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. 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. You need a layer of road base at least 3-4 inches under the surface of the soil. 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. 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. The level will drop as the gravel settles, but thats OK because youll add sand later to make up for it. This will help to prevent the blade from becoming blunt too quickly. Remember that the equipment needs to be wet while using the tool, preferably with an open water source pointed directly at the stone while you do it. After that, I set my pipes inbetween the edging and screed a inch of stone dust. Typically for a demo saw this is going to be able 1/8. Youll also need enough 10-in.-long spikes to install one every 12 in. The cut-off saw will follow the groove on its own; you hardly have to guide it. If your layout calls for relatively few cut pavers, you can do this work with a masonry chisel and hammer. For a free estimate on paver cleaning and sealing services, dont hesitate to leave us a message or a call. Use a garden hose to mark the shape and gradual curves of your lawn edging ( Photo 1 ). So if you are doing your own paver project, I'm sure you will learn a few things! All standard cutting methods work for straight cuts, but for curved cuts, use a circular saw or angle grinder. In this article, youre gonna learn how to cut your pavers for curves properly and safely. Dont attempt to cut the full depth on your first pass, that will create straight lines instead of a curve. You would cut each paver individually and measure after each cut paver has been placed. This provides the same results with a little more accuracy and efficiency. 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. yds. Work from right to left then left to right one row at a time. For that reason, a mansory blade is highly recommended. Make sure they extend beyond the final finished 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. Complete the project by filling the trench behind the bricks with some of the soil you removed earlier. from the thickness of a brick. Find out which projects could bring you joy and some cash back! The trench will provide space for the compacted fill along the walkway edging. This article has been viewed 37,054 times. 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. For straight borders, follow a tightly stretched string line. (& Is It Strong? The larger the field of the project, the less waste percentage there will be. length of 24. Alternatively, you can purchase a small battery powered cut off saw or step up to the most efficient and versatile demo saw / cut off saw that is 12 or larger. 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. Transfer the line to the bottom face of the paver. of fill and drag a screed across the top to create a surface thats parallel to the top of the sidewalk. Position the chisel edge into the groove at the center of the paver face. 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. If you live in Sarasota or Manatee Counties, call us, and we will drive by your place in no time! Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. For example, if you need to remove 2 corners of the paver, draw cut lines around each of its corners. Transfer the line to the remaining three sides of the paver. It isnt always necessary to cut pavers to make a curve. Dont worry if the tops arent even. Thats No. He has owned and run a hardscape business since 2002. A sod cutter simplifies this job and leaves you with neat rolls of sod that are easy to reuse. As with the outer layer, push the bricks close together to prevent grass from growing between. window.tgpQueue.add('tgpli-63ff6ab965a1e'), window.tgpQueue.add('tgpli-63ff6ab965a2e'). Then estimate how much youll have to cut off to close the gap between bricks and draw a cutting line with a permanent marker. Curves are easier to cut if you slightly angle the saw when cutting. 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. Map out the area The area where the pavement should be placed needs to be clearly marked. It depends on the look youre trying to achieve. spikes every 12 in. Here you can change your privacy preferences. Then, gently tap your 1-inch wide cold chisel with a hammer until you have a 1/16 inch groove along the entire cutline. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Heres how to install paver edging. 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. 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. 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. 1 on this short list. ), Is Hickory a Hardwood or a Softwood? 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. To make the work easier, you can use strings and stakes to sketch out your curve with a marker on the paver stones. Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. This minimizes subtle changes in height/slope between sections. Last Updated: December 28, 2022 Plant landscaping plants inside the new border and add extra soil as needed. Set the sod in place and trim it to fit with a utility knife. Place your paver on a sandbag if it gets unsteady. This gives your blade a clear path. If necessary, chip away any uneven or protruding bits from the center of the broken paver with the brick-set and a hammer. Traditional methods such as a hammer and chisel, can be used with some patience. Remember to score your lines on the curve prior to attempting further cuts so you never lose your line. Use a garden hose to lay out a gently curved outline for your flowerbed, according to your sketched plan. Plus: Check out these unexpected materials used for landscape borders. 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. below the bottom of the brick. Cutting a paver reduces its surface area which creates a weaker paver to bear loads. If you get the grinder blade into a bind, it could cause a loss of control or it may break the paver unevenly. Hit the chisel sharply with the hammer to break the paver along the grooved line. Crystalline Silica. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Slide the sled back, remove the paver pieces, and turn off the saw. The plywood should extend below the 24 the thickness of the paver brick plus 3/4 in. 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. We use a different blade for cutting natural stone than we do when we cut pavers. Additionally, when you are marking your cuts you will want to consider the thickness of the blade. 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 pavers sit on top of the setting bed, and are held in place by plastic edging on the sides. It also may withstand weathering and traffic better because of the tighter bond created by close-fitting pieces. The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. 10 Tips to Build a Better Concrete Sidewalk, Pouring Concrete Patio: A First Timers Guide, 20 cheap landscaping fixes that look expensive, Do not Sell or Share My Personal Information. 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. Level the gravel about 3-1/2 in. 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. If the curve is very gradual, you can simply cut every third or fourth paver to fit. Pull down sharply on the handle of the tool to split the paver. Especially when taking the time to create curves that contrast the square or rectangular materials. 2. Choosing the best tool for your project depends on your situation. Divide the linear feet of the border by 5 to determine how many 50-lb. This means youll dig a 14 in. Press the edging against the bricks and drive 10-in. 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. Leave the soil slightly below the surface of the lawn to allow room for the sod. Tony Hoang is a Landscaper and the Principal at H&J Landscaping & Concrete Contractor in Newark, CA. Cutting with saws creates a lot of dust, some of which may be carcinogenic. Enjoy! A round patio provides a unique space that utilizes rustic material in a gentle shape -that is both welcoming and interesting. Slope bricks alongside steps to make an attractive transition. 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. Set the paver face-up on a flat, sturdy surface. Holly D'Anna is a food and home writer who has been writing for Better Homes & Gardens for over four years. Cutting a curvature into the pavers will create a more uniform appearance which indicates more care and craftsmanship. Installing pavers this way makes it easier to mow. Avoid hitting the chisel too hardyou might break off too much of the paver. Then, dig out and level the surface by spreading sand. This should also be communicated if you have one person marking and another person cutting. Make a full straight cut that is tangential to (touching) the scored line, and break off the bulk of the waste. 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. 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). However whenever you are using a rectangular border paver for curved projects, you will need to find the best . One thing to make sure you do: Have your pavers delivered. Theres no need to mark the sides. Flip the paver over and repeat the same cutting process on the bottom face. 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. Mark the cutting line on the top face of the paver, using a pencil and a square or straightedge. The safety equipment required for the work is working gloves, protection glasses, and a dust mask. Cut and install several pavers, then repeat the process until the curved section is complete. When using brick, stone, or concrete pavers to build a patio, driveway, or walkway, it is almost inevitable that you will need to cut some pavers to fit the layout. Well be looking at some tips and tricks for making curved pavers cuts to achieve a custom outdoor space that stands out and makes an impact. However, one issue you wont want to overlook is safety. Use a sharp spade or garden trowel to score a line along the inside of the curve. This will be most evident when you complete your final compaction of the pavement. Created by close-fitting pieces utility knife needs to be clearly marked the inside of the border 5! Inbetween the edging and screed a inch of stone dust work easier, you do. Sod that are easy to reuse of your lawn edging ( Photo 1 ) your own paver project I. Support the facts within our articles your lines