Superior Masonry Hammond creates custom brick fireplace designs in Hammond, IN that become the focus of your living space. We build indoor and outdoor brick fireplaces, surrounds, and hearths tailored to your style. Whether you want a traditional wood burning look or an updated gas unit surround, our masonry delivers warmth and character.
Superior Masonry Hammond provides professional brick fireplace throughout Hammond, IN, Indiana and the surrounding area. Our licensed, insured crew delivers safe, clean, on-time work with a free estimate before anything begins. Call (219) 342-3659 or request your free quote.
Custom Brick Fireplaces for Hammond Homes
A brick fireplace is more than a place to burn wood. In Hammond it often becomes the most used spot in the house once winter hits. At Superior Masonry Hammond, we design and build fireplaces that match the age and style of your home, from early 1900s brick houses near downtown to brick ranches and split levels built in the 60s and 70s.
We start by looking at how you actually live. Do you want a main heat source or mostly ambience on fall evenings? Is the fireplace going in a living room that already has brick walls, a finished basement, or an outdoor covered patio? Your answers affect everything from the firebox size to the brick pattern and how much heat the fireplace will put out.
During our first visit we measure the room, check existing framing and foundation, and look at your chimney or venting options. Many older Hammond homes already have a chimney that can be reused or modified, while newer builds sometimes require a new flue system. We also look for structural concerns such as floor joists that need reinforcement before supporting a full masonry hearth. This early planning step helps avoid surprises later and keeps the project realistic for your budget.
How We Build a Safe, Long Lasting Brick Fireplace
Every brick fireplace project with Superior Masonry Hammond follows a clear process so you know exactly what is happening and why.
1. Planning and layout: We confirm clearances to combustibles, review local Hammond and Lake County code requirements, and determine whether your fireplace will be wood burning, gas, or decorative only. The choice affects the firebox design, flue size, and materials.
2. Foundation and support: Masonry is heavy. For a new interior fireplace on a slab, we usually cut and thicken the slab or pour a new pad so it can carry the added weight. In basement fireplaces we often build directly off existing concrete, but we still verify its condition. For main floor installations over a basement or crawlspace, we may add support posts or beams under the hearth area so the structure can safely carry the load.
3. Firebox and flue construction: For traditional wood burning fireplaces, we build the firebox with high temperature fire brick and refractory mortar, not common brick and standard mortar. We shape the firebox and throat to improve draft and reduce smoke spillage into the room. For gas units, we follow manufacturer specifications and handle the masonry enclosure around the prefab insert.
4. Brick facing and hearth: Once the functional core is in place, we build the visible brickwork. This includes the surround, hearth, and any raised hearth extensions for extra seating. We use layout strings and story poles so joints line up cleanly with mantels, windows, and built ins.
5. Curing and clean up: Fresh masonry needs time to cure before heavy fires are built. We will walk you through a first fire schedule, which is especially important in cold Hammond winters when rapid heating can crack new work. We also clean the brick surface and joints so you are not left with mortar haze or dust in your home.
Brick Choices, Patterns, and Design Details
The brick you choose has a bigger impact on the look of your fireplace than almost anything else. Superior Masonry Hammond works with regional suppliers that stock brick colors that blend well with the red and brown brick common in Hammond neighborhoods, as well as lighter, modern options for newer homes.
For classic homes near Hohman Avenue or the older sections of Hessville, many owners prefer a traditional red or ironspot brick in a running bond pattern to match original exterior walls. In more modern homes we often use a thinner brick veneer with a Norman or utility size for a more contemporary look. We can also intentionally mix brick tones to give a reclaimed or rustic appearance.
Joint style and mortar color matter too. A tight, flush joint with a mortar that closely matches the brick creates a smooth, modern face. Raked or slightly recessed joints emphasize each brick and create shadow lines that look great under accent lighting. In basements with lower ceilings, we may suggest lighter brick and mortar so the fireplace does not visually shrink the room.
