If you’ve browsed Pinterest or Houzz for patio inspiration, you’ve probably seen a lot of images of big, beautiful patios, with a fireplace, large grill, lounge seating and a table for 10. But what if you, like many of us, simply don’t have that kind of space? Smaller patios can still be a comfortable, lovely space to enjoy the warm months. It just may take a bit more creativity.

We’ll share some of our favorite ideas from Houzz. We’d love to see your smaller patios – share ideas and photos on our Facebook page!

Use Built-Ins

Turn a wall into a bench to add seating without taking up extra space.

Create Continuity

Using the same pavers on the patio and surrounding spaces (i.e. walkways and steps) will avoid visual disruption, making the patio appear larger than it actually is.

Add Landscape Lighting

Lighting can make a huge difference in the atmosphere of a patio. Use lanterns and stakes at ground level to create ambience without taking up much space.

Scale Furniture Appropriately

If you have a long, narrow patio, choose a table with the same dimensions. You could also push the table against one wall to add space, pulling it out only when you have a larger number of dinner guests.

Consider Café Furniture

A bistro table and chairs won’t take up visual space on a patio, and is easy to fold up and put away when not in use.

Go Vertical

Add greenery without sacrificing space by choosing climbing plants and trellises.

Add Color

Brightly-colored plants, furniture and furnishings will give your patio a unique, sophisticated flair, no matter its size.

Ready to upgrade your patio? Visit our product gallery to find the best pavers for your small patio!

Borgert is a Minnesota-based, family-owned company specializing in pavers, patios, driveways and retaining walls. Since 1923, we have been committed to providing high quality products that help our customers dream landscapes become a reality. Get a quote today on your Borgert products.

Will this be the year that you finally get rid of that old, cracked or crumbling concrete patio? Tearing up a concrete patio and replacing it with durable, versatile Borgert Products pavers is a great way to update the look and feel of your yard, as well add visual appeal and value to your home.

Tearing up a concrete patio seems daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. With the right equipment (or a good contractor), it can be done quickly and easily. Read on for tips from the experts at Houzz.

The Details:

Typical project length: one day

Project considerations: Utilities should be contacted to ensure that there aren’t any gas lines beneath the patio. The project will probably be noisy, so it’s a good idea to give neighbors a heads-up.

Permit required: Typically no permit will be required for the demolition, but it’s a good idea to check with the city just in case.

The Process:

Before beginning demolition, place plywood over nearby windows, in case pieces of concrete spray and crack or break the glass.

Next, begin removing the concrete! If you’re not removing the entire patio but just reducing its size, use a concrete cutting saw to cut concrete joints out. If you’re taking out the whole patio, use the saw and a jackhammer to break the concrete into chunks that can be manually removed. Check with your municipality for guidelines on how to dispose of old concrete, or repurpose it somewhere else in your outdoor space, such as a stacked garden wall.

Finally, replace that old outdated patio with beautiful and durable Borgert pavers! Check out our galleries for patio inspiration, or request a catalog!

Borgert is a Minnesota-based, family-owned company specializing in pavers, patios, driveways and retaining walls. Since 1923, we have been committed to providing high quality products that help our customers dream landscapes become a reality. Get a quote today on your Borgert products.

A fireplace is a practical and eye-catching addition to any patio or outdoor space. In addition to the visual impact, an outdoor fireplace will provide warmth, effectively extending the life of your patio during the cooler spring and fall months.

As an exclusive dealer of King of Hearths fireplaces and ovens, Borgert Products offers an outdoor fireplace unit that is constructed from lightweight concrete. It is fully lined with fire brick for maximum safety. Our fireplaces are engineered for mortarless veneering, and are exceptionally strong, ensuring that they will withstand weather and remain in peak condition for many years.

Here are a few tips on outdoor fireplace installation. For a detailed step-by-step installation guide, visit our Borgert Resource Guide.

Pad

You will need to remove all plant matter and topsoil from under the slab or hearth. Replace that organic material with gravel which must be compacted for support. If a pad is required (which will depend on fireplace size and positioning), ensure it’s at least six inches deep, with other measurements customized to the type and size of the fireplace unit. Install a rebar mat in a checkerboard pattern with 12-inch centers. Cure the pad for seven days before placing the fireplace.

Conditioning

Once the fireplace is placed per specific installation instructions, it is recommended to build a few small fireplaces before the facing is applied. This will temper the unit, helping to bring the materials to a near final rest before the facing is applied.

