Category: Paver Cutting

Personalizing a home is always at heart for most homeowners. It always is done in an effort to make the place look and feel unique. Structural renovations to the house are as significant and valuable as is doing the same to the outdoor space. And since the entrance from the gate to the house is where everyone will pace, installing or upgrading the driveway by paving it is one of the essential things to do for your home.

When paving your driveway, it is advisable that you consider the pavers you use to ensure that you get an option that will not only serve its purpose but is also aesthetically pleasing, long-lasting and cost-effective. With so many paving materials available, finding an option that suits your needs can be a bit tricky. However, there is one option that you can never go wrong with, and that is concrete pavers.

When weighing the pros and cons of different paving materials, concrete pavers often stand above the rest. Here is a look at why these pavers are so widely used today and why you need to consider integrating them into your landscape.

1. Unbeatable strength and durability

Concrete pavers are well known for their compressive strength and durability as most manufacturers employ unique manufacturing techniques that give them high tolerance. The result is a product that can last for generations and withstand years of abuse. At the same time, the interlocking design of most paving units tolerates for contraction and expansion which allow for movement without cracking and are

Moreover, most pavers are manufactured at intense pressures. The result is remarkably solid units that possess exceptional durability and strength, superior stability even under heavy loads. They have exceptional weather resistance; an outstanding tolerance to extreme cold and heat, and are not affected by deicing salts.

2. Unrivaled versatility

As concrete pavers are available in a wide variety of options, you can create any pattern you like in your driveway or walkway. Some pavers have tongue and groove designs that allow them to interlock, while others have smooth edges. They can also be molded and textured to resemble bricks, stones or other surfaces.

At the same time, you can have your pavers custom cut or manufactured to suit a design of your choice. In short, they offer flexibility in the custom design with the added perks of value and visual appeal. The pavers are an ideal option for land with a varied gradient; they can be installed on the contours of a property with dips or slopes since they can be laid over and fit, blending well over the topography.

3. Reasonable overall costs

The cost of these pavers is much less than that of other types of paving products as they are manufactured using machines compared to naturally-occurring products; as a result, they are much cheaper than sandstone pavers, granite pavers, and clay pavers. When it comes to replacement and maintenance costs, concrete pavers are more economical when looking at the long-term as they last a long time and are easy to install. And speaking of installation, the job can be done by a professional contractor within a matter of days.

4. They are low maintenance

The pavers have low life-cycle costs thus they are low-maintenance compared to other paving options include stamped and poured concrete. Cleaning is mostly straightforward with it required the occasional sweeping and rinsing. Pressure washing with the correct cleaning solutions and a bit of scrapping with a brush may be necessary when dealing with stubborn stains. Hiring the professional cleaners is ideal when dealing with pavers that have unique finishing such as staining. For repairs, this can be done with little complications with options that include resurfacing, patching, or replacement.

The Verdict

The driveway is one of the most important elements of a property as it is amongst the first things that people, including potential investors, will see when approaching your house or home. As such, the installation should be perfect, and this calls for having the job done by the done by reputable and experienced professionals. Give preference to contractors who present to your different installation designs after assessing your home’s topography to determine the best option.

 

 

More Articles:

How to Find a Good Concrete Removal Service

Understanding Concrete Recycling And Its Importance

 

 

There is nothing new to having paved driveways and parking areas in either residential or commercial areas. But the popularity of paver bricks, with their array of textures and colours, requires laying them with a certain amount of expertise. In particular, the range of layouts and designs requires cutting the pavers to fit around curves is a common requirement.

The technique applied when cutting pavers depends on the radius of the curve itself. The larger the radius will be, the slower the curve. Curves with greater than 1800mm radii, it is possible to cut clearly in one smooth arc. This is because the blade can be adjusted gently to match the curve line. This is ideal when laying pavers for a larger circular space, just like at the end of a driveway where cars may be parked.

But when the arc is fast (meaning the radius is small and the arc is severe), then several cuts will be needed. An example is a curved garden path through a lawn area or around flower beds. It could also be a laneway along the side of the home, linking the front and the rear of the property. Handling these faster curves is where the skill and experience of the saw operator comes into play, as they can be the trickiest to negotiate.

Types of Curves

When dealing with the tricky fast curves, there are 2 things to consider. These are the convex (external curve) and the concave (internal curve). With each, the pavers need to be laid first so that the curve can be mapped onto them.

When creating a large open space, the curve is going to be mostly convex, unless the design dictates otherwise. Where pathways are concerned, both types of curves apply as the opposite side of the paved pathway will be the opposite curve type. For instance, convex on the left side will juxtapose concave on the right.

