Pavers are great alternatives to large pieces of plain concrete. Follow all safety instructions that came with the saw. Step 1: Mark your layout on the ground as a general reference. Always wear a dust mask and goggles when cutting any type of paver. Place a ruler onto your paver and draw a line on the top to mark off the region that needs to be cut. Dig a Trench. The plastic paver edging is necessary to keep the bricks from drifting. 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. Deane Biermeier is an expert contractor with nearly 30 years of experience in all types of home repair, maintenance, and remodeling. Leave the soil slightly below the surface of the lawn to allow room for the sod. 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. (& Is It Strong? For example, if you need to remove 2 corners of the paver, draw cut lines around each of its corners. Leave no more than 1/8-inch gaps between pavers. Use a masonry saw or wet saw to cut along the scored line. Most pavers are 2 3/8 or thicker so you will want to ensure you purchase a grinder that is able to cut that depth in one pass. Divide the linear feet of the border by 5 to determine how many 50-lb. If your layout calls for relatively few cut pavers, you can do this work with a masonry chisel and hammer. below the bottom of the brick. It depends on the look youre trying to achieve. 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. Gradually increasing depth as you run along the curve will allow for a smooth cut. 5 Steps in Cutting Pavers around Curve Edges 1. Basically, you: But it is hard, physical labor. There are a few power-tool options that could be used. There is nothing like the rugged beauty of a patio or walkway built with pavers. To make the work easier, you can use strings and stakes to sketch out your curve with a marker on the paver stones. 3. Always wear protective goggles and gloves when cutting pavers. This will extend the life of our saw and our blades as well. It's much easier if you have numerous people to help with this task. It is always important when planning a project with curves that you account for at least 15% waste for these cuts and sometimes upwards of 25% waste. The vibration will cause the dry sand to fill the cracks and lock the bricks tightly together. 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. 2. Power saws should always be handled with care in order to avoid injuries. This will be most evident when you complete your final compaction of the pavement. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cutting dry is ideal to reduce this slurry, but this requires a vacuum system in order to keep the dust down. Your blade should be a diamond blade that is rated for the hardness of the stone that you will be cutting. While pavers are fairly do-it-yourself-friendly, youll probably have to cut some to fit your layout. The next step up would be an angle grinder that would allow you to cut more accurately and efficiently along your cut line. The edging we used required us to cut the outermost band with tin snips to allow the edging to bend around the curve. H&J Landscaping & Concrete Contractor is a 4.5-star business on Yelp. wide by 8-in. In either case, be sure to use a diamond blade made for masonry and stone. So if you are doing your own paver project, I'm sure you will learn a few things! Let's finish this paver tee pad up by installing the border pavers. Avoid hitting the chisel too hardyou might break off too much of the paver. If you don't have a step nearby, firmly hit the tip of the paver onto a flat, concrete surface. If your grass isnt worth saving, just dig it out and plan to buy a few rolls of sod instead. Paversbe they brick, stone, or concreteare a pleasing alternative to large expanses of plain concrete, adding visual texture to patios, walkways, and even driveways. 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. Generally, a miter joint is considered to be the most aesthetically pleasing, but it takes some attention to detail. With sharper curves or curves that are convex (curving inward), you may not be able to follow that line in place. Slope bricks alongside steps to make an attractive transition. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Crystalline Silica. The method we show takes longer initially but guarantees a long-lasting job thatll look great for decades. Ask around the neighborhood to see if someone needs fill for a low spot, or consider building a raised bed garden or decorative earth berm. 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. We use a different blade for cutting natural stone than we do when we cut pavers. to hold the edging in place. You can cut pavers of virtually anykind with a power saw as long as you use the correct blade. Typically for a demo saw this is going to be able 1/8. Flip the paver over and repeat the same cutting process on the bottom face. To learn how to use a circular power saw to cut pavers, keep reading! Thanks to Harbor Freights laborday sale and other coupons I couldn't resisit picking up a cheap grinder ($19.99 ) and 10 masonry cutt off blades ($7.99), and scurrying back to my yard to start cutting bricks. The pavers sit on top of the setting bed, and are held in place by plastic edging on the sides. Unlike a concrete slab, you can use your imagination with paving stones and create different patterns. For that reason, a mansory blade is highly recommended. Plus: Check out these unexpected materials used for landscape borders. For straight borders, follow a tightly stretched string line. However whenever you are using a rectangular border paver for curved projects, you will need to find the best . Hit the end of the chisel firmly with the hammer and the paver should split into two separate parts. Here are other tips for a successful project. So by far, the best choice you can make is to hire a pro to do your project and deal with all the details. 