Safety

There should be no combustible materials placed within four feet of the fireplace opening. This includes trees and plants, wood decking and furniture. The fireplace stack is equipped for a chimney cap – ensure that the cap has a spark arrestor. Only burn wood; never garbage or other materials. Make sure the burning area is completely dry before starting a fire.

Get the most out of our short Midwest summers with a Borgert Products outdoor fireplace. Contact us to get started.

Borgert is a Minnesota-based, family-owned company specializing in pavers, patios, driveways and retaining walls. Since 1923, we have been committed to providing high quality products that help our customers dream landscapes become a reality. Get a quote today on your Borgert products.

Many think of pavers and pavement products as designed only for patios, walkways and steps. But that’s far from the case. There are several lesser-known applications for Borgert pavements in private and commercial spaces. And by using our versatile, durable products, you can create a space that is unique in appearance and easy to maintain. We’ll discuss a few practical applications for Borgert pavements below, and make sure to visit our project galleries for more ideas and inspiration!

Streets

If you’re in a cold climate, you know that spring means potholes. The many freeze-thaw cycles that occur throughout the winter weaken asphalt and cause holes to form. This is not the case when streets are surfaced using pavers. Borgert pavements are flexible to withstand freeze-thaw cycles, and any pavers that do crack or break can be replaced quickly, easily and affordably.

In addition to the practical benefits, there are aesthetic advantages as well. Create a unique, beautiful space, using pavers instead of paint to delineate lines and spaces. The options are endless!

Public Spaces

Using pavers in public spaces allows for the creation of unique spaces that can be customized to fit a business or community. Apply pavers in patterns to create a one-of-a-kind design. Our pavements are made to meet the high standards of architects and designers, creating durable and enduring public spaces.

Plazas and Entryways

Create a memorable first impression and elevate the visitor experience with a unique and easily-identifiable entryway or plaza. Our wide selection allows you to complement existing styles with matching colors and designs.

Universities

Use different colors and textures to create unity, consistency and visual appeal throughout campus, increasing aesthetic value while lowering maintenance costs. Pavers can be used to delineate spaces or create designs, creating distinction among departments while maintaining unity.

Ready to discuss pavement options for your commercial project? Give us a call.

Borgert is a family-owned company specializing in pavers, patios, driveways and retaining walls. We are based in Minneapolis and serve the entire Twin Cities metro area and beyond. Since 1923, we have been committed to providing high quality products that help our customers dream landscapes become a reality. Get a quote today on your Borgert products.

Permeable pavements are a great choice for driveways, walkways and patios – for several reasons. The pavements will act as a stormwater management solution, reducing harmful runoff and naturally filtering out pollutants like oil, grease, phosphates and nitrates. Permeable pavements are durable and strong. They don’t frost, heave or crack, and prevent ice from forming.

Our DrenaPave™ and DrenaMontage™ permeable pavement systems are perfectly designed for driveways, as well as walkways and patios. Available in three colors and ADA compliant, they’re an excellent choice for any driveway project. Here are some of our favorite driveway looks to get you started!

Radial Accent

Add contrast and visual interest to your driveway with radial accents. The DrenaPave™ and DrenaMontage™ Permeable Pavements allow for easy customization, so you can achieve the design and look you want!

Contrasting Colors

Mix sizes and colors for a unique and memorable look. This is the Minnesota River blend of three colors, which is the only permeable random pattern in this market. There are three size options – 6×6, 6×12 and 12×12.

Perfect Choice for Big Projects

Got a big driveway, patio or walkway? The DrenaPave™ and DrenaMontage™ Permeable Pavements are an affordable and cost-effective option for large-scale projects.

Extend the Look Past the Driveway

Our permeable pavements are perfect for more than just driveways! Create a streamlined look throughout the exterior of your home and business by installing DrenaPave™ and DrenaMontage™ in your walkway, patio and even the parking lot! Mix and match colors and sizes for a custom yet cohesive look.

Inspired by any of the driveway looks you see here? Let’s chat.

Borgert is a family-owned company specializing in pavers, patios, driveways and retaining walls. We serve the entire Twin Cities metro area and beyond. Since 1923, we have been committed to providing high quality products that help our customers dream landscapes become a reality. Get a quote today on your Borgert products.

Borgert is constantly innovating the pavement industry to bring you the best solutions. Did you know how our PanoMur® Retaining Wall saves you money down the line? Borgert PanoMur® Wall is a lighter, more cost-efficient solution to getting more bang for your buck.

