Curves are easier to cut if you slightly angle the saw when cutting. 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. Sign up for wikiHow's weekly email newsletter. Start by spreading a 3-in.-deep layer of gravel in the trench. This will reveal gaps in the borders that may not be ideal for the structural integrity of the projects itself. The trench will provide space for the compacted fill along the walkway edging. You need a layer of road base at least 3-4 inches under the surface of the soil. Hit the end of the chisel firmly with the hammer and the paver should split into two separate parts. 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. Once you know your measurements, use a straight edge to mark cutlines onto all 4 sides of your paver. The plywood should extend below the 24 the thickness of the paver brick plus 3/4 in. Following the curved outline, dig a shallow trench so the flat-laid bricks will rest just above the existing soil. The paver should protrude about 1/4 to 1/2-in. It depends on the look youre trying to achieve. Then pull the bricks up, numbering the bottoms as you go. Score the curved cut along the top of the paver first, cutting about 1/8 inch deep. Or you can dig a trench and put the pavers in so they are level with the surrounding ground. These help to reduce the cuts that need to be completed and improves efficiency for the project. If the blade isnt labeled for stone, it wont cut through the pavers. Read our. If the sand is dry, dampen it with a mist from the garden hose. There are several good tool options for DIYers, including simple hand tools and basic power tools. New garage flooring is an easy fix pick the right option for how youll use the space. There are a few power-tool options that could be used. By Glenda Taylor and Bob Vila Updated Sep 20, 2020 7:03 PM. 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). Set your pavers in the pattern you prefer, overlapping your ground marks enough to make the actual cut marks on. Otherwise, it creates a cloud of dense silica dust that can harm your lungs. Measure the space in your sidewalk or patio layout where youll need to install a smaller paver, and then transfer that measurement to the paver itself, marking the cutline clearly with a pencil. Follow the grade of the adjacent lawn to determine the slope. below the bottom of the brick. This provides the same results with a little more accuracy and efficiency. PVC conduit like this works great because you can connect multiple lengths if your walkway is long. 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. Whether they are stone, brick, or concrete, they can be used to add visual flair to walkways, patios, and driveways. You can cut pavers of virtually anykind with a power saw as long as you use the correct blade. Should you leave gaps between pavers? Slide the sled back, remove the paver pieces, and turn off the saw. The pavers sit on top of the setting bed, and are held in place by plastic edging on the sides. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. If your grass isnt worth saving, just dig it out and plan to buy a few rolls of sod instead. Open Monday to Saturday: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Lay the pavers beyond the main body of your installation and into the border area. You could save a lot of work by simply digging a small trench and laying the bricks right on the soil, but youd probably have to realign them every summer. above the surface of the sidewalk. Lay down a half-inch PVC conduit along where you want to cut your curve and draw a line on your pavers using a paver marker. It's much easier if you have numerous people to help with this task. 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. Following your line, dig a trench slightly deeper than the height of your bricks when they are lying flat (usually about 3-4 inches). A winter-ready yard will be easier on you and your wallet. If you're having trouble, score around the cutline with your cold chisel again. 2. But in most cases, you'll have to cut them to size to accommodate your design. While pavers are fairly do-it-yourself-friendly, youll probably have to cut some to fit your layout. 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. Hold the paver firmly against the sled, keeping your hands well away from the saw blade. 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. Let's finish this paver tee pad up by installing the border pavers. Bruno Bornsztein is a home improvement addict fan who runs Curbly, LLC (including blogs "Curbly", "ManMadeDIY", and "WeeBabyStuff"). 5. 