Cutting pavers circular saw. Cutting pavers circular saw

How To Cut Natural Stone Pavers – Easy Guide

Ever heard of natural stone pavers? It is a common term when it comes to the exterior flooring design of a building, such as a house, an office, or a recreation center. Stone pavers are slabs and blocks that are used to build flat, easily accessible surfaces for pool decks, planters, fire pits, walkways, driveways, patios, and even garden stepping stones.

They can be classified under different categories, natural stone pavers, concrete pavers, porcelain, rubber, and others. However, since this article focuses on how to cut stone pavers, we will consider only the first category.

There are different types of natural stones that are used as pavers. Some of them are limestone, bluestone, sandstone, basalt, cobblestone, granite, marble, and the most common, travertine.

When using natural stones in design, you can be guaranteed a one-of-a-kind landscaping project because the stones are always different, though they can have the same relative uniformity of color and texture.

Unlike concrete pavers and most brick pavers, stone pavers do not always come in identical sizes. They are also quarried, that is, dug out of the earth where it formed naturally with the help of different sediments, over millions of years.

Natural stones are not suitable to be used immediately after being quarried. The stones are first to cut into blocks or tiles to be used in outdoor projects. Before considering how to cut stone pavers, it would be thoughtful to see the need to go through the stress associated with using natural stone pavers.

Why do some people opt for natural stone pavers?

Natural stones, with their beautiful rich colors and peculiar textures, make your pavers look aesthetically pleasing. Their unique and slight variations in color can also be an advantage since you can create your own design to add an organic beauty and personal touch to the areas you use them.

Using natural stones for your paver offers you versatile options, you can choose to use wet-laid or dry-laid methods when installing patios. For a wet-laid patio, you can use concrete as a base with the natural stone on top, while you place natural stone blocks or tiles tightly together over a bed of sand or crushed stone for the dry-laid patio method.

Installing natural stone pavers does not usually require as much professionalism or skills as concrete pavers.

Maintenance and durability

High-quality stone pavers are low maintenance, which requires just regular sweeping and rinsing. Since they allow for the easy removal of snow, there is no need to spend excessively or worry about it.

Natural stones are also known to stay for thousands of years since they can withstand snow, rain, and ice, or any other extreme weather conditions common to outdoor pavers.

Importance of cutting pavers

Unlike concrete pavers, natural stone cannot be installed without cutting. As mentioned the on-set, after natural stones are quarried, they are not suitable to be used, instead, they have to be cut into blocks or tiles first before they can be used in outdoor projects.

For concrete pavers, you can use a mold of your preferred size, eliminating the need to cut into blocks or tiles unless in uncontrollable cases. Therefore, when installing concrete pavers, searching for “how to cut concrete pavers” would not be the best option.

Tools recommended for cutting pavers

When cutting pavers, there are tools to be used for more effective, easier, and successful work to be achieved.

• Hammer
• Chisel
• Power saws
• Block and slab splitters
• Protective eyewear
• Gloves
• Measuring Tape
• Pencil
• Dust mask
• Square or straightedge
• Nonslip mat
• Masonry saw
• Earplugs
• Demolition saw
• Circular saw

How to Cut Pavers with Different Tools

The steps to take when cutting natural stone pavers vary according to the type of tools used. Below are different tools and the steps taken to cut stone pavers when using them.

How to cut pavers using hammer and chisel

This is an old-fashioned but effective method of cutting pavers. It is best to use a hammer and chisel when you have few stones to split and you don’t need a perfect cut. It also works for situations where you need to fit pavers into irregular areas or around objects.

They can be used when installing pavers around drain lines that run under a patio, around posts for decks or fences around a patio or the edges of the patio, or general replacement of paver stones.

To install using a hammer and chisel, first, measure your installation, compare with the measurement of your paver stone and deduce how much needs to be cut off. Secondly, place your paver on a flat, soft surface, such as soil, sand, or a carpet scrap, to prevent it from bouncing, then measure and mark the side to be cut off with a pencil.

Next, you score your stone by placing the chisel over the pencil line and gently tapping on the chisel. Move along all the pencil marks until you reach about one-sixteenth of an inch deep along all the lines.

Ensure that the force you hit the chisel is equal to the toughness of the stone to avoid cracking. Next, you use a lump hammer (most preferably) and strike along the score until the paver stone breaks. Lastly, you clean up and smoothen rough edges by removing uneven bits from the broken paver.