Double the Product for Less Cost

Our PanoMur® block only weighs 49 lbs. per block versus our competitors’ average 80-82 lbs. per block. The PanoMur® Wall can fill up about 646.8 square feet on the semi-truck, compared to our competitors’ average of only filling up 386.1 square feet of materials per truck load.

This means semis can ship up to 48,000 pounds on one load which is a whopping 21 pallets. That means less trips with the semi and more savings direct to you, as well as less waiting around for larger quantities of stock to arrive.

About PanoMur® Wall

The PanoMur® Wall has a hollow core and these units allow maximum flexibility and ease of installation while maintaining high structural integrity for gravity walls. Currently, the colors available for our PanoMur® Wall units are Sterling Gray, Minnesota River, and Buff, and these units can be curved or straight faced. Another bonus of our PanoMur®Wall is that our block is self-supporting with built-in legs and does not require pins.

Check out our PanoMur® Wall in action in our galleries.

Borgert is a family-owned company specializing in pavers, slabs, and retaining walls. We are based in Central Minnesota and serve the Midwest including MN, WI, ND, IA, SD, Northern IL, MT, CO, NE. Since 1923, we have been committed to providing high quality products that help our customers dream landscapes become a reality. Find your local Borgert distributor.

Our Strassen® Wall collection is a free-standing wall, is very versatile, and can complement any backyard feature. These walls can have installed waterfalls, are good for seating walls, can have tops for planting greenery and much more. Be inspired by how Strassen® Walls can enhance your backyard.

Backyard Oasis

Escape to a fairy tale oasis that’s complete with greenery planted in Strassen® Walls, perfectly placed spotlights to light up the path, and a candlelight dinner for two!

Cozy Campfire

Invite over friends for a fun evening sitting around a fire ring and enjoying the outdoors. Feel secluded from the world and all of its troubles with our enclosed Strassen® Wall and surrounding trees and brush.

Color Splash

Splash up your backyard with these colorful Strassen® Walls that use both fun peach spring and summer colors as well as the gray tones that will match the fall and winter seasons. Pair these retaining walls with rock landscaping, grassy areas, tables and more- the possibilities are endless!

Summer Day Chilling

Sit back and relax after a long day of work. Our Strassen® Walls are not only pieces to enjoy looking at, but they are also practical- no more setting down your drink and magazine under you chair and then tripping over them later! Utilize the Strassen® Wall as a perfect place for setting your books, glasses and more!

Waterfall Paradise

Enjoy the sounds of nature with the trickling water fall feature installed in our Strassen® Wall. You won’t have to go far to feel like you are sitting by a creek or a waterfall in the forest; you will have your own waterfall in your front yard or backyard!

Inspired by any of the looks you see here? Let’s chat. 

Borgert is a family-owned company specializing in pavers, slabs, and retaining walls. We are based in Central Minnesota and serve the Midwest including MN, WI, ND, IA, SD, Northern IL, MT, CO, NE. Since 1923, we have been committed to providing high quality products that help our customers dream landscapes become a reality. Find your local Borgert distributor.

Permeable interlocking concrete pavement is a great stormwater management solution but it must be maintained to ensure proper drainage to get the longest life out of your pavement. The tips below will also ensure that your pavement is able to properly drain rainfall and snow.

Preventative Maintenance:

Joint Material: Keep the joints filled with the proper material, check and refill every 6 months. The fill should reach the top of the chamfer.

Surrounding Vegetation and Planting: Ensure that the adjacent landscaping is strong, prevents erosion of soils onto the pavers, and does not contribute to clogging from falling leaves or fruits. Promptly remove grass clippings.

Awareness: Ensure anyone working near the site is aware of the system and does not place landscaping materials on the system or close enough to cause future runoff and no snow is piled throughout the winter. Do not allow sanding during the winter.

Lack of maintenance will cause the system to clog, defeating the purpose of using permeable pavement. Clogging will also cause deterioration of the paver as it will sit in a constant state of saturation.

Winter Maintenance:

Snow Removal: Shovel or plow as immediately as possible following a snowfall. Do not pile on permeable surface.

Salt/Deicing Chemicals: Do not use sand. The best option is to use the joint material for grit.

Salt: When the system is clean and snow is removed promptly, far less salt/deicing chemicals should be used. Use proper judgment to gauge the amount of ice. There will most likely be little ice accumulation on the surface.

