What Is Floor Sawing and How Is It Used in Construction?

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What Is Floor Sawing and How Is It Used in Construction?


If you’ve ever walked past a construction site and seen sparks flying from a large saw cutting into the ground, you were probably watching floor sawing in action. It might look dramatic, but this technique is one of the cleanest, safest and most efficient ways to cut through tough materials like concrete and asphalt. At Prime Cut Diamond Drilling, we’ve been using floor sawing on projects of all sizes for more than 25 years — from small utility trenches to major highway works. So, what exactly is floor sawing, and why is it such a vital part of modern construction?


Floor sawing, sometimes called road sawing, is a specialist method of cutting through flat surfaces such as concrete slabs, tarmac roads or reinforced flooring. The technique uses a powerful walk-behind machine fitted with a diamond-tipped blade, which spins at high speed to slice cleanly through hard surfaces. Unlike hand sawing or wall sawing, floor saws are specifically designed for horizontal surfaces, making them the go-to choice for jobs where precision, depth and speed matter.


The machines used for floor sawing are heavy-duty and can be powered by diesel, petrol, or electricity depending on the site requirements. Operators guide the saw along marked lines, cutting to the required depth — sometimes up to 500mm in reinforced concrete. To keep things safe and minimise disruption, water is often used during cutting to suppress dust and keep the blade cool. At Prime Cut, all our operatives are fully trained and CSCS certified, ensuring every job is carried out with maximum safety and efficiency.


Floor sawing has countless applications across the construction industry. Some of the most common include cutting trenches for utilities such as water pipes, electrical cabling or gas lines, creating expansion joints to prevent concrete slabs from cracking, removing damaged sections of concrete or asphalt for repair, opening up carriageways during roadworks and highways maintenance, and forming neat openings for staircases, lifts, risers and ducts. If a project involves cutting into a horizontal surface with accuracy, chances are floor sawing will be the best option.

There are clear benefits to using floor sawing compared with traditional breaking or demolition methods. It delivers precise and clean cuts, ideal for controlled openings and neat finishes. It’s also fast and efficient, saving time on-site and reducing labour costs. The process is safer and quieter, with less vibration and minimal disruption, while being versatile enough for everything from small residential works to major infrastructure projects.

In modern construction, speed, safety and sustainability are more important than ever. Floor sawing ticks all three boxes: it allows contractors to work faster, reduces waste compared to hammer-breaking methods, and keeps noise and vibration levels to a minimum, which is crucial on sensitive or urban sites. Whether it’s a commercial fit-out, a housing development or highway maintenance, floor sawing offers a professional, cost-effective solution.


At Prime Cut Diamond Drilling, floor sawing is one of our core services. With over 25 years’ experience in diamond drilling, concrete cutting and wall sawing, we’ve built a reputation for delivering fast, reliable results across London, Essex and the wider UK. Our team operates 24/7, using modern, well-maintained equipment to handle projects of any scale — from small domestic jobs to large-scale civil engineering works. Safety and precision are always our top priorities.


Floor sawing might look like a simple process, but in the hands of trained professionals it’s one of the most effective tools in modern construction. It delivers clean, accurate results while keeping projects on time and on budget. If you’re planning a project that needs expert floor sawing or any kind of concrete cutting, get in touch with Prime Cut Diamond Drilling today. Our friendly team will be happy to provide advice, a free site survey or a no-obligation quote. Call us now or send us an email / submit a form.


We specialise in:

Floor Saying & Cutting
Diamond Drilling London, Essex & South East.
Concrete Cutting Services.

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