Cutting Convex Curves

If the arc line projects outward, the task of cutting pavers convexly is easier than cutting concave curves. When laying the pavers down, mark the curve lines on them. But with a straight cutter blade, you may need to draw 3 or 4 straight lines to follow, using the curve as the guide. The angle change between lines should be less than 10 degrees to create a neat curved look.

Cutting Concave Curves

To cut a concave curve, a considerable amount of care should be taken. Again, the curve must be mapped onto the pavers and then a series of lines must be drawn also to complement it. Generally, just 2 lines are needed with one end of each line beginning on a free edge of the paver, intersecting inside it. What is important is that the arc or section of the arc is aligned accurately.

But while the geometry involved might seem a little confusing to those unaccustomed to working on such projects, the whole procedure can actually be broken down to just 5 simple steps. Here is a quick guide to cutting pavers to fit curves.

 

5 Steps in Cutting Pavers around Curve Edges

1. Map out the area

The area where the pavement should be placed needs to be clearly marked. Then, dig out and level the surface by spreading sand. If the area is to have some straight lines, use an edge restraint to clearly mark them. Doing this leaves spaces where the curved areas can be accommodated. On circular areas and winding pathways, the straight lines can be used to frame the curves.

2. Lay out the curves

This can be tricky but there are a few ways to make it a little simpler. Firstly, for large slow curves, use some garden hose instead of twine and pegs. This is because hoses curve smoothly. Then, sketch the curves on the ground using a piece of chalk. The garden hose technique suits the winding pathway too. However, the curves will be faster and the hose would need to have greater flexibility. Use pegs to fix the hose in place, then, mark the curves using the chalk.

3. Lay on the pavers

The next step is the easiest. Lay on the pavers as though filling a square or rectangle. The pavement can be practically completed without having to worry about cutting pavers to complement the curves. Just be sure that the pavers are properly laid, are flat and extend adequately over the curve lines. As you lay the furthest pavers, etch the curves over them. That way, you can easily follow the chalk markings beneath.

4. Spray pavers with lacquer

Spraying the pavers with lacquer can protect the guide line while cutting. Pavers can produce a lot of dust when they are being cut. These dusts fall back down onto the paver surface, hiding the lines. It is important to have a clear view of the guide line at all times. When you cut slow curves pavers, simply follow the line as drawn. But when the curve is fast, then it may be necessary to lift the pavers and cut before replacing them. Again, this depends on the desired design.

5. Install a flexible restraint

The final step would be to secure the shape of the paving. The narrow gaps between the pavers should be filled with sand and then compacted using a power tamper. But the tremors caused by tampering can easily shake the pavers out of place, unless they are properly secured. You need to fix flexible restraints using a mallet and metal pegs. To finish the job, cover the restraints with soil or grass sods whichever is appropriate for you.

Trust the Experts

Clearly, cutting pavers around curves is something that a novice is going to struggle to complete well. Hence, you need the help of the expert in paver cutting services. At MegaSaw, we have been providing excellent quality paver cutting services to clients throughout Melbourne for almost 40 years.

We apply a number of different techniques and use specialised saws as well as grinders equipped with diamond blades. We are fully prepared to deal with the specifics of the project and create cuts that are smooth and accurate.

For more information on our paver cutting services, contact us either via email at info@megasaw.com.au or by calling one of our skilled teams on 1300-920-419.

Are you installing a new concrete paver at your home? A paver is a great way to decorate the lawn. It’s also useful for creating a level walkway between your door and your driveway. Unlike old fashioned concrete pouring techniques, laying pavers is much simpler. All you need to do is create a level surface and then piece the individual pavers together to create the walkway. It can be adjusted to just about any length and width you require.

However, it’s very rare that your patio or walkway will have perfect dimensions. Perfect dimensions mean the pavers fit without needing to cut any away. Chances are, you’ll have to make some cuts and adjustments to the concrete to get everything to fit together nicely. It’s best to let a professional do this work to ensure you get a precise, high-quality job. However, this is something you can do yourself if you have the patience, confidence and the tools.

You have a few different options when it comes to cutting your own concrete pavers. It depends on the tools you have available at the time.

Cutting your Pavers with a Hammer and Chisel

Your first option when it comes to cutting your own pavers it to use the old fashioned paver cutting technique: the hammer and chisel. This technique is extremely simple and doesn’t require any power tools. It does take time and elbow grease. You’ll also have to pay close attention and hit your marks if you want everything to fit perfectly.

First and foremost, you should always be wearing safety goggles if you are cutting the pavers yourself. Using the chisel and hammer tends to send a lot of debris flying in different directions. Don’t run the risk of blinding yourself for your walkway.