Maintenance Plan:

• Inspect the area directly following a rain event to check for standing water (after a major event & at least 3 times a year)
• Use small-scale techniques to address small areas of clogging
• Maintain the correct level of joint material
• General preventative maintenance to reduce the need for major restorative techniques
• Regenerative Air Vacuum: when major clogging occurs. Recommended 1 – 2 times a year for commercial applications and once every 1-5 years for residential applications, vacuuming frequency depends on usage.

How to Tell if Your Pavers are Clogged:

• Standing water during or directly following a minor storm event
• Visible debris in the joints
• Water running off or pooling in large areas
• Weed growth

If your pavement is clogged, you can use an air vacuum to remove the top layer of debris and joint material. You can then re-fill the joints and your pavement will infiltrate as normal. If you need assistance, please contact us or icpi.org for more details on maintenance.

Borgert is a family-owned company specializing in pavers, patios, driveways and retaining walls. We are based in Central Minnesota and serve the Midwest including MN, WI, ND, IA, SD, Northern IL, MT, CO, NE. Since 1923, we have been committed to providing high quality products that help our customers dream landscapes become a reality. Find your local Borgert distributor.

Are you searching for that perfect patio look but just haven’t found it quite yet? Take a stroll through some of our favorite looks featuring our Cobble Series™ Pavers for some patio inspiration.

Enchanting Garden

This look isn’t for the fainthearted. If you really want to cultivate a calming, serene space we recommend pairing our Cobble Series™ Pavers with ambitious landscaping. We love how the circular pavers add harmony and balance to the rounded ponds.

Folksy Fireplace

Pairing natural elements with concrete is the perfect way to create a folksy, enchanting look. We love the combination of our Cobble Series™ Pavers with a fireplace and vines draping around a patio wall.

Follow the Brick Road

Follow the brick road (Cobble Series™ Pavers) to an oasis in your own backyard! It will feel like you are in a place “somewhere over the rainbow” with surrounding waterfalls and magical landscaping!

All Day Fun

Experience the outdoors all day. Enjoy brunch on the patio and then go play a game of backyard football for a fun family afternoon!

Seeing Double

This swirly look is captivating and deceptively simple to install. Two circular patterns using our Cobble Series™ Pavers is better than one! These areas are easy to make your own – try adding a wall (as seen above) or some chairs for a nice gathering spot.

Inspired by any of the looks you see here? Let’s chat. 

Borgert is a family-owned company specializing in pavers, patios, driveways and retaining walls. We are based in Central Minnesota and serve the Midwest including MN, WI, ND, IA, SD, Northern IL, MT, CO, NE. Since 1923, we have been committed to providing high quality products that help our customers dream landscapes become a reality. Find your local Borgert distributor.

Now that summer’s in full swing, it’s the perfect time for one of our personal favorite summer activities: hanging by the fire pit. Now’s the perfect time to upgrade your patio with a brand new fire pit or fireplace. Here are some of our favorite looks to inspire you.

Radial Fire Pit

This classic look is well-rounded (no pun intended). Shake up a simple fire pit by adding a radial pattern with cobble pavers. Placing it in the center of your patio leaves plenty of room for entertaining.

Products featured in this look: Cobble Series™, Cobble Circle and Strassen® Wall Fire Pit by Borgert Products

Here Comes the Sun

Make a gorgeous fireplace even more stunning with a custom detail – we love this simple sunflower to brighten up any patio.

Products featured in this look: King Arthur by King of Hearths with Strassen® and Madera Walls by Borgert Products 

All-in-one Entertainment

Now this is a true home entertainment system! This gorgeous fireplace features convenient storage and an attached TV. This setup is a must-have for sports fans to grill out while watching the big game.

Products featured in this look: Guinever Fireplace by King of Hearths with Strassen® Wall Veneer by Borgert Products

Cook It Up

If you love to cook, this is the perfect setup for you! This fireplace features an attached grill for easy grilling and cooking. The brick oven is perfect for making delicious pizzas and other tasty treats.

Products featured in this look: Lancelot Oven by King of Hearths with Strassen® Wall Veneer by Borgert Products

Special Space

If you’ve got the room, set your fire pit apart from the rest of your patio with a designated space. We love pairing our Cobble Series™  with a wall unit for a designated fire pit space.

Products featured in this look: Cobble Series™ and Cobble Circle by Borgert Products

Inspired by any of the looks you see here? Let’s chat. 

Borgert is a family-owned company specializing in pavers, patios, driveways and retaining walls. We are based in Minneapolis and serve the entire Twin Cities metro area and beyond. Since 1923, we have been committed to providing high quality products that help our customers dream landscapes become a reality. Find a distrubor of Borgert Products near you.