When using brick, stone, or concrete pavers to build a patio, driveway, or walkway, it is almost inevitable that you will need to cut some pavers to fit the layout. This post may contain affiliate links. wider than the brick and extend 6 in. If you are laying the pavers in place and cutting the curve afterward, a portable gas or electric cutoff saw or a wet-saw could do the job. If your sidewalk is curved or you anticipate a lot of cutting, rent a brick saw. For straight borders, follow a tightly stretched string line. If you do not have enough pavers to waste as many as required with cutting pavers in place, you can salvage larger cut off pieces to place along areas that have not yet been cut. Better Homes & Gardens - 100 years of powering your passions at home, Landscape and Garden Edging Ideas That Make Your Yard Look Sharp, How to Make a Flower Bed to Suit the Space You Have, How to Landscape Around a Deck to Enhance Your Backyard, How to Landscape Front Yards and Entryways to Maximize Curb Appeal, How to Build an Easy DIY Patio to Upgrade Your Backyard, How to Build a DIY Paver Patio in 9 Steps in Just One Day, 11 Landscaping Ideas for Your Front Yard on a Budget, 8 Inexpensive Garden Edging Ideas That Will Make Your Yard Look Sharp, 10 Easy Steps to Create Gardens in Your Yard for the First Time, How to Make a Stepping Stone Paver Walkway, 12 Flower Gardening Tips for Designing a Beautiful Landscape, How to Create a No-Dig Flowerbed for an Easy Start to a Garden, How to Install Drainage Around a Patio to Avoid Standing Water, How to Dig a Garden Bed and 7 Other Steps to a New Garden, How to Plant a Raised Bed Garden and Avoid 8 Common Mistakes, How to Build a Mortar-Free Wall with Interlocking Retaining Wall Blocks, 80-100 bricks for edging, for a small entryway garden like ours. He has a background in journalism and web development, and hasn't yet found a DIY project he isn't willing to tackle. Depending on the thickness, you might need to turn the stone over and do another pass with the blade. If your sidewalk is straight and you only have a few bricks to cut, you can use a diamond blade mounted in a circular saw to cut the bricks. The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. It's best to set the paver on a non-slip mat (such as rubbery all-purpose grip mat) to help hold it in place during cutting. Saw along the marked line on the front and on the back of the paver. from the thickness of a brick. You have read and agreed to our privacy policy. The professional-grade edging is made in the USA from recycled materials, durable enough to secure concrete, clay, brick, stone, plastic, resin, or rubber pavers. To make the work easier, you can use strings and stakes to sketch out your curve with a marker on the paver stones. Most pavers are 4 x 8 in. Lastly, here are some additional things to keep in mind to make the process easier: Cutting pavers may require patience and care, but the results are worth the effort. (& Is It Strong?). To protect the bottom of your circular saw base and prevent scratches from the paver surface, cover the base with blue painter's tape. How to Build a Deck Over a Concrete Patio, How to Install Pavers Over a Concrete Patio, Renew Your Concrete Patio: How to Stain Concrete, Patio Tiles: How to Build a Patio With Ceramic Tile, How to Choose the Right Retaining Wall Material, Build a Circular Patio and Retaining Wall, Fountain: How to Build a Concrete Fountain, We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer). If you have experience doing projects like this and using a mansory saw, you can take all the paving stones to the wet saw and cut everything at once. Step 4: For the best results, flip the paver over and bring your marks around each side, then mark the curve to repeat the cutting process on the back of the paver. To learn how to use a circular power saw to cut pavers, keep reading! Since youre gonna need a more precise cut, you cant use a hammer and chisel or a stone splitter to do it. In this article, youre gonna learn how to cut your pavers for curves properly and safely. The pavers go on top of the sand. Use a scrap of lumber and hand maul to embed the bricks in the sand and make them flush with the surface of the sidewalk. This should also be communicated if you have one person marking and another person cutting. Score the curved cut along the top of the paver first, cutting about 1/8 inch deep. Its also a good idea to wear ear protection because the cutting process is quite loud. Construct a screed by screwing a 14-in.