Pavers are an excellent solution for outdoor areas, they are very durable and also can elevate the value of your home.
Luckily, there is a wide variety of patterns that you can choose to add visual texture to patios, walkways, and even driveways. But all projects are different and, commonly, you’re gonna need to do some adjustments, like cutting the pavers in order to fit into the layout.
Cutting pavers is not an easy task to do, but in this article, you’re gonna find out the three main methods to cut pavers to fit into your project and how to do it.
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How do you cut pavers in half?
There are a few different methods you can use to cut pavers so let’s start with the simpler one.
1. Hammer & Chisel
Hammer and chisel is the oldest method to cut stones. However, the result is not a regular cut, so if you don’t need the pavers to be perfect, or you have only some pavers to do it, that way can work.
Follow the next four simple steps to cut your pavers:
- Mark your stone with chalk
- Score your stone along your marking
- Place your chisel where you want it to split and swing your hammer a few times. The stone should split easily.
- Chip off extra concrete, depending on the quality of the split.
2. Paving Stone Splitter
Just like the previous method, using a paving stone splitter is also very easy to do, however, you cut stones in a much cleaner and faster way. This equipment is a great option for DIY projects, once you don’t need to have advanced skills to do it and its results are good.
Cutting pavers with a paving stone splitter is very simple, you just need to mark your stone with chalk, place the paver under the blade and pull the lever.
3. Masonry Saw
A masonry saw is a tool able to make clean and fast cuts. If you have a very complex project where you’ll be cutting a big quantity of stones, you should consider using this equipment.
Remember to be careful since you’re dealing with a blade and pay attention to the fact all the stones need to be wet while using the tool, preferably with an open water source pointed directly at the stone while you do it. If it is dry, it creates a cloud of dense silica dust that can be bad for your lungs.
To cut a paving stone using a circular saw, you’re going to follow the next steps:
- Mark your stone
- Turn on your water source and cut along your mark.
- Turn off the water source when you finish.
Be careful while cutting pavers!
As mentioned earlier, cutting pavers is not easy, and it is also very dangerous when done without safety equipment.
Always wear eye protection and work gloves when splitting or cutting blocks to not send shards of material toward your eyes. If you use a saw, wear a dust mask and gloves as well to avoid any accidents and prevent you from breathing in the dust that can be harmful to your lungs.
Remember to always follow the saw and blade manufacturer’s instructions for use and safety or hire a professional to do the work.
Hire a pro!
Cutting pavers isn’t simple, and it can be really dangerous if not done properly. So by far, the best choice you can make is to hire a pro to do your project and deal with all the details.
Hiring a professional will cost more, but it is a guarantee of quality and longevity for your patio, driveway, or walkway. Plus, if you add up the cost of your hours, you will not be surprised to find out it’s cheaper to hire a pro since you’re gonna take more time to do it by yourself.
At JS Brick, we have 20+ years of experience providing paver installation, supply, and maintenance services in Sarasota and surrounding cities. For a free estimate on paver cleaning and sealing services, don’t hesitate to leave us a message or a call.