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. Its usually cheaper and easier to simply order bags of sand rather than have a small quantity delivered. Read our article about how to make a curved pavers walkway without cutting for more details. However, this method is more likely to create a jagged edge. Lay the paver on a flat surface, such as the ground or a piece of plywood set on top of a couple of sawhorses. They weigh a ton. When youre done digging, rake the bottom of the trench smooth and compact it with the hand tamper for driveway edging pavers. Following your line, dig a trench slightly deeper than the height of your bricks when they are lying flat (usually about 3-4 inches). Complete DIY projects like a pro! 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. Use a large enough blade to cut through your SRW block in 1 pass. However, one issue you wont want to overlook is safety. The level will drop as the gravel settles, but thats OK because youll add sand later to make up for it. 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 Please note that blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience on our website and the services we offer. Mark out the curve you want to create with string or a garden hose. Since every project is unique, it is really common to cut pavers in order to fit them in the chosen layout. This will help to prevent the blade from becoming blunt too quickly. This dust will need to be blown off the surface of these areas to avoid causing a further mess. These saws are especially handy on stone pavers, which can be time-consuming and tedious to cut manually with a hammer and chisel, but theyre also a good choice for cutting softer pavers if you have a lot to cut. Cutting curves is easiest when done in place. [5] Don't draw side lines on your paveryou don't need to cut along them. If you need to make a lot of cuts, it might be best to rent a wet saw or a brick/paver splitter. If youre lucky enough to have a full-service landscape supplier in your area, you can order all your materials there. The result is the number of cubic yards of gravel needed. Installing pavers isnt complicated. Both types are durable and long lasting. It isnt always necessary to cut pavers to make a curve. If you're having trouble, score around the cutline with your cold chisel again. Enjoy! This article was co-authored by Tony Hoang. Lay the pavers so the outside edges of the path extend outside the desired area for the path when the curves are cut. Using a string and stake, sketch out your curve with a marker on the paver stones. 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. Installing pavers this way makes it easier to mow. Scoop out the excess soil and grass. 1. Creating this curvature, however, can be challenging and take some time. Deane is a member of The Spruce's Home Improvement Review Board. Dont worry if the tops arent even. Line up the paver's cutting line with the saw blade, then slide the sled all the way back. Then pull the bricks up, numbering the bottoms as you go. Loosen soil, then make clean cuts, using a digging fork or a bed-edging tool (designed with a sharp, curved blade specifically for this task). Caution Before beginning any excavation, call 811 to check for underground utilities. yds. For a rustic appearance in broad spaces, you can create shapes by varying the spacing of pavers. By Glenda Taylor and Bob Vila Updated Sep 20, 2020 7:03 PM. bags of sand youll need. 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. Cover everything with tarps in-between sessions. Your cut paver is now ready to be positioned in your layout. To protect the bottom of your circular saw base and prevent scratches from the paver surface, cover the base with blue painter's tape. Remember that the equipment needs to be wet while using the tool, preferably with an open water source pointed directly at the stone while you do it. Don't draw side lines on your paveryou don't need to cut along them. Put a rubber mat or small carpet under the paver to prevent it from moving. Plant landscaping plants inside the new border and add extra soil as needed. Use a garden hose to lay out a gently curved outline for your flowerbed, according to your sketched plan. Slide the sled back, remove the paver pieces, and turn off the saw. Then, you need to cover the road base with sand. Thats No. Have the gravel dumped on the driveway where its easier to shovel up. 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. The safety equipment required for the work is working gloves, protection glasses, and a dust mask. Position the sharp edge of a cold chisel (a small hardened steel chisel with a sharp blade) on the pencil line and gently tap the other end with a hammer. Order gravel that ranges in size from 3/4 in. No, you really don't want to do this. A wet saw makes a clean cut all the way through a paver. Make a full straight cut that is tangential to (touching) the scored line, and break off the bulk of the waste. It is sometimes preferred over other methods because it produces no dust and is much quieter than a power saw. Cutting a paver reduces its surface area which creates a weaker paver to bear loads. 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 make the process easier for you, in this video, we'll be showing you how to. Find out which projects could bring you joy and some cash back! Before cutting pavers, make sure you've measured your space and know what size you want. Then pull the bricks up, numbering the bottoms as you go. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. 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. Additionally, when you are marking your cuts you will want to consider the thickness of the blade. 