-wide scrap of plywood to a 32-in. Both a standard circular saw (7 1/2-inch blade) or angle grinder (4 1/2-inch blade) make clean, easy cuts and involve similar techniques. Place the paver on the saw sled, making sure it is resting fully against the back lip of the sled. Take time to be cautious while working with the pavers not only will you get better results, but you may prevent injury and have less material waste. Hit the end of the chisel firmly with the hammer and the paver should split into two separate parts. National Cancer Institute. Place your paver on a sandbag if it gets unsteady. If your grass isnt worth saving, just dig it out and plan to buy a few rolls of sod instead. Level the pipes. window.tgpQueue.add('tgpli-63ff6ab965a1e'), window.tgpQueue.add('tgpli-63ff6ab965a2e'). Use the total linear feet of the border to order edging. You can set the pavers on top of the ground using a paver base. When you visit our website, it may store information through your browser from specific services, usually in form of cookies. Give your flowerbed a clean and polished border with an edging of brick pavers, which has a classic look, is relatively inexpensive, and is fairly easy to install. Even out jagged edges with a hammer and 1 inch (2.5cm) wide cold chisel. Pavers are great alternatives to large pieces of plain concrete. Place the paver onto a non-slip mat atop your work surface. Scoop out the excess soil and grass. For example, your installation location might be 8 by 8 inch (20 by 20cm) square and your paver 8 by 9 inches (20 by 23cm). Start by setting the bricks on the sand bed. With curves that are not sharp and concave (curving outward), you can tilt your saw slightly outward (towards the border). Cutting in place-In depth how-to for cutting a soldier course for Paver Patios 25,247 views Sep 30, 2017 158 Dislike Share Fertilawn 44 subscribers Here's how I, and many professionals,. Press the edging against the bricks and drive 10-in. Theres no need to mark the sides. Sign up for wikiHow's weekly email newsletter. Plus: Check out these unexpected materials used for landscape borders. It also keeps mulch in place, saves trimming and weeding time along a border, and blocks your lawn from invading your flowerbed. Then pull the bricks up, numbering the bottoms as you go. As a small thank you, wed like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). Saws that are capable of cutting pavers are simply large versions of the wet saws you can rent for cutting ceramic tile. Lay the paver on a flat surface, such as the ground or a piece of plywood set on top of a couple of sawhorses. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. By doing this youll end up with an accurate edge since the cuts will line up with each other. Then, gently tap your 1-inch wide cold chisel with a hammer until you have a 1/16 inch groove along the entire cutline. Lay the paver on a non-slip surface or clamp the paver to a workbench, table, or plank to keep it steady and avoid breaking. He is a certified lead carpenter and also holds a certification from the EPA. length of 24. Transform your home into a beautifully designed space without the spendy price tag. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. The cut-off saw will follow the groove on its own; you hardly have to guide it. Be sure to use a diamond blade specifically designed for cutting masonry and stone. It may not seem like there is much slurry on the surface of the pavers after one wash, but once the surface dries it will expose that solidified slurry on the surface especially if someone walks through the slurry and onto the surface of the pavements elsewhere. Pound the gravel with a hand tamper until it feels solid. thick, but other sizes are available. The plywood should extend below the 24 the thickness of the paver brick plus 3/4 in. Adjust the saw blade to cut a shallow depth (1/8-1/4 inch), if using a circular saw. Shop Pavers & Retaining Walls Shop Garden Decor Shop Mulch, Rock & Soil Instructions Step 1 Measure and mark your project area. Slight imperfections will not ruin the project. Select a blade designed for cutting stone if you are working with stone pavers or it won't cut through them properly. Step 5: Once each side is cut, you can either tap the scrap portion with a hammer or tap inside the cut line with a chisel, and you should have a clean break along your cuts. This article has been viewed 37,054 times. If you get the grinder blade into a bind, it could cause a loss of control or it may break the paver unevenly. The larger the field of the project, the less waste percentage there will be. Youll also end up with a neater edge, since the cuts will line up nicely with each other. Follow these steps to create the perfect border. A brick-set chisel has a much wider blade and a larger hammerhead area at the end of the chisel for striking. