We design and build brick fireplaces in Southaven, MS that become the centerpiece of your living room or outdoor patio. From new construction to refacing and repairs, our masons create safe, efficient, and attractive fireplaces tailored to your style and heating needs.
Southaven Masonry provides professional brick fireplace throughout Southaven, MS, Mississippi and the surrounding area. Our licensed, insured crew delivers safe, clean, on-time work with a free estimate before anything begins. Call (662) 863-5021 or request your free quote.
Custom Brick Fireplaces for Southaven Homes
A brick fireplace is more than a feature on a real estate listing. In Southaven, it becomes a practical heat source in winter, a focal point in open living areas, and an upgrade that can set your home apart from the typical subdivision house. Southaven Masonry designs and builds brick fireplaces that fit the way you actually live, from compact units for starter homes off Stateline Road to statement masonry surrounds in larger Snowden Grove properties.
We look at how your home is built before we talk about styles. Many Southaven houses are slab-on-grade with wood framing, which affects how we support the firebox, chimney, and brick veneer. In older DeSoto County homes with crawlspaces or existing chimneys, we may be able to reuse or modify parts of the structure. We explain what is possible in your specific house so you avoid surprises and code issues later.
Every brick fireplace we build follows local building codes and clearances, uses appropriate fire-rated materials, and is designed to vent correctly for your chosen fuel type, whether it is wood-burning, gas logs, or a gas insert.
Design Options: From Traditional Brick Hearths to Clean Modern Lines
Southaven Masonry starts each brick fireplace with a design conversation, not a catalog page. We walk you through what will look proportionate in your room, what fits your budget, and how much ongoing maintenance you are comfortable with.
For traditional styles that suit many brick homes around Getwell Road and Nail Road, we often use full-size clay brick in warm reds or mixed red and brown blends, with a raised brick hearth and a simple or arched brick opening. This pairs well with painted trim and built-in cabinets.
If you prefer a cleaner, more contemporary look that fits newer construction in areas like Cherry Tree Park, we can build a low or flush hearth, straight lines, minimal detailing, and tight mortar joints. Thin brick veneers are an option for weight-sensitive walls or where you want the brick look without a full masonry mass.
Accent choices include brick soldier courses above the opening, herringbone brick panels inside or around the firebox face, and custom mantels in stained wood or stone. We also discuss fuel options early. A traditional open wood-burning firebox takes more depth and chimney work, while a gas insert can often be built into tighter spaces without as much structural change.
How We Build a Brick Fireplace: Our Step-by-Step Process
A properly built brick fireplace is not just bricks stacked around a firebox. Southaven Masonry follows a deliberate sequence that protects your home and delivers a long-lasting result.
1. Site assessment and layout: We inspect framing, electrical, and any existing venting in the wall where you want the fireplace. We verify clearances from windows, rooflines, and attic framing for a chimney or vent. We mark the footprint on the floor and wall so you can visualize the final size.
2. Structural preparation: On slab homes common in Southaven subdivisions, we confirm that the existing slab can support the added masonry. If not, we cut and pour a thickened slab or footing under the new fireplace. For homes with crawlspaces, we may add piers or beams under the hearth area.
3. Firebox and flue or vent installation: For wood-burning fireplaces, we either construct a masonry firebox with firebrick and refractory mortar or install a UL-listed prefabricated firebox that we then surround with brick. For gas units, we install the manufacturer-approved insert and metal vent system according to code.
4. Masonry work: We set the brick courses around the firebox and up the chimney chase. Joints are tooled consistently so the face looks uniform. Where we tie into an existing interior or exterior brick wall, we tooth into the existing brick or use mechanical anchors instead of simply butting new work against old.
5. Finishing and cleanup: We install mantels, hearth caps, and any stone or wood trim. Mortar smears are cleaned carefully so the brick face is sharp but not acid-burned. We protect nearby flooring and paint and clean up all debris so the room is usable right away.
Materials That Work in Mississippi’s Climate
Mississippi’s mix of humid summers, winter freeze-thaw cycles, and occasional heavy storms can be tough on masonry. Southaven Masonry selects materials that stand up to these conditions, especially for fireplaces that include an exterior chimney or outdoor component.
