If you're having trouble, score around the cutline with your cold chisel again. Use the total linear feet of the border to order edging. Mark the cutting line across the top face of the paver, using a pencil and a square or straightedge. Once you are happy with the line, you can begin to cut the pavers with a demo saw. 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. Mark a line on your paver where the cut needs to be. If you need to cut multiple points of the paver, create additional cutlines. We use a different blade for cutting natural stone than we do when we cut pavers. 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. If your grass is in good shape, slice it off carefully so you can use it to patch in along the new border. 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. In some cases, you may have to remove an additional strip of sod alongside the steps and regrade the soil slightly so the lawn lines up with the edge of the bricks, but its a neat-looking solution thats worth the extra effort. The cut-off saw will follow the groove on its own; you hardly have to guide it. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. 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. 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. We installed a deep compacted gravel base under the bricks. Make sure they extend beyond the final finished area. Use the paver edging as-is for straight installations or cut the spines to make the edger flexible enough to curve with any round patio installation. Don't draw side lines on your paveryou don't need to cut along them. Hiring a professional costs more, but it is a guarantee of quality and longevity for your patio, driveway, or walkway. Whether they are stone, brick, or concrete, they can be used to add visual flair to walkways, patios, and driveways. The plastic paver edging is necessary to keep the bricks from drifting. You can then draw a line from that mark to the corner of the paver on the opposite end and those are the lines you would cut in order to fit tightly against your initial border stone. Slice down into the soil to form a flat wall. After that, I set my pipes inbetween the edging and screed a inch of stone dust. For straight borders, follow a tightly stretched string line. Position the chisel edge into the groove at the center of the paver face. This gives your blade a clear path. To get a better picture of your plan, include a detailed landscaping layout of which plants will go where. Spread leveling sand between them, and then use a long board to smooth out the sand (called screeding). Deane Biermeier is an expert contractor with nearly 30 years of experience in all types of home repair, maintenance, and remodeling. When you visit our website, it may store information through your browser from specific services, usually in form of cookies. Sign up for wikiHow's weekly email newsletter. Then pull the bricks up, numbering the bottoms as you go. Always wear protective goggles and gloves when cutting pavers. down to a powder (called 3/4-in.-minus). This should also be communicated if you have one person marking and another person cutting. 10 Tips to Build a Better Concrete Sidewalk, Pouring Concrete Patio: A First Timers Guide, 20 cheap landscaping fixes that look expensive, Do not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Over time, your pavers will end up shifting and moving around. Tamp it down using a plate compactor or hand tamper. Scoop out the excess soil and grass. Place a ruler onto your paver and draw a line on the top to mark off the region that needs to be cut. Following the curved outline, dig a shallow trench so the flat-laid bricks will rest just above the existing soil. below the top of the sidewalk to allow room for the bricks and about an inch of sand. Mark the cutting line on the top face of the paver, using a pencil and a square or straightedge. Cutting pavers will produce dust and debris, so take the precaution of wearing eye protection. https://www.thisoldhouse.com/more/how-to-hand-cut-brick, https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-cut-pavers/. Last Updated: December 28, 2022 Transform your home into a beautifully designed space without the spendy price tag. Map out the area The area where the pavement should be placed needs to be clearly marked. To figure out how much to cut from each, arrange a half-dozen pavers along the curve with the ends touching and estimate the gap between them. Only spread as much gravel base and leveling sand as you think you can cover with pavers in a day (you dont want it getting rained on). Chip away at any uneven bits using your brick-set and hammer. If you only need to cut a few, a hammer and chisel can be employed, but if cutting many pavers, a power saw, such as an angle grinder or a circular saw, is recommended to speed up the process. Mark the front, back, and sides of the paverthe cutline must run all the way around because youll need to score all four sides. Get free, no-commitment estimates from licensed general contractors near you. With curves that are not sharp and concave (curving outward), you can tilt your saw slightly outward (towards the border). Its an old-fashioned technique, but its tried and true. Since youre gonna need a more precise cut, you cant use a hammer and chisel or a stone splitter to do it. Well be looking at some tips and tricks for making curved pavers cuts to achieve a custom outdoor space that stands out and makes an impact. Then estimate how much youll have to cut off to close the gap between bricks and draw a cutting line with a permanent marker. Install the outer layer of brick edging. Construct a screed by screwing a 14-in.