Custom Brick Fireplaces in Murfreesboro, TN

We build custom brick fireplaces in Murfreesboro, TN that become the centerpiece of your living room or outdoor space. From traditional wood burning hearths to modern gas surrounds, our masonry delivers safe, durable, and attractive fireplaces. We handle design, firebox, chimney connections, and finishing details.

Premier Masonry Murfreesboro provides professional brick fireplace throughout Murfreesboro, TN and the surrounding area. Our licensed, insured crew delivers safe, clean, on-time work with a free estimate before anything begins. Call (615) 751-0125 or request your free quote.

Custom Brick Fireplaces Built for Murfreesboro Homes

A brick fireplace is more than a feature on a real estate listing. It is a heat source, a focal point in your living room or outdoor space, and a structure that must be built correctly to be safe. At Premier Masonry Murfreesboro, we design and build brick fireplaces that fit the way you actually live in your home, not just what looks good in a photo.

Our work starts with how you plan to use the fireplace. Some homeowners in Murfreesboro want a traditional wood burning fireplace for ambiance and backup heat if the power goes out. Others prefer a gas insert or gas log set for convenience. We walk through options for firebox type, venting, chimney height, and surround design before we ever lay the first brick.

We pay close attention to how the new brick fireplace ties into your existing structure. That means checking floor framing for load capacity, reviewing attic and roof conditions if a new chimney is needed, and confirming clearances from combustible framing and finishes as required by code. The result is something that looks like it has always belonged in your home, but is built to current safety standards.

How We Build an Interior Brick Fireplace Step by Step

When Premier Masonry Murfreesboro builds or rebuilds an interior brick fireplace, the process is organized and methodical so you know what will happen in your home each day.

1. Site evaluation and layout: We measure the room, confirm where the flue can run without hitting framing or electrical, and mark the footprint of the hearth and surround on the floor and wall. For two story homes, we also check the path through the second floor and attic so the chimney stack can exit the roof in the right location.

2. Structural prep: If the fireplace is on a slab, we verify slab thickness and condition. For wood framed floors, we may need to add blocking or sister joists under the hearth area to support the masonry weight. We also prepare backing and fire resistant board where needed behind the brick.

3. Firebox and flue system: For new builds, we typically install a listed firebox or build a full masonry firebox with firebrick laid in high temperature refractory mortar. Above that, we install clay flue tiles or a stainless steel flue system, depending on the design and whether it is wood burning or gas. Every joint is checked for alignment and draft.

4. Hearth and surround: We set the hearth base first, which might be brick laid flat, soldier course, or brick topped with stone. Then we build the surround and chimney breast, paying attention to consistent joints and crisp corners. We cut bricks where needed rather than forcing inconsistent joints.

5. Curing and finish work: Mortar needs time to cure, especially before any real fires are burned. We usually recommend a short curing period with a series of small, controlled “break in” fires for wood burning units. After that, we handle any final pointing, cleaning, or sealing you choose.

Brick, Mortar, and Design Choices That Actually Matter

The brick fireplace you see in a photo may look simple, but the materials and layout choices affect how it ages, how easy it is to clean, and how closely it matches the rest of your Murfreesboro home.

Brick options: We source brick that matches common middle Tennessee blends, including traditional red, tumbled, and antique style brick. For remodels where we are tying into existing brick walls or an old chimney, we take the time to match color, texture, and size as closely as possible. If your home has a lighter, modern look, we can also use narrower modular brick or a wire cut face for a cleaner line.

Mortar joints: Joint style changes the look more than many people realize. Tight, raked joints increase shadow lines and make the brick stand out, which works well on rustic fireplaces. Flush or slightly struck joints give a smoother, more refined look. We also pay attention to mortar color, since a warm buff or gray can either soften or sharpen the contrast between brick units.

Layout and detailing: You can choose simple running bond patterns or add interest with soldier courses around the firebox opening, herringbone in the firebox back wall, or a corbeled brick mantel. For homes around historic districts in Murfreesboro, we can echo details from older chimneys and porch columns so the new brick fireplace feels period correct instead of out of place.

Finishes: Some homeowners want painted brick, others prefer a natural brick face with a breathable sealant. We explain the pros and cons clearly. Paint changes maintenance and is difficult to reverse. Transparent sealers can help resist soot staining without creating a glossy, plastic look if the right product is chosen and applied correctly.