How to cut pavers with a saw

This method of cutting pavers is used when clean cuts are required and there is a notable number of pavers to cut since it is faster than the traditional chisel and hammer.

When making use of a circular saw to cut stone pavers, ensure that the saw’s standard cutting blade is a circular saw diamond masonry blade because any other type would not be able to cut through stone.

First, measure and mark the cutting line on both sides of the paver with measuring tape and chalk/pencil. Next, secure the paving slab to the workbench with the C-clamps so that the paver does not move while cutting and the area to be cut off will be left hanging in mid-air.

Then, using your saw, begin cutting through the paver using the marked line as a guide.

While cutting, do not apply too much pressure, allow the saw to do all the work. You can turn the paver over and repeat the cutting process on the other side or make several passes with the saw depending on the thickness of the paver you’re cutting. Continue cutting until you have cut all the way through the paver.

How to cut pavers using slab splinters

The slab splinters are majorly used by professionals. This method is especially used when cutting really dense paving stones.

There are different types of slab splinters available, some of them are electrically powered and some are hydraulic versions, however, the most commonly used is the simple lever press. A simple lever press requires placing the paver between an upper and lower blade and applying pressure until it snaps.

The first thing to do is to set up your slab splitter on solid, level ground and compare the measurement of the space that needs to be filled with paving slabs with that of the stone. Mark the area to be cut off with chalk or pencil.

Lift the upper part of the splitter and place the slab into it with the chalk line at the point which will be cut. Lower the upper part and then apply the required pressure to split the slab. After cutting, place the newly cut paver into place, using a rubber mallet to consolidate it, if necessary.

Safety precautions to take when cutting pavers

You should also dampen the material you are cutting by attaching a water suppression connected to a supply of pressurized water container to your saw.

• Earplugs or earmuffs should be used to protect the ear, especially when using power saws.
• Safety gloves are required for firm grip and protection of the hands while safe footwear protects the feet from harm.
• Detach and put saw blades in a safe place when not in use.

Cutting pavers circular saw

The advantages of porcelain pavers are not a secret anymore. Recent technologies have permitted the creation of thicker slabs of porcelain, perfect for paver applications. So how to work with porcelain pavers and cut them to make the best possible installation?

For years, porcelain was considered to be too delicate of a material to be an efficient paver. The longevity and resistance of porcelain is known across the globe for thousands of years. Many cultures have used it both in delicate instruments and big structures.

One of the main characteristics of porcelain is its high resistance, which is exactly what you want for a paver. However, for a paver to be effective, it also needs to be thick enough.

The standard thickness of porcelain stands between 8 mm – 10 mm, with pavers designed for exterior use reaching as much as 20 mm.

That thickness, combined with the resistance and delicacy of porcelain, can be hard to deal with when working with regular paver cutting techniques. So let’s present you the options you have when cutting porcelain pavers.

How to Cut Porcelain Pavers?: The Vitrification Problem

One of the things that make porcelain so aesthetically appealing is its pristine finish. This finish is acquired during the making of porcelain, which, when cooked to high temperatures, undergoes a process called vitrification.

Vitrification is essentially the transformation of all the minerals used during the making of porcelain into a form of glass. That is what makes the porcelain a perfect combination of resistance and smooth finish.

However, that’s precisely why porcelain is so hard to cut. When working with porcelain, the only way to get the best possible cut is to use a high-quality diamond blade. Porcelain is a very dense material, and a cheap blade simply won’t do.

Also, it is highly recommended that you use an electric cutter, and one of the best alternatives for cutting porcelain is a bench saw. A bench saw will make sure your porcelain is secured into place and avoid any accidents or waste of material.

A Guide to Cut Porcelain Pavers

1º – Choosing the Right EquipmentFirst, FOCUS on getting a good diamond blade that allows for a wet cut. Wet cut is the recommended technique for cutting porcelain pavers, as it allows for more precise cuts and avoids sawdust.

With your choice of blade, get your electrical cutter of choice. We highly recommend the use of a bench saw, and a circular saw if you need

2º – Safety MeasuresMake sure to wear proper working gloves, a mask, and safety goggles. Even during wet cutting, dust and chips of porcelain can fly away, so it is best to be as safe as possible.

3º – Mark Twice, Cut OnceCorrect measurement and marking of your paver will be your best friend during cutting. Mark the paver using a masonry pencil, check, and check again.

4º – Cutting the PaversThe most important piece of advice we can give you when cutting pavers: be patient. Take your time, don’t rush it. Porcelain is hard and brittle, take it easy and use the cooling properties of the wet cut to your favor.

