What do you do once you’ve finally fulfilled the dream of purchasing your own home? If you’re like a growing number of residential homeowners, you start into the next phase by planning and completing home improvements. While traditional renovations like upgrading washrooms, kitchens, home offices and recreational spaces continue to be popular, so too is the growing trend toward upgrading exteriors and creating outdoor living spaces.
Building projects like outdoor kitchens, vertical gardens, seasonal lounge and entertainment areas, pools and hot tubs surrounded by beautiful landscaping can be the stuff of dreams. Helping to inspire build those dreams is the job of companies like Northern Brick Inc., a local supplier offering the finest materials for on and around your home.
“Most people aren’t aware of all the materials are available to them,” said Aaron Vehkala, masonry and landscape specialist with Northern Brick, a subsidiary of Fisher Wavy Inc. in Sudbury. “They’ll visit us and share an inspiration photo they pulled from the internet or a magazine. Then it’s up to us to find what’s available locally to suit their design.”
According to Vehkala, Northern Brick’s specialty is servicing architects, designers, builders, and contractors who need brick, stone, and landscaping products. They also assist in the design and coordination of securing the materials needed to complete the projects people want for the interior and exterior of their homes. That could mean anything from locally sourced granite from River Valley used to clad walls and build indestructible stairs to artificial turf to create a perfect lawn or backyard putting green
“We have the most popular brands available in Canada as well as a number of brands from the U.S. and overseas,” said Vehkala. “We’ve become like a tailor, where a client comes to us with an idea for a design they want created. Our showroom is flush with samples of materials that we can go through to show them a variety of choices that suit their design, application, and budget. Our goal is to understand our clients project and provide them the best material options at a fair price, delivered on schedule.’
On the landscaping side, Northern Brick offers everything you need to build an interlocking stone driveway to an elaborate outdoor living space. Choices range from traditional concrete slabs, designer concrete in all shapes and sizes, natural stone, exterior grade porcelain and artificial turf. In the masonry category, Vehkala says the sky’s the limit when it comes to choices in brick and stone. Thin brick and stone claddings are increasing in popularity due to their ease of installation. Chose from materials made here in Ontario all the way to India. Each with their own unique look and feel.
While the supply chain challenges that occurred during the pandemic have generally disappeared, Vehkala says it’s important for anyone looking to secure such building materials for new builds or renovation projects to plan ahead.
“Most materials are going to be available to you within 2 to 4 weeks now. To be safe though we advise ordering well in advance so you’re not in the middle of a construction project stuck waiting for materials.”
Planning ahead also includes securing the proper permits. Vehkala says permits are required for any retaining walls above a metre high. If you’re digging remember to call before you dig to arrange locate services, and anything being planned along the water will require approval from the local conservation authority.
Start planning your dream reno project now.
Visit either location of Northern Brick, inside Fisher Wavy Inc. at 1297 Kelly Lake Road in Sudbury or at 41 Couchie Industrial Rd North Bay. Call them at (705) 674-3226. Or visit them online here.