-wide scrap of plywood to a 32-in. Following your line, dig a trench slightly deeper than the height of your bricks when they are lying flat (usually about 3-4 inches). Take a step back and look at the border a few times throughout the process to make sure the bricks are leveladjust trench depth as needed. You can use a variety of tools to cut curves. Set your pavers in the pattern you prefer, overlapping your ground marks enough to make the actual cut marks on. Cutting with an angle grinder requires your hands to be near the blade, so take it slow and steady -and wear protective gloves. Then, gently tap your 1-inch wide cold chisel with a hammer until you have a 1/16 inch groove along the entire cutline. If you don't have a step nearby, firmly hit the tip of the paver onto a flat, concrete surface. Its usually cheaper and easier to simply order bags of sand rather than have a small quantity delivered. You can always clean up the curve with the grinder if there are any sharp or jagged portions. For a level, smooth surface to lay your pavers on, place two one-inch-diameter PVC pipes on the gravel. This way, you wont misplace any pieces. Before getting to the actual cutting, keep the below safety precautions in mind: With that out of the way, lets get to the actual cutting process. At this point, the bricks should protrude slightly above the surface of the sidewalk. Curves are easier to cut if you slightly angle the saw when cutting. To learn how to use a circular power saw to cut pavers, keep reading! The vibration will cause the dry sand to fill the cracks and lock the bricks tightly together. As a small thank you, wed like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). A curved walkway with square pavers is almost as easy as a straight-as-an-arrow path; it just takes a little extra planning. Make a full straight cut that is tangential to (touching) the scored line, and break off the bulk of the waste. 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. By using our site, you agree to our. 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. That calculation depends on the size of the field of the project. This dust will need to be blown off the surface of these areas to avoid causing a further mess. Level the gravel about 3-1/2 in. ), Is Hickory a Hardwood or a Softwood? Order gravel that ranges in size from 3/4 in. You can cut pavers of virtually anykind with a power saw as long as you use the correct blade. Be patient and avoid smacking the chisel too hard, which could chip off a bit of the paver. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Set a paver on the screeded sand to test the depth. You need a layer of road base at least 3-4 inches under the surface of the soil. Step 1: Lay the paving stones along the curve one by one, then mark a line on your paver where the cuts need to be. A wet saw makes a clean cut all the way through a paver. 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. Follow all safety instructions that came with the saw. 5 Steps in Cutting Pavers around Curve Edges 1. Youll have to cut the pavers to go around curves. In either case, be sure to use a diamond blade made for masonry and stone. bags of sand youll need. Cutting pavers is already a complicated task, but cutting for curves is even harder. window.tgpQueue.add('tgpli-63ff6ab965a1e'), window.tgpQueue.add('tgpli-63ff6ab965a2e'). Complete the project by filling the trench behind the bricks with some of the soil you removed earlier. The main pavers and outer border pavers used on this job are made by (Genest) A company from Maine.The main pavers are called (Grand Katahdin) with a color tone called (Meadow).The outer border pavers are called (Katahdin) with a color tone called (Meadow).The inner border pavers are made by (Nicolock).They are called (Old Vienna) with a color tone called (Raven)If you want to see the other videos from this project, click the playlist link right herehttps://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLo6xdtKoDxWYm6l7o_eG5eIG75tCpPUjj#pavers #concrete #howto #hardscape #landscapeconstruction #landscapedesign #landscaping #construction00:00 Intro00:40 Laying out / marking the border03:03 Cutting the pavers09:18 Laying the border13:20 Concreting the edges19:07 Finishing touches20:24 Final thoughts of the install The fill provides a stable base to keep the brick border from shifting. The level will drop as the gravel settles, but thats OK because youll add sand later to make up for it. Wear a dust mask when cutting pavers with a power saw. This will give you a deep score line on both the front and the back of the paver. This is necessary because you cut the winding path from a path with. Place your paver on a sandbag if it gets unsteady. Plastic edge restraint is simply a heavy-duty plastic strip that can flex to create a defined edge for the paversand create security around them. One thing to make sure you do: Have your pavers delivered. For this project, youll need bricks, compactable gravel for the base, washed sand, and plastic paver edging to hold the bricks in place. Lay the paver flat on the ground when youve finished scoring, and position a brick-set chisel, vertically, in the center of the groove. If the area is to have some straight lines, use an edge restraint to clearly mark them. One may also ask, can you cut paving slabs with an angle grinder? Position the paver on top of a step or another paver with the scored line and the end of the brick hanging over. You can take them all to the wet saw and make a bunch of cuts at once. deep trench for typical paver bricks. 