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. Get daily tips & tricks to help make your best home, Cutting Pavers With a Circular Saw or Angle Grinder, Ripping Wood: How to Use a Table Saw for Even Cuts, How to Make a Cutting Guide for Your Circular Saw, How to Make an Easy Brick Patio Pattern for Beginners, How to Cut Ceramic Tile With a Snap Cutter. Lay the pavers beyond the main body of your installation and into the border area. Then spread sand over them and work it into the cracks with a broom. Ideally when you are planning your cuts, you are reducing the amount of cuts that you are doing. By Glenda Taylor and Bob Vila Updated Sep 20, 2020 7:03 PM. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. If you are drawing the outline the day before you plan to install the border, use spray paint to ensure the line won't be disturbed by water or pets. 5 Steps in Cutting Pavers around Curve Edges 1. For a free estimate on paver cleaning and sealing services, dont hesitate to leave us a message or a call. No, you really don't want to do this. Plastic edge border restraint. A sod cutter simplifies this job and leaves you with neat rolls of sod that are easy to reuse. To get a better picture of your plan, include a detailed landscaping layout of which plants will go where. MATERIALS AND TOOLS Available on Amazon Gloves Protective eyewear Dust mask Ear protection Measuring tape Pencil Power saw (angle grinder or circular saw) Diamond masonry blade Hammer or mallet. length of 24. So by far, the best choice you can make is to hire a pro to do your project and deal with all the details. Do not strike too hard, or the paver may break irregularly. window.tgpQueue.add('tgpli-63ff6ab9659ff'). Step 1: Mark your layout on the ground as a general reference. So if you are doing your own paver project, I'm sure you will learn a few things! (& Is It Strong? Get gloves that fit snugly not those bulky garden gloves for dexterity. The ideal method to cut pavers is with a table saw that has a water hookup or a dust collection system incorporated into it for straight cuts or with a demo saw with a water hookup for any type of cut, especially with cutting in place. One way to make a nice, smooth curve is to run a flexible hose in the shape you want, and trace along with a carpenters pencil, chalk, or masonry crayon. Water spraying on the diamond blade keeps dust to a minimum and speeds cutting. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. For a rustic appearance in broad spaces, you can create shapes by varying the spacing of pavers. Alternatively, you can purchase a small battery powered cut off saw or step up to the most efficient and versatile demo saw / cut off saw that is 12 or larger. Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full pricewine, food delivery, clothing and more. It is sometimes preferred over other methods because it produces no dust and is much quieter than a power saw. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Use a garden hose to mark the shape and gradual curves of your lawn edging ( Photo 1 ). We rented a sod cutter to slice a neat layer of grass from along the edge of the sidewalk, but a flat shovel will also work. Construct a screed by screwing a 14-in.-wide scrap of plywood to a 32-in. Complete DIY projects like a pro! While pavers are fairly do-it-yourself-friendly, youll probably have to cut some to fit your layout. Lay the paver flat on the ground when youve finished scoring, and position a brick-set chisel, vertically, in the center of the groove. Start by spreading a 3-in.-deep layer of gravel in the trench. In this case, you need to cut a 1 by 7 inch (2.5 by 17.8cm) piece from the longer side of your paver. Sketch a plan of what you want your flowerbed to look like. I do it this way because I can get the edging to be exactly where I want it (very picky about the curves and layout). Mark the cutting line on the top face of the paver, using a pencil and a square or straightedge. For example, if you need to remove 2 corners of the paver, draw cut lines around each of its corners. Deane Biermeier is an expert contractor with nearly 30 years of experience in all types of home repair, maintenance, and remodeling. Carefully tap the chisel with the hammer to cut a shallow groove (about 1/8 inch deep) along the cutting line on all four sides of the paver. Mark your line with spray paint, flour, or sand. Step 3: Start to cut the pavers along the marked line on the top of the paver first, cutting about 1/8 inch deep with a masonry saw. Set the saw blade to cut -inch deep, and position the paver on a flat surface, such as the ground or a sturdy board set on top a couple of sawhorses. Here, youll find both methods for how to cut pavers as well as the guidance to help you choose the best approach for your project. The plywood should extend below the 24 the thickness of the paver brick plus 3/4 in. Use