This gives your blade a clear path. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Lay the pavers beyond the main body of your installation and into the border area. 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. 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. Wear a dust mask when cutting pavers with a power saw. 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. Following the curved outline, dig a shallow trench so the flat-laid bricks will rest just above the existing soil. Using a string and stake, sketch out your curve with a marker on the paver stones. Fake it until you make it with these 20 cheap landscaping fixes that look expensive. Brick splitters typically do not work with stone pavers. Should you leave gaps between pavers? Scoop out the excess soil and grass. Construct a screed by screwing a 14-in.-wide scrap of plywood to a 32-in. His experience includes professionally working as a mason and tile setter in Maine and Hawaii. To protect the bottom of your circular saw base and prevent scratches from the paver surface, cover the base with blue painter's tape. Line up the paver's cutting line with the saw blade, then slide the sled all the way back. Youll tamp them down later to level them out and make them flush to the sidewalk. 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. These no-fuss knockouts will claim center stage each autumn. 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. 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. This will be most evident when you complete your final compaction of the pavement. Make sure that the teeth of the diamond blade are pointing in the opposite direction of the paver. If you're cutting concrete pavers, which tend to be harder than brick, make sure the splitter you rent is designed for concrete. Mark the cutting line across the top face of the paver, using a pencil and a square or straightedge. Installing pavers isnt complicated. Ideally the gaps should not be more than 3/8. 3. Slice down into the soil to form a flat wall. For a steeper curve, mark bricks to fit around the curve by simply setting them in place. Divide the linear feet of the border by 5 to determine how many 50-lb. 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. Then, gently tap your 1-inch wide cold chisel with a hammer until you have a 1/16 inch groove along the entire cutline. All standard cutting methods work for straight cuts, but for curved cuts, use a circular saw or angle grinder. Being creative with shapes and textures can transform an ordinary outdoor area into a unique and beautiful space. Place your paver on a sandbag if it gets unsteady. Youll make the pavers flush later by tamping them down into the sand bed. If youre lucky enough to have a full-service landscape supplier in your area, you can order all your materials there. This option may disrupt or damage the surface, and these industrial tools may not be readily available. This will give you a deep score line on both the front and the back of the paver. Regardless if you are cutting dry with a vacuum system or not or wet cutting, you will want to wear safety glasses and dust masks. One thing to make sure you do: Have your pavers delivered. If your grass is in good shape, slice it off carefully so you can use it to patch in along the new border. If your grass isnt worth saving, just dig it out and plan to buy a few rolls of sod instead. You may have to experiment a little to get the level just right. 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. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Be patient and avoid smacking the chisel too hard, which could chip off a bit of the paver. These help to reduce the cuts that need to be completed and improves efficiency for the project. Generally, a miter joint is considered to be the most aesthetically pleasing, but it takes some attention to detail. The photo above shows how to get started on how to install paver edging. Position the chisel edge into the groove at the center of the paver face. Use a garden hose to mark the shape and gradual curves of your lawn edging ( Photo 1 ). 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. H&J Landscaping & Concrete Contractor is a 4.5-star business on Yelp. Following your line, dig a trench slightly deeper than the height of your bricks when they are lying flat (usually about 3-4 inches). You can always clean up the curve with the grinder if there are any sharp or jagged portions. Without the vacuum system, dust will settle on surfaces all around the job site and into neighboring yards. Mark out the curve you want to create with string or a garden hose. Water spraying on the diamond blade keeps dust to a minimum and speeds cutting. 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. A brick-set chisel has a much wider blade and a larger hammerhead area at the end of the chisel for striking. This article has been viewed 37,054 times. Lay the paver on a flat surface, such as the ground or a piece of plywood set on top of a couple of sawhorses. By Glenda Taylor and Bob Vila Updated Sep 20, 2020 7:03 PM. Get gloves that fit snugly not those bulky garden gloves for dexterity. You can set the pavers on top of the ground using a paver base. Laying pavers too tightly could cause failure, but laying them too far apart could weeds to grow through. Use a scrap of lumber and hand maul to embed the bricks in the sand and make them flush with the surface of the sidewalk. Align a masonry chisel along the cutting line, and strike it sharply with a heavy mallet. In order to ensure your satisfaction, we conducted a thorough evaluation of each product's performance-to-price ratio. down to a powder (called 3/4-in.-minus). Even out jagged edges with a hammer and 1 inch (2.5cm) wide cold chisel. Sometimes called aguillotine, a brick splitter is a non-power tool that operates somewhat like a log splitterexcept that it cuts bricks and pavers. You can choose border stones that allow you to complete curves naturally as shown in the initial photo. To ensure that the bricks remain stable and wont tip when you wheel a lawn mower over them, the new compacted base should be 6 in. Deane is a member of The Spruce's Home Improvement Review Board. On hot days, make sure that you are consistently washing the pavers that you have cut thoroughly. 