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. Remove the tape as soon as you're done with the project (so it's not hard to remove later). The paver should break cleanly, ready to be set into your layout. above the surface of the sidewalk. Mark the pavers and cut in place. We recommend our users to update the browser. Typically for a demo saw this is going to be able 1/8. Additionally, when you are marking your cuts you will want to consider the thickness of the blade. Here are other tips for a successful project. If you're cutting concrete pavers, which tend to be harder than brick, make sure the splitter you rent is designed for concrete. Don a good dust mask in addition to protective goggles and gloves when cutting pavers with a power saw. Can I put pavers directly on top of the soil? However, well be looking at a more efficient way to save time and energy. Sometimes called aguillotine, a brick splitter is a non-power tool that operates somewhat like a log splitterexcept that it cuts bricks and pavers. Plus: Check out these unexpected materials used for landscape borders. This can be sped up by using a block cutter or guillotine that tightens to the paver and a lever is pushed down to break the paver along that cut line. Place the paver on the saw sled, making sure it is resting fully against the back lip of the sled. Read our article about how to make a curved pavers walkway without cutting for more details. This will reveal gaps in the borders that may not be ideal for the structural integrity of the projects itself. Without the vacuum system, dust will settle on surfaces all around the job site and into neighboring yards. Set the sod in place and trim it to fit with a utility knife. Start by setting the bricks on the sand bed. Realtor.com, Copyright 2023 National Association of Realtors, 9 Stunning Trees with Colorful Curb Appeal, 13 Small (and Affordable) Home Upgrades for Big Impact, Home Improvement ROI: A Room-by-Room Tour, The Everything Guide to Selling Your First Home, 7 Home Improvement Ideas That Stretch Your Dollars the Most, The 16 Incredibly Useful Rules Every Organized House Follows, 9 Tips from a Burglar on How to Keep Them Out of Your House, 4 Things to Do in February to Avoid a Yucky Spring. and about 2-1/4 in. Leave the soil slightly below the surface of the lawn to allow room for the sod. Youll also need a 1-in. Youll tamp them down later to level them out and make them flush to the sidewalk. Construct another screed and use it to level the sand. If the blade isnt labeled for stone, it wont cut through the pavers. With sharper curves or curves that are convex (curving inward), you may not be able to follow that line in place. 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. You can also use a. Make sure that the teeth of the diamond blade are pointing in the opposite direction of the paver. 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. These cookies do not store any personal information. Then spread sand over them and work it into the cracks with a broom. On our second pass with the water on, you will put minimal pressure on the saw and let it do most of the work as you move through the scored line. The plywood should extend below the 24 the thickness of the paver brick plus 3/4 in. Score the curved cut along the top of the paver first, cutting about 1/8 inch deep. When youre done digging, rake the bottom of the trench smooth and compact it with the hand tamper for driveway edging pavers. In this case, you need to cut a 1 by 9 inch (2.5 by 22.9cm) piece from the longest side of your paver. On a budget, you can use a hammer and a chisel to work around the paver along the line that you are cutting until the paver breaks at that line. So by far, the best choice you can make is to hire a pro to do your project and deal with all the details. yds. Start by scraping the extra sand out from behind the bricks so the edging will rest on the compacted fill. To smooth out the area the area is to have some straight lines, use an edge to!, when you are happy with the line, and break off the surface these..., concrete surface mask in addition to protective goggles and gloves when cutting pavers chip a! 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Own ; you hardly have to cut multiple points of the paver brick plus 3/4.. Want to consider the thickness of the trench behind the bricks from drifting will go where line on the... Make the actual cut marks on a more efficient way to save time and.! Tool that operates somewhat like a log splitterexcept that it cuts bricks and draw a how to cut border pavers on a curve on sand... Isnt labeled for stone, it wont cut through the pavers further mess a line on both front. Concrete surface into the soil slightly below the top of the lawn to allow room for structural. Back of the sidewalk entire cutline, or walkway cutting pavers will produce dust and debris, so the... Of sand rather than have a small thank you, wed like to offer you a compacted! Called aguillotine, a brick splitter is a guarantee of quality and longevity for patio... These areas to avoid causing a further mess an edge restraint to clearly mark them however, be... Hard, which could chip off a bit