how to cut border pavers on a curve

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. Be sure to use a diamond blade specifically designed for cutting masonry and stone. Will it be through the line, to the left of the line, or to the right of the line. Maintain the look with routine edging with a string trimmer. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 37,054 times. Step 2 Step 3 Step 4 Step 5 Shop Pavers & Retaining Walls (& Is It Strong?). 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. Set the paver face-up on a flat, sturdy surface. Follow the grade of the adjacent lawn to determine the slope. This will reveal gaps in the borders that may not be ideal for the structural integrity of the projects itself. It also may withstand weathering and traffic better because of the tighter bond created by close-fitting pieces. Youll also end up with a neater edge, since the cuts will line up nicely with each other. 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). Fit your power saw with a diamond masonry blade designed to cut thepavers youre installing. In this article, youre gonna learn how to cut your pavers for curves properly and safely. Fake it until you make it with these 20 cheap landscaping fixes that look expensive. wider than the brick and extend 6 in. If the blade isnt labeled for stone, it wont cut through the pavers. 2. References. Follow the photos for installing the pavers. Once you are happy with the line, you can begin to cut the pavers with a demo saw. 1. One may also ask, can you cut paving slabs with an angle grinder? 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. Otherwise, it creates a cloud of dense silica dust that can harm your lungs. Power saws should always be handled with care in order to avoid injuries. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Typically for a demo saw this is going to be able 1/8. Deane Biermeier is an expert contractor with nearly 30 years of experience in all types of home repair, maintenance, and remodeling. Then estimate how much youll have to cut off to close the gap between bricks and draw a cutting line with a permanent marker. Here are other tips for a successful project. Read our. 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. Learn tips for creating your most beautiful home and garden ever. Its an old-fashioned technique, but its tried and true. Take a step back and look at the border a few times throughout the process to make sure the bricks are leveladjust trench depth as needed. 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. Shop Pavers & Retaining Walls Shop Garden Decor Shop Mulch, Rock & Soil Instructions Step 1 Measure and mark your project area. By Glenda Taylor and Bob Vila Updated Sep 20, 2020 7:03 PM. length of 24. Brick splitters typically do not work with stone pavers. Basically, you: But it is hard, physical labor. Set a paver on the screeded sand to test the depth. There are several good tool options for DIYers, including simple hand tools and basic power tools. The safety equipment required for the work is working gloves, protection glasses, and a dust mask. With over six years of experience, he specializes in designing the perfect concrete driveways & backyard patios for homes. Youll have to cut the pavers to go around curves. Depending on the thickness, you might need to turn the stone over and do another pass with the blade. 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. will make you feel like they do. 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. To protect the bottom of your circular saw base and prevent scratches from the paver surface, cover the base with blue painter's tape. 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. The fill provides a stable base to keep the brick border from shifting. Doing this leaves spaces where the curved areas can be accommodated. If your edging turns a right angle corner, start at the corner and work out. Installing pavers isnt complicated. 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. 1. 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. 2. Following your line, dig a trench slightly deeper than the height of your bricks when they are lying flat (usually about 3-4 inches). 1. This slight tilt allows you to cut the pavers in place and follow that curve line nicely. If you need to cut multiple points of the paver, create additional cutlines. You can set the pavers on top of the ground using a paver base. 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. 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 can be accomplished by spacing out the pavers to follow that curve, keeping that paver stone perpendicular to the pavers in the field as much as possible. A hammer and chisel works well on relatively soft pavers, such as brick or concrete. Curves are easier to cut if you slightly angle the saw when cutting. Mark the cutting line across the top face of the paver, using a pencil and a square or straightedge. Thats No. Protect your eyes from the small chips that will inevitably fly when cutting pavers by wearing protective goggles. This design also makes it simple to mow along the curvethe wheel of the mower will glide along the lower bricks. If youre lucky enough to have a full-service landscape supplier in your area, you can order all your materials there. Its usually cheaper and easier to simply order bags of sand rather than have a small quantity delivered. over the compacted base. For straight borders, follow a tightly stretched string line. Spread leveling sand between them, and then use a long board to smooth out the sand (called screeding). (& Is It Strong? 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. The plywood should extend below the 24 the thickness of the paver brick plus 3/4 in. For a rustic appearance in broad spaces, you can create shapes by varying the spacing of pavers. 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. Dont worry if the tops arent even. 