How to cut paving slabs: three ways to get a precise finish (2024)

How to cut paving slabs: three ways to get a precise finish (1)

Knowing how to cut paving slabs is essential to getting a crisp, clean finish. It’s a relatively simple DIY job, but you really need to have the right tools and some necessary know-how, which you can find in this guide.

You might have great

patio ideas

lurking in your head or on paper, but to make sure it looks like you imagine you need to choose the right technique and tools to do the job, or alternatively call out a professional.

Here we take a look at a basic hand powered technique alongside a power tool technique and tell you how it's done.

How to cut paving slabs: what are my options?

The tools you’ll need to cut paving slabs

Tape measure
Chalk or pencil
Lump hammer
Sharp-tipped chisel
Rubber mallet
Angle grinder
Power saw
Safety googles
Protective gloves

There are effectively two options when cutting paving slabs for

laying a patio

: cut by hand or cut with a power tool. The basic – and cheaper – option is too cut with a hammer and chisel. But this doesn’t offer the crisp, clean cuts you would get with a power tool. So you need to decide which is the best option for the job you are taking on.

Whatever option you choose, make sure that you have the right protective gear. At the very least you need a pair of safety goggles to protect your eyes from shards of concrete or stone that may splinter off the slab. A pair of protective gloves is not as essential but still a useful addition especially if you are doing a lot of cutting.

Cutting paving slabs with a hammer and chisel

For this technique you will need a lump hammer, a chisel and a rubber mallet to complete the job. This method isn’t ideal if you need a sharp, clean edge but will work well if you are working on patio edging ideas.

1. Measure and mark

The first step is to measure the gap you have from the edge of the last full slab to the edge of the space you need to fill,typically the edge of the patio. Measure the gap on both the left and right edge ofthe slab. This helps give a more accurate cut.

Now mark the two measurements – one on the left and one on the right – on the slab to cut and use a straight edge such as a spirit level to join the two marks together and ensure you get a straight line.

2. Cut the patio slab

For the next step you'll need a lump hammer and a cold chisel or bolster chisel like the

OX Trade Brick Bolster with Guard from Amazon

. Make sure that the patio slab is placed on an even and secure surface.

Place the chisel just outside the line you made and hit with the hammer. Move along the line and repeat until you have a 1mm or 2mm deep cut. Depending on the depth of the slab, the slab may break or not. If not, use a rubber mallet and hit the side of the slab you are not using. If needed, create a deeper cut with the hammer and chisel.

Once cut, clean up the edge with the chisel.

Cutting paving slabs with a power saw

For this option you will need a power saw like the Evolution 230mm Concrete Saw with a diamond-tipped blade suitable for cutting through masonry.

1. Mark the cut line

First thing you need to do is get out your tape measure and mark where you need the cut with chalk or a pencil. Use a long straight edge to mark the top and bottom of the paving slab to be cut.

2. Secure and cut paving slab

Ideally you want to secure the slab on a workbench with clamps. But if this isn’t possible, place it on a solid, secure surface with towels or a foam mat under the slab. Before you start, wet the slab to help keep down the dust levels.

Start by making a deep cut along the line on one edge and then the other edge. Now go from one side to the other, gradually cutting through the slab until the cut is complete.

If you have a thick slab, you might need to turn over the slab and cut from the other side until you reach the top cut.

How do you achieve a straight line when cutting a paving slab?

The first thing to do is measure up and create a straight line with a pencil or chalk, using a straight edge that is longer than the cut to mark the line.

If using a power saw, place the slab on a level surface with a thick towel underneath to hold in place and absorb vibrations.

Line up the blade and create a shallow cut along the line and wipe away any dust and debris. Now start on one edge and create a cut that is around 3 inches long and goes all the way through the slab. Use a subtle sweeping motion going back and forth to ensure a clean cut. Repeat at the other end of the slab.

You now have two top to bottom cuts on both edges of the slab. This helps ensure that you get a clean, straight cut, and if the slab does break it should still be a straight break. Now cut the remaining slab along the line.

Once your patio slabs are cut and in place it's all about

pointing patios

to get that final finish.

How to cut patio slabs with a block and slab splitter

The pros use a tool known as a block and slab splitter. These are an ideal choice if you have dense paving slabs or stones and also work well with concrete paving slabs.

These are far more expensive to buy than the other options, but luckily you can hire one for a reasonable price. Daily rates are typically around £40 a day and a little more for a weekend.

They are easy to use. Simply place on a sturdy flat surface, mark out your cut with chalk and place the slab in the machine in line with the cutting blades of the slab splitter. To make the cut, pull down the lever and it will cut the slab from above and below.

Can you use an angle grinder to cut paving slabs?

Yes you can. An angle grinder is a popular choice for cutting paving slabs asthey are relatively cheap to buy, versatile and simple to use. Like other powered cutting tools you will need the right blade to cut through a paving slab. A diamond blade like the GRAFF Diamond Disc found at Amazon is a good choice.

Make sure to wear safety goggles and a dust mask as an angle grinder can throw up a lot of debris and dust.

This depends on what type of paving slab or stone you are using and how fine a finish you are looking for. But, as a general rule the best tool for cutting paving slabs is a power saw equipped with a diamond blade. This gives cleaner and more precise cuts and is ideal for porcelain paving, granite paving and concrete paving slabs

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How to cut paving slabs: three ways to get a precise finish (2)

Steve Jenkins

Steve Jenkins is a freelance content creator with over two decades of experience working in digital and print and was previously the DIY content editor for Homebuilding & Renovating.

