Articles
Planning guides and straight answers.
Written for West Michigan homes, by the people who install this for a living.
How Much a CMU Block Weighs and Measures, Width by Width
A block has no single weight. It has a width, a density and a shape, and all three move the number. That matters to a mason pricing labor…
Stone Veneer Around Windows and Doors: Builder Guide
Manufactured stone veneer around windows and doors is not only a finish detail. It is also a water-management and sequencing detail.
Buying Brick From a West Michigan Yard: Matching, Sizes, and How Much to Order
Most brick questions at a supply counter are not about picking a brick. They are about finding one. An addition has to meet a wall that went…
White Powder on Brick: Causes and What to Check
White powder on brick is often a condition called efflorescence. It develops when moisture moves through masonry, dissolves naturally…
Can You Put Stone Veneer Over a Brick Fireplace?
Yes, stone veneer can often be installed over an existing brick fireplace, but the brick has to be stable, clean, properly prepared, and…
Buying Cultured Stone in Michigan: How It Is Made, How It Is Sold, and How Much
People shopping for cultured stone usually arrive with a picture and leave with a question about arithmetic. The look is the easy part. What…
Can You Put Pavers Over a Concrete Patio?
Yes, pavers can often be installed over an existing concrete patio, but only when the slab is stable, drains properly, and has enough height…
Can You Put a TV Above a Gas Fireplace?
Yes, a television can often be installed above a gas fireplace, but the wall should be designed for that combination from the beginning.
Retaining Walls in West Michigan: Height, Drainage, and the Rules That Apply
A retaining wall is the only thing in a yard that is holding something back every hour of its life. A patio sits still. A wall is loaded…
Gas Fireplace Smells: What's Normal and What's Not?
A gas fireplace should not leave you guessing whether an odor is normal or a warning sign.
Can You Put an Outdoor Kitchen on a Paver Patio?
Yes, many outdoor kitchens can be installed on a properly planned paver patio, but the pavers themselves are only part of the answer.
Buying Concrete Block in West Michigan: Sizes, Counts, and Ordering
Cinder block, cement block, concrete block and CMU all point at the same gray rectangle with two holes in it, and all four are understood at…
Thin Brick vs. Full Brick: Which Fits Your Project?
Thin brick and full brick can create a very similar finished appearance, but they are not the same construction system.
Direct Vent vs. Ventless vs. Electric Fireplaces
If your home does not already have the fireplace you want, venting can become one of the most important decisions in the project.
Stone and Siding Color Combinations for Your Home
A successful home exterior does not require every material to match.
Best Outdoor Kitchen Countertop Materials for Michigan Home
An outdoor kitchen countertop has to do more than look good beside a grill. It becomes a prep surface, serving area, visual finish, and…
Patio Paver Sizes: How to Choose the Right Scale
Paver size changes more than the pattern under your feet.
Gas Fireplace BTU: What Homeowners Should Know
BTU ratings appear on almost every gas fireplace specification sheet, but the biggest number is not automatically the best choice.
Material Submittals: What Builders Should Confirm
A material can be selected and still create problems on the jobsite if the project team is not working from the same information.
How to Choose Stone Veneer Colors for Your Home
Choosing stone for a home involves more than finding a color that looks good on a sample board.
How Sun and Wind Shape Outdoor Living Spaces
An outdoor living layout can look good on a plan and still feel uncomfortable once people begin using it.
What Changes When You Replace an Existing Fireplace
Replacing a fireplace is different from choosing one for new construction.
Phased Home Improvement Planning in West Michigan
Not every home improvement project needs to happen at once.
What to Know About Patio Drainage Before Choosing Pavers
Homeowners often begin a patio project by looking at paver colors, shapes, textures, and patterns.
How to Choose the Right Fireplace Size: Proportions and Viewing Area
Fireplaces are often compared by width. A homeowner may ask whether a 42-inch, 50-inch, or 60-inch fireplace will fit the room. A builder…
How Early Material Decisions Help Protect Project Schedules
Construction schedules are often affected by decisions that appear small at the beginning of a project.
How to Coordinate Stone and Brick With Your Home’s Style
Stone and brick can shape the entire character of a home.
How to Make Outdoor Living Space Feel Connected to Your Home
A successful outdoor living space should not feel like an unrelated feature placed behind the house.
How Fireplace Placement Influences the Way Your Room Functions
When homeowners begin planning a new fireplace, most attention naturally goes toward selecting the fireplace itself. The style, fuel type…
How to Plan a Home Project That Connects Indoor and Outdoor Living
Many home improvement projects begin with a single idea.
Outdoor Kitchen Planning Tips for Builders
An outdoor kitchen is often one of the most requested features in today’s outdoor living projects. While homeowners usually focus on the…
How to Plan a Patio Around Everyday Use in West Michigan
A patio should do more than fill space in the backyard.
What to Know Before Choosing a Gas Fireplace Insert
An older fireplace can still be one of the most important features in a home.
What Builders Should Confirm Before Fireplace Installation Begins
Fireplace installation is easier to coordinate when the main details are confirmed before the work starts.
Why Masonry Details Matter in West Michigan Home Projects
Masonry is often one of the first things people notice in a finished home project.
West Michigan Outdoor Living Spaces: Planning Guide
Outdoor living spaces are no longer treated as small add-ons at the end of a home project.