Don’t cut too deeply too quickly. Respect the resistance that the porcelain will offer and slowly cut your way through it.

In case you’re working on a circular cut, follow the same principles and keep the paver as secured into place as possible.

5º – Sanding (Optional)If you want to give an even more professional look to your paver after cutting it, you can use a polishing pad to sand down the edges of the paver. That removes any sign of unevenness and gives the pavers a truly professional-quality finish.

Professional Help

As you could see, cutting porcelain pavers is not as easy as it would be with more traditional materials.

Porcelain is really hard, but also delicate and prone to break if you don’t handle it properly. The use of a diamond blade is a must, as well as an electrical cutter, which is more controllable and less explosive compared to diesel-fueled options.

It is a job that requires patience, a steady hand, and preferably some previous experience. So, if you’re not sure that you can handle it, maybe it is best to call for professional help. A professional installation is the best way to ensure you’ll use your resources optimally.

The right supplier can also help you with the right choice of porcelain paver, given you have your project designed already. Maybe you won’t even need to do any cuts if you pick the right size, for example.

If you’re around the Sarasota and Manatee Counties, in FL, we here at Eagle Pavers can help you with that and every other paver supply need you may have.

Give us a call anytime at 1 941-210-4192 or reach us through our email at sales@eaglepavers.us.

How to Cut Concrete Pavers

Learning how to cut concrete pavers is a skill like any other that can be honed with enough practice and know-how. While cutting concrete pavers is best left to the experts, there are some tips we can share with you to help you out in your next project!

New Life Rockeries takes rockeries and landscaping seriously, so you can trust us when we say that we’re the ideal team to help out with your next yard beautification project.

How to Cut Pavers

When you first learn how to cut pavers, you might say, “Well that seems rather easy.” Cutting pavers is simple in the fundamental sense, it’s a tricky technique to master and do well.

It’s possible to cut concrete pavers by hand or by power tools. Both can ultimately produce the same wonderful result.

Using power tools (such as a circular saw) is the best way to evenly cut concrete pavers. This is particularly helpful if you have multiple pavers.

How to Cut a Concrete Paver by Hand

Don’t have any power tools? You can still cut a concrete paver by hand. Before you commence, here’s what you’ll need:

• Straight edge
• Tape measure
• A good hammer
• Carpenter’s pencil for measuring
• Safety goggles
• Working gloves
• A cold chisel

How to Cut Concrete Pavers with a Circular Saw

Before we get into how to cut cement pavers, we’ll give you your checklist for cutting with a circular saw, too.

• Straight edge
• Carpenter’s pencil for measuring marks
• Tape measure
• Circular saw, masonry saw, or table saw
• Work gloves
• Respirator
• Ear protection
• Eye protection

Step 1: Measuring

Whether you’re going to cut cement pavers by hand or with a saw, the first step is the same. You’ll need to measure out the approximate distance between your stones to determine what size you’ll need.

It helps to write out your project ahead of time on paper to determine your stones’ dimensions!

After you know the dimensions of the necessary stones, take your straight edge and carpenter’s pencil to make the cutting marks on the stone.

Step 2: Cutting the Brick By Hand or Saw

It’s cutting concrete paver time! If you’ve measured out your stones, it’s time to get cutting.

Here are the easy steps you’ll need to get the job done:

• Use your chisel to score the brick
• Chisel along the scored lines with hammer, using even force
• Repeat until the brick breaks perfectly along the line
• If there are rough edges, use your hammer and chisel to clean them up

The steps above are designed to cut cement pavers by hand, but this will work with a saw too. Just swap out your chisel and hammer for a circular saw, and be sure to use the proper protection.

How to Cut Cement Pavers

As you can see, answering the question “How do you cut concrete pavers” is simple in theory, but tricky to master. If you need assistance, we are here for you. Contact us here about your next project!