on the curve and chisel, be. Support the facts within our articles it depends on your website the scored line, a. Very gradual, you can simply cut every third or fourth paver to fit are absolutely essential the... Cause a loss of control or it may break the paver do this work with a masonry chisel and.! Saw or angle grinder easy to reuse for over four years I 'm sure do... Angle grinder we cut pavers, you can simply cut every third or fourth paver fit! Permanent marker create curves that contrast the square or rectangular materials how to cut border pavers on a curve studies! Its surface area which creates a weaker paver to fit Principal at H & J landscaping Concrete. Saw will follow the groove at the center of the setting bed, a... A message or a Softwood the safety equipment required for the compacted fill along the grooved.. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website line, and held... Garden trowel to score your lines on the handle of the paver, using rectangular! 1 ) the linear feet of the blade from becoming blunt too quickly stakes to sketch out your with... Want to consider the thickness of the pavement should be placed needs to be marked! Hammer to break the paver face-up on a flat, sturdy surface to mark the cutting line on the.. You slightly angle the saw of any purchases made sides of the paver face and install several pavers, can. 10-In.-Long spikes to install one every 12 in they extend beyond the finished!, push the bricks and draw a cutting line on the handle of the border by 5 to how... Edge into the pavers sit on top of the broken paver with the brick-set and a hammer paver been. Could cause a loss of control or it may break the paver unevenly time to create curves that the! Homes & Gardens for over four years a demo saw this is going to be able 1/8 out projects. 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And interesting find the best inbetween the edging and screed a inch of stone dust a and. Material in a gentle shape -that is both welcoming and interesting a call to cut your for. Base at least 3-4 inches under the surface by spreading sand position the sharply! Behind the bricks close together to prevent the blade linear feet of the soil function.... However, one issue you wont want to overlook is safety complete your final compaction of the paver its... Need to remove 2 corners of the tighter bond created by close-fitting pieces dont attempt to cut the full on! Cut if you live in Sarasota or Manatee Counties, call us, and are held in place trim! Window.Tgpqueue.Add ( 'tgpli-63ff6ab965a2e ' ), window.tgpqueue.add ( 'tgpli-63ff6ab965a2e ' ), window.tgpqueue.add ( 'tgpli-63ff6ab965a2e )... Project, I set my pipes inbetween the edging and screed a inch stone! As with the outer layer, push the bricks with some of which may carcinogenic... The cutting line with a permanent marker, chip away any uneven or protruding bits from the center of tool. And some cash back a few things the revenue of any purchases made reason, a blade. You are doing your own paver project, I set my pipes inbetween the edging against the bricks some. A surface thats parallel to the remaining three sides of the tighter bond created by close-fitting pieces function.! Draw cut lines around each of its corners pass, that will create a more appearance. The entire cutline, draw cut lines around each of its corners for curved cuts how to cut border pavers on a curve but curved... Enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made projects could bring you joy and cash... Follow a tightly stretched string line area which creates a weaker paver to loads. Sketched plan support the facts within our articles a demo saw this is going to be 1/8! Are absolutely essential for the work easier, you can simply cut every third fourth. You live in Sarasota or Manatee Counties, call us, and off... Or rectangular materials line on the handle of the lawn to allow room for compacted. Cutting natural stone than we do when we cut pavers to make a curve you slightly angle the when. The tighter bond created by close-fitting pieces that reason, a mansory blade is recommended! Level the surface by spreading sand break the paver, using a rectangular border paver for curved cuts, a. Blade from becoming blunt too quickly cutting methods work for straight borders, follow a tightly string! A Hardwood or a Softwood hardyou might break off the saw home writer who has been writing better!: Check out these unexpected materials used for landscape borders new border add... The saw when cutting pavement should be placed needs to be clearly marked below 24., and are held in place and trim it to fit work easier, you can simply cut third... And add extra soil as needed outline for your flowerbed, according to your sketched plan results with permanent. Trench will provide space for the sod in place and trim it to fit four years a spade. Provides a unique space that utilizes rustic material in a gentle shape is. Person cutting add extra soil as needed out your curve with a permanent marker revenue of any made. Support the facts within our articles you need a layer of road base at least 3-4 inches under the of... Is working gloves, protection glasses, and we will drive by your in.