Use the chisel to scratch a line where you want to make your cut. You’ll then hold the chisel directly against that line. Slowly bump the chisel with your hammer. Don’t rush it. Make slow, steady, and forceful blows against the chisel. It may take two or three blows before the paver finally splits. If the paver splits with uneven edges, you can use the chisel to chip and smooth these edges.

Splitters and Guillotines

Splitters and guillotines are specialty tools designed for cutting stone and concrete blocks. Most splitters rely on hydraulic power to get the job done. Operating them is extremely simple and safe.

You load the paver into the splitter at the appropriate spot. You’ll then press down on a lever that squeezes together two large, steel blades. It makes a clean and accurate cut through the paver. Hydraulic splitters make the job much easier, but there are also manual splitters. A manual splitter will require more force to operate.

Splitters provide some of the best cuts, but if you’re only paving a small area, then you don’t want to shell out the money to buy your own, as they can be expensive. You can always just rent the equipment for the time needed. If you are renting the splitter, provide the rental company with enough information so they can provide you with the appropriate model of the right size.

Cutting Pavers with a Saw

Most people who cut their own concrete pavers use a hand held saw. A Stihl saw or skill saw will both work for the job. You’ll need a work horse for the job so selecting one with adjustable sides should work best. However, the average blade won’t be enough to get the job done. You’ll need a blade with either carbide or diamond-tipped edges. This will allow it to cut through the stone or concrete. A blade meant for cutting wood will not make it through the paver and could damage the blade and possibly even the saw as well.

Even with the right blade you must be careful with your cuts. It’s usually best to start with a light cut. Raise the blade and don’t penetrate the paver entirely on the first run over the mark. You then lower the blade and finish the cut on the second pass over the mark. Some people even extend it to a third cut before cutting all the way through.

You can also use a table saw instead of a hand held saw. It works in much the same way and you will still need a special blade to cut through the pavers. Table saws tend to be more powerful than hand held saws. You may not need to perform multiple passes to cut the slab. This could make the process faster.

Hire a Professional

Whether just for cutting or the entire installation, your best option is always hiring a professional contractor. This is true for commercial and residential projects. After all, most paver walkways will be seen by anyone who approaches the home or business. They are a reflection of the property itself and should look professional.

Cutting concrete pavers can be dangerous, laborious, and time consuming work. Trying to handle it all yourself without access to high-grade tools only makes it worse.

If you want it to look good, then it should be cut by professionals using high-grade professional equipment. This means guillotines and splitters designed for cutting concrete pavers. Fortunately, there are a lot of companies in Australia that offer professional paver cutting services.

Cutting pavers and installing them are no small tasks. If you do not have technical know-how, then it’s better to hire an expert paver or landscape professional. However, if you want to do it yourself and add elements to your landscape, then these tips will surely help you.

1. Make Sure Your Base Preparation is Good

Your base preparation is your foundation. You have to do this right. If not, you’ll find your pavers pushing out. They will become unsightly and hazardous.  You could trip over them.

To start off, use sand instead of stone dust. Stone dust is difficult to drain and tends to break apart after a while.

On the other hand, sand drains well and firmly interlocks pavers.  This makes your pavers look even.

2. Use Appropriate Tools for Cutting Pavers

Important tools required for cutting pavers are:

• Rubber mallet
• Diamond-bladed saw (if you can find one)
• Hammer
• Chisel

Mark a paver and then cut as needed.  For your tools and equipment, or if you require cutting paver expertise, feel free to contact us.

3. Use the Pavers at Once

Most people cut pavers before they use them. This results in:

• Wrong sizes
• Putting stress on the surrounding stones
• Fractures and breakages

To avoid waste, cut pavers and use them right away.

4. Learn and Understand Types of Paver Edging

Paver edging is excellent for certain scenarios. Determine which edging is best for your landscape. They are:

• Concrete mow strip
• Strip edging
• Masonry unit edging
• Stone edging

Most people use any edging for their projects. Don’t make this mistake. Each edging serves a specific function.

Get in touch with landscaping experts. They will explain each edging and which would be best for your Melbourne yard.

5. Always Consider Soil Conditions

Ignoring your soil’s condition is bound to affect your pavers.

• Learn about your soil, drainage and terrain
• Identify which one you have and its effect on your paver installation

Take your time learning.  It will make the difference between pavers that last or not.

While DIY projects are good, they can be costly if you make mistakes. Instead, let an expert handle your paver cutting and installation. Contact us today and we’ll make sure your pavers come out looking great.