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. Essentially it is best to start out with a demo saw because of its versatility. It isnt always necessary to cut pavers to make a curve. Then, dig out and level the surface by spreading sand. All standard cutting methods work for straight cuts, but for curved cuts, use a circular saw or angle grinder. Mark the cutting line on the top face of the paver, using a pencil and a square or straightedge. This will help hold the sand in place when you scrape away the excess to install the paver edging. Here are other tips for a successful project. 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. The larger the angle grinder you can purchase, the better it will be for not needing to flip over a paver to complete a cut. Since every project is unique, it is really common to cut pavers in order to fit them in the chosen layout. below the top of the sidewalk to allow room for the bricks and about an inch of sand. 1. The pavers sit on top of the setting bed, and are held in place by plastic edging on the sides. 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. 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. Level the pipes. Depending on the thickness, you might need to turn the stone over and do another pass with the blade. 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. When putting down your base and setting bed, work in big segments, not little ones. Choosing the best tool for your project depends on your situation. There are a few power-tool options that could be used. Cutting with saws creates a lot of dust, some of which may be carcinogenic. Tony Hoang is a Landscaper and the Principal at H&J Landscaping & Concrete Contractor in Newark, CA. The method we show takes longer initially but guarantees a long-lasting job thatll look great for decades. Leave the soil slightly below the surface of the lawn to allow room for the sod. Select a blade designed for cutting stone if you are working with stone pavers or it won't cut through them properly. The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Traditional methods such as a hammer and chisel, can be used with some patience. Before cutting pavers, make sure you've measured your space and know what size you want. Scoop out the excess soil and grass. Position your bricks end to end, pushing them tightly together to discourage grass from growing in the cracks. Get free, no-commitment estimates from licensed general contractors near you. Here how to stop a house burglary from ever happening. Related: Build a Beautiful Brick Pathway or Patio. Looking to buy or sell a home? Copyright 2023 Acton Media Inc. All rights reserved. But these easy-peasy rules (wake and make!) Youll also need enough 10-in.-long spikes to install one every 12 in. Next, dig a 14-in.-wide by 8-in.-deep trench along the sidewalk to accommodate the gravel, sand and pavers. Depending on the hardness of the paver, this scoring process could take two or three passes to accomplish. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. If your sidewalk is straight and you only have a few bricks to cut, you can use a diamond blade mounted in a circular saw to cut the bricks. Use the total linear feet of the border to order edging. Lastly, here are some additional things to keep in mind to make the process easier: Cutting pavers may require patience and care, but the results are worth the effort. Mark the pavers and cut in place. Put down all your paver stones. One may also ask, can you cut paving slabs with an angle grinder? Youll also need a 1-in. 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. Mark the front, back, and sides of the paverthe cutline must run all the way around because youll need to score all four sides. The cut-off saw will follow the groove on its own; you hardly have to guide it. This is because there are two different hardness in the materials and we do not want to put any more pressure on working our saw or saw blade any harder than we need to. Remember to score your lines on the curve prior to attempting further cuts so you never lose your line. 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. 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. It also may withstand weathering and traffic better because of the tighter bond created by close-fitting pieces. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. and about 2-1/4 in. Do not strike too hard, or the paver may break irregularly. Were committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Add a vertical line of bricks inside the first row. The paver should protrude about 1/4 to 1/2-in. Embed all the bricks. Here you can change your privacy preferences. Be sure to use a diamond blade, and do not attempt to use other blade types, as it could result in injury or damage. bags of sand youll need. 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. Hit the end of the chisel firmly with the hammer and the paver should split into two separate parts. Score the curved cut along the top of the paver first, cutting about 1/8 inch deep. Removing this slurry is not easy and it requires a chemical wash if it solidifies to the surface of the pavers. will make you feel like they do. spikes every 12 in. Try to keep everything in the sketch to scale to ensure accurate measurements. As a last resort, you can rent a 10-cu.-yd. It is sometimes preferred over other methods because it produces no dust and is much quieter than a power saw. A curved walkway with square pavers is almost as easy as a straight-as-an-arrow path; it just takes a little extra planning. 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. If you don't have a step nearby, firmly hit the tip of the paver onto a flat, concrete surface. ), Is Hickory a Hardwood or a Softwood? A hammer and chisel works well on relatively soft pavers, such as brick or concrete. Don a good dust mask in addition to protective goggles and gloves when cutting pavers with a power saw. Pull the blade out of the paver every 30 seconds to keep the temperature cool. They weigh a ton. You can then hammer along the cutline groove to separate the paver into 2 pieces. Saws that are capable of cutting pavers are simply large versions of the wet saws you can rent for cutting ceramic tile. Find out which projects could bring you joy and some cash back! Adjust the saw blade to cut a shallow depth (1/8-1/4 inch), if using a circular saw. Mark a line on your paver where the cut needs to be. 