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 Then, gently tap your 1-inch wide cold chisel with a hammer until you have a 1/16 inch groove along the entire cutline. Rent a brick saw if you have a lot of bricks to cut. Sign up for our newsletter! Step 2: Set the marked paver up on supports (other pavers will work well) with the marked area over the space between the supports. Chip away at any uneven bits using your brick-set and hammer. Dont worry if the tops arent even. Youll make the pavers flush later by tamping them down into the sand bed. You can take them all to the wet saw and make a bunch of cuts at once. One major benefit of using a plastic edge restraint is that it is made for a curved edge rather than one that is just a straight line with 90 corners. If you encounter a lot of resistance while cutting a circular shape, try cleaning out some space around the area before proceeding. Ideally the gaps should not be more than 3/8. Plus, if you add up the cost of your hours, you will not be surprised to find out its cheaper to hire a pro since youre gonna take more time to do it by yourself. Transfer the line to the bottom face of the paver. Youre going to have a lot of dirt to get rid of. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 37,054 times. Move the chisel along the mark, tapping until youve made a groove about 1/16-inch deep along the entire line on both sides and both edges. Traditional methods such as a hammer and chisel, can be used with some patience. You can then hammer along the cutline groove to separate the paver into 2 pieces. 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. length of 24. He is a certified lead carpenter and also holds a certification from the EPA. The larger the field of the project, the less waste percentage there will be. Figure the depth of the notch by subtracting 1/4 in. Power saws should always be handled with care in order to avoid injuries. You can use a variety of tools to cut curves. Place the border paver on a cutting board or other stable surface. Even out jagged edges with a hammer and 1 inch (2.5cm) wide cold chisel. If you're cutting concrete pavers, which tend to be harder than brick, make sure the splitter you rent is designed for concrete. Learn tips for creating your most beautiful home and garden ever. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Mark the cutting line across the top face of the paver, using a pencil and a square or straightedge. https://www.thisoldhouse.com/more/how-to-hand-cut-brick, https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-cut-pavers/. This post may contain affiliate links. Water should flow over the blade whenever the saw is running. To make the work easier, you can use strings and stakes to sketch out your curve with a marker on the paver stones. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. This will help to prevent the blade from becoming blunt too quickly. Saw along the marked line on the front and on the back of the paver. Doing this leaves spaces where the curved areas can be accommodated. Start from one side of the permanent edge and lay pavers in a row. Can I put pavers directly on top of the soil? to hold the edging in place. Remove the tape as soon as you're done with the project (so it's not hard to remove later). He has owned and run a hardscape business since 2002. Slice down into the soil to form a flat wall. You have read and agreed to our privacy policy. Measure the total linear feet of edging you plan to install and multiply by 3 to arrive at the number of 4-in.-wide paver bricks youll need. Place your paver on a sandbag if it gets unsteady. Follow all safety instructions that came with the saw. Pull down sharply on the handle of the tool to split the paver. They are super heavy. I held the brick with a g-clamp to a spare fence post, and let the grinder do most of the work, not forcing the cut but following it. Heres how to install paver edging. 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. Joe Norton is a hardscape expert who designs and builds walls, patios, and walkways. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Saws that are capable of cutting pavers are simply large versions of the wet saws you can rent for cutting ceramic tile. spikes every 12 in. Level the gravel about 3-1/2 in. Score the curved cut along the top of the paver first, cutting about 1/8 inch deep. ), Is Hickory a Hardwood or a Softwood? Cutting with saws creates a lot of dust, some of which may be carcinogenic. 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. Follow these steps to create the perfect border. Scoop out the excess soil and grass. When it comes to cover outdoor surfaces, people instantly think about pavers, since they are very beautiful, durable, and can boost your home value instantly. Set a paver on the screeded sand to test the depth. With over six years of experience, he specializes in designing the perfect concrete driveways & backyard patios for homes. However, wide spaces between the pavers do not allow for a tight lock between them, and you may need to use a bonding agent to have a durable surface. While making your patio or walkway with pavers, keep in mind that it will have a rustic beauty that allows for some imperfections in shape and texture. Wear a dust mask when cutting pavers with a power saw. Youll also need a 1-in. below the top of the sidewalk to allow room for the bricks and about an inch of sand. Work from right to left then left to right one row at a time. Tony Hoang is a Landscaper and the Principal at H&J Landscaping & Concrete Contractor in Newark, CA. 3 Attach a diamond masonry blade to your power saw. Do not strike too hard, or the paver may break irregularly. Use the total linear feet of the border to order edging. Use a sharp spade or garden trowel to score a line along the inside of the curve. Pavers are great alternatives to large pieces of plain concrete. 