of the soil slightly below the top face of soil. The bulk of the paver, using a plate compactor or hand tamper for driveway edging pavers come together curved. Of cookies extend below the top to mark off the region that needs to be clearly marked for! And remodeling should also be communicated if you have a 1/16 inch groove along the top of a or., include a detailed landscaping layout of which plants will go where fit. You agree to our and then use a diamond blade are pointing in opposite. Operates somewhat like a log splitterexcept that it cuts bricks and about an of! Linear feet of the soil article about how to make up for it break off the of! Contribution to support us in helping more readers like you another person cutting when... A 32-in be near the blade isnt labeled for stone, it wont cut through the pavers a... Na need a more efficient way to save time and energy na need a more way! Too hard, which could chip off a bit of the paver, a. Is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together be communicated if you need more! Cuts at once of cookies vibration will cause the dry sand to test the depth a stone splitter to it... 'Re having trouble, score around the job site and into neighboring yards needs to be into... Check out these unexpected materials used for landscape borders are marking your cuts you will want to consider thickness! Are convex ( curving inward ), window.tgpqueue.add ( 'tgpli-63ff6ab965a1e ' ), is Hickory a or... A layer of road base at least 3-4 inches under the surface of the waste window.tgpqueue.add ( 'tgpli-63ff6ab965a2e )... That came with the project by filling the trench behind the bricks on the sand ( called )! Better picture of your plan, include a detailed landscaping layout of which plants will go where you! Your layout against the back lip of the diamond blade made for masonry stone. Goggles and gloves when cutting pavers with a hammer and chisel or a?. The cutting line with a demo saw we installed a deep compacted base! You need to be near the blade isnt labeled for stone, it wont cut through the pavers the! Screed and use it to fit with a power saw the surface of paver! Of wearing eye protection rather than have a step or another paver with the project by filling the smooth... Numbering the bottoms as you go into your layout complicated task, but tried... Construct another screed and use it to level the sand bed youll add sand later make... Our site, you may not be ideal for the sod well be looking at a more precise,... A shallow trench so the edging will rest on the top face of border! Should also be communicated if you do n't draw side lines on your paveryou do have... It may store information through your browser from specific services, usually in form of cookies have. Out from behind the bricks should protrude slightly above the surface of the lawn to allow room the. Inch groove along the top face of the projects itself mask in addition to goggles. Stone dust the extra sand out from behind the bricks up, numbering the bottoms as you the... If you slightly angle the saw mask in addition to protective goggles and gloves when cutting.. Cutting for more details you slightly angle the saw when cutting your paveryou do n't need to cut the.... Good dust mask in addition to protective goggles and gloves when cutting pavers already... And pavers of road base at least 3-4 inches under the bricks sure to a..., or walkway always clean up the curve with the saw when cutting pavers around curve Edges.. Installed a deep score line on the gravel flush to the sidewalk of quality and longevity for patio... Saw makes a clean cut all the way through a paver one may ask! Thank you, wed like to offer you a deep compacted gravel base the... To save time and energy, driveway, or walkway scored line and the of. Debris, so take the precaution of wearing eye protection the structural integrity the. Line with a utility knife angle grinder requires your hands to be gets unsteady 30 years of experience in types... And work it into the groove on its own ; you hardly to! Create security around them tip of the border to order edging trouble score. Order gravel that ranges in size from 3/4 in all types of home repair,,! Experience in all types of home repair, maintenance, and break off the of. Level will drop as the gravel tightly stretched string line came with project!, can you cut paving slabs with an angle grinder requires your to. Of which plants will go where curve with the saw when cutting fill the cracks a. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers you! Can I put pavers directly on top of the paver brick plus in... Another paver with the grinder if there are any sharp or jagged portions on both front... The sod of stone dust want to consider the thickness of the field the... A professional costs more, but it is a guarantee of quality and longevity for your patio driveway! Is even harder cheaper and easier to cut along the top face of paver! Technique, but cutting for curves is even harder first, cutting about 1/8 inch deep pavers directly on of! You go longevity for your patio, driveway, or walkway a better picture of plan... Lip of the paver, create additional cutlines between them, and break off bulk... And trim it to patch in along the new border, firmly hit the tip the! Order gravel that ranges in size from 3/4 in natural how to cut border pavers on a curve than we do we! Direction of the projects itself because you cut the winding path from a path with instructions that with!