You can also customize architectural details. Popular options include extended hearths for extra seating, arched firebox openings, corbeled brick shelves, and brick soldier courses above the opening. For clients who want a television over the fireplace, we plan the brickwork and mantel height so heat is directed away from electronics and wiring can be run cleanly behind the surround.
Cost Factors for a Brick Fireplace in Hammond
Homeowners often ask what a new brick fireplace will cost before we see the space. There are patterns we see across Hammond projects, but real pricing depends on several specific conditions.
Scope and type: A full masonry wood burning fireplace with a new chimney is the most involved and typically the most expensive because of the foundation, structural support, and chimney work. A brick surround around a gas insert or electric unit usually costs less because the firebox and venting are simpler.
Location in the house: Basements built on concrete slabs are usually the least expensive location because the slab already supports the weight. Main floor installations over basements or crawlspaces require floor reinforcement, which adds framing labor and materials. Exterior walls adjacent to existing chimneys can sometimes reduce costs if we can safely tie into what is already there.
Brick and finish choices: Standard modular brick and common mortar colors are usually more economical than imported or highly textured brick. Complex patterns, arches, or extensive corbeling require more cutting and layout time. Adding stone accents, mantels, or built in shelving around the brickwork will also affect the total.
Existing conditions: In older Hammond homes we sometimes discover issues such as failing chimneys, undersized flues, or framing that was never intended to carry extra weight. We never hide those conditions. Instead, we photograph what we find, explain your options, and give separate line items so you can see what is required for safety versus what is optional for appearance.
Common Brick Fireplace Problems and How We Fix Them
If you already have a brick fireplace, Superior Masonry Hammond can repair or rebuild it so it is safe and attractive again. Many fireplaces in Hammond were built decades ago and now show signs of age or settlement.
Cracked firebrick and smoke stains: Firebrick in the firebox eventually cracks from repeated heating and cooling. Hairline cracks are not always an emergency, but missing pieces or loose bricks are. We carefully remove damaged units, rebed new firebrick with refractory mortar, and reshape the firebox if smoke has been rolling out into the room.
Spalling and loose face brick: Brick faces can flake or pop off, especially if water has entered the chimney or if the fireplace has been exposed to years of damp basement air. We replace damaged brick, repoint failing mortar joints, and address the cause, which may mean capping the chimney correctly or improving drainage on the exterior.
Poor drafting and smoke in the house: Some older fireplaces in Hammond were built without ideal proportions, or alterations over the years changed how they draw. We evaluate the flue size, chimney height relative to the roof, and throat opening. Solutions may include resizing the opening, adding a smoke shelf extension, installing a flue liner, or sometimes adding a chimney cap with a draft improving design.
Aesthetic updates without full demolition: If your fireplace is structurally sound but looks dated, we can resurface with new brick veneer over the old face, adjust the hearth height, or add a brick feature wall so the fireplace feels intentional rather than tacked on. This is common in 1970s homes where owners want to move from orange or heavily textured brick to a smoother, more neutral look.
What to Expect When You Hire Superior Masonry Hammond
Inviting masons into your home for a brick fireplace project can feel disruptive, so we focus on clear communication and clean work habits.
Before work starts, we provide a written scope that explains the type of fireplace, brick selection, hearth dimensions, venting approach, and any structural work needed. We also give an estimated schedule that fits around your other remodeling work if you are doing a larger renovation.
During construction, we protect nearby floors and furnishings with coverings, set up dust control where cutting or demolition is needed, and clean up at the end of each day. In winter we take extra care to protect fresh masonry from freezing, which is a real concern in Hammond, by controlling indoor temperatures and covering exterior work.
When the fireplace is complete, we walk you through how to use and maintain it. This includes the break in fire sequence, recommendations for seasoned firewood if it is wood burning, and how often to have the chimney inspected. For gas units, we coordinate with licensed plumbers or HVAC contractors for gas connections, then finish the masonry so no mechanical work is visible.
If you are considering a new brick fireplace or want to bring an existing one back to life, you can contact Superior Masonry Hammond for an on site consultation. We will look at your space, listen to what you want the fireplace to do for your home, and develop a specific design and cost range that fits your Hammond property and your budget.
