Superior Masonry Atlanta designs and builds beautiful brick fireplaces for homes in Atlanta, GA, both indoors and outdoors. From new fireplace surrounds to complete outdoor hearths, we focus on safe clearances, proper flue connections, and attractive details that match your style.
Superior Masonry Atlanta provides professional brick fireplace throughout Atlanta, GA, Georgia and the surrounding area. Our licensed, insured crew delivers safe, clean, on-time work with a free estimate before anything begins. Call (912) 454-5836 or request your free quote.
Custom Brick Fireplaces Built for Atlanta Homes
A brick fireplace is more than a place for a fire. In Atlanta it becomes the heart of a room on cooler winter nights and a year round focal point. At Superior Masonry Atlanta we design and build brick fireplaces that fit the way your family actually lives, whether that means a traditional wood burning hearth in a historic bungalow or a clean lined gas unit in a modern townhome.
We start by walking the space with you. We look at your existing structure, ceiling height, where your furniture sits, and how traffic flows through the room. For older Atlanta homes in neighborhoods like Grant Park and Virginia Highland we pay special attention to existing chimneys, floor framing, and plaster walls so that any new brickwork respects the structure and character of the house. For newer homes around Smyrna, Brookhaven, and the northern suburbs we often work with framed chase fireplaces and can update the builder grade look with real brick and a new surround.
Instead of forcing you into a standard design, we talk through how you want to use the fireplace: daily winter heat, occasional gatherings, or mostly decorative with gas logs. That helps us recommend proper firebox size, brick type, and whether a full masonry chimney or a flue for a prefabricated unit makes the most sense for your budget and long term maintenance.
How We Design and Build Your Brick Fireplace
Superior Masonry Atlanta follows a clear process so you know what is happening at every step.
1. Site evaluation and measurements. We check floor structure, nearby windows, and existing mechanical systems. In older Atlanta homes we look for previous chimney paths in the attic and any signs of settling or water intrusion.
2. Design and layout. We sketch the hearth, firebox opening, surround, and chimney path. You will see options for firebox height, hearth depth, and whether you want a raised or flush hearth. For tight city homes we often recommend a slightly narrower projection so you keep floor space without losing visual impact.
3. Structural and code planning. We size footing or support for the fireplace mass, plan fire clearances to framing, and identify any electrical lines that need to be moved. We follow the Georgia State Minimum Standard Building Codes and Atlanta amendments, including proper hearth extension, firebox dimensions, and chimney height above roof.
4. Masonry construction. Our masons lay firebrick for the firebox with high temperature refractory mortar, then build the outer brick shell, lintels, and smoke chamber. If a full masonry chimney is part of your project we install flue tiles or a listed stainless steel liner system as required.
5. Finish details. We complete joints, install any stone or wood mantel you select, and prep for gas log installation if desired. We also install a quality cap and spark arrestor on exterior chimneys to protect against Atlanta’s frequent storms and leaf debris.
6. Final inspection and walkthrough. Where required we coordinate inspections with the city or county, then show you how to operate and maintain the fireplace safely.
Brick Options, Styles, and Finishes
Brick choice has a bigger impact on the final look of your fireplace than most people realize. Superior Masonry Atlanta sources brick from suppliers who are familiar with local Atlanta styles so we can match or complement your existing home.
For classic Atlanta cottages and craftsman homes, many homeowners choose traditional red or buff brick with a running bond pattern. We can closely match older brick for partial rebuilds or additions by working from photos and on site samples. For intown loft conversions and modern homes we often use wire cut or tumbled brick in darker tones, then pair it with tight, flush joints for a cleaner look.
We will walk you through mortar options too. A high contrast white or light gray joint makes the fireplace stand out, while a closely matched mortar color softens the look. Joint profiles such as concave, flush, or raked each create a different shadow line on the face of the fireplace.
Finishes can be customized beyond plain brick. Popular choices in Atlanta include:
• Traditional full brick face from floor to ceiling for a strong architectural statement.
• Half height brick with drywall above, often paired with a wood mantel.
• Brick with a light limewash or slurry for a softer, European inspired look that still shows texture.
We help you choose materials that can handle the heat of a working fire and the humidity swings of Atlanta’s climate without premature cracking or efflorescence.
Costs, Estimates, and What Affects Your Price
Brick fireplace costs in Atlanta vary based on structure, scope, and finish level. Superior Masonry Atlanta provides written estimates that spell out labor, materials, and any subcontracted work so you understand where every dollar goes.