a large enough blade to cut through your SRW block in 1 pass. Remove the tape as soon as you're done with the project (so it's not hard to remove later). Layer mulch around plantings and fill up to the brick line. Cutting curves is easiest when done in place. This will give you a deep score line on both the front and the back of the paver. Last Updated: December 28, 2022 deep trench for typical paver bricks. Make sure they extend beyond the final finished area. Even professional masons use this method to cut pavers in a pinch, and its your only option if you dont have access to electrical power on the site of your project. Following your line, dig a trench slightly deeper than the height of your bricks when they are lying flat (usually about 3-4 inches). If your pavers are stone, be sure to choose a blade labeled for cutting stone, not just brick or concrete, because natural stone is much harder than either brick or concrete. 4. When youre done digging, rake the bottom of the trench smooth and compact it with the hand tamper for driveway edging pavers. With over six years of experience, he specializes in designing the perfect concrete driveways & backyard patios for homes. Set the saw blade to cut -inch deep, and position the paver on a flat surface, such as the ground or a sturdy board set on top a couple of sawhorses. This provides the same results with a little more accuracy and efficiency. Cutting wet creates quite the mess, but it reduces the amount of dust being created. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Pavers, available in a wide range of sizes and shapes, are a relatively inexpensive way to build a path through the garden, from the street to the house, or out to the pool or garden shed. This option may disrupt or damage the surface, and these industrial tools may not be readily available. Depending on the hardness of the paver, this scoring process could take two or three passes to accomplish. I prepped the patio brick using a piece of paper to determine the cut, which i transfered to the brick. Complete DIY projects like a pro! Step 2: Set the marked paver up on supports (other pavers will work well) with the marked area over the space between the supports. Mark the pavers and cut in place. Choosing the best tool for your project depends on your situation. Have the gravel dumped on the driveway where its easier to shovel up. The fill provides a stable base to keep the brick border from shifting. This gives your blade a clear path. Mark out the curve you want to create with string or a garden hose. You can cut pavers of virtually anykind with a power saw as long as you use the correct blade. Cover everything with tarps in-between sessions. If your project has curves, dont forget to add, at least, 5% more pavers when buying it. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Laying pavers too tightly could cause failure, but laying them too far apart could weeds to grow through. Without the vacuum system, dust will settle on surfaces all around the job site and into neighboring yards. Set the paver flat on your work surface, and gently but firmly, tap the waste portion of the paver with a hammer to break the paver along the cutting line. Scoop out the excess soil and grass. The paver should break cleanly, ready to be set into your layout. However whenever you are using a rectangular border paver for curved projects, you will need to find the best possible scenario to allow that border stone to curve. If you want to cut each paver individually, a circular saw or angle grinder fitted with the proper diamond blade would be the best options. Home Outdoors Yard & Garden Structures Paths. Be sure to use a diamond blade, and do not attempt to use other blade types, as it could result in injury or damage. Doing this leaves spaces where the curved areas can be accommodated. Place a ruler onto your paver and draw a line on the top to mark off the region that needs to be cut. There are several good tool options for DIYers, including simple hand tools and basic power tools. Follow the next steps to cut pavers for curves: ATTENTION: Dont forget to wear protection while cutting pavers to avoid accidents and breathing the dust that comes out with the process! Make sure you budget enough time, and add a day for surprises or bad weather. If your layout calls for relatively few cut pavers, you can do this work with a masonry chisel and hammer. This minimizes subtle changes in height/slope between sections. Cutting Pavers with Power Tools If you are comfortable with power tools, they can take some of the guesswork and luck out of cutting your pavers or blocks. We first begin without water and scoring the line so that the line does not disappear when we move through it with the water on. Following your line, dig a trench slightly deeper than the height of your bricks when they are lying flat (usually about 3-4 inches). 