Saw cuts are lines cut into a concrete surface with a diamond blade. Decorative saw cuts create patterns, borders, or tile-like grids. Structural saw cuts serve as control joints. They’re often combined with stain or dye for color-blocked designs.
Structural vs. Decorative Saw Cuts in Concrete
Most saw cuts you see in a garage or basement are control joints. Concrete shrinks as it cures, so crews cut lines that tell the slab where to crack. Timing matters: these cuts typically go in within 4 to 12 hours of pouring, and conventional cuts are made about one-fourth the depth of the slab.
Decorative saw cuts are about looks. Cut into an existing slab, they can turn plain concrete into a grid that looks like large tile, a border around a room, or a logo. Paired with stain, cuts can create circles, patterns, and emblems. The cut lines work like the lead lines in stained glass, keeping each color neatly in its own section. See our guide to concrete floor staining for color options.
Cutting concrete makes fine silica dust, so ask how the crew will keep it under control indoors.
Saw Cuts FAQ
What are saw cuts in concrete called?
Saw cuts made to control cracking are called control joints, contraction joints, or relief cuts. Cuts made only for looks are usually just called decorative saw cuts or scoring.
Should you fill or caulk concrete saw cuts?
Indoors, control joints are often filled with a flexible filler to keep out dirt and make cleaning easier. Decorative cuts may be left open or filled, depending on the look you want. Your contractor should match the filler to how much the joint is expected to move.