Journal

Notes from the field.

Practical, honest guides on fireplaces, chimneys, masonry and outdoor living in Houston — from the crew at Artex Masonry & Fireplace. A new article publishes every Monday.

Publishing next

Aug 10, 2026Stair-step cracks in Wharton brick: cosmetic or structural?
Aug 17, 2026The annual chimney inspection checklist every Navasota homeowner should run
Aug 24, 2026Gas, wood or masonry: picking the right fireplace for a Lake Jackson home

Chimney crown vs. chimney cap: what Sealy homeowners keep mixing up

Chimney Repair

Aug 3, 2026 4 min read

Chimney crown vs. chimney cap: what Sealy homeowners keep mixing up

Two different parts, two different failures, two very different repair bills.

READ ARTICLE

Converting an old Dickinson wood firebox to sealed gas

Fireplaces

Jul 27, 2026 5 min read

Converting an old Dickinson wood firebox to sealed gas

The most common fireplace project we run in Dickinson, start to finish.

READ ARTICLE

Stone veneer in Brookshire: what it costs you and what it returns

Custom Masonry

Jul 20, 2026 4 min read

Stone veneer in Brookshire: what it costs you and what it returns

A front elevation refaced in stone is the highest-return masonry project we do in Brookshire.

READ ARTICLE

Designing a Magnolia outdoor kitchen you'll actually use every week

Outdoor Living

Jul 13, 2026 5 min read

Designing a Magnolia outdoor kitchen you'll actually use every week

Wind direction, shade and the work triangle separate a showpiece from a habit.

READ ARTICLE

What tuckpointing actually is — and when Alvin brick needs it

Masonry Repair

Jul 6, 2026 4 min read

What tuckpointing actually is — and when Alvin brick needs it

If you can scrape the mortar out of your joints with a screwdriver, Alvin weather has already won.

READ ARTICLE

Gas, wood or masonry: picking the right fireplace for a Fulshear home

Fireplaces

Jun 29, 2026 6 min read

Gas, wood or masonry: picking the right fireplace for a Fulshear home

Venting, gas availability and how often you'll light it decide the answer in Fulshear.

READ ARTICLE

The annual chimney inspection checklist every West University Place homeowner should run

Chimney Repair

Jun 22, 2026 5 min read

The annual chimney inspection checklist every West University Place homeowner should run

Ten minutes with a flashlight can save a West University Place homeowner a full chimney rebuild.

READ ARTICLE

Stair-step cracks in Webster brick: cosmetic or structural?

Masonry Repair

Jun 15, 2026 5 min read

Stair-step cracks in Webster brick: cosmetic or structural?

Gulf Coast clay soil moves. Here's how to read what your brick is telling you.

READ ARTICLE

Masonry, direct vent, wood, gas or electric: choosing the right fireplace

Fireplaces

Jun 10, 2026 6 min read

Masonry, direct vent, wood, gas or electric: choosing the right fireplace

Five fireplace types, five very different builds. Here's how Houston homeowners should actually decide.

READ ARTICLE

Chimney crown vs. chimney cap: what Friendswood homeowners keep mixing up

Chimney Repair

Jun 8, 2026 4 min read

Chimney crown vs. chimney cap: what Friendswood homeowners keep mixing up

Two different parts, two different failures, two very different repair bills.

READ ARTICLE

Converting an old Atascocita wood firebox to sealed gas

Fireplaces

Jun 1, 2026 5 min read

Converting an old Atascocita wood firebox to sealed gas

The most common fireplace project we run in Atascocita, start to finish.

READ ARTICLE

Stone veneer in Tomball: what it costs you and what it returns

Custom Masonry

May 25, 2026 4 min read

Stone veneer in Tomball: what it costs you and what it returns

A front elevation refaced in stone is the highest-return masonry project we do in Tomball.

READ ARTICLE

Designing a Cypress outdoor kitchen you'll actually use every week

Outdoor Living

May 18, 2026 5 min read

Designing a Cypress outdoor kitchen you'll actually use every week

Wind direction, shade and the work triangle separate a showpiece from a habit.

READ ARTICLE

What tuckpointing actually is — and when Sugar Land brick needs it

Masonry Repair

May 11, 2026 4 min read

What tuckpointing actually is — and when Sugar Land brick needs it

If you can scrape the mortar out of your joints with a screwdriver, Sugar Land weather has already won.

READ ARTICLE

Gas, wood or masonry: picking the right fireplace for a Richmond home

Fireplaces

May 4, 2026 6 min read

Gas, wood or masonry: picking the right fireplace for a Richmond home

Venting, gas availability and how often you'll light it decide the answer in Richmond.

READ ARTICLE

The annual chimney inspection checklist every Beaumont homeowner should run

Chimney Repair

Apr 27, 2026 5 min read

The annual chimney inspection checklist every Beaumont homeowner should run

Ten minutes with a flashlight can save a Beaumont homeowner a full chimney rebuild.

READ ARTICLE

Stair-step cracks in Brenham brick: cosmetic or structural?

Masonry Repair

Apr 20, 2026 5 min read

Stair-step cracks in Brenham brick: cosmetic or structural?