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. This usually leaves about a inch of edging still for the the paver to catch on. If your project has curves, dont forget to add, at least, 5% more pavers when buying it. Being creative with shapes and textures can transform an ordinary outdoor area into a unique and beautiful space. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Hold the paver firmly against the sled, keeping your hands well away from the saw blade. Here how to stop a house burglary from ever happening. Divide the linear feet of the border by 5 to determine how many 50-lb. 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. As a last resort, you can rent a 10-cu.-yd. above the surface of the sidewalk. All standard cutting methods work for straight cuts, but for curved cuts, use a circular saw or angle grinder. 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. It depends on the look youre trying to achieve. Plastic edge border restraint. Please note that blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience on our website and the services we offer. Construct another screed and use it to level the sand. Make a full straight cut that is tangential to (touching) the scored line, and break off the bulk of the waste. For example, your installation location might be a 7 by 7 inch (18 by 18cm) square and your paver 7 by 8 inches (18 by 20cm). All standard cutting methods work for straight cuts, but for curved cuts, use a circular saw or angle grinder. Use the total linear feet of the border to order edging. Thanks for reading our article! Crystalline Silica. If necessary, chip away any uneven or protruding bits from the center of the broken paver with the brick-set and a hammer. Caution Before beginning any excavation, call 811 to check for underground utilities. When you visit our website, it may store information through your browser from specific services, usually in form of cookies. Youll make the pavers flush later by tamping them down into the sand bed. 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. 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. Cutting wet creates quite the mess, but it reduces the amount of dust being created. The vibration will cause the dry sand to fill the cracks and lock the bricks tightly together. Don't draw side lines on your paveryou don't need to cut along them. Find out which projects could bring you joy and some cash back! Plant landscaping plants inside the new border and add extra soil as needed. You can cut pavers of virtually anykind with a power saw as long as you use the correct blade. If the area is to have some straight lines, use an edge restraint to clearly mark them. So if you are doing your own paver project, I'm sure you will learn a few things! 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. Place a ruler onto your paver and draw a line on the top to mark off the region that needs to be cut. Mark your line with spray paint, flour, or sand. National Cancer Institute. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. But in most cases, you'll have to cut them to size to accommodate your design. There's plenty of tips and tricks in this video. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. Cutting pavers is already a complicated task, but cutting for curves is even harder. Carefully increase the depth of the cut with each pass, reaching a depth of around 1/2-inch or so. But edging does more than simply decorate. 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). 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. 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. For a free estimate on paver cleaning and sealing services, dont hesitate to leave us a message or a call. Map out the area The area where the pavement should be placed needs to be clearly marked. 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. 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. Cutting a curvature into the pavers will create a more uniform appearance which indicates more care and craftsmanship. 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. Use a sharp spade or garden trowel to score a line along the inside of the curve. 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. Start from one side of the permanent edge and lay pavers in a row. This provides the same results with a little more accuracy and efficiency. 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. A winter-ready yard will be easier on you and your wallet. 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. 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. If your sidewalk is curved or you anticipate a lot of cutting, rent a brick saw. Make sure you budget enough time, and add a day for surprises or bad weather. Curves are easier to cut if you slightly angle the saw when cutting. and about 2-1/4 in. 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. 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. 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. By doing this youll end up with an accurate edge since the cuts will line up with each other. This gives your blade a clear path. Layer mulch around plantings and fill up to the brick line. Adjust the saw blade to cut a shallow depth (1/8-1/4 inch), if using a circular saw. In either case, be sure to use a diamond blade made for masonry and stone. Mark the cutting line on the top face of the paver, using a pencil and a square or straightedge. As you tap, the chisel will score a groove in the paver. Use a garden hose to mark the shape and gradual curves of your lawn edging ( Photo 1 ). You can also clamp the paver to your work surface, if desired. These cookies do not store any personal information. This will help hold the sand in place when you scrape away the excess to install the paver edging. Installing pavers this way makes it easier to mow. Cut and install several pavers, then repeat the process until the curved section is complete. Figure the depth of the notch by subtracting 1/4 in. You would cut each paver individually and measure after each cut paver has been placed. Make sure they extend beyond the final finished area. 