If you’ve ever installed interlocking concrete pavers, you may have noticed a white film or haze on the paving stones. This is called efflorescence, a naturally occurring process in any concrete. There is no need for alarm: it does not affect the structural integrity or longevity of the pavers, and it is easy to remove.

What is Efflorescence?

Technically referred to as calcium hydroxide, efflorescence is a product of several different sources. It is carried to the surface of concrete pavers by moisture. There are admixtures used in the manufacturing process to inhibit efflorescence, but there is nothing available to eliminate it. It appears randomly – any concrete can have efflorescence. But it appears more pronounced on concrete paving stones, because it can be seen more easily on colored concrete.

Efflorescence Fades Naturally

In many cases, efflorescence is naturally scoured off as the pavers are compacted during the installation process. If that doesn’t happen, it generally lessens or dissipates completely over time, due to weather and general wear.

Specialty Cleaners Will Speed Removal

For faster removal, Borgert offers cleaners that are specially made for concrete paving stones. This mildly acidic product is safe and product instructions are easy to follow. Borgert recommends that you first use the cleaner on an inconspicuous area, so you know how it works before undertaking the whole project. An important detail: there are several products on the market to remove efflorescence from pavers. Make sure that you use products made specifically for interlocking concrete pavers.

If you have any questions about efflorescence or how to remove it, get in touch.

Borgert is a Minnesota-based, family-owned company specializing in premium concrete pavers and slabs for patios and driveways, and walls square and round fire pits. We also offer The King of Hearths outdoor fireplaces and ovens. Since 1923, we have been committed to providing high quality hardscaping products that help our customers’ dream landscapes become a reality. Get a quote today on your Borgert products.

At Borgert, we want to help you spend as much time outdoors this summer as possible. Even though these summer days are long, the temperature often drops as soon as the sun goes down. But that doesn’t mean you need to leave the patio! Our Strassen fire rings and fire ring caps are the perfect addition to any patio, large or small.

The Strassen fire ring caps are precast, which makes installation fast and maintenance a breeze. In addition, both our caps and firepit pavers are constructed with mortarless veneering, improving safety and durability. The fire ring caps’ clean lines add simplicity to a busy patio, drawing the eye to the desired focal point and creating a focus for patio design and décor.

Minnesota River Fire Ring with a Charcoal Fire Ring Cap

Although our fire ring caps are precast, there is still plenty of room for customization. They are available in three different color blends, which highlight various shades from the six available color options in our Strassen fire ring wall units. This allows you to choose a combination that fits with the overall design of your patio and outdoor space.

North Shore Fire Ring with a Limestone Fire Ring Cap

Create a warm and welcoming outdoor space with Borgert and King of Hearths fireplaces and outdoor ovens. Visit our product gallery for ideas and inspiration, then find a Borgert Products distributor or contact us to learn more about how our high-quality fireplace products can fit into your outdoor vision and design.

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

You’ve chosen a paver and decided on the design of your patio. Now all that’s left to do is pick a color. Easy, right? Not necessarily. Often, selecting a color blend that will partner well with the colors of your home, outdoor furniture, and other hardscape or softscape elements can be quite challenging.

Borgert is here to help! We’ve created a color selection guide that lays out the available color options for each of our premium concrete pavers, walls, step units, fireplaces and fire rings. More information is available in our resource guide and 2022 catalog. Below are tips on choosing colors for your Borgert paver patio.

See Colors in Person

Don’t choose your paver colors based solely on our website photos – that won’t allow you to get a complete and accurate assessment of the shades. Colors vary in print reproduction, so it’s important to find a Borgert certified distributor and view the pavers in person.

Understand the Blend

Our color blends consist of two or three colors. In some, one of the colors is dominant, but in others, the shades are mixed throughout. In addition, some blends contain pavers of each color as well as pavers with blended shades. For best blend results, make sure to select from multiple cubes.

Incorporate Colors into the Pattern

Our resource guide contains several pattern options and ideas. Think about how the colors and blends will factor into the design and the overall look of your patio pattern.

Ready to get started on your paver patio? Need help choosing colors that fit with your landscape design and vision? Give Borgert a call today – we can answer questions and direct you to a certified distributor or installer.

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

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.

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.