Splitting a Standard unit creates an attractive, textured surface that matches the split front face.

Generally, you'll want to split Standard units when the modified portions are visible, such as on a corner or at a step down in the top of the wall.

As a rule of thumb, if you will be able to see a side of a Standard unit, it should be split.

Splitting a Standard unit directly down the middle makes two half-units with textured faces on two sides. These half-units can be used for outside 90° corners or columns.

Splitting the back off a Standard unit gives the unit a textured face on the back that can be used for any section of wall that will be exposed on both the front and back.

There are two ways to split a Standard unit: by hand using a hammer and chisel, or with a mechanical or hydraulic splitter.

Splitting by hand
Hand split units on the ground rather than on a hard surface to create a better and more accurate split. With a pencil, mark the desired path of the split on the top, bottom and front of the unit. Using a 2- to 3-inch masonry chisel and heavy hammer, score the unit along that path. As you score the unit, don’t try to remove material, just create a fracture path. Then place the unit on its face and strike the unit along the back groove. The unit should fracture along the scored path.

Using a Mechanical or Hydraulic Splitter
If a project requires many splits, you might want to use a mechanical or hydraulic splitter (right). Place the Standard unit in the splitter, line the desired split path against the top blade, and split. The splitter has a bottom blade that, when activated, makes a perfect split in seconds. With a splitter, you typically do NOT need to score the unit.