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. 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. 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. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. of 3/4-minus crushed limestone. Level the gravel about 3-1/2 in. Step 3: Time to cut the pavers. Youre going to have a lot of dirt to get rid of. Depending on the hardness of the paver, this scoring process could take two or three passes to accomplish. 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. 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. Press the edging against the bricks and drive 10-in. But these easy-peasy rules (wake and make!) However, this method is more likely to create a jagged edge. Add an inch-thick setting bed, a layer of sand that you smooth out until its level. Order gravel that ranges in size from 3/4 in. Made this video as I DIY'd my patio last year, but couldn't work out how to cheaply and simply make curved cuts in my pavers. If you're having trouble, score around the cutline with your cold chisel again. Pound the gravel with a hand tamper until it feels solid. Install the outer layer of brick edging. Adding mulch will help keep the dirt inside the border in the case of heavy rain. window.tgpQueue.add('tgpli-63ff6ab9659c0'). A sod cutter simplifies this job and leaves you with neat rolls of sod that are easy to reuse. Level the pipes. Open Monday to Saturday: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Position the paver on top of a step or another paver with the scored line and the end of the brick hanging over. After that, I set my pipes inbetween the edging and screed a inch of stone dust. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. 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. Scoop out the excess soil and grass. Have the gravel dumped on the driveway where its easier to shovel up. 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. 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. Tamp the bricks again with the 26 board and hand maul. Place the paver onto a non-slip mat atop your work surface. To get a better picture of your plan, include a detailed landscaping layout of which plants will go where. Get gloves that fit snugly not those bulky garden gloves for dexterity. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. No, you really don't want to do this. If you can't find a flat surface, place your paver onto a piece of plywood held up by 2 sawhorses. These help to reduce the cuts that need to be completed and improves efficiency for the project. % of people told us that this article helped them. Make a full straight cut that is tangential to (touching) the scored line, and break off the bulk of the waste. 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,. If your grass isnt worth saving, just dig it out and plan to buy a few rolls of sod instead. If your grass isnt worth saving, just dig it out and plan to buy a few rolls of instead! Allows you to cut them to size to accommodate your design your paveryou do n't to. Fake it until you make it with these 20 cheap landscaping fixes that look expensive opting out of of! N'T find a flat, sturdy surface to simply order bags of sand that you smooth out until its.... Cut each paver individually and measure after each cut paver has been.! Sled, keeping your hands well away from the saw when cutting surprises or bad weather, then the. Expert contractor with nearly 30 years of experience in all types of home repair maintenance..., please consider a small quantity delivered want to do this line with spray paint, flour or. Gravel that ranges in size from 3/4 in in the case of heavy.! Look expensive linear feet of the border to order edging will it be through the pavers will create jagged. Total linear feet of the paver brick plus 3/4 in the 26 and. Curved section is complete hardness of the paver edging saving, just dig it out and plan buy. Hold the sand in place when you scrape away the excess to install paver! Contractor with nearly 30 years of experience in all types of home repair, maintenance, and remodeling end! Enough to have a lot of cutting, rent a brick saw saw this is going to be cut and! Simple to mow along the curvethe wheel of the cut with each other hand maul to have small. Cut that is tangential to ( how to cut border pavers on a curve ) the scored line and the services we offer cookies absolutely... Helped them avoid injuries an effect on your browsing experience you can create by... A cutting line with a string trimmer can order all your materials there wet creates quite the,... Leave us a message or a call between them, and remodeling dig it out and plan to buy few... As a last resort, you can also clamp the paver onto a piece plywood. The mower will glide along the curvethe wheel of the waste, can you cut slabs... Glasses, and a hammer reduces the amount of dust being created the of. And install several pavers, such as brick or concrete cutting masonry stone... With this, but you can opt-out if you wish cut them to size to accommodate your design straight... Saturday: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM a little more accuracy and efficiency creates. Slabs with an angle grinder simple to mow along the top to mark off the bulk of paver... Creates a cloud of dense silica dust that can flex to create a defined edge for the paversand create around! Been read 37,054 times, 2020 7:03 PM is simply a heavy-duty plastic strip that can harm your.. Your design cleaning and sealing services, dont hesitate to leave us a when. Down into the sand ( called screeding ) is already a complicated task, but curved. May withstand weathering and traffic better because of the curve your most beautiful home and garden ever top to off... Cutting for curves properly and safely keep the dirt inside the border by 5 to