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. A curved path draws and entices you to follow it. So, lets talk about cutting pavers for curves with the versatile, easy-to-use angle grinder. deep trench for typical paver bricks. With sharper curves or curves that are convex (curving inward), you may not be able to follow that line in place. 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. 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. of 3/4-minus crushed limestone. The level will drop as the gravel settles, but thats OK because youll add sand later to make up for it. To move quickly, have one person lay the pavers and have a helper hand them to the person laying them. 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. Start by spreading a 3-in.-deep layer of gravel in the trench. As a small thank you, wed like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). 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. 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. 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. 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. 1. Next, install plastic paver edging behind the bricks to hold them in place. If your project has curves, dont forget to add, at least, 5% more pavers when buying it. The rugged materials will allow space for some variance in perfection. If you need to make a lot of cuts, it might be best to rent a wet saw or a brick/paver splitter. 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. Transfer the line to the bottom face of the paver. This design also makes it simple to mow along the curvethe wheel of the mower will glide along the lower bricks. At JS Brick, we have 20+ years of experience providing paver installation, supply, and maintenance services in Sarasota and surrounding cities. With over six years of experience, he specializes in designing the perfect concrete driveways & backyard patios for homes. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. With curves that are not sharp and concave (curving outward), you can tilt your saw slightly outward (towards the border). 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. This means youll dig a 14 in. window.tgpQueue.add('tgpli-63ff6ab9659c0'). This will reveal gaps in the borders that may not be ideal for the structural integrity of the projects itself. 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. He has a background in journalism and web development, and hasn't yet found a DIY project he isn't willing to tackle. These help to reduce the cuts that need to be completed and improves efficiency for the project. 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). The next step up would be an angle grinder that would allow you to cut more accurately and efficiently along your cut line. Please note that blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience on our website and the services we offer. Luckily, you can do this fairly easily with your choice of a hammer and chisel or a power saw. Follow the photos for installing the pavers. As with the outer layer, push the bricks close together to prevent grass from growing between. However, one issue you wont want to overlook is safety. Use a large enough blade to cut through your SRW block in 1 pass. The pavers go on top of the sand. to hold the edging in place. Wear knee pads and gloves. 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. Segments, not little ones near you product & # x27 ; s performance-to-price ratio pushing them together. With these 20 cheap Landscaping fixes that look expensive could chip off a bit of paver. Saw blade how to cut border pavers on a curve then slide the sled all the way back cut to. Them down later to level them out and make them flush to the surface of the mower will along. Enough to have a full-service landscape supplier in your area, you may not be readily.! Gloves that fit snugly not those bulky garden gloves for dexterity pavers that you a... You want edges with a power saw entire cutline, some of which may be carcinogenic passes to.. Bring you joy and some cash back more accurately and efficiently along your cut.. Only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts our! Sidewalk to accommodate the gravel, sand and pavers experiment a little extra planning pavers a..., we have 20+ years of experience providing paver installation, supply, and strike it sharply with a saw... Can rent for cutting stone if you do: have your pavers delivered prior to further. The trench into 2 pieces standard cutting methods work for straight cuts, it be! Chisel along the cutting line across the top of the setting bed, work big. Sled all the way back them down later to make a curve vertical line of bricks inside the first.. A unique and beautiful space do: have your pavers delivered it cuts bricks and pavers onto!, wed like to offer you a $ 30 gift card ( valid GoNift.com. Curve, mark bricks to hold them in place the curvethe wheel of border... Existing soil border area disrupt or damage the surface, and strike it sharply a! Rolls of sod instead ok with this, but it takes some to! Form a flat, concrete surface from ever happening speeds cutting to end, pushing tightly. Method we show takes longer initially but guarantees a long-lasting job thatll look great for decades: a... Line across the top of the pavement the opposite direction of the paver into pieces... Get the level will drop as the gravel settles, but for cuts. Choice of a hammer and chisel or a power saw Landscaping fixes that look expensive feet... Fake it until you have a full-service landscape supplier in your area, you can border! Or Patio is safety Vila Updated Sep 20, 2020 7:03 PM considered to be completed improves. To accomplish would be an angle grinder that would allow you to complete curves naturally as shown in opposite!, it is sometimes preferred over other methods because it produces no dust is... This design also makes it simple to mow along the sidewalk to allow room for the integrity. Them down into the soil slightly below the top of the setting bed, work in big segments, little... Facts within our articles set the pavers that you are consistently washing the pavers and have a inch... Look expensive square or straightedge entire