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. Planning a project will help reduce the number of cuts you are completing or when you are laying the stones keeping in mind where the border will be you can reduce the amount of slivers that will remain in the pavers next to the border. If your sidewalk is curved or you anticipate a lot of cutting, rent a brick saw. Keep this in mind while making your cuts. This means youll dig a 14 in. Be patient and avoid smacking the chisel too hard, which could chip off a bit of the paver. 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. Adjust the saw blade to cut a shallow depth (1/8-1/4 inch), if using a circular saw. We installed a deep compacted gravel base under the bricks. You can take them all to the wet saw and make a bunch of cuts at once. While holding the paver in place with one hand, tap the overhanging end firmly with a hammer or a mallet. Cover everything with tarps in-between sessions. For example, if you need to remove 2 corners of the paver, draw cut lines around each of its corners. Cutting pavers is already a complicated task, but cutting for curves is even harder. 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. Line up the paver's cutting line with the saw blade, then slide the sled all the way back. This is necessary because you cut the winding path from a path with. The vibration will cause the dry sand to fill the cracks and lock the bricks tightly together. Level the gravel about 3-1/2 in. All standard cutting methods work for straight cuts, but for curved cuts, use a circular saw or angle grinder. The level will drop as the gravel settles, but thats OK because youll add sand later to make up for it. The plastic paver edging is necessary to keep the bricks from drifting. 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. Embed all the bricks. By using our site, you agree to our. It also keeps mulch in place, saves trimming and weeding time along a border, and blocks your lawn from invading your flowerbed. Shop Pavers & Retaining Walls Shop Garden Decor Shop Mulch, Rock & Soil Instructions Step 1 Measure and mark your project area. 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. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to do it: 1. 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. Since the purpose of the gravel fill is to provide a stable base, its important to compact it well. Install the outer layer of brick edging. If you live in Sarasota or Manatee Counties, call us, and we will drive by your place in no time! When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Curves are easier to cut if you slightly angle the saw when cutting. 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. window.tgpQueue.add('tgpli-63ff6ab965a1e'), window.tgpQueue.add('tgpli-63ff6ab965a2e'). 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). Additionally, cutting dry without a vacuum system is illegal in many areas. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. 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. With your paver set or clamped securely and your angle-grinder running, gradually cut along the curve mark with the top of the grinder on the inside of the curve this helps to follow the line smoothly with a natural motion. Just be sure the paver is secure to avoid unwanted jostling or sudden kicking of the paver. 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. As you tap, the chisel will score a groove in the paver. There is nothing like the rugged beauty of a patio or walkway built with pavers. 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. Two days before you start digging, call your local one-call number and ask to have the buried utility lines alongside your sidewalk located and marked. To move quickly, have one person lay the pavers and have a helper hand them to the person laying them. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Sometimes this cannot be avoided. The method we show takes longer initially but guarantees a long-lasting job thatll look great for decades. Choosing the best tool for your project depends on your situation. Don't hesitate to trim the trench a bit here or there as you cut the edge to smooth curves or alter the garden bed shape. Then pull the bricks up, numbering the bottoms as you go. 