Are you getting your landscape all ready for this spring?

Many PNW homeowners are starting to brainstorm ways to make their landscapes pop this year and have come up with a repertoire of ideas, many of which include flagstone or other yard rockeries.

Flagstone is a gorgeous material that is comprised of quartz, silica, and feldspar. It comes in all shapes and sizes as well as thick and thin pieces and makes for an ideal stone in PNW landscapes.

If you are preparing for your next home project and you want to implement flagstone into your landscape, this helpful guide will walk you through two methods for cutting flagstone that actually works.

Even if you’ve never cut flagstone before, these safe and effective methods for cutting flagstone will help you get the job done.

Before you dive into your project, ask yourself this question:

Are You Cutting Your Flagstone into Regular or Irregular Shapes?

Before you determine what method you will be using to cut your flagstone, you first need to ask yourself whether you are hoping to get a regular or irregular shaped, finished product.

If you want to accomplish a smooth-edged, symmetrical piece of flagstone, you will need to use power tools to get there. But if varying shapes and edges are of no concern to you, your options for what method you use are more open.

With that out of the way, let’s jump into these two effective methods for cutting thick or thin flagstone.

2 Methods to Cut Flagstone

Method 1: Cut Flagstone by Hand

If you are looking for a method that can be done without power tools, this is the one for you.

Power tools can make people nervous if they aren’t familiar with working with them. Our advice to homeowners, don’t attempt to use power tools if you don’t feel comfortable operating them.

For this method of cutting flagstone, you will need a hammer, chisel, and something for marking on the flagstone.

1. Lay your flagstone on a flat surface where it will not move when you use the chisel.
2. Use your marker to draw a line where you would like to make your cut (chalk works great for marking).
3. Score the line by tapping the chisel and moving it along the line that you created.
4. Continue back and forth, adding pressure and deepening the line.

Pro tip: Take care that you don’t crack the flagstone by going too quickly with this method! Slow and steady gets the job done.

This method of flagstone cutting works best on small projects that don’t require exact symmetry. If you just want to cut a flagstone to be used in a path in your yard or garden, this method is ideal.

Safety tip: make sure that you wear goggles and gloves when cutting flagstone by hand!

Method 2: Cut Thick Flagstones Using a Circular Saw

This method is ideal for small projects that require more symmetrical or precise cuts. Whether that be building a fireplace hearth or a small flagstone patio, using a circular saw to cut flagstone will help you accomplish a uniform look.

Here’s how you can cut flagstone using a circular saw:

1. Secure your flagstone (for safety reasons while you are operating a power tool, it’s important that your flagstone is firmly secured).
2. Measure and mark your flagstone
3. Use your circular saw to cut along the line that you’ve drawn
4. DO NOT apply pressure! Simply allow the weight of the circular saw to score the flagstone, making sure that you don’t push the saw down but gently let the blade glide through the stone.
5. Once the flagstone has been sufficiently scored, you can switch to the hammer and chisel method.
6. Continue with the hammer and chisel until you have completed the cut

Safety tip: always use protective eyewear and gloves to ensure that splintering flagstone doesn’t injure you.

Need Help With Your Flagstone Project? Give New Life Rockeries a Call!

Not ready to take on the challenge of cutting flagstone just yet? That’s okay! New Life Rockeries has you covered.

We have a team of landscape contractor professionals who have experience using power tools and making accurate flagstone cuts. Simple or complex projects are what we thrive on.

We love helping Washington homeowners beautify their landscapes and get their outdoor aesthetic ready for spring.

If you have a flagstone project in mind that you need some help with, give New Life Rockeries a call. Our team of landscaping experts would be happy to install a flagstone path or patio in your landscape for you.

Don’t spend any more time stressing about how you are going to DIY this project, contact or call us to get started today.