Articles
Stone
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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.
Stone and Siding Color Combinations for Your Home
A successful home exterior does not require every material to match.
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 Early Material Decisions Help Protect Project Schedules
Construction schedules are often affected by decisions that appear small at the beginning of a project.
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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