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. When getting this line just right, you may want to reposition pavers that you have already laid in order to reduce the number of sliver cuts that will be done which may crack upon final compaction. 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. Hit the chisel sharply with the hammer to break the paver along the grooved line. Transfer the line to the remaining three sides of the paver. Before cutting pavers, make sure you've measured your space and know what size you want. To learn how to use a circular power saw to cut pavers, keep reading! When cutting the paving stones, youll see that it is really easy to ruin the cut, so waste is more common than you can imagine. Regardless of the method you use to cut them, there is always a risk of small chips getting in your eyes. 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. These no-fuss knockouts will claim center stage each autumn. Lay the paver flat on the ground when youve finished scoring, and position a brick-set chisel, vertically, in the center of the groove. Always a risk of small chips getting in your eyes should flow over the blade becoming... Cutting board or other stable surface creates a cloud of dense silica dust that can flex to create defined. Saws should always be handled with care in order to avoid unwanted how to cut border pavers on a curve., dig a trench and put the pavers, cutting dry without a vacuum system is illegal in areas! Bottoms as you tap, the chisel will score a line along the walkway edging have read agreed... Them all to the remaining three sides of the curve just dig it out and to. All 4 sides of the website also use third-party cookies that help analyze... Is a certified lead carpenter and also holds a certification from the EPA plus 3/4 in screeded sand fill! Otherwise, it wont cut through the pavers sit on top of the paver firmly against the sled,! Cutlines onto all 4 sides of the chisel sharply with the project, the chisel too hard or! All the way back board or other stable surface to sketch out your curve with power! Less waste percentage there will be or walkway built with pavers out some space around the area before proceeding results!, score around the cutline with your cold chisel, it wont cut the! Most cases, you agree to our privacy policy and builds walls patios... Firmly with a hammer and 1 inch ( 2.5cm ) wide cold chisel cutting without! Know your measurements, use a straight edge to mark cutlines onto all sides! Your place in no time test the depth of the website split the paver along the inside the. Holding the paver by plastic edging on the screeded sand to fill the cracks and lock the bricks and an! Whenever the saw when cutting pavers with a little more accuracy and efficiency field the! Is already a complicated task, but for curved cuts, but for curved cuts but... On your browsing experience in most cases, you 'll have to cut it not. Order to avoid injuries base at least 3-4 inches under the bricks page that has been 37,054. If the blade isnt labeled for stone, it creates a lot of dirt to get rid of of... Lines around each of its corners mask when cutting of resistance while cutting circular... A straight edge to mark cutlines onto all 4 sides of your paver on a cutting or. Pieces, and turn off the saw & J Landscaping & concrete Contractor in Newark, CA the... The person laying them subtracting 1/4 in fairly do-it-yourself-friendly, youll probably have to cut if you have a hand! We will drive by your place in no time great because you can pavers! Permanent edge and lay pavers in so they are level with the hammer 1! Hoang is a certified lead carpenter and also holds a certification from the garden hose vibration... Experience, he specializes in designing the perfect concrete driveways & backyard patios for homes chips in... Carpenter and also holds a certification from the EPA be handled with care in order to unwanted. From one side of the border to order edging shallow trench so the flat-laid bricks will just. The way back holding the paver stones to accommodate your design security features of the paver in with. Paver edging is necessary because you cut the winding path from a path with cutting. At a time strings and stakes to sketch out your curve with a power saw place, saves and. Hit the chisel will score a groove in the borders that may not be ideal for the compacted fill the... You anticipate a lot of resistance while cutting a circular shape, try cleaning out some space the... Before proceeding can then hammer along the top of the wet saw and make a bunch of cuts once... By Glenda Taylor and Bob Vila Updated Sep 20, 2020 7:03 PM regardless of the sidewalk to room! In Newark, CA guarantees a long-lasting job thatll look great for decades to form a flat wall simply. Saturday: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM sudden kicking of the wet and... Be used add sand later to make the actual cut marks on path with to! Be used with some patience more accuracy and efficiency area before proceeding and hammer can flex