With sharper curves or curves that are convex (curving inward), you may not be able to follow that line in place. Dont forget to ask about delivery charges. Lay the pavers beyond the main body of your installation and into the border area. Saw along the marked line on the front and on the back of the paver. The larger the field of the project, the less waste percentage there will be. Carefully increase the depth of the cut with each pass, reaching a depth of around 1/2-inch or so. Construct a screed by screwing a 14-in.-wide scrap of plywood to a 32-in. You may have to experiment a little to get the level just right. 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 need to cut multiple points of the paver, create additional cutlines. To make the process easier for you, in this video, we'll be showing you how to. 1. That calculation depends on the size of the field of the project. If your sidewalk is curved or you anticipate a lot of cutting, rent a brick saw. 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. Wear a dust mask when cutting pavers with a power saw. Youll have to cut the pavers to go around curves. It's much easier if you have numerous people to help with this task. Youll tamp them down later to level them out and make them flush to the sidewalk. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 37,054 times. Keep this in mind while making your cuts. Work from right to left then left to right one row at a time. yds. Lay the paver on a flat surface, such as the ground or a piece of plywood set on top of a couple of sawhorses. The edging we used required us to cut the outermost band with tin snips to allow the edging to bend around the curve. Press the edging against the bricks and drive 10-in. Let's finish this paver tee pad up by installing the border pavers. Essentially it is best to start out with a demo saw because of its versatility. 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). To learn how to use a circular power saw to cut pavers, keep reading! 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. Hiring a professional costs more, but it is a guarantee of quality and longevity for your patio, driveway, or walkway. 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. Step 1: Mark your layout on the ground as a general reference. The result is the number of cubic yards of gravel needed. 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 means youll dig a 14 in. National Cancer Institute. In addition to a shovel and rake, youll need a wheelbarrow, tamper and some scraps of lumber and basic carpentry tools to construct the screeds. Regardless of the method you use to cut them, there is always a risk of small chips getting in your eyes. MATERIALS AND TOOLS Available on Amazon Gloves Protective eyewear Dust mask Ear protection Measuring tape Pencil Power saw (angle grinder or circular saw) Diamond masonry blade Hammer or mallet. Here, youll find both methods for how to cut pavers as well as the guidance to help you choose the best approach for your project. If youre lucky enough to have a full-service landscape supplier in your area, you can order all your materials there. This article was co-authored by Tony Hoang. % of people told us that this article helped them. Before cutting pavers, make sure you've measured your space and know what size you want. 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. 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. Once you know your measurements, use a straight edge to mark cutlines onto all 4 sides of your paver. Cutting pavers is already a complicated task, but cutting for curves is even harder. Copyright 2023 Acton Media Inc. All rights reserved. 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. If you get the grinder blade into a bind, it could cause a loss of control or it may break the paver unevenly. At JS Brick, we have 20+ years of experience providing paver installation, supply, and maintenance services in Sarasota and surrounding cities. If necessary, chip away any uneven or protruding bits from the center of the broken paver with the brick-set and a hammer. He has a background in journalism and web development, and hasn't yet found a DIY project he isn't willing to tackle. works good because I can cut a 2x4 to fit perfectly between edging. thick, but other sizes are available. 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! Dig a 4-inch-deep trench around the edge of the curved landscaping. Map out the area The area where the pavement should be placed needs to be clearly marked. To make the work easier, you can use strings and stakes to sketch out your curve with a marker on the paver stones. However, well be looking at a more efficient way to save time and energy. to hold the edging in place. Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full pricewine, food delivery, clothing and more. Set a paver on the screeded sand to test the depth. Otherwise, it creates a cloud of dense silica dust that can harm your lungs. There is nothing like the rugged beauty of a patio or walkway built with pavers. 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. 2. Then, gently tap your 1-inch wide cold chisel with a hammer until you have a 1/16 inch groove along the entire cutline. 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. 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. So if you are doing your own paver project, I'm sure you will learn a few things! window.tgpQueue.add('tgpli-63ff6ab9659c0'). You can take them all to the wet saw and make a bunch of cuts at once. Score the curved cut along the top of the paver first, cutting about 1/8 inch deep. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Water spraying on the diamond blade keeps dust to a minimum and speeds cutting. You can take them all to the wet saw and make a bunch of cuts at once. 1. Finish with multiple cuts to pare down the remaining waste to the curved line. Complete DIY projects like a pro! 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. Can I put pavers directly on top of the soil? Additionally, cutting dry without a vacuum system is illegal in many areas. This will be most evident when you complete your final compaction of the pavement. In this article, youre gonna learn how to cut your pavers for curves properly and safely. 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. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. 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). Use a large enough blade to cut through your SRW block in 1 pass. Lay the paver flat on the ground when youve finished scoring, and position a brick-set chisel, vertically, in the center of the groove. If the blade isnt labeled for stone, it wont cut through the pavers. Protect your eyes from the small chips that will inevitably fly when cutting pavers by wearing protective goggles. Next, install plastic paver edging behind the bricks to hold them 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). Dig a Trench. For our project, which was a total of 60 linear feet, we ordered 1-1/4 cu. below the top of the sidewalk to allow room for the bricks and about an inch of sand. Deane Biermeier is an expert contractor with nearly 30 years of experience in all types of home repair, maintenance, and remodeling. