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. Cutting in place-In depth how-to for cutting a soldier course for Paver Patios 25,247 views Sep 30, 2017 158 Dislike Share Fertilawn 44 subscribers Here's how I, and many professionals,. When youre sure its safe to dig, start by removing a 14-in.-wide layer of grass along the sidewalk. For that reason, a mansory blade is highly recommended. Make sure they extend beyond the final finished area. Fake it until you make it with these 20 cheap landscaping fixes that look expensive. 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. 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. This provides the same results with a little more accuracy and efficiency. 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. If you need to make a lot of cuts, it might be best to rent a wet saw or a brick/paver splitter. We use a different blade for cutting natural stone than we do when we cut pavers. Scoop out the excess soil and grass. Avoid hitting the chisel too hardyou might break off too much of the paver. We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer) as we strive to provide site experiences for browsers that support new web standards and security practices. Its also a good idea to wear ear protection because the cutting process is quite loud. length of 24. You can always clean up the curve with the grinder if there are any sharp or jagged portions. If you're cutting concrete pavers, which tend to be harder than brick, make sure the splitter you rent is designed for concrete. There are a few power-tool options that could be used. Ideally when you are planning your cuts, you are reducing the amount of cuts that you are doing. Do not strike too hard, or the paver may break irregularly. Open Monday to Saturday: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Once you know your measurements, use a straight edge to mark cutlines onto all 4 sides of your paver. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. Additionally, when you are marking your cuts you will want to consider the thickness of the blade. 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. This will give you a deep score line on both the front and the back of the paver. 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. of fill and drag a screed across the top to create a surface thats parallel to the top of the sidewalk. 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. thick, but other sizes are available. Whether they are stone, brick, or concrete, they can be used to add visual flair to walkways, patios, and driveways. After that, I set my pipes inbetween the edging and screed a inch of stone dust. It also may withstand weathering and traffic better because of the tighter bond created by close-fitting pieces. 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. Both types are durable and long lasting. Youll also end up with a neater edge, since the cuts will line up nicely with each other. If your grass isnt worth saving, just dig it out and plan to buy a few rolls of sod instead. If you have experience doing projects like this and using a mansory saw, you can take all the paving stones to the wet saw and cut everything at once. This means youll dig a 14 in. Adding mulch will help keep the dirt inside the border in the case of heavy rain. Put a rubber mat or small carpet under the paver to prevent it from moving. If your grass is in good shape, slice it off carefully so you can use it to patch in along the new border. Place your paver on a sandbag if it gets unsteady. Step 1: Mark your layout on the ground as a general reference. 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. One thing to make sure you do: Have your pavers delivered. The edging we used required us to cut the outermost band with tin snips to allow the edging to bend around the curve. Set the sod in place and trim it to fit with a utility knife. Then, you need to cover the road base with sand. 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. Water should flow over the blade whenever the saw is running. from the thickness of a brick. 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. This post may contain affiliate links. The paver should protrude about 1/4 to 1/2-in. 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. Use a garden hose to mark the shape and gradual curves of your lawn edging ( Photo 1 ). Otherwise, look for pavers and plastic paver edging at home centers, garden centers or brickyards, and gravel at a landscape supplier or at a sand and gravel quarry. Saw along the marked line on the front and. 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. Tony Hoang is a Landscaper and the Principal at H&J Landscaping & Concrete Contractor in Newark, CA. So if you are doing your own paver project, I'm sure you will learn a few things! Youll tamp them down later to level them out and make them flush to the sidewalk. For a rustic appearance in broad spaces, you can create shapes by varying the spacing of pavers. Set your pavers in the pattern you prefer, overlapping your ground marks enough to make the actual cut marks on. Depending on the hardness of the paver, this scoring process could take two or three passes to accomplish. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. The trench will provide space for the compacted fill along the walkway edging. One thing that helps: have your pavers delivered. 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. Make sure that the teeth of the diamond blade are pointing in the opposite direction of the paver. Looking to buy or sell a home? How To Cut & Install Curved Border Pavers The Christian Hardscaper 9.52K subscribers Subscribe 0 Share 3 views 4 minutes ago #pavers #concrete #howto Let's finish this paver tee pad up. If youre lucky enough to have a full-service landscape supplier in your area, you can order all your materials there. 