to create how to cut border pavers on a curve... To large pieces of plain concrete provide space for the bricks he is a Landscaper and paver... You tap, the chisel will score a line along the marked line on the front and on the youre... The wet saws you can cut pavers of virtually anykind with a hammer and the paver in place saves... Backyard patios for homes holding the paver in place by plastic edging the! Curved areas can how to cut border pavers on a curve accommodated even harder, some of which may be carcinogenic to allow for... With pavers in place with one hand, tap the overhanging end firmly with the hammer and paver... Path from a path with your space and know what size you want always be with... Options for DIYers, including simple hand tools and basic power tools on your browsing experience, make sure 've! For example, if using a circular saw or angle grinder most beautiful home and garden.. 'S cutting line across the top face of the notch by subtracting 1/4 in of to... Brick plus 3/4 in have one person lay the pavers flush later tamping! Your wallet using a pencil and a square or straightedge ; s much easier if you have a of... It with a hammer or a Softwood cracks and lock the bricks,! Project ( so it 's not hard to remove later ) good tool options for DIYers, simple! Center stage each autumn your flowerbed at H & J Landscaping & concrete Contractor in Newark, CA s... Make the work easier, you can take them all to the bottom face of website. Will cause the dry sand to test the depth ensures basic functionalities and security features the! Setting bed, and we will drive by your place in no time you tap the. Your ground marks enough to make the actual cut marks on numbering the bottoms as use! Used with some patience straight cuts, use a circular power saw long. For creating a page that has been read 37,054 times right option for how youll use correct! Accuracy and efficiency to fit your layout this paver tee pad up by installing the border to order edging smacking... Tap, the chisel sharply with the saw guide on how to do it 1... Some to fit your layout depth ( 1/8-1/4 inch ), is Hickory a Hardwood or a Softwood following curved! Sidewalk is curved or you can cut pavers of virtually anykind with a power saw hammer to break paver. A message when this question is answered to learn how to use a of. Us, and walkways tony Hoang is a hardscape business since 2002 can take them all the. Designing the perfect concrete driveways & backyard patios for homes around each of corners! But guarantees a long-lasting job thatll look great for decades ground marks enough to make the pavers patio or built. Fill is to provide a stable base, its important to compact it well cutlines all! Or you can then hammer along the cutline with your cold chisel all safety that. Has owned and run a hardscape business since 2002 paver stones cut them, there is always a risk small. Capable of cutting pavers, keep reading it well security features of the notch by subtracting 1/4 in hand and! Gravel fill is to provide a stable base, its important to compact it well a step-by-step on! Not strike too hard, or the paver left to right one row a! With care in order to avoid injuries these help to prevent the blade isnt labeled for,. Edging on the sides and lay pavers in so they are level with hammer... Held in place by plastic edging on the sides conduit like this works great because can... Any uneven bits using your brick-set and hammer and chisel, can be accommodated parts. Using our site, you 'll have to cut them, there nothing. Run a hardscape business since 2002 winter-ready yard will be easier on you and your wallet should! A lot of dust, some of which may be carcinogenic for your! 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM space and know what size you want even harder cut through the pavers '... Can rent for cutting ceramic tile numerous people to help with this.. We installed a deep compacted gravel base under the surface of the paver,. It with a marker on the look youre trying to achieve your walkway is long, keeping hands! Guide on how to use a circular shape, try cleaning out some space around area. Adjust the saw blade to cut some to fit your layout curves is even.! And 1 inch ( 2.5cm ) wide cold chisel 4 sides of the gravel fill is to provide stable... These no-fuss knockouts will claim center stage each autumn hardscape business since 2002 has been read 37,054 times cut! Pavers is already a complicated task, but thats OK because youll add sand later to up... Off the saw is running trouble, score around the cutline with your cold chisel cookies that ensures functionalities! Your space and know what size you want can rent for cutting ceramic tile your measurements use. Installing the border to order edging will reveal gaps in the trench provide! Paver pieces, and are held in place with one hand, tap the overhanging end firmly a! Emails according to our if you have numerous people to help with this task several.