Home
Fact-checked

At HomeQuestionsAnswered, we're committed to delivering accurate, trustworthy information. Our expert-authored content is rigorously fact-checked and sourced from credible authorities. Discover how we uphold the highest standards in providing you with reliable knowledge.

Learn more...

What is Mortar Mix?

Josie Myers
Josie Myers

Mortar mix is a combination of cement and sand that is used to hold together construction type blocks. When water is added, it becomes a workable paste that sets hard. It is used with materials like bricks and stones to make walkways and walls.

Mortar was originally made of mud or clay. There is evidence of the use of mortar in cultures around the world. Iranian and Babylonian structures used mortar from about 2900 BC on. The earliest Egyptian pyramids used the mud or clay combination, while later buildings used gypsum or lime.

Mortar mix is made of sand and cement.
Mortar mix is made of sand and cement.

This continued on with the ancient Greeks and Romans who perfected the use of concrete and mortar in building their elaborate city schemes. In later cultures, the water soluble ingredient lime became the primary active ingredient, which was ultimately damaging to the stability of many structures.

There are many grades of mortar mixes found at home improvement stores. It is important to recognize that each has its place in construction. Consumers should always purchase the mortar mix that is intended for their project. The most common types are N, S, M, Glass Block, and Refractory.

The bricklayer should only mix up the amount of mortar they will be able to use within a couple of hours.
The bricklayer should only mix up the amount of mortar they will be able to use within a couple of hours.

Type N is the most widely used type of mortar mix. It is a medium-strength mortar, which means it is intended for use with projects that do not hold a great deal of weight. It is best suited to projects like garden walls and barbecues. It is easy to work with and can be handled by most weekend warrior homeowners.

Type S is a stronger mortar mix and is best for heavyweight projects like retaining walls and foundations. Outdoor projects do well with this mortar mix. It is only slightly more difficult to work with than Type N.

Type M is a heavy duty mortar mix. It is intended for use with stone and can hold heavy loads. This type works well when building stone retaining walls and similarly heavy structures.

Type S mortar mix is commonly used in building foundations for home construction.
Type S mortar mix is commonly used in building foundations for home construction.

Glass Block Mortar is simply Type S mortar that has been colored white so it can be tinted. This color change helps it to blend better with glass blocks, but otherwise has no significant difference in makeup or workability. If the consumer chooses, they could substitute the cheaper Type S when working with glass blocks.

Refractory Mortar is made with a calcium aluminate base, which makes it more resistant to heat. It is used for projects where the finished structure will be exposed to heat. It is most often used for barbecues and chimneys.

Because of its superior strength, mortar is often used instead of mastic when installing tile flooring.
Because of its superior strength, mortar is often used instead of mastic when installing tile flooring.

Lime is an optional ingredient in mortar mix. Some construction specialists recommend adding it to a mix when it is not included. Hydrated lime is lime that already has been mixed with a very small amount of water. This water activates the lime, without making it into paste. Lime that has not been hydrated can create popping and pitting, so hydrated lime is recommended.

Discussion Comments

charms1

I need to repair my stone basement walls which have big cracks (vertical and horizontal). Which product is best suited, mortar mix or mason mix?

momothree

@cellmania: There are a few different ways to make it but this is one that I have actually used when repairing older homes. You will need a barrel of lime, ¼ barrel of Portland cement, a mixer, a Rubbermaid tub with the lid, a trowel, and 16 cu. Feet of clean, bank sand.

You may not need that much mix. I think that recipe is for a whole house. You can convert the measures to cubic feet and then fraction it down to the amount you will need.

Mix together the dry ingredients well. Store them in the Rubbermaid container with the lid on.

Measure out the dry mortar ingredients that you will need for one day. Add water a little at a time until it is a thick batter. It should be able to stick to the trowel without running off but still be moist enough to spread.

You are now ready to use it.

CellMania

@momothree: How do you make the lime mortar mix?

momothree

@wesley91: Older homes, usually from the late 1800’s, used lime mortar to set the bricks and stones in their homes. Many home improvement stores cannot match that type of older mortar. The mortar mixes now are more cement than lime which would not work well for these older Victorian homes.

You can make your own lime mortar and get a great match.

wesley91

What is lime mortar mix?

Post your comments
Login:
Forgot password?
Register:
    • Mortar mix is made of sand and cement.
      By: Antonio Gravante
      Mortar mix is made of sand and cement.
    • The bricklayer should only mix up the amount of mortar they will be able to use within a couple of hours.
      By: Voyagerix
      The bricklayer should only mix up the amount of mortar they will be able to use within a couple of hours.
    • Type S mortar mix is commonly used in building foundations for home construction.
      By: stoonn
      Type S mortar mix is commonly used in building foundations for home construction.
    • Because of its superior strength, mortar is often used instead of mastic when installing tile flooring.
      By: Barabas Attila
      Because of its superior strength, mortar is often used instead of mastic when installing tile flooring.