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. to hold the edging in place. Be sure to use a diamond blade, and do not attempt to use other blade types, as it could result in injury or damage. In order to ensure your satisfaction, we conducted a thorough evaluation of each product's performance-to-price ratio. However, in our Best Brand Of Pavers review, we kept and focused on a few issues and quality, such as user-friendly features, great quality, notable performance, all-around features, increased lifespan and value for money. You can choose border stones that allow you to complete curves naturally as shown in the initial photo. Youll also need enough 10-in.-long spikes to install one every 12 in. The reason why we would do two cuts per paver is to keep a uniform trapezoid shape for each paver while also keep the paver uniform in cutting off the chamfers of each side of the paver. Luckily, you can do this fairly easily with your choice of a hammer and chisel or a power saw. When putting down your base and setting bed, work in big segments, not little ones. Lay the paver flat on the ground when youve finished scoring, and position a brick-set chisel, vertically, in the center of the groove. 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. 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. How to Build a Deck Over a Concrete Patio, How to Install Pavers Over a Concrete Patio, Renew Your Concrete Patio: How to Stain Concrete, Patio Tiles: How to Build a Patio With Ceramic Tile, How to Choose the Right Retaining Wall Material, Build a Circular Patio and Retaining Wall, Fountain: How to Build a Concrete Fountain, We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer). To move quickly, have one person lay the pavers and have a helper hand them to the person laying them. Next, spread a layer of sand a little deeper than 1 in. Basically, you: But it is hard, physical labor. Lay the pavers beyond the main body of your installation and into the border area. 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. If you dont have any experience doing this, you can cut the pavers one by one or call a professional to do the project for you. Place the paver onto a non-slip mat atop your work surface. 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. For a steeper curve, mark bricks to fit around the curve by simply setting them in place. 3 Attach a diamond masonry blade to your power saw. The method we show takes longer initially but guarantees a long-lasting job thatll look great for decades. For a level, smooth surface to lay your pavers on, place two one-inch-diameter PVC pipes on the gravel. At this point, the bricks should protrude slightly above the surface of the sidewalk. 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 can't find a flat surface, place your paver onto a piece of plywood held up by 2 sawhorses. Finish with multiple cuts to pare down the remaining waste to the curved line. However, well be looking at a more efficient way to save time and energy. Pound the gravel with a hand tamper until it feels solid. Protect your eyes from the small chips that will inevitably fly when cutting pavers by wearing protective goggles. I prepped the patio brick using a piece of paper to determine the cut, which i transfered to the brick. Press the edging against the bricks and drive 10-in. One may also ask, can you cut paving slabs with an angle grinder? Last Updated: December 28, 2022 This gives your blade a clear path. deep trench for typical paver bricks. Transfer the line to the remaining three sides of the paver. Will it be through the line, to the left of the line, or to the right of the line. The water mixed with the dust will create a slurry that will harden to the surface of the pavers if not rinsed off. To make the process easier for you, in this video, we'll be showing you how to. These cookies do not store any personal information. Sign up for wikiHow's weekly email newsletter. Transfer the line to the bottom face of the paver. If you don't have a step nearby, firmly hit the tip of the paver onto a flat, concrete surface. Next, dig a 14-in.-wide by 8-in.-deep trench along the sidewalk to accommodate the gravel, sand and pavers. Instead you may need to cut multiple lines while the paver is in place, plunging your blade into the stone and out on each of those lines or remove the paver you are cutting and cut multiple lines in order to get a nice curve. 4. It is sometimes preferred over other methods because it produces no dust and is much quieter than a power saw. With over six years of experience, he specializes in designing the perfect concrete driveways & backyard patios for homes. Here you can change your privacy preferences. By Glenda Taylor and Bob Vila Updated Sep 20, 2020 7:03 PM. 5. Then pull the bricks up, numbering the bottoms as you go. 1. Curves are easier to cut if you slightly angle the saw when cutting. These no-fuss knockouts will claim center stage each autumn. If the curve is very gradual, you can simply cut every third or fourth paver to fit. Hold the paver firmly against the sled, keeping your hands well away from the saw blade. Dont come home to a nightmare and the feeling of being invaded. Cutting pavers is already a complicated task, but cutting for curves is even harder. He has a background in journalism and web development, and hasn't yet found a DIY project he isn't willing to tackle. Wear knee pads and gloves. 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. 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. 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. 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). If your layout calls for relatively few cut pavers, you can do this work with a masonry chisel and hammer. Screed a inch of stone dust save time and energy the chisel too hardyou break... Efficient way to save time and energy its safe to dig, by. This video, we & # x27 ; ll be showing you how to diamond... Saw along the sidewalk lay the pavers beyond the main body of your installation and the! When we cut pavers step 1: mark your layout on the gravel, sand and.... 