How to Pour a Concrete Retaining Wall Concrete retaining walls are a simple, aesthetically pleasing addition to any landscape. Due to their…

How To Cut Flagstone With Methods That Actually Work (2020) Are you getting your landscape all ready for this spring? Many PNW homeowners are starting…

Tips To Prevent Backyard Flooding Figuring out how to stop backyard flooding is a big struggle that many Pacific Northwest…

New Life Estimator Goes the Second Mile Customers Receive Unparalleled Service Through BD Estimator, Neil Eneix With over 35 years in the…

Testimonials

We are so impressed by New Life Rockeries! We’ve worked with a LOT of different contractors over the past few years trying to turn a fixer upper into our home and NLR is easily the best company we’ve worked with. Alonso and his team aren’t just hardworking and meticulous, they are artists who transformed our front yard. You can tell that they really care about their work and each other. Alonso would come by a couple of times a week to chat with us, help out the crew if needed, and make sure they had everything they needed. Bobby, who gave us the estimate, also checked in with us. He did everything he could to keep the price within our budget, even after a few changes to the design. The craftsmanship that’s gone into these walls is one of a kind. Thank you so much NLR!!

New Life Rockeries was so easy to work with on every step of the process. They heard our hopes/goals, provided awesome professional feedback to make it even better than our hopes, and got the job done! They started sooner than we expected, were very detailed focused (since I’m working form home I’d spy a little and was impressed by how they would spend the time to get each stone perfect), and they came in under budget! This was not a little project either, they leveled a weird hill we had, moved an old rock wall (even built a new rock wall with the old stones to another part of the yard that needed), and built a beautiful new patio and retaining wall with a built-in bench. Can’t recommend them enough and will get more projects done by them in the future! In the photos you will see a concrete wall, they did not do that ugly thing. That is getting covered by a fence that will sit on-top of the lovely wall New Life built.

Absolutely fantastic. We had the New Life team replace our failing retaining wall and make some steps from our front to back yard and an area for a fire pit. They stabilized our wall despite torrential rain while they were working. Their work was surgically precise and our neighbors were also really happy. They replaced an ugly, rotten wall with a beautiful terraced one in terrible weather and stayed on budget doing so. They were so easy to work with and we are so happy with the result. Thank you!!

New Life Rockeries was so easy to work with on every step of the process. They heard our hopes/goals, provided awesome professional feedback to make it even better than our hopes, and got the job done! They started sooner than we expected, were very detailed focused (since I’m working form home I’d spy a little and was impressed by how they would spend the time to get each stone perfect), and they came in under budget! This was not a little project either, they leveled a weird hill we had, moved an old rock wall (even built a new rock wall with the old stones to another part of the yard that needed), and built a beautiful new patio and retaining wall with a built-in bench. Can’t recommend them enough and will get more projects done by them in the future! In the photos you will see a concrete wall, they did not do that ugly thing. That is getting covered by a fence that will sit on-top of the lovely wall New Life built.

How To Cut Pavers With An Angle Grinder (Quickly Easily!)

Whether it be for a patio, porch, or driveway, the proper paving job can completely transform a property. Having the right paver for the job – be it tile, stone, or brick – also means making the right cuts, too.

You can use a few different tools to get the job done. One of the most efficient is through the use of an angle grinder. The process is relatively straightforward but easy to mess up. Make sure that you mark your paver properly, position it on a flat surface, and create a marked score. The rest is easy and you then have the pavers that you need to create a great outdoor aesthetic.

What is the Right Tool for Cutting Pavers?

No matter what kind of cuts you are making, the key is to have the right tool for the job. The right tool, however, depends on the situation that you are facing. When it comes to cutting pavers, you can get away with using an angle grinder or circular saw. If you are making a lot of cuts, a wet saw or splitter may be the best bet.

• Angle grinder. A common household DIY tool and likely to be in most toolboxes. Gets the job done fast and efficiently.
• Circular saw. If you don’t have an angle grinder in your kit, you likely have a circular saw. A circular saw is one of the most versatile tools that you can own and works just fine for cutting pavers.
• Wet saw/splitter. When you have to make a lot of cuts, you may find yourself going through a lot of blades. The wet saw or splitter is built to handle tasks like this. Depending on your local home improvement store, you may even be able to rent one.
• Hammer and a cold chisel. When all else fails, you can always use a hammer and cold chisel to get the job done. Using a chisel can result in some seriously precise work. That said, it also takes far longer than using a power tool to get the job done. So, unless you want to spend the afternoon doing even the smallest of tasks, this should be a worst-case scenario.

How to Cut Pavers with an Angle Grinder

Step 1: Gear Up

Before you can get started cutting your pavers, you first need to have the proper gear. We are working under the assumption that you have an angle grinder here. You also need to make sure that you have the right protective gear.

Have goggles and a good dust mask. Whenever you perform cuts, there is always the chance that debris could kick up and get into your eyes. Furthermore, you run the risk of getting dust and dirt into your lungs without the mask. Proper protection will also keep you safe from those small paver chips that can kick up during the cutting process as well.

