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When you're choosing a mortar mix for your construction projects, it's important to take into consideration several factors. Interior, or exterior? Above grade or below grade? Foundational? Touching Soil? For use in a veneer?
Different types of mortar have different characteristics, including flexibility, compression, ability to withstand moisture exposure, and more. The mortar mix you select for your project should be a match for the surrounding environment, including the type of brick or stone it will touch.
When you're seeking masonry supplies for your upcoming construction projects, choosing the right masonry mortar mix types is vitally important for the success of your project. At Discount Contractor Supply, we sell a range of concrete mixing tools, mortar mixers, and miscellaneous masonry tools. We provide the supplies you need to get started on your construction projects. Here's what you need to know as you choose a masonry mortar mix.
There are several different types of masonry mortar, each indicated by a different letter of the alphabet.
Type N mortar mix is recommended for exterior, interior, above-grade walls, soft-stone masonry, and interior load-bearing situations. Type N mortar mix has a medium compressive strength and is the preferred masonry for use with soft stones like limestone.
Overall, this masonry mix is the best choice for most general use around the house. Many homeowners turn to this type of mortar mix for their day-to-day DIY projects.
If you're working on a project at or below grade, Type S mortar mix is likely the right mortar mix for your project. With a high-tensile bond strength and a high compressive strength of over 1,800 psi, Type S mortar mix can withstand tough conditions including pressure from soil, seismic loads, and harsh winds.
Type S masonry is commonly used for projects including masonry foundations, below-grade applications, manholes, retaining walls, sewers, and projects that happen at grade (like patios or walkways).
Type M mortar mix is recommended for use in heavy loads and below-grade applications. You find type M mortar mix used in driveways, foundations, and retaining walls.
With a compressive strength of at least 2,500 pounds, it's very strong but also characterized by poor adhesion and sealing properties. Type M is not suitable for exposed applications but is sometimes the preferred type of mortar to mix with natural stone because of its overall durability.
Type O mortar has low compressive strength and thus is used for non-load-bearing walls. Type O mortar mix is overall not useful for exterior use but can be used indoors in light-duty applications. Type O can also be used in tuck-pointing applications.
Type K mortar mix has a very low compressive strength of 75 psi. This softness makes it more useful for applications like historic or ancient structures where a special, gentler mix is required.
Specialty mortar mixes are sometimes necessary in construction. Specialty mortars like acrylic binders, epoxy resins, polyurethane, and other mortars are sometimes necessary in special situations.
Some of these specialty mortar mixes are waterproof or resistant to chemicals, while others are abrasion-proof or sprayable. Choosing the right type of mortar mix is important. If you're not sure what type of mortar is required for your project, talk to an expert.
In addition to mortar, you may need to have a range of other supplies on hand for your construction projects. Some examples of these supplies are below.
Mortar and grout mixers are machines that evenly mix mortar and water. These machines make mixing easy and can keep grout moving until it's time to apply grout to your project.
Masonry saws are specialty cutting machines designed to slice through masonry blocks, tiles, pavers, and more.
Manual mixing tools are important to have on hand when you're mixing small amounts of mortar or grout for your project. Mixing tools makes manual mixing less arduous and more efficient for the worker.
Reinforced poly sheeting is a heavy-duty construction net that can be used to create a temporary enclosure or scaffold wrap.
Keep on hand a collection of safety glasses, gloves, respirators, and other safety equipment to keep yourself and other workers safe throughout your project. Mortar is not good for the skin, so it's also important to wear heavy-duty boots, long pants, long sleeves, and other types of protective clothing.
You'll need a range of miscellaneous tools for your construction project, including a hammer, nails, power drill, and so on.
Not every project needs every type of masonry tool mentioned above. To find out what type of tools are needed for your upcoming project, map out the project from start to finish.
Know the step-by-step processes to accomplish your goals. If you're a DIYer, this may mean reading a tutorial, talking to an expert, or watching online videos about the steps as they need to be accomplished.
Once you know what needs to be done, walk through the various steps in your mind and make a list of tools for each step of the way.
Discount Contractor Supply sells a range of masonry mortar mix types and other products like reinforced poly, masonry saws, and more. Discount Contractor Supply is a preferred construction tool supply company because we sell high-quality products at reasonable prices.
Whether you're a construction professional or a DIYer, it's important to buy supplies affordably, from a discount supplier that you can trust. To shop our inventory and learn more about our products, contact us.