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In journalism and web development, and has n't yet found a DIY project he n't! Mark cutlines onto all 4 sides of your lawn edging ( Photo 1 ) &! With multiple cuts to pare down the remaining three sides of the paver on! You how to 20, 2020 7:03 how to cut border pavers on a curve any sharp or jagged.! You make it with these 20 cheap landscaping fixes that look expensive designing the perfect concrete driveways backyard... The blade in your area, you can always clean up the.... Step 1: mark your layout calls for relatively few cut pavers your. Sure its safe to dig, start by removing a 14-in.-wide layer of sand little! But guarantees a long-lasting job thatll look great for decades is already a complicated task, but cutting curves! Edge to mark the shape and gradual curves of your lawn edging ( Photo )., well be looking at a more efficient way to save time and energy Updated Sep 20, 7:03. Full-Service landscape supplier in your area, you can choose border stones that allow you complete... Is sometimes preferred over other methods because it produces no dust and is much than. Water mixed with the dust will create a surface thats parallel to brick. For cutting natural stone than we do when we cut pavers, you are doing best to rent wet... Around the curve with the grinder if there are a few power-tool options that could be used that. Will learn a few power-tool options that could be used by 8-in.-deep trench along the marked line both. Water mixed with the grinder if there are any sharp or jagged portions to. Of each product & # x27 ; s performance-to-price ratio are reducing the amount of cuts it., or to the curved line all your materials there feeling of being invaded back of the tighter created... Pavers by wearing protective goggles mansory blade is highly recommended you how.! Slabs with an angle grinder s performance-to-price ratio outermost band with tin snips to allow the against! On the gravel with a masonry chisel and hammer concrete Contractor in Newark, CA or fourth to. Saving, just dig it out and plan to buy a few power-tool options that could be used a... The method we show takes longer initially but guarantees a long-lasting job thatll look great for.! Thickness of the tighter bond created by close-fitting pieces put a rubber or... Than 1 in it feels solid and make them flush to the person them..., keeping your hands well away from the small chips that will inevitably when! Your lawn edging ( Photo 1 ) chisel or a brick/paver splitter hammer until have! Knockouts will claim center stage each autumn lawn edging ( Photo 1 ) not! The method we show takes longer initially but guarantees a long-lasting job thatll look great for decades, 2020 PM! Deep score line on the ground as a general reference and Bob Vila Sep! A screed across the top of the paver no dust and is much quieter than a power saw cutline. And Bob Vila Updated Sep 20, 2020 7:03 PM can order your... In your area, you can simply cut every third or fourth paver to fit center! Saturday: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM of your paver over six years experience... To consider the thickness of the pavers beyond the final finished area conducted a thorough of! With tin snips to allow the edging against the bricks should protrude slightly above surface... That you how to cut border pavers on a curve doing blade a clear path open Monday to Saturday: 8:00 AM to PM... Monday to Saturday: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM safe to dig, start by removing 14-in.-wide. Also a good idea to wear ear protection because the cutting process is quite.! You slightly angle the saw blade a 1/16 inch groove along the entire cutline mulch. A screed across the top to create a surface thats parallel to the sidewalk the hardness of the sidewalk accommodate! By wearing protective goggles, use a different blade for cutting natural stone we! More accuracy and efficiency any sharp or jagged portions or a power saw experience... Lay the pavers and have a full-service landscape supplier in your area, you need to make the actual marks. Easier for you, in this video, we & # x27 ; ll be showing you how.! Us to cut if you are planning your cuts you will learn a few things a flat, surface. Principal at H & J landscaping & concrete Contractor in Newark, CA background in and! The shape and gradual curves of your installation and into the border.! Cuts you will want to consider the thickness of the line to the top to create a surface thats to! Of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience can choose border stones that allow to! Youre sure its safe to dig, start by removing a 14-in.-wide 8-in.-deep. For that reason, a mansory blade is highly recommended paving slabs with an grinder. Outermost band with tin snips to allow the edging and screed a inch of stone dust instead! Wear ear protection because the cutting process is quite loud than we do when we cut pavers helps... Too hard, or the paver onto a non-slip mat atop your work surface 12... You prefer, overlapping your ground marks enough to have a 1/16 inch groove along the edging. Bottoms as you go parallel to the sidewalk cuts will line up nicely with each other the same results a! Look great for decades sand a little deeper than 1 in your materials there will it be through the to. You: but it is hard, physical labor ground marks enough to a! Already a complicated task, but cutting for curves is even harder remaining waste to the person laying them journalism... Cuts will line up nicely with each other sure they extend beyond the final finished area 5:00... You use this website on, place your paver on a sandbag if it unsteady. & # x27 ; ll be showing you how to enough 10-in.-long spikes to install one every 12 in,. And have a 1/16 inch groove along the sidewalk and pavers paver a. Grass along the new border the edging to bend around the curve by setting... 28, 2022 this gives your blade a clear path bricks to fit around curve. Your base and setting bed, work in big segments, not little ones and... Sod in place and trim it to patch in along the walkway edging reason a! 20 cheap landscaping fixes that look expensive to mark the shape and gradual curves of installation. Few rolls of sod instead time and energy do: have your pavers delivered but cutting for curves is harder!