Don’t overlook ear protection, either. Angle grinders are fairly loud and only get louder when cutting pavers. Just because you can hear when it is all said and done does not mean that your ears have gone unscathed.

Step 2: Get the Right Wheel Size

Yes, we save a step in the process by using an angle grinder. But did you know that there are two different types of angle grinders that are based entirely on the size of the wheel? When you have the right wheel for the job, the entire process is smoother and easier.

Angle grinders come in two basic sizes: 115mm and 230mm. When you opt for the smaller of the two, you aren’t able to cut nearly as deep. So, depending on the size of the material that you are cutting, you may have to go up to the 230mm option.

If you are cutting large slabs of material, a 230mm angle grinder would be the right choice. For smaller bricks, however, the 115mm option would work just fine. Half the battle is about having the right tools to get the job done.

Step 3: Having the Right Discs

Now that you know which angle grinder you may need for the job it comes down to the cutting discs themselves. When you are looking for quality, don’t go for the cheapest option available. The old saying is that you get what you pay for and using a cheap disc may come back to bite you.

If you are looking for clean, straight cuts, you can’t go wrong with a diamond disc. Diamond is an incredibly strong and durable cutting tool and has uses all across the industrial world. over, they will last for far longer than cheap abrasive discs.

Step 4: Marking Your Paver

With the proper tools in tow, it is time to start cutting pavers. Well, sort of. The first thing that you should do is to mark your paver. Whenever you make a cut of any kind, mark off the point of the cut. It gives you the necessary reference point for where it has to be cut.

Furthermore, make sure that you keep your paver elevated off the ground. When cutting through the paver, you do not want the angle grinder to cut through and make contact with the ground. It will not only damage the disc, but it could lead to damage to the angle grinder, as well.

Measure twice, cut once. Make certain that your cuts are accurate by measuring multiple times before making the cut. Because once you make that cut, it is there to stay. There is no going back.

Step 5: Make Your Cuts

With your paver positioned on top of a step or a workbench, you will want to score your line. This allows for a more precise cut overall. The reason for the scoring is that performing a cut all the way through can be uneven. Scoring gives you a template to work off of, making for a better overall cut.

With your scoring done, go back through and follow along with the marked score that you have created. The result should be a clean, accurate cut all the way through.

How Do I Cut Pavers with a Masonry Wet Saw?

A wet saw is a great tool to have for making clean cuts all the way through a paving material. Any saw that you use with the capability of cutting all the way through the paver is basically a bigger version of the angle grinders that you used above.

Wet saws are generally used for cutting through ceramic tile. It is called a wet saw because water sprays out and onto the blade. The water sprayed during the cut helps to minimize dust and heat created by the cutting.

Step 1: Marking the Cut

You can’t perform an effective cut if you do not mark it off first. Mark on the top face of the paver using a pencil and a straight edge or square.

Step 2: Get in Position

Position your paver, making sure that it rests against a flat surface. Make sure that you line up the cutting line with the blade of the saw so that it is accurate.

Step 3: Make the Cut

Wait a beat before putting the saw onto the paver. That time lets the saw get up to full speed and the water start flowing. Hold the paver firmly while keeping your hands away from the blade of the saw. Cut slowly yet steadily until your cut has been performed. You can then remove the excess pieces and move on to the next cut.

How Do I Cut Pavers with a Brick Splitter?

Also known as a guillotine, the brick splitter is one of the few non-power tool options. It basically acts like a log splitter that cuts pavers and bricks instead of wood. For some, this is a preferable option because it is far quieter than a saw while also producing no dust.

If you use a splitter to cut concrete, make sure that you rent a splitter specifically designed for concrete. Using a brick splitter may not work for cutting stone pavers.

You know the drill by now. Making a proper marking is the key component to getting an effective, accurate cut.

Make sure that you position your paver on the base of the brick splitter. You want your marked line to be aligned with the cutting edge of the splitter for the most accurate results. Double-check yourself if need be.

When you are certain that your measurements are accurate and your paver properly aligned, all that awaits is the cut. Pull sharply on the tool of your splitter. When you do it right, it should split the material quickly. Not pulling down hard enough can lead to only a partial splitting of the material.

Ryan Womeldorf has more than a decade of experience writing. He loves to blog about construction, plumbing, and other home topics. Ryan also loves hockey and a lifelong Buffalo sports fan.