He is a keen DIYer with over 20 years of experience in transforming and renovating the many homes he has lived in. He specialises in painting and decorating, but has a wide range of skills gleaned from working in the building trade for around 10 years and spending time at night school learning how to plaster and plumb.

He has fitted kitchens, tiled bathrooms and kitchens, laid many floors, built partition walls, plastered walls, plumbed in bathrooms, worked on loft conversions and much more. And when he's not sure how to tackle a DIY project he has a wide network of friends – including plumbers, gas engineers, tilers, carpenters, painters and decorators, electricians and builders – in the trade to call upon.

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How to cut paving slabs: three ways to get a precise finish (2024)

FAQs

How to cut paving slabs: three ways to get a precise finish? ›

Generally, a circular power saw is recommended for cutting paving slabs as it's precise and quick, for consistent straight edges. Make sure you're using a specialist masonry blade to cut the stone. It's also perfectly possible to cut natural stone patio slabs by hand, or by using an angle grinder or slab splitter.

What is the best thing to cut slabs with? ›

Generally, a circular power saw is recommended for cutting paving slabs as it's precise and quick, for consistent straight edges. Make sure you're using a specialist masonry blade to cut the stone. It's also perfectly possible to cut natural stone patio slabs by hand, or by using an angle grinder or slab splitter.

What is the best way to cut pavers? ›

Circular saws and angle grinders can make quick work of concrete or brick paver cuts and are especially effective with natural stone pavers. Concrete saws are also popular paver-cutting tools, with some units featuring built-in water hoses for wet-cutting, which reduces potentially harmful dust.

What are the two basic techniques used to cut paving stones flags or blocks? ›

There are two basic techniques used to cut paving stones , flags or blocks with hand tools: splitting and trimming.

What is the best tool to cut concrete slabs? ›

Using a circular saw is one of the most popular ways to cut concrete. They can be used on either small or large pieces of concrete, making them highly versatile. This includes projects like concrete blocks, pavers and walls.

What is the best way to cut pavement? ›

It's imperative that you use the right tools for the job. Asphalt is tough, but it's softer than other surface materials like concrete, granite, and marble. As such, you'll want to use a hard-bonded diamond blade to cleanly cut through its layers.

How to cut patio slabs by hand? ›

Measure and mark the cutting line on the slab using a straight edge and a marker. Make sure you measure both sides of the slab as it make not be identical on both edges. Lightly score the line with a brick hammer and chisel. Place the chisel on the scored line and tap it lightly with a hammer to cut through the slab.

What is the best blade for cutting patio pavers? ›

Cutting Pavers With a Circular Saw or Angle Grinder

Both a standard circular saw A 7 1/2-inch blade or angle grinder (4 1/2-inch blade) makes clean, easy cuts and involves similar techniques. In either case, be sure to use a diamond blade made for masonry and stone.

How do you cut pavers without power tools? ›

What you need is a small chisel with a sharp hardened edge or angle grinder with a diamond masonry blade, brick-set chisel, a good hammer, and a sturdy flat surface to work on. This method is best when used for cutting brick, patio pavers, and clay brick pavers, but can be used on heavier materials.

Can you cut paving slabs with an angle grinder? ›

Some of the most suitable and common tools for home-cutting paving slabs include an angle grinder with a diamond blade, a block splitter, a chisel and hammer or a wet saw. Make sure you have marking tools, such as a pencil or chalk, and measuring tools such as a ruler or tape measure.

How do you cut slabs? ›

The original method of cutting slabs is to use a simple hammer and chisel. This is best suited to Sandstone or Slate and is often recommended for Riven Paving or any slabs with a hand-cut edge. This will help to keep the look of the slabs consistent by matching your cuts with the existing hand-cut edges.

What is the best way to cut a concrete slab? ›

Choosing the Right Cutting Method

Diamond blade sawing is ideal for creating straight cuts, openings for doors and windows, and precise edges. Another option is concrete cutting with a concrete saw, which uses a circular blade powered by a gasoline engine or electric motor.

How to get a smooth concrete finish? ›

To achieve a super smooth finish on concrete, finish with a high grit sandpaper — usually between 200 and 400 grit. You can't start with these high grit sandpapers, so start with your coarsest grit and work your way up.

What is the best tool for cutting concrete pavers? ›

The best tool to cut pavers is a hammer and chisel. These tools are best for inexperienced DIYers, as they're affordable and don't require special skills. If you're comfortable using power tools, an angle grinder or a circular saw with a masonry cutting wheel will make quick work of your paver cutting project.

What tool is essential for making precise and angled cuts? ›

For precise crosscuts and miter cuts, a miter saw is an essential tool. It allows you to make angled cuts quickly and accurately, making it ideal for projects like framing, trim work, and picture frames. Look for a miter saw with a sturdy base, a sharp and reliable blade, and adjustable angles for maximum versatility.

What is the best blade for cutting slabs? ›

Diamond blades represent one of the quickest, neatest and most accurate way of cutting a wide range of paving materials, from very hard clay paviors through progressively softer and more abrasive products such as concrete paviors and natural stone , all the way to the most abrasive material; asphalt.

How to cut a concrete slab without a saw? ›

Using a chisel and hammer

Then, intensify your hammer strikes to deepen the score until the block splits into two. This method might leave a rougher edge but can be very effective for smaller or fewer cuts.

Can you cut slabs with a chainsaw? ›

However, DIY live edge slab milling is growing in popularity among skilled woodworkers and DIYers. To do this, one will need a chainsaw sawmill. These can range from around $30 for a DIY mill, up to thousands for a professional slab mill.

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