How to Choose the Right Fireplace for Your West Michigan Home
For most homeowners, the better question is how the fireplace will fit into the way the home is used. A fireplace can shape how a room…
What to Expect Once Your Home Project Begins
Once a home project begins, most homeowners want to know what happens next. By this stage, the early decisions have already been made. The…
Fireplace Store | Grand Rapids, MI | VanderWall Bros.
Choosing the right fireplace can elevate both the comfort and visual appeal of any home. Whether upgrading an outdated unit or adding a…
Spring Outdoor Living Planning Guide
Fireplaces, Grills & Kitchens in West Michigan As winter fades across West Michigan, homeowners begin turning their attention to…
New Product Alert: ProVia Manufactured Stone (with Project Visualizer!)
VanderWall is proud to partner with stone veneer manufacturer ProVia to complement our wide selection of exterior and interior stonework…
How to Create a Backyard Oasis
Do you like entertaining or just enjoying your yard? Let us help you create a backyard oasis that will have you never wanting to leave home.
The Warm, Stylish Way to Start Patio Season Earlier
Patio season never seems quite long enough here in Michigan. Fortunately, there are plenty of options for heating your patio or other…
When and Why to Hire a Chimney Sweep Service
Unlike the windows and doors we use every day, chimneys tend to be an overlooked and neglected part of our home’s structure. Indeed most of…
Gather ‘Round the Fire to Experience Hygge
As winter sets in and the days get shorter, it’s time to embrace the Danish concept of hygge (pronounced hoo-gah). What is hygge, you ask?…
Practice Fireplace Safety to Enjoy a Cozy Winter
Cozy season is officially here, and that means it’s time to make sure your fireplace is in safe operating condition. By taking a few steps…
How to Create a Cozy Outdoor Space for Fall
Temperatures are dropping, leaves are turning, and the sun is setting earlier. After a hectic summer, fall is the perfect time to reconnect…
All About Backyard Outdoor Fireplaces
When the seasons change and the cool breeze starts to set in, there’s nothing quite as inviting as the warm flicker of a fireplace. Why…
Pellet Stoves vs. Wood Stoves
In the quest for efficient and environmentally friendly heating solutions, both pellet and wood stoves are popular choices for homeowners…
5 Paver Design Ideas To Try
Pavers have become popular for enhancing outdoor spaces, offering a versatile and durable solution that can transform any area into a…
4 Backyard Fire Pit Ideas for West Michigan Yards
There’s something undeniably magical about gathering around a crackling fire, sharing stories, and enjoying the warmth of the flames under…
The Best Outdoor Kitchen Trends of 2023
As winter begins to fade away, we can’t help but get excited about the upcoming summer season. Are you ready to transform your outdoor space…
Everything To Know About CMU Blocks
CMU blocks, also known as concrete masonry units, are widely used building materials for commercial and residential construction projects…
Everything You Need to Know About Outdoor Fireplace Installation
Outdoor fireplaces and fire pits can transform your deck, patio, or yard into additional living areas, providing a cozy ambiance for you and…
Popular Types of Outdoor Fireplaces
Do you want to elevate your outdoor entertaining space? One of the best ways to do that is by implementing an outdoor fireplace. You can…
Manufactured Stone vs. Real Stone
If you’re about to tackle a new home project, you might be comparing manufactured stone vs. real stone. This is an important decision and…
The Top Landscaping and Hardscaping Trends of 2023
It’s a new year, and the spring season is quickly approaching. There’s no better time for homeowners to give their outdoor spaces a…
2023’s Top Fireplace Designs
Are you thinking of installing a fireplace this year? Choosing the best option for your home can be challenging, especially when you’re…
Can You Add a Fireplace to an Existing Home?
Most of the time, we work with clientele that requests to replace their outdated fireplace with a new and improved one. However, there are…
Gas vs. Wood Fireplace: Which Is Right For You?
Perhaps you’d like to give your space a cozier aesthetic. Or, maybe you find peace in the idea of sitting next to a flame while you’re…
The Federal Biomass Stove 25(C) Tax Credit: What It Covered and What Changed
The federal biomass stove tax credit is no longer available for new installations. Section 25(C) of the Internal Revenue Code was terminated…
Your Guide to Fireplace Terminology
For anyone who’d like to install their first fireplace or upgrade to a new style, the terminology they’ll come across when researching can…
What Is a Wood Stove?
There’s something about the warmth, coziness, and crackling of a wood fire that just can’t be beat. Fortunately, if you’ve been dreaming to…
Outdoor Fire Plans Heating Up Your Backyard
By the time spring comes around in full bloom, most people are more than eager to spend some well-deserved time in the sun, enjoying outdoor…
Types of Common Patio Pavers
Patio pavers add a beautiful element to any garden, walkway, or patio. Today, there are endless possibilities when it comes to paver colors…
What is the Most Efficient Type of Fireplace for a Home?
The majority of homeowners want a fireplace in their homes, and for this reason, over 50% of new houses being put on the market are equipped…
Fireplace Inserts Everything You Need to Know
Michigan is known for its harsh weather, and it is not uncommon for temperatures to drop well below freezing during the coldest months. It…
Patio Pavers: Which type is right for my home?
Patio pavers add a beautiful element to any garden, walkway, or patio. Today, there are endless possibilities when it comes to paver colors…
Gas Fireplace Inserts: Everything You Need To Know
Michigan is known for its harsh weather, and it is not uncommon for temperatures to drop well below freezing during the coldest months. It…
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