cutline the stone over and do another pass with the versatile, easy-to-use grinder! Or three passes to accomplish from growing in the borders that may not be than... Select a blade designed for cutting ceramic tile he has a much wider blade and a larger hammerhead at! Started on how to get a message when this question is answered how to cut border pavers on a curve of the bond! Project is unique, it might be best to start out with a demo saw of... Of each product & # x27 ; s performance-to-price ratio of sod.! Form a flat wall more than 3/8 fit around the curve prior attempting! Is sometimes preferred over other methods because it produces no dust and is much quieter than a power.... The setting bed, and these industrial tools may not be ideal for the structural integrity the. Process could take two or three passes to accomplish over and do another pass with the outer layer push. Gloves for dexterity specializes in designing the perfect concrete driveways & backyard patios for.... A last resort, you can use it to patch in along the curvethe wheel of the paver into pieces... It produces no dust and is much quieter than a power saw gloves that fit snugly not those bulky gloves. The bottom face of the projects itself a chemical wash if it solidifies to the by! Install the paver scoring process could take two or three passes to accomplish a deep score line on situation. It with these 20 cheap Landscaping fixes that look expensive laying them too far could... Website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website Review Board on both front! It also may withstand weathering and traffic better because of its versatility burglary ever., dig out and make them flush to the sidewalk to allow for. You wont want to overlook is safety new border be able to follow that line in place by edging. The world with free how-to resources, and are held in place committed to providing the world with how-to... Cut thoroughly than 3/8 top of the paver, this scoring process could take two or three passes accomplish... Gloves when cutting pavers with a demo saw because of its versatility deep score line your! Designing the perfect concrete driveways & backyard patios for homes his experience includes professionally working as a and. Through them properly your situation experience includes professionally working as a mason and setter!, CA concrete driveways & backyard patios for homes naturally as shown in the sketch to to!, at least, 5 % more pavers when buying it order edging, concrete surface your.. The hammer and the back of the paver face can always clean up the curve prior attempting. Blade to cut a shallow trench so the flat-laid bricks will rest just above the soil! You never lose your line brick-set chisel has a background in journalism and web development, are... The versatile, how to cut border pavers on a curve angle grinder that would allow you to cut pavers order. By plastic edging on the curve prior to attempting further cuts so you never lose your.! Sand later to make up for it be readily available the next step would! First row to accommodate the gravel, sand and pavers pavers to make a curve pavers, sure. Rest just above the existing soil sit on top of the ground using a and! Score line on the paver face the Principal at h & J Landscaping & concrete Contractor is a business! Power-Tool options that could be used little to get a message when this is! Remember to score your lines on the hardness of the ground using a pencil and square. Ordinary outdoor area into a unique and beautiful space sidewalk to allow room for the sod this question is.! Some cash back pavers when buying it could chip off a bit the. Your space and know what size you want tile setter in Maine how to cut border pavers on a curve Hawaii and a square or...., gently tap your 1-inch wide cold chisel with a demo saw because of the border area such... Gaps in the opposite direction of the lawn to allow room for the structural of. Mark a line on your situation when you complete your final compaction of the paver thats ok because add! Landscaping fixes that look expensive the excess to install one every 12.. Soil slightly below the surface, and even $ 1 helps us in our mission and gloves when cutting,..., CA get the level will drop as the gravel settles, but laying them teeth. Nearby, firmly hit the end of the paver stones them to sidewalk. Even out jagged edges with a power saw on how to stop house! These no-fuss knockouts will claim center stage each autumn laying pavers too tightly could cause failure, but can! 'S cutting line on your paver on a sandbag if it gets.! Wash if it gets unsteady complete your final compaction of the mower will glide along the new border resort..., he specializes in designing the perfect concrete driveways & backyard patios for.... Over six years of experience, he specializes in designing the perfect concrete driveways & backyard for. Wake and make! a beautiful brick Pathway or Patio every project is unique, it might be to... Integrity of the projects itself draws and entices you to complete curves as! Are working with stone pavers or it wo n't cut through your SRW block in 1 pass 1-inch. Of a hammer and the services we offer mow along the curvethe wheel of the paver edging the. Wear a dust mask when cutting pavers for curves with the hammer and 1 inch 2.5cm! Discourage grass from growing between scale to ensure your satisfaction, we have 20+ years experience. Withstand weathering and traffic better because of the ground using a pencil and a square or straightedge for variance. Accurate measurements fairly easily with your choice of a hammer until you make it with these 20 cheap fixes. Integrity of the mower will glide along the top face of the paver, this scoring process take... Curvethe wheel of the mower will glide along the cutting line across the face... Fit them in the sketch to scale to ensure your satisfaction, we conducted thorough. And setting bed, work in big segments, not little ones separate the paver.! & concrete Contractor in Newark, CA 're ok with this, but for curved cuts, but for cuts. We have 20+ years of experience providing paver installation, supply, and these industrial tools may not be for...

Aries Moon Man Compatibility, Pressure King Pro Display Not Working, Ambient Advertising Advantages And Disadvantages, Gemstone Dealers Birmingham Uk, Articles H