0:00 / 7:51 Simple DIY Curved Cut in Patio Pavers with HarborFreights Grinder / Masonry Blades Carl Fxy 858 subscribers Subscribe 332 311K views 11 years ago Made this video as I DIY'd my. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. To ensure that the bricks remain stable and wont tip when you wheel a lawn mower over them, the new compacted base should be 6 in. Place the border paver on a cutting board or other stable surface. Mark the cutting line across the top face of the paver, using a pencil and a square or straightedge. below the top of the sidewalk to allow room for the bricks and about an inch of sand. Water sprays onto the blade during the cut to minimize heat and dust. Having the right blade for your saw is just as important as having the right saw for the job. Set the paver face-up on a flat, sturdy surface. down to a powder (called 3/4-in.-minus). If the curve is very gradual, you can simply cut every third or fourth paver to fit. This scoring process could take two or three passes to accomplish the Spruce uses high-quality... On its own ; you hardly have to cut your pavers for properly! 1 inch ( 2.5cm ) wide cold chisel with a marker on the,. Including simple hand tools and basic power tools 're done with the and..., or sand the field of the paver may break the paver, this scoring process could take or! Tamper until it feels solid its easier to shovel up article, youre gon na need more! N'T cut through your browser from specific services, usually in form of cookies a stone to. To allow room for the bricks up, numbering the bottoms as you use the correct blade the... The curve you want to do it edges 1 paver unevenly saw as as! Along a border, and blocks your lawn from invading your flowerbed to look like as. At the end of the sled in 1 pass cuts, you are agreeing to emails... Determine the cut to minimize heat and dust depth ( 1/8-1/4 inch ), if using a pencil a. And weeding time along a border, and remodeling more precise cut, you are doing your paver! Your cuts, you can create shapes by varying the spacing of.. Edging ( Photo 1 ) 20, 2020 7:03 PM a power saw long! The sidewalk to allow room for the bricks and about an inch of sand leaves you with neat of. Below the 24 the thickness of the paver may break the paver, a., youre gon na learn how to cut pavers of virtually anykind with a hammer and 1 inch ( )! Your flowerbed also a good idea to wear ear protection because the cutting line across the top the! The brick snugly not those bulky garden gloves for dexterity the border to order edging doing this end! Diy project he is a certified lead carpenter and also holds a certification from the EPA to how... Bind, it may store information through your browser from specific services, usually in form cookies! Great new products and services nationwide without paying full pricewine, food delivery, clothing and more properly safely! Its also a good idea to wear ear protection because the cutting line on both the front and the of. Check out these unexpected materials used for landscape borders you use the correct.! Capable of cutting, rent a brick saw the wet saws you can simply cut third. It 's not hard to remove 2 corners of the sled your pavers for properly... Smooth and compact how to cut border pavers on a curve with the project ( so it 's not hard to remove 2 corners of chisel! Opting out of some of these cookies deane Biermeier is an expert contractor with nearly 30 years experience... The sidewalk to allow room for the bricks up, numbering the as! Full pricewine, food delivery, clothing and more, numbering the bottoms as use! On the back of the paver brick plus 3/4 in invading your flowerbed to look like the. Later ) weeds to grow through this scoring process could take two or passes! Tap your 1-inch wide cold chisel with a little more accuracy and efficiency strike too hard or. Specializes in designing the perfect concrete driveways & backyard patios for homes that fit snugly those! Cut some to fit your layout curve is very gradual, you create. The larger the field of the paver, this scoring process could take two three! Out great new products and services nationwide without paying full pricewine, food delivery, clothing and more of. Separate parts about 1/8 inch deep a marker on the sand bed brick saw few rolls sod. Have read and agreed to our privacy policy cold chisel cutting line across the top face of the.! Bind, it could cause a loss of control or it wo n't cut through properly... The larger the field of the paver first, cutting about 1/8 inch deep, the! 3-In.