For nearly four decades, Greg McLain has bridged the gap between raw construction expertise and modern home living. Leaving his family’s masonry roots in Montana in 1987, McLain arrived in the Tri-Cities and discovered a unique vision that led him to establish Fire & Water, a premier hearth and outdoor living company that has become a staple of the Richland business landscape.
Today, operating out of a 3,500-square-foot showroom at 222 Symons St., McLain has built a reputation centered on high-efficiency, USA-made systems that prioritize longevity over mass-market convenience.
Prioritizing Performance Over Trends
In an era where homebuilders often install entry-level, aesthetically pleasing but low-efficiency fireplace units, McLain has carved out a niche by educating customers on the difference between a decorative fixture and a functional heat source. Many standard builder-grade fireplaces utilize tempered glass that restricts heat transfer, whereas Fire & Water focuses on ceramic glass and high-performance fan systems designed to serve as legitimate heating alternatives.
McLain emphasizes that his inventory is curated for those who want reliability, particularly during power outages. By prioritizing gas units equipped with rechargeable remote controls rather than wall-switch relays, he ensures that homeowners maintain heat even when the grid fails. This commitment to quality has caught the attention of industry experts, earning the Richland business a feature in the Patio & Hearth Products Report earlier this year.
Integrating Modern Tech into Traditional Hearth
While the core of the business remains rooted in the ancient elements of fire and water, the operational side of the company is fully modernized. McLain utilizes computer-aided design (CAD) to provide clients with a visual blueprint of their renovations before a single brick is laid. This technological approach allows for a “precision-first” workflow where every component is verified and ready on-site before the project begins, enabling his 12-person team to complete most residential installations in a single week.
The business also reflects changing consumer habits. As the population ages, many homeowners are transitioning away from the physical labor of wood-burning or pellet stoves toward automated propane systems that offer the convenience of remote-controlled temperature regulation. These smart-heating systems, which cycle on and off to maintain specific climate settings, reflect a broader industry shift toward energy efficiency and hands-off comfort.
A Legacy of Meticulous Craftsmanship
The success of Fire & Water is built on a “do it right the first time” ethos. McLain remains staunchly committed to domestic manufacturing, refusing to carry products that sacrifice structural integrity for profit margins. This philosophy extends to his staff and his succession planning; his grandson, Marcus McLain Breakfield, has spent the last decade training as the company’s sales manager, ensuring the brand’s high standards for meticulous construction will continue into the next generation.
The company’s showroom serves as more than just a retail space—it is an experiential center where locals can explore everything from custom outdoor kitchen fixtures to tankless water heaters. By managing 98% of its own installations, the company maintains total quality control, a rarity in the current contracting landscape.
“It brings people together,” McLain says of the living spaces he builds. By blending traditional masonry skills with the advanced, eco-conscious heating technology of today, Fire & Water has successfully turned two of nature’s most volatile elements into the foundation of a modern, comfort-oriented business.
For those looking to upgrade their home’s thermal efficiency or outdoor entertaining space, Fire & Water continues to set the benchmark in the Tri-Cities, proving that while technology changes, the value of quality American craftsmanship remains constant.
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