Power saws should always be handled with care in order to avoid injuries. Crystalline Silica. 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). Lay the pavers beyond the main body of your installation and into the border area. 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. Just be sure the paver is secure to avoid unwanted jostling or sudden kicking of the paver. Transfer the line to the bottom face of the paver. The next step up would be an angle grinder that would allow you to cut more accurately and efficiently along your cut line. Saw along the marked line on the front and on the back of the paver. A winter-ready yard will be easier on you and your wallet. Pull the blade out of the paver every 30 seconds to keep the temperature cool. 2. Its usually cheaper and easier to simply order bags of sand rather than have a small quantity delivered. Without the vacuum system, dust will settle on surfaces all around the job site and into neighboring yards. Afterward, turn the paver over and draw a line on the bottom parallel to the first one. By doing this youll end up with an accurate edge since the cuts will line up with each other. Using a grinder to cut the pavers can create a lot of dust, so wearing a quality dust mask is recommended during the cutting process. 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. 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. Dig a Trench. Looking to buy or sell a home? Whether they are stone, brick, or concrete, they can be used to add visual flair to walkways, patios, and driveways. If the sand is dry, dampen it with a mist from the garden hose. 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). Homes dont clean themselves. Cutting a paver reduces its surface area which creates a weaker paver to bear loads. Can I put pavers directly on top of the soil? Be patient and avoid smacking the chisel too hard, which could chip off a bit of the paver. 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. Water spraying on the diamond blade keeps dust to a minimum and speeds cutting. They weigh a ton. Protect your eyes from the small chips that will inevitably fly when cutting pavers by wearing protective goggles. Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 37,054 times. This article has been viewed 37,054 times. Divide the linear feet of the border by 5 to determine how many 50-lb. Mark the cutting line across the top face of the paver, using a pencil and a square or straightedge. There are several good tool options for DIYers, including simple hand tools and basic power tools. When youre done digging, rake the bottom of the trench smooth and compact it with the hand tamper for driveway edging pavers. The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Level the gravel about 3-1/2 in. In this article, youre gonna learn how to cut your pavers for curves properly and safely. He is a certified lead carpenter and also holds a certification from the EPA. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. 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. Youre going to have a lot of dirt to get rid of. Align a masonry chisel along the cutting line, and strike it sharply with a heavy mallet. All standard cutting methods work for straight cuts, but for curved cuts, use a circular saw or angle grinder. Lay the pavers so the outside edges of the path extend outside the desired area for the path when the curves are cut. Make sure they extend beyond the final finished area. Be sure the sand is dry or it wont settle into the cracks. Make sure that the teeth of the diamond blade are pointing in the opposite direction of the paver. 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. If you encounter a lot of resistance while cutting a circular shape, try cleaning out some space around the area before proceeding. Step 3: Time to cut the pavers. This minimizes subtle changes in height/slope between sections. Position your bricks end to end, pushing them tightly together to discourage grass from growing in the cracks. Try to keep everything in the sketch to scale to ensure accurate measurements. 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. Plus: Check out these unexpected materials used for landscape borders. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. 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. Mark the pavers and cut in place. of fill and drag a screed across the top to create a surface thats parallel to the top of the sidewalk. These help to reduce the cuts that need to be completed and improves efficiency for the project. 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. Work from right to left then left to right one row at a time. 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 Start by spreading a 3-in.-deep layer of gravel in the trench. To make the work easier, you can use strings and stakes to sketch out your curve with a marker on the paver stones. We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. You would cut each paver individually and measure after each cut paver has been placed. Install the outer layer of brick edging. deep trench for typical paver bricks. and about 2-1/4 in. The photo above shows how to get started on how to install paver edging. Its also a good idea to wear gloves when handling pavers because they can quickly wear down the skin on your fingertips. We installed a deep compacted gravel base under the bricks. Slice down into the soil to form a flat wall. Sometimes called aguillotine, a brick splitter is a non-power tool that operates somewhat like a log splitterexcept that it cuts bricks and pavers. This will help to prevent the blade from becoming blunt too quickly. Hold the paver firmly against the sled, keeping your hands well away from the saw blade. Deane is a member of The Spruce's Home Improvement Review Board. Make sure they extend beyond the final finished area. Curves are easier to cut if you slightly angle the saw when cutting. 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. the top of your pavers once they are in place. It also keeps mulch in place, saves trimming and weeding time along a border, and blocks your lawn from invading your flowerbed. Adjust the saw blade to cut a shallow depth (1/8-1/4 inch), if using a circular saw. Be sure to use a diamond blade specifically designed for cutting masonry and stone. 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. 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. Use a large enough blade to cut through your SRW block in 1 pass. Level the gravel about 3-1/2 in. 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. A mud-remediation plan. 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. It is sometimes preferred over other methods because it produces no dust and is much quieter than a power saw. Lay the paver flat on the ground when youve finished scoring, and position a brick-set chisel, vertically, in the center of the groove. Were committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. 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. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. 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. 