Gulf Coast clay soil moves. Here's how to read what your brick is telling you.

READ ARTICLE

Your chimney crown is probably the reason your ceiling is stained

Chimney Repair

Apr 18, 2026 5 min read

Your chimney crown is probably the reason your ceiling is stained

The crown is the concrete slab at the top of your chimney. When it cracks, water goes everywhere else.

READ ARTICLE

Chimney crown vs. chimney cap: what Needville homeowners keep mixing up

Chimney Repair

Apr 13, 2026 4 min read

Chimney crown vs. chimney cap: what Needville homeowners keep mixing up

Two different parts, two different failures, two very different repair bills.

READ ARTICLE

Converting an old Galveston wood firebox to sealed gas

Fireplaces

Apr 6, 2026 5 min read

Converting an old Galveston wood firebox to sealed gas

The most common fireplace project we run in Galveston, start to finish.

READ ARTICLE

Stone veneer in Crosby: what it costs you and what it returns

Custom Masonry

Mar 30, 2026 4 min read

Stone veneer in Crosby: what it costs you and what it returns

A front elevation refaced in stone is the highest-return masonry project we do in Crosby.

READ ARTICLE

Designing a Waller outdoor kitchen you'll actually use every week

Outdoor Living

Mar 23, 2026 5 min read

Designing a Waller outdoor kitchen you'll actually use every week

Wind direction, shade and the work triangle separate a showpiece from a habit.

READ ARTICLE

What tuckpointing actually is — and when Conroe brick needs it

Masonry Repair

Mar 16, 2026 4 min read

What tuckpointing actually is — and when Conroe brick needs it

If you can scrape the mortar out of your joints with a screwdriver, Conroe weather has already won.

READ ARTICLE

Gas, wood or masonry: picking the right fireplace for a Stafford home

Fireplaces

Mar 9, 2026 6 min read

Gas, wood or masonry: picking the right fireplace for a Stafford home

Venting, gas availability and how often you'll light it decide the answer in Stafford.

READ ARTICLE

The annual chimney inspection checklist every River Oaks homeowner should run

Chimney Repair

Mar 2, 2026 5 min read

The annual chimney inspection checklist every River Oaks homeowner should run

Ten minutes with a flashlight can save a River Oaks homeowner a full chimney rebuild.

READ ARTICLE

Stair-step cracks in Bellaire brick: cosmetic or structural?

Masonry Repair

Feb 23, 2026 5 min read

Stair-step cracks in Bellaire brick: cosmetic or structural?

Gulf Coast clay soil moves. Here's how to read what your brick is telling you.

READ ARTICLE

Planning an outdoor kitchen and pizza oven that you'll actually use

Outdoor Living

Feb 21, 2026 5 min read

Planning an outdoor kitchen and pizza oven that you'll actually use

The difference between a showpiece and a weekly habit comes down to layout, shade, and where the smoke goes.

READ ARTICLE

Chimney crown vs. chimney cap: what La Porte homeowners keep mixing up

Chimney Repair

Feb 16, 2026 4 min read

Chimney crown vs. chimney cap: what La Porte homeowners keep mixing up

Two different parts, two different failures, two very different repair bills.

READ ARTICLE

Converting an old League City wood firebox to sealed gas

Fireplaces

Feb 9, 2026 5 min read

Converting an old League City wood firebox to sealed gas

The most common fireplace project we run in League City, start to finish.

READ ARTICLE

Stone veneer in Kingwood: what it costs you and what it returns

Custom Masonry

Feb 2, 2026 4 min read

Stone veneer in Kingwood: what it costs you and what it returns

A front elevation refaced in stone is the highest-return masonry project we do in Kingwood.

READ ARTICLE

Designing a The Woodlands outdoor kitchen you'll actually use every week

Outdoor Living

Jan 26, 2026 5 min read

Designing a The Woodlands outdoor kitchen you'll actually use every week

Wind direction, shade and the work triangle separate a showpiece from a habit.

READ ARTICLE

What tuckpointing actually is — and when Missouri City brick needs it

Masonry Repair

Jan 19, 2026 4 min read

What tuckpointing actually is — and when Missouri City brick needs it

If you can scrape the mortar out of your joints with a screwdriver, Missouri City weather has already won.

READ ARTICLE

Gas, wood or masonry: picking the right fireplace for a Deer Park home

Fireplaces

Jan 12, 2026 6 min read

Gas, wood or masonry: picking the right fireplace for a Deer Park home

Venting, gas availability and how often you'll light it decide the answer in Deer Park.

READ ARTICLE

The annual chimney inspection checklist every Houston homeowner should run

Chimney Repair

Jan 5, 2026 5 min read

The annual chimney inspection checklist every Houston homeowner should run

Ten minutes with a flashlight can save a Houston homeowner a full chimney rebuild.

READ ARTICLE

Ready to get cozy?

Custom fireplace installation, chimney repair, and premier masonry across Houston, Richmond, Katy and Deer Park — free written estimates and three decades of craftsmanship behind every joint.

CALL DIRECT(281) 570-9408 GET A FREE ESTIMATE