Local Codes, Permits, and Safety for Murfreesboro Brick Fireplaces

A brick fireplace is effectively a permanent appliance attached to your house. If it is built wrong, the risk is not cosmetic, it is fire and smoke inside the living space. Premier Masonry Murfreesboro treats code compliance as the baseline, not an upgrade.

In Murfreesboro and greater Rutherford County, most new interior fireplaces and any work that alters the flue or structure require a building permit and inspection. We coordinate with the local building department, prepare basic drawings when required, and schedule inspections so you are not stuck handling code questions on your own.

Key code issues we address include minimum clearances from combustible framing and mantels, hearth extension depth, proper firebox dimensions in relation to the opening size, chimney height relative to the roofline (often referenced as the 3-2-10 rule), and proper termination of gas lines and shutoff locations for gas log units. If your home has spray foam insulation in the attic, we also check manufacturer requirements for flue proximity.

For older Murfreesboro homes with existing brick fireplaces, we commonly find hidden problems. These can include cracked clay flue tiles, unlined chimneys, loose or missing mortar joints behind the visible face, or previous “repairs” done with the wrong type of mortar. Before we recommend cosmetic changes, we inspect the firebox and accessible chimney sections to identify safety issues. If a full relining or partial rebuild is needed, we explain exactly why and provide photos so you see the issue yourself.

Cost Factors and What Affects Your Brick Fireplace Budget

Our customers want straight answers about cost, not vague ranges that mean nothing. While we still need to see the project to give a firm price, we explain the main items that move the number up or down so you can make decisions that fit your budget.

Type of installation: A brand new masonry fireplace with chimney built from scratch is the most involved and costly option, because it includes structural work, flue, and full masonry from floor to roof. Converting an old wood burning fireplace to a new brick surround and a gas insert often costs less, since the structure and flue may already be in place.

Size and complexity: A simple brick fireplace with a standard opening and straightforward brick pattern is faster to build than a full height feature wall with niches, extended hearth seating, or complex corbeling. Every detail you add, such as herringbone panels or integrated brick shelving, means more layout and cutting time.

Material choices: Specialty brick, custom cast stone mantels, or mixing brick with natural stone will change the material budget. In most Murfreesboro homes, we can find a locally available brick that looks right and keeps costs controlled, but if you want a rare or reclaimed brick from a specific source, that will affect price and lead time.

Condition of existing work: For remodels or repairs, unknowns behind the existing brick have a big impact. If we discover severe chimney damage, settlement, or previous substandard work, we will show you what we find and discuss whether to repair, reline, or partially rebuild. Addressing structural issues adds cost, but skipping them is not something we recommend, because it directly relates to safety and performance.

Common Brick Fireplace Problems We Fix in Murfreesboro

Many homes in Murfreesboro have older brick fireplaces that look acceptable from the living room but have underlying issues. Premier Masonry Murfreesboro spends a significant part of its time fixing these, not just building new ones.

Smoke spillage and poor draft: If smoke rolls into the room when you light a fire, the problem can be an undersized flue, an oversized opening, a shallow firebox, or negative pressure in a tight house. We evaluate the proportions, check the chimney height, and look for obstructions. Solutions range from resizing the opening with brick, adding a smoke shelf correction, to installing a properly sized stainless steel liner.

Cracked or spalling brick: Frequent freeze thaw cycles in middle Tennessee, especially when water gets into porous mortar or brick faces, cause surface flaking and cracking. We remove failing units, install replacements with correctly matched brick and mortar, and address the water entry point, such as a missing chimney cap or deteriorated crown.

Loose mortar joints and gaps: Old fireplaces often have mortar that has powderized or fallen out of joints, especially in the firebox where high heat is constant. We rake out weak joints and repoint with the proper mortar. Inside the firebox, that usually means a high temperature refractory mix rather than standard masonry mortar.

Cosmetic updates: Sometimes the structure is fine, but the style does not match a renovated interior. We can reface an existing brick fireplace with new brick, straighten lines, remove bulky arches, or add a new brick hearth extension. When painting or whitewashing is part of the plan, we recommend breathable products and proper cleaning so you do not seal moisture into the brick and create future problems.