4. Line up the paver's cutting line with the saw blade, then slide the sled all the way back. Cutting curves is easiest when done in place. Figure the depth of the notch by subtracting 1/4 in. Then, gently tap your 1-inch wide cold chisel with a hammer until you have a 1/16 inch groove along the entire cutline. Mark the pavers and cut in place. Following your line, dig a trench slightly deeper than the height of your bricks when they are lying flat (usually about 3-4 inches). For this project, youll need bricks, compactable gravel for the base, washed sand, and plastic paver edging to hold the bricks in place. His experience includes professionally working as a mason and tile setter in Maine and Hawaii. Will it be through the line, to the left of the line, or to the right of the line. 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. Don a good dust mask in addition to protective goggles and gloves when cutting pavers with a power saw. window.tgpQueue.add('tgpli-63ff6ab9659ff'). Gradually increasing depth as you run along the curve will allow for a smooth cut. Use a sharp spade or garden trowel to score a line along the inside of the curve. Have the gravel dumped on the driveway where its easier to shovel up. Layer mulch around plantings and fill up to the brick line. Traditional methods such as a hammer and chisel, can be used with some patience. You can set the pavers on top of the ground using a paver base. Installing pavers this way makes it easier to mow. If the curve is very gradual, you can simply cut every third or fourth paver to fit. 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'). You can take them all to the wet saw and make a bunch of cuts at once. You have read and agreed to our privacy policy. Cutting paving stones for a project is more normal than more people think, especially for areas that have curves, and for obvious reasons, cutting pavers for rounded shape projects is more complicated than straight cuts. Place a ruler onto your paver and draw a line on the top to mark off the region that needs to be cut. These no-fuss knockouts will claim center stage each autumn. Your blade should be a diamond blade that is rated for the hardness of the stone that you will be cutting. spikes every 12 in. You can use conduit, tent poles, plastic edge restraint, or simply placing pavers on top of the pavers that are already laid to get your curves perfectly before drawing the line with a marking tool. You can cut pavers of virtually anykind with a power saw as long as you use the correct blade. Hit the chisel sharply with the hammer to break the paver along the grooved line. Turn on the saw and let it come up to full speed. Next, dig a 14-in.-wide by 8-in.-deep trench along the sidewalk to accommodate the gravel, sand and pavers. 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! Embed all the bricks. Make a full straight cut that is tangential to (touching) the scored line, and break off the bulk of the waste. This provides the same results with a little more accuracy and efficiency. Read our. % of people told us that this article helped them. 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. 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. Start from one side of the permanent edge and lay pavers in a row. Pound every square inch with the hand tamper until its tightly packed. Home Outdoors Yard & Garden Structures Paths. Sometimes this cannot be avoided. 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. You can also clamp the paver to your work surface, if desired. 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. 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. Step 2: Set the marked paver up on supports (other pavers will work well) with the marked area over the space between the supports. Remember to score your lines on the curve prior to attempting further cuts so you never lose your line. There are a few power-tool options that could be used. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. 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. This slight tilt allows you to cut the pavers in place and follow that curve line nicely. 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. Score the curved cut along the top of the paver first, cutting about 1/8 inch deep. Leave no more than 1/8-inch gaps between pavers. PVC conduit like this works great because you can connect multiple lengths if your walkway is long. When youre sure its safe to dig, start by removing a 14-in.-wide layer of grass along the sidewalk. Get free, no-commitment estimates from licensed general contractors near you. If the blade isnt labeled for stone, it wont cut through the pavers. It also may withstand weathering and traffic better because of the tighter bond created by close-fitting pieces. This means youll dig a 14 in. Over time, your pavers will end up shifting and moving around. 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. Using a string and stake, sketch out your curve with a marker on the paver stones. Cut along the marked line, starting with a shallow cut at the surface, then make several passes, adjusting the depth of the saw with each pass until you reach a depth of about 1/2 to 1 inch. It isnt always necessary to cut pavers to make a curve. When you visit our website, it may store information through your browser from specific services, usually in form of cookies. Creating this curvature, however, can be challenging and take some time. Don't draw side lines on your paveryou don't need to cut along them. These cookies do not store any personal information. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Step 2: Mark the pavers that run along the border of your space. 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. 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. This will be most evident when you complete your final compaction of the pavement. The vibration will cause the dry sand to fill the cracks and lock the bricks tightly together. Should you leave gaps between pavers? The safety equipment required for the work is working gloves, protection glasses, and a dust mask. They are super heavy. The cut-off saw will follow the groove on its own; you hardly have to guide it. Generally, a miter joint is considered to be the most aesthetically pleasing, but it takes some attention to detail. For a level, smooth surface to lay your pavers on, place two one-inch-diameter PVC pipes on the gravel. Once you know your measurements, use a straight edge to mark cutlines onto all 4 sides of your paver. While holding the paver in place with one hand, tap the overhanging end firmly with a hammer or a mallet. Scoop out the excess soil and grass. to hold the edging in place. Step 1: Mark your layout on the ground as a general reference. 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. Wear a dust mask when cutting pavers with a power saw. 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. If you live in Sarasota or Manatee Counties, call us, and we will drive by your place in no time! For example, if you need to remove 2 corners of the paver, draw cut lines around each of its corners. But edging does more than simply decorate. 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. [5] Don't draw side lines on your paveryou don't need to cut along them. You can use a variety of tools to cut curves. Plant landscaping plants inside the new border and add extra soil as needed. Construct a screed by screwing a 14-in.-wide scrap of plywood to a 32-in. Cutting with saws creates a lot of dust, some of which may be carcinogenic. However, well be looking at a more efficient way to save time and energy. Especially when taking the time to create curves that contrast the square or rectangular materials. {"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":"