When you want to decorate the floor of your garden, patio, pool, or walkway, pavers are an excellent option. Not only do they provide a sleek look, but they also act as a drain for water. But there are times when we need to fit pavers properly or cut them down to size to provide a uniform layout. Knowing how to cut pavers with a chisel to fit irregular areas or go around objects is valuable before you start laying down the pieces.
Pavers are slab blocks made out of a wide variety of different materials. They are used for many parts of a home, especially outdoors. If you haven’t laid down pavers before, you should first know the different pavers to choose the best one that goes with your space.
Different Types Of Pavers
The distinguishing feature of pavers from each other is the material each type is made of. Pavers also come in different shapes and colors that add to their aesthetic. We will go through the different types of pavers, and we will focus on those that can be cut by a chisel for this article.
- Brick
Bricks pavers are made of molded clay and have been used as flooring or structural material for centuries. They are made by baking molded clay in a kiln, which hardens them to rectangular slabs. There are then set to the desired location with a mortar, sand, or concrete base.
Bricks can be arranged in different layouts. It can also come out as different colors but is more well known to be orange because of the clay’s color. Bricks are a more dramatic alternative to color because they add texture and character to an area. - Concrete
Using concrete pavers is what is most common in commercial spaces these days. This is because concrete is the least expensive of all the options. They are mostly found in roadways or driveways, where vehicles can reach. It is easy to customize concrete pavers and get a specific thickness, design, or mold. Concrete usually leaves an area with a natural and minimal look because of its bland color. - Flagstone
Flagstone is best for patios and provides a luxurious feel. This type is most commonly seen in resorts, hotels, and malls. Each paver is uniquely shaped and fits together like a puzzle. With flagstone, you really must know how to cut pavers with a chisel accurately because it has an irregular shape and is not as thick as a brick. These stones come in a variety of different colors but are usually white, grey, and red. - Marble
Marble is known to a luxurious material and is often seen in counters more than it is on pavers. The process of forming marble is natural when limestone is exposed to extreme temperatures and pressure. That is why marble is also expensive to purchase and has a unique pattern.
The downside to using marble as pavers is that it can be slippery when wet. It also can retain heat very well and could be scorching hot during the early afternoon. Because marble has a smooth finish, it can easily be scratched, which can damage the ambiance. - Cobblestone
Cobblestone is another material used for pavers that are abundant in European countries. They are made of granite, limestone, basalt, or sandstone. It has been in use as pavers for centuries because of its toughness and durability. Until today, cobblestone pavers still stand its ground in some areas across the world.
Steps On How To Cut Pavers With A Hammer And Chisel
With all the different types of pavers above, knowing how to cut pavers with a chisel is straightforward, but will require focus. This old-fashioned technique of cutting pavers with a chisel is basic knowledge to handymen and contractors. This is also perfect, especially if you do not have access to power tools or electricity.
Protective gear is important, especially when dealing with construction or, in this case, cutting material. Before we proceed with cutting pavers with a hammer and chisel, let’s proceed to prepare the materials first. Here is a step-by-step instruction on how to cut pavers with a chisel and hammer.
Materials
- Protective eyewear
- Gloves
- Measuring Tape
- Pencil
- Cold chisel with a 1-inch blade.
- Brick set chisel
- Hammer
Step 1
The first priority is safety. Wear all the protective gear, especially goggles. This is to protect your eyes from small debris that can fly when hammering down on stone, brick, or concrete. Wear rubber gloves to have a solid grip on the hammer and the chisel, while at the same time protecting your skin from the rough material.
Step 2
When you cut down pavers to fit a specific layout, measure the space with the measuring tape. Transfer the measurements onto the paver and mark lines using the pencil. It is crucial to mark the fronts and backs to get a straight and clean finish. Just remember to run the lines on all four sides.
Step 3
Now that you have your guide, lay the material on a flat surface. Get your cold chisel and position it over the pencil line. Gently tap on the chisel to give your brick or stone a good score groove. Move along all the pencil marks until you reach about 16th of an inch deep along all the lines. The toughness of the material you are working on determines how hard you will need to hit it. But do not smack on it because it can crack the material.
Step 4
Now that you have finished scoring on the grooves, you can position the brick for the final smack. Because the grooves already serve as a guide for where the crack should be, position your brick-set chisel in the center of the groove. Smack it down with one strike, and the paver should split into two separate parts. If it fails the first time, just score the paver again or repeat steps 3 and 4.
Conclusion
Knowing how to cut pavers with a chisel and hammer is worth learning if you are laying down pavers at home. After you have successfully split the paver, you can use your chisel to chip down on the excess protruding bits to make a clean finish. Just remember to observe proper safety first before you proceed to the actual chiseling. Find out more about chisels.