Articles
Planning guides and straight answers.
Written for West Michigan homes, by the people who install this for a living.
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 | Rockford, 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
Backyard Fire Pit Ideas To Try
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
CMU Blocks: Sizes, Types, and Common Uses
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
How To Install a Fireplace in a House Without One
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
Understanding the Federal Biomass Stove 25(C) Tax Credit
With the uncertainty of natural gas and propane costs, wood and biomass fuels are viable alternatives that can give homeowners peace of
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? - VanderWall Bros. Fireplaces
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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Call the showroom. We would rather answer the question than have you read around it.