For interior faces and surrounds, we commonly use modular clay brick from regional manufacturers that understand local soil and climate. For any area directly exposed to flame, we use firebrick and high-temperature refractory mortar, not general-purpose brick and mortar. This keeps the firebox from cracking and extends its life.
If your brick fireplace includes an exterior chimney wall, we specify solid or cored brick rated for exterior use, through-wall flashing where the chimney passes the roof line, and a proper concrete or precast cap with drip edges. We also install a quality metal chimney cap or termination to keep rain and wildlife out, which is especially important given the number of birds and squirrels in wooded Southaven neighborhoods.
For customers who want a lighter structure or a specific look, thin brick veneers applied over metal or cement board framing can be a good choice. We still detail the backing materials for fire safety and proper venting, and we use corrosion-resistant ties and fasteners given the humidity levels in DeSoto County.
Cost Factors for a Brick Fireplace in Southaven
We are direct about pricing so Southaven homeowners can budget realistically. The cost of a brick fireplace depends on several specific factors that we review with you during the estimate.
Fuel type and firebox: A full masonry wood-burning firebox with a masonry chimney is usually the most expensive. A factory-built wood or gas unit with a brick surround tends to cost less because it requires less structural masonry. Gas units also need gas line installation, which is an added but predictable cost.
Size and complexity: A simple floor-level hearth with straight brickwork costs less than a tall two-story fireplace with detailed brick patterns and a large chimney chase. Built-in shelving, raised hearths, and custom arches increase labor time and materials.
Structural needs: Many slab homes in Southaven require minimal structural modification. However, if we need to pour new footings, add support in a crawlspace, or modify roof framing around a new chimney, that will affect the budget.
Finishes and accessories: Material choices for the hearth top (brick, stone, or concrete), the mantel (wood or masonry), and any additional stone accents or special brick patterns all influence final cost. We provide written line items so you can choose where to invest and where to keep it simple.
Common Issues We Solve in Existing Brick Fireplaces
If you already have a brick fireplace in Southaven, we can often repair or upgrade it rather than tearing it out. Southaven Masonry is frequently called in to correct older or DIY work that has become unsafe or simply unattractive.
Typical problems we see include cracked firebrick in the firebox, receding mortar joints, and smoke staining due to an improperly sized flue or poor drafting. In many cases, we can tuckpoint deteriorated mortar, replace damaged firebrick, and adjust the throat or damper area to improve draw.
On exterior chimneys, we often see spalling brick faces and water intrusion around the roof line. Our fix usually involves replacing damaged brick, installing proper step and counter flashing, adding a new concrete cap with drip edges, and sealing critical joints with high quality masonry sealants that can handle local weather.
For homeowners who want a more efficient system, we can retrofit a gas insert into an existing brick fireplace. We run gas and power as needed, install the insert and vent, and then adjust the brick opening or surround so the new unit looks like it was always meant to be there rather than an afterthought.
What to Expect When You Hire Southaven Masonry
A brick fireplace project affects your main living space, so we work to keep disruption low and communication clear. Before work starts, Southaven Masonry will review drawings, dimensions, materials, and schedule with you so you know what each day should involve.
We typically protect floors and nearby furniture with coverings, set up dust containment where cutting is required, and coordinate with electricians, HVAC contractors, or gas fitters when necessary. Workdays are planned so noisy cutting and demolition are handled in concentrated blocks of time.
Most straightforward brick fireplace installations in Southaven-area homes take several days to a couple of weeks, depending on complexity and inspection timing. Masonry needs cure time, particularly firebrick and refractory mortar, so we will tell you exactly when it is safe to start your first fire or run your gas unit.
At final walkthrough, we show you how to operate dampers or gas controls, discuss safe burning practices for Mississippi’s seasonal changes, and explain basic maintenance like chimney checks and cleaning intervals. Our goal is that you end up with a brick fireplace that looks right in your Southaven home, meets code, and performs well for many years.
