matter what your style is.Read more
Chimney Fire Prevention
A recent house fire in Avon, Indiana may have been caused by the use of an un-inspected chimney (for more information, click here). Luckily, no one was harmed, but the house sustained some damage. In light of this event, we wanted to provide a refresher on chimney fires and chimney fire prevention. If you own a fireplace, stove or insert, it is important to understand the related risks and safety measures. We hope this blog post helps you to practice fireplace safety and protect your home and family from chimney fires.Read more
Uninspected Chimney May Have Caused Local Fire
After a house fire in Avon, Indiana, the local fire department is recommending that all homeowners have their fireplaces checked annually by a certified chimney sweep. Although the fire department has not yet determined the official cause of the fire, the blaze occurred directly after the homeowners used their fireplace for the first time this season.
Fireplace safety affects many people. More than half of all homeowners have some type of fireplace, stove or insert, and almost 40% use those daily in the winter.
For a comprehensive list of fireplace safety tips, check out our recent blog post. And if you haven't yet had your fireplace inspected, contact Brick + Ember Outfitters today.
Meet Elias!
Meet Elias: B+E's Outfitter of the Month for October.
Elias has been with us since the very beginning, having been B+E’s first employee. He even worked with Kourtney, the owner of B+E, for years before that. Elias uses his experience to train our younger outfitters. His desire for quality craftsmanship and attention to detail are just part of what sets him apart as an expert mason. Elias and his family live on the south side of Indy.
It's National Fireplace Month: Celebrate Safely
It seems that no day of the year is free of some national designation. For instance, October features National Boyfriend Day, National Walk to School Day and National Fried Scallops Day — all in its first week. (Yes, evidently fried scallops deserve their own “Day”). That said, the fact that October is National Fireplace Month is not some Hallmark conspiracy. The Hearth, Patio and Barbecue Association declared October to be National Fireplace Month in order to raise awareness about fireplace safety measures and regular maintenance. Your Brick + Ember Outfitters feel that fireplace safety is worth celebrating, so the following are some of our simple safety tips to practice this month and year-round.
- Keep the area around your fireplace clear to prevent flammable objects from igniting.
- Have the chimney of your fireplace inspected annually and regularly swept to prevent flue fires and other problems. Contact Brick + Ember Outfitters to set up a sweep before the cold weather sets in.
- Install carbon monoxide and smoke detectors near your fireplace as a precautionary measure.
- Be sure the damper and fireplace doors are open when burning a fire.
- Install a safety barrier or screen to reduce risk of embers flying and burns, especially to animals and young children.
- Never leave a fire unattended.
Fireplace safety affects many people. More than half of all homeowners have some type of fireplace, stove or insert, and almost 40% use those daily in the winter. We hope these simple reminders prove useful to you and your neighbors. Celebrate October by enjoying your fireplaces — safely.
5 Reasons Why You Should Add a Fireplace to Your Home
Last month’s blog post enumerated 5 Questions to Consider Before Adding Your Fireplace. We posed these questions in order to help you determine the perfect fireplace for you. But what if you’re still on the fence about adding a fireplace at all? Perhaps you would love one, but you’re still wrestling with a few concerns. Well then, this blog post is for you. The following are 5 compelling reasons to add a fireplace to your home.
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Installing a fireplace is not as expensive as you might think.
Fireplace installation costs can vary significantly depending on the type of fireplace (wood-burning, gas, electric), the aesthetics of the project and the positioning of the fireplace within the home. Because of this, you can really cater your fireplace to your budget. The best way to determine the cost of your project is to consult a professional. Brick + Ember Outfitters would be happy to talk you through the details of your fireplace installation and provide you with a quote. You can enjoy a lovely new fireplace at an affordable price!
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Fireplaces add value to homes.
Your fireplace could pay for itself by adding value to your home. According to a National Association of Realtors survey, 46% of homebuyers would pay more for a home with a fireplace. Similarly, the National Center for Real Estate Research discovered in its study that each fireplace adds, on average, 12% to home values. Wood-burning fireplaces seem to be the most popular, but it’s clear that installing a fireplace of any kind will add value to your property.
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Fireplaces can improve the heating efficiency of your home.
Fireplaces can offer you further financial benefits by decreasing your energy bill. Your fireplace contributes to the overall heating of your home, and, when placed strategically, can help save you money. For more information on how to maximize your fireplace’s resources, be sure to reference this blog post and consult your local Brick + Ember Outfitters.
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There are many different kinds of fireplaces.
Just as your fireplace can be tailored to your budget, it can also be tailored to your aesthetic taste. Whether your décor style is sleek and modern, quaint and traditional or anything in between, you can install a fireplace that fits seamlessly into your home. At B+E, we love design projects and would be more than willing to discuss creative plans for a new fireplace with you.
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There is nothing like a fireplace.
This last point is a little more sentimental, but we stand by it. There is nothing quite like gathering around a warming fire on chilly evening to watch the flames, hear the logs crackle and let that comforting, woodsy scent fill your home. People buy scented candles to try to manufacture a fireplace experience; why settle for that when you could enjoy the real deal? Fireplaces are the heart of the home, the hub for connecting with your family and friends. The personal enjoyment a fireplace brings is well worth the installation efforts.
A fireplace is an investment that offers a significant return, financially and otherwise. You can add value to your property, save on energy and enjoy countless cozy evenings with this great addition to your home. If you’re ready to install a fireplace, contact Brick + Ember Outfitters today. We can help create the perfect fireplace for you!