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. If you live in Sarasota or Manatee Counties, call us, and we will drive by your place in no time! Additionally, cutting dry without a vacuum system is illegal in many areas. But edging does more than simply decorate. For our project, which was a total of 60 linear feet, we ordered 1-1/4 cu. Put down all your paver stones. Cutting Border Pavers into Curves. Whether they are stone, brick, or concrete, they can be used to add visual flair to walkways, patios, and driveways. Slight imperfections will not ruin the project. This minimizes subtle changes in height/slope between sections. Score the curved cut along the top of the paver first, cutting about 1/8 inch deep. Sign up for wikiHow's weekly email newsletter. 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. You may have to experiment a little to get the level just right. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. By doing this youll end up with an accurate edge since the cuts will line up with each other. Plastic edge border restraint. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Then, gently tap your 1-inch wide cold chisel with a hammer until you have a 1/16 inch groove along the entire cutline. Shop Pavers & Retaining Walls Shop Garden Decor Shop Mulch, Rock & Soil Instructions Step 1 Measure and mark your project area. Saw along the marked line on the front and on the back of the paver. A sod cutter simplifies this job and leaves you with neat rolls of sod that are easy to reuse. Ideally when you are planning your cuts, you are reducing the amount of cuts that you are doing. Its not necessary to cut the sides. By using our site, you agree to our. 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. Last Updated: December 28, 2022 He has owned and run a hardscape business since 2002. He has a background in journalism and web development, and hasn't yet found a DIY project he isn't willing to tackle. 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. 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. Essentially it is best to start out with a demo saw because of its versatility. 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. Bruno Bornsztein is a home improvement addict fan who runs Curbly, LLC (including blogs "Curbly", "ManMadeDIY", and "WeeBabyStuff"). Traditional methods such as a hammer and chisel, can be used with some patience. above the surface of the sidewalk. If your project has curves, dont forget to add, at least, 5% more pavers when buying it. Mark the pavers and cut in place. He is a certified lead carpenter and also holds a certification from the EPA. Theres no need to mark the sides. 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. When putting down your base and setting bed, work in big segments, not little ones. Transfer the line to the remaining three sides of the paver. In order to ensure your satisfaction, we conducted a thorough evaluation of each product's performance-to-price ratio. We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Plus: Check out these unexpected materials used for landscape borders. below the top of the sidewalk to allow room for the bricks and about an inch of sand. Regardless of the method you use to cut them, there is always a risk of small chips getting in your eyes. Mark the cutting line across the top face of the paver, using a pencil and a square or straightedge. If the area is to have some straight lines, use an edge restraint to clearly mark them. Use a large enough blade to cut through your SRW block in 1 pass. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. A hammer and chisel works well on relatively soft pavers, such as brick or concrete. 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. Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full pricewine, food delivery, clothing and more. Sometimes called aguillotine, a brick splitter is a non-power tool that operates somewhat like a log splitterexcept that it cuts bricks and pavers. 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 you want to cut each paver individually, a circular saw or angle grinder fitted with the proper diamond blade would be the best options. Place the border paver on a cutting board or other stable surface. 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. This is necessary because you cut the winding path from a path with. Wear knee pads and gloves. Water should flow over the blade whenever the saw is running. Water sprays onto the blade during the cut to minimize heat and dust. You can always clean up the curve with the grinder if there are any sharp or jagged portions. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. 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). Embed all the bricks. Then spread sand over them and work it into the cracks with a broom. In this article, youre gonna learn how to cut your pavers for curves properly and safely. 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. MATERIALS AND TOOLS Available on Amazon Work gloves Protective eyewear Measuring tape Carpenters pencil Cold chisel Brickset chisel Hammer. The pavers go on top of the sand. Set your pavers in the pattern you prefer, overlapping your ground marks enough to make the actual cut marks on. of 3/4-minus crushed limestone. Tony Hoang is a Landscaper and the Principal at H&J Landscaping & Concrete Contractor in Newark, CA. 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. And if you want to go old-school or you have just a few easy cuts to make, a hammer and cold chisel will do the trick. For this project, youll need bricks, compactable gravel for the base, washed sand, and plastic paver edging to hold the bricks in place. 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. This usually leaves about a inch of edging still for the the paver to catch on. While holding the paver in place with one hand, tap the overhanging end firmly with a hammer or a mallet. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/ed\/Cut-Pavers-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Cut-Pavers-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/ed\/Cut-Pavers-Step-1.jpg\/aid10389921-v4-728px-Cut-Pavers-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"