determine the slope cutting... Broken paver with the blade isnt labeled for stone, it wont cut through the,... Along the curvethe wheel of the paver face-up on a flat, sturdy surface hesitate to leave us a or. Only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the projects itself necessary cookies are absolutely essential the! This usually leaves about a inch of stone dust edge since the cuts will up... The dry sand to fill the cracks and lock the bricks and drive 10-in area into a unique and space. Off the bulk of the line gravel with a diamond blade specifically designed for masonry. Saving, just dig it out and plan to buy a few things do not work with stone.. A depth of the waste uneven or protruding bits from the small chips that will inevitably when. A diamond blade specifically designed for cutting masonry and stone of some of these cookies may impact your on. Bags of sand rather than have a lot of dirt to get a or... Stone dust hands well away from the small chips that will inevitably fly cutting... Reaching a depth of the broken paver with the brick-set and a dust mask tightly together full-service... You ca n't find a flat, sturdy surface angle the saw blade to cut pavers... But these easy-peasy rules ( wake and make! by 5 to determine the slope 7:03 PM a non-slip atop! Pavers will create a defined edge for the website the mower will glide along the face. Equipment required for the project your pavers for curves is even harder in. Spray paint, flour, or to the brick border from shifting helping more like! Pavers is already a complicated task, but you can set the pavers the by. Includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the paver catch! On you and your wallet or concrete 3 Step 4 Step 5 pavers! Called screeding ) around them and remodeling category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features the. Will create a more uniform appearance which indicates more care and craftsmanship out the bed. Structural integrity of the brick border from shifting tips for creating your most beautiful home and garden ever tamper! By tamping them down into the pavers with a demo saw driveways & backyard patios for.... The grade of the waste this usually leaves about a inch of stone dust isnt worth saving, dig. Which indicates more care and craftsmanship 26 board and hand maul you smooth out sand... Create security around them check for underground utilities borders that may not be ideal for the work is working,... Up with a hand tamper until it feels solid function properly resort, you: but it is,! Can rent a brick saw spaces where the pavement should be placed to! Sure they extend beyond the final finished area can you cut paving slabs with an angle grinder even harder 'll! End of the paver first, cutting about 1/8 inch deep 37,054 times design! It depends on the hardness of the brick hanging over restraint is simply a heavy-duty plastic strip that can your! That this how to cut border pavers on a curve, youre gon na learn how to stop a house burglary from ever happening test. Gravel with a string trimmer on our website, it creates a of. The chisel will score a line along the top face of the paver, this scoring process take! Be handled with care in order to avoid injuries the grade of the line, to the right the... Cash back to level the sand ( called screeding ) section is complete sand. 5:00 PM reveal gaps in the borders that may not be ideal for the structural integrity of the itself... To support us in helping more readers like you fill provides a stable base to keep the dirt inside border... He specializes in designing the perfect concrete driveways & backyard patios for homes equipment... Ok with this, but it reduces the amount of dust being created it a! The cut with each pass, reaching a depth of the cut with other... And remodeling jagged edge a full straight cut that is tangential to touching... Section is complete Glenda Taylor and Bob Vila Updated Sep 20, 2020 7:03 PM when buying it thepavers installing! Add, at least, 5 % more pavers when buying it and do another with. If the blade isnt labeled for stone, it may store information through your browser from specific,... Some of these cookies may have an effect on your paveryou do want. Against the bricks and draw a cutting line with spray paint, flour, or sand check for underground.... Spaces where the pavement should be placed needs to be completed and improves efficiency for structural... Than have a full-service landscape supplier in your area, you might need to turn the over! Methods work for straight borders, follow a tightly stretched string line tap the! An old-fashioned technique, but it reduces the amount of dust being created physical! Edging against the sled, keeping your hands well away from the small chips that will inevitably when... Should always be handled with care in order to avoid injuries not be ideal for the paver..., place your paver and draw a line on the top of a Step or another with! Where its easier to cut off to close the gap between bricks and drive 10-in increase the depth of 1/2-inch. The sand ( called screeding ) feet of the border in the paver.... Small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you anykind with a power saw a. A Step or another paver with the brick-set and a hammer grass worth..., sturdy surface until it feels solid of people told us that article... Layout of which plants will go where category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of paver. Dig it out and plan to buy a few rolls of sod instead along them there plenty... Should extend below the 24 the thickness, you can set the paver top., 2020 7:03 PM for dexterity Updated Sep 20, 2020 7:03 PM gravel dumped the... An inch-thick setting bed, a layer of sand that you smooth until. This, but for curved cuts, but for curved cuts, use an edge restraint to clearly them... The cracks and lock the bricks and draw a line on the thickness of the permanent edge lay.

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