Whether it takes 5 or 50 steps to get up to your front door or back patio, adding steps can be an expensive project. The Borgert step unit is a more affordable alternative to some of the costlier step materials like natural stone or granite. And because our step unit is attractive, durable and easy to install, you’ll save time and money without sacrificing the overall appearance of your steps.

Here are some of our favorite step unit designs. Visit our product gallery to for more inspiration!

Lush Landscaping

We love how the combination of softscape materials and low lighting play off the natural appearance of the concrete step unit, in our Minnesota River color blend.

Clean and Simple

Our Limestone color blend creates a look that is both minimalist and sophisticated.

Unique Combinations

Our color blends allow you to customize the exact look of your steps, as demonstrated here in this unique layout of our Minnesota River blend.

Staggered Steps

Incorporating landings in to the step design allows for visual breaks in the steps (as shown here in our North Shore color blend), as well as physical breaks for those who climb them regularly!

Contrasting Colors

Use surrounding materials, such as rocks, mulch and wall units, to create contrast with steps. Here, our Buff color blend was installed with lighter-colored rocks and darker mulch to create gorgeous contrast.

Make your yard memorable! Calculate your project needs with our paver calculator, then contact us to learn more about how our high-quality step units can fit into your outdoor 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.

When embarking on a landscaping project, it’s important to understand the different design elements that go into outdoor living spaces, and how they interplay with one another. These elements generally fit into one of two categories: hardscaping and softscaping.

While these may seem like obscure industry terms, it can be useful to understand the difference between the two. This will help homeowners and designers create an appropriate design for the space, using hardscaping and softscaping elements appropriately and in concert with one another to create a fully functional landscape.

We’ll begin with basic definitions.

Hardscaping:

The Spruce defines hardscaping as the “non-living elements” of landscaping. This includes paver patios, retaining walls, driveways, fences, benches and the like. Generally, hardscape elements are more practical (patios, fences) but can also be decorative (benches, pergolas). In addition, features such as outdoor fireplaces or water fountains are included under the definition of hardscaping.

Softscaping:

In comparison, softscaping refers to the living, horticultural elements of landscape. Ultimately, softscape means plants – from grass and shrubs, to annual and perennial flowers, and even vegetables in a garden.

The challenge of creating an effective landscape design is figuring out how to mix hardscape and softscape elements together to create a cohesive, functional outdoor space. The two complement each other well – for example, softening the appearance of a fence with tall spring bulb plants, or covering a wall or pergola with vines for a lush, earthy effect. One easy way to mix hardscaping and softscaping is by placing container plants on the edges of a patio. The possibilities are truly endless!

To find out how Borgert Products can help make your hardscaping vision come to life, visit our product galleries or contact us for more information.

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.

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.

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.