Key factors that affect cost include:
• New build vs retrofit. Adding a masonry fireplace and chimney to a one story ranch is very different from refacing an existing brick opening. New builds require structural support, a full chimney system, and more labor.
• Gas, wood burning, or decorative. A full wood burning masonry fireplace with chimney and flue is more involved than a decorative brick surround built around a listed gas insert.
• Height and width. Floor to ceiling brick, especially in rooms with two story great rooms common in Atlanta suburbs, increases both material and scaffold time.
• Relocation of systems. Moving electrical outlets, TV wiring, or ductwork adds to the project. In some older homes we must remediate previous non code fireplace alterations, such as undersized hearths or improper clearances to framing.
We can often suggest design changes that save money without sacrificing safety or appearance, such as adjusting the width of the surround, choosing a more readily available brick, or using a listed stainless steel flue liner instead of rebuilding an entire chimney.
During the estimate we will also discuss permit fees and inspection costs when applicable in your jurisdiction, which helps avoid surprises later.
Permits, Codes, and Safety in Atlanta and Nearby Counties
Fireplaces involve fire, weight, and venting, so code compliance is not optional. Superior Masonry Atlanta treats safety as part of the craft, not an add on.
Within the City of Atlanta many new masonry fireplaces and major alterations require a building permit. Surrounding counties such as Fulton, Cobb, Dekalb, and Gwinnett may have their own permitting thresholds and inspection schedules. We can help you determine if your project needs a permit, prepare basic drawings when required, and coordinate with your general contractor or architect if you have one.
We follow the Georgia State Minimum Standard Codes based on the International Residential Code, including rules for chimney height above rooflines (the 2 foot in 10 foot rule), minimum hearth extensions, and non combustible clearances to wood framing and mantels. For gas assisted or gas log fireplaces we also observe fuel gas codes and ensure access to shutoff valves.
Insurance carriers in the Atlanta area have become more strict about solid fuel appliances. When we repair or rebuild an older fireplace we bring it as close as practical to current standards, then provide photos and documentation you can share with your insurer.
By handling code and safety details upfront, we help you avoid failed inspections, smoky fireplaces, or draft problems that can be expensive to correct after the brick is already in place.
Repairs, Restorations, and Smoke Problem Fixes
Many Atlanta homeowners call Superior Masonry Atlanta not for a brand new fireplace, but because an existing brick fireplace is cracked, smokey, or in rough cosmetic shape.
Typical issues we see include:
• Cracked or spalled firebrick from years of hot fires and sudden cooling.
• Smoky rooms due to undersized flues, poor smoke chamber shape, or negative pressure from tight new windows.
• Loose or crumbling mortar joints in the firebox and surround.
• Water intrusion in the chimney that shows up as stains on the brick or interior walls.
Our repair process usually starts with a full top to bottom inspection from firebox to chimney cap. We identify whether problems are cosmetic or structural. Firebox damage can often be fixed by replacing damaged firebrick and repointing joints with refractory mortar. Smoke chamber issues might require reshaping the chamber and smoothing with high temperature materials to improve draft.
For cosmetic upgrades, we can reface a dated brick fireplace, change the hearth height, or add a new mantel while maintaining the underlying structure. When water has damaged the chimney, we correct the exterior with tuckpointing, cap replacement, or new flashing at the roof line, then address interior staining and repair any damaged masonry.
Our goal is to preserve as much original material as is safe, especially in older Atlanta homes, while giving you a fireplace that works properly and meets modern expectations.
What to Expect When You Work With Superior Masonry Atlanta
We know that adding or rebuilding a brick fireplace means living with a project in the middle of your main living space. Superior Masonry Atlanta focuses on communication and jobsite respect so the experience is as smooth as possible.
Before we start, we provide a schedule, discuss how we will protect floors and furnishings, and identify a staging area for brick and tools. During construction we use plastic barriers and dust control methods when cutting or grinding brick inside the home. At the end of each workday we sweep, stack materials neatly, and make sure you can move safely through the area.
You will always have a direct contact person who can answer questions about scheduling, inspections, or change requests. If you decide mid project that you want a different mantel style or brick pattern, we explain the impact on cost and time before moving forward.
When the fireplace is complete, we walk you through how to break in a new firebox, what size firewood to burn if you chose wood burning, how to operate gas logs or a gas starter safely, and how often to schedule chimney inspections given Atlanta’s climate and your usage. We want your new brick fireplace to serve your family for decades with as few surprises as possible.