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Score the curved cut along the top of the paver first, cutting about 1/8 inch deep. 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. Typically for a demo saw this is going to be able 1/8. Layer mulch around plantings and fill up to the brick line. To get a better picture of your plan, include a detailed landscaping layout of which plants will go where. Hit the chisel sharply with the hammer to break the paver along the grooved line. Cutting Border Pavers into Curves. So, lets talk about cutting pavers for curves with the versatile, easy-to-use angle grinder. Water sprays onto the blade during the cut to minimize heat and dust. 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. spikes every 12 in. When putting down your base and setting bed, work in big segments, not little ones. Pavers are great alternatives to large pieces of plain concrete. Once the shape is completely marked, you can remove and cut each paver, replacing it before moving on to the next. All standard cutting methods work for straight cuts, but for curved cuts, use a circular saw or angle grinder. When cutting the paving stones, youll see that it is really easy to ruin the cut, so waste is more common than you can imagine. Once you are happy with the line, you can begin to cut the pavers with a demo saw. Get free, no-commitment estimates from licensed general contractors near you. With over six years of experience, he specializes in designing the perfect concrete driveways & backyard patios for homes. Pull down sharply on the handle of the tool to split the paver. Find out which projects could bring you joy and some cash back! Level the gravel about 3-1/2 in. Sometimes this cannot be avoided. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. Follow these steps to create the perfect border. Position the chisel edge into the groove at the center of the paver face. Or you can dig a trench and put the pavers in so they are level with the surrounding ground. 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. Use a large enough blade to cut through your SRW block in 1 pass. Ideally the gaps should not be more than 3/8. Add a vertical line of bricks inside the first row. of 3/4-minus crushed limestone. Mark the cutting line on the top face of the paver, using a pencil and a square or straightedge. Start by scraping the extra sand out from behind the bricks so the edging will rest on the compacted fill. Bruno Bornsztein is a home improvement addict fan who runs Curbly, LLC (including blogs "Curbly", "ManMadeDIY", and "WeeBabyStuff"). Place the paver onto a non-slip mat atop your work surface. 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 plywood should extend below the 24 the thickness of the paver brick plus 3/4 in. Construct a screed by screwing a 14-in.-wide scrap of plywood to a 32-in. Put down all your paver stones. Flip the paver over and repeat the same cutting process on the bottom face. 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. Measure the space you need to fill in your layout and transfer that measurement to the paver, making a pencil mark on the front and the back of the paver. There's plenty of tips and tricks in this video. Cut and install several pavers, then repeat the process until the curved section is complete. Chip away at any uneven bits using your brick-set and hammer. But these easy-peasy rules (wake and make!) We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. This can be sped up by using a block cutter or guillotine that tightens to the paver and a lever is pushed down to break the paver along that cut line. 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. 3. One thing that helps: have your pavers delivered. 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. As a last resort, you can rent a 10-cu.-yd. Leave no more than 1/8-inch gaps between pavers. When you are marking your cuts, you will want to make a mental not where you will be running that blade. Slope bricks alongside steps to make an attractive transition. This is time consuming and reveals a rough edge. Next, dig a 14-in.-wide by 8-in.-deep trench along the sidewalk to accommodate the gravel, sand and pavers. Here you can change your privacy preferences. 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. Start by spreading a 3-in.-deep layer of gravel in the trench. Following the curved outline, dig a shallow trench so the flat-laid bricks will rest just above the existing soil. You can choose border stones that allow you to complete curves naturally as shown in the initial photo. Shop Pavers & Retaining Walls Shop Garden Decor Shop Mulch, Rock & Soil Instructions Step 1 Measure and mark your project area. We first begin without water and scoring the line so that the line does not disappear when we move through it with the water on. 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,. Transfer the line to the remaining three sides of the paver. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. This is necessary because you cut the winding path from a path with. Rent a brick saw if you have a lot of bricks to cut. 5. One may also ask, can you cut paving slabs with an angle grinder? Use a sharp spade or garden trowel to score a line along the inside of the curve. Slice down into the soil to form a flat wall. When you visit our website, it may store information through your browser from specific services, usually in form of cookies. Make a full straight cut that is tangential to (touching) the scored line, and break off the bulk of the waste. I do it this way because I can get the edging to be exactly where I want it (very picky about the curves and layout). You can then hammer along the cutline groove to separate the paver into 2 pieces. Line up the paver's cutting line with the saw blade, then slide the sled all the way back. Divide the linear feet of the border by 5 to determine how many 50-lb. The trench will provide space for the compacted fill along the walkway edging. Cutting with an angle grinder requires your hands to be near the blade, so take it slow and steady -and wear protective gloves. 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. As with the outer layer, push the bricks close together to prevent grass from growing between. Here are other tips for a successful project. No, you really don't want to do this. All standard cutting methods work for straight cuts, but for curved cuts, use a circular saw or angle grinder. Choosing the best tool for your project depends on your situation. 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. Set your pavers in the pattern you prefer, overlapping your ground marks enough to make the actual cut marks on. This should also be communicated if you have one person marking and another person cutting. A brick-set chisel has a much wider blade and a larger hammerhead area at the end of the chisel for striking. Dont come home to a nightmare and the feeling of being invaded. The safety equipment required for the work is working gloves, protection glasses, and a dust mask. Be mindful of this as you cut and work on the job site. Install the outer layer of brick edging. {"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":"