-Deep layer of gravel in the trench cut your pavers for curves properly and safely of which plants go! Glenda Taylor and Bob Vila Updated Sep 20, 2020 7:03 PM paver project, i 'm you! Is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies may have effect... End up with each other grass isnt worth saving, just dig it out and plan to buy a things! The mess, but laying them too far apart could weeds to grow through circular! Youll probably have to cut a shallow depth ( 1/8-1/4 inch ), you. Larger hammerhead area at the end of the chisel firmly with the hand tamper driveway! The final finished area specializes in designing the perfect concrete driveways & backyard patios for homes pavers too could! Around the job you 're done with the blade over and do another with! The cut, you can rent for cutting stone if you need to the! Spendy price tag 're done with the hand tamper until it feels solid a garden hose the! Hammer and 1 inch ( 2.5cm ) wide cold chisel or sand lawn. 2020 7:03 PM wider blade and a square or straightedge over and do pass! Na need a more precise cut, you can use strings and stakes to out! Borders, follow a tightly stretched string line 3-in.-deep layer of gravel in the trench smooth compact. Is resting fully against the bricks and about an inch of sand other methods because it produces no and... Will go where and has n't yet found a DIY project he is a certified carpenter! Face-Up on a flat, sturdy surface press the edging against the bricks on the paver may irregularly... Own ; you hardly have to cut pavers how to cut border pavers on a curve you cant use a large blade... He has a background in journalism and web development, and blocks your lawn edging Photo. Mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies may have an effect your... Sure you budget enough time, and blocks your lawn edging ( Photo )... To try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full,... Leaves spaces where the curved cut along the top face of the border to order edging trusted! Scrap of plywood to a 32-in around curve edges 1 is an contractor. Will be and do another pass with the blade during the cut, which i transfered the! Draw a line on the sand bed of some of these cookies this article, youre na... Minimize heat and dust then, gently tap your 1-inch wide cold chisel a and! Picture of your plan, include a detailed landscaping layout of which plants will go where the. Space without the vacuum system, dust will settle on surfaces all around the job and... Base to keep the brick up with an accurate edge since the cuts will line up with a and. Person cutting paver and draw a line on both the front and the back lip of the chisel firmly the... 'S not hard to remove 2 corners of the paver brick plus in! Fill up to the brick line your pavers for curves properly and safely drive 10-in and to! Saw will follow the groove on its own ; you hardly have to guide it running these cookies region! Lip of the wet saws you can cut pavers, you might need to turn the stone over do... It out and plan to buy a few things corners of the trench patios for homes are doing including studies! Chisel or a garden hose sod instead strings and stakes to sketch out your with. Updated Sep 20, 2020 7:03 PM, including peer-reviewed studies, to support facts. Idea to wear ear protection because the cutting line on both the front and on hardness. It feels solid 's not hard to remove later ) two or three passes to accomplish area! Address to get a message or a call stable surface mulch in place, saves and... Area at the end of the project ( so it 's not to! Include a detailed landscaping layout of which plants will go where of to... Follow a tightly stretched string line over them and work it into the cracks a... For example, if you need to remove later ) by signing up you are doing top the..., or the paver may break the paver, draw cut lines around each of its.. Only high-quality sources, including simple hand tools and basic power tools buy a few things the! Border from shifting leave us a message when this question is answered the gravel with a.. A sod cutter simplifies this job and leaves you with neat rolls of instead. Willing to tackle can use strings and stakes to sketch out your curve with a hammer chisel! And 1 inch ( 2.5cm ) wide cold chisel with a masonry chisel and hammer process is loud! Region that needs to be cut stable base to keep the brick much! It out and plan to buy a few rolls of sod that are easy to reuse right. Also keeps mulch in place, saves trimming and weeding time along a border, and blocks your from... Pavers of virtually anykind with a hammer and the paver onto a non-slip mat your. Spaces where the curved cut along the marked line on the ground using a piece of to! Is answered surprises or bad weather dust to a 32-in doing this youll end up each...
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