11 Types of Mortar and Cement Used in Masonry Construction

When it’s time to take on a project requiring the right mortar and cement, you want to make sure you have the right supplier. Getting the type of cement, you need will make a huge difference. Let’s look at the 11 types of mortar and cement used in masonry construction.

Type S – Federal White Masonry Cement

When you need a higher masonry strength requirement, Type S Federal White Masonry Cement is the right choice. It will provide a higher compression strength and works great for foundation walls, parging, and wall designs with reinforcement. Type S masonry cement is a more durable cement type.

Commonly, when you have the following types of projects, you will choose Type S masonry cement:

  • Below Grade
  • Masonry Foundations
  • Manholes
  • Retaining Walls
  • Sewers
  • Brick Patios & Pavements

With Federal White Masonry Cement Type S, you get a high compressive strength of more than 1,800 psi and high-tensile bond strength. This type of cement is used for a variety of projects at or below grade and offers an excellent option that can withstand sild and wind pressure. It can also be used for seismic loads.

While Type S cement will have a minimum compressive strength of 1,800 psi, it can be mixed at a higher strength, often between 2,300 and 3,000 psi.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Portland Cement Type I

Considered to be a normal or general-purpose cement, Portland Cement Type I offers an all-purpose option you can use for a variety of projects. Often, Type I cement is used when other, more specialized, types of cement are not required.

When you choose Portland Cement Type I, it will work well for reinforced buildings, sewers, bridges, pavement, floors, and precast concrete projects. It’s a general-purpose type of cement that offers a versatile option when you don’t need a specific type of cement for your project.

Graymont Super Limoid SA

You can use the Graymont Super Limoid SA mortar for many projects. This is a fine-grind, white, pressure hydrated, and the high-purity dolomitic lime project you can use immediately. It can be combined with Portland sand or cement to create a lime mortar with superior durability and performance.

With this specific type of mortar, you get a high plasticity and better water retention. You get a deeply penetrating mortar with this product due to the controlled volume of minute air bubbles. The entrained air will go through the mix and take the water with it.

This weather-resistant, 3-ply mortar option works for a variety of masonry construction projects and comes at a lower cost than other options. It complies with ATSM C207, Type SA and comes in a 50-pound bag.

Heat Stop 50

A specific type of mortar used in the installation of clay flue linings and firebricks, Heat Stop 50 is a common masonry product when installing chimneys and fireplaces. It’s also used when you’re creating a masonry bread oven or a similar project where heat is going to be a factor in the materials.

Heat Stop 50 is a dry-mix refractory mortar. It’s made from high-temperature cement and aggregates that won’t tear or expand when heated. After this product dries, it will be non-water soluble and provide more acid resistance than other options.

When you’re taking on a concrete project with high heat requirements, Heat Stop 50 is the right choice for you. It’s commonly used both on the interior and the exterior of chimney and fireplace installations.

Type N – Lehigh Masonry

A mixture of Portland or blended cement with plasticizers and an air entraining agent gives you Type N Lehigh Masonry. The air-entraining agents help to protect this type of mortar from damage due to freezing and thawing. It also offers more workability compared to other types of masonry cement.

Type N masonry cement is commonly used for mortar and stucco applications. It’s used for above-grade projects, both exterior and interior. It can also be used in soft stone masonry and with load-bearing projects. Often, this type of mortar can be used with stone veneer, too.

When the project you’re taking on will be exposed to severe weather or high heat, Type N Lehigh Masonry mortar mix might be the right choice. It has a medium compressive strength and takes the guesswork out of creating your own mortar mix. You get consistent results with Lehigh Masonry Cement.

Type I-II Lehigh

A general use Portland Cement from Lehigh, this Type I-II is used in concrete, grouts, and mortars. It’s commonly used for sidewalks, pavements, building foundations, concrete structures, slab-on-grade projects, and even for precast forms. It will meet the CSA and ATSM specifications and offers a good general-purpose option for projects not requiring a specialized type of mortar and cement.

Marble Dust Mix

Also known as pool plaster, marble dust mix comes in a variety of colors. It’s a swimming pool finishing project and offers the right choice when you need to make sure the project looks a specific way and offers the strength necessary.

Pool plaster is used to finish the surface or even for resurfacing a pool. It can give the appearance of blue water or another color. With the right marble dust mix, you can complete your pool plaster project.

Floor Tile Mortar – North American Adhesives

A type of mortar used to set ceramic tile, pavers, and quarry tile; Floor Tile Mortar offers a great option for the right project. This specific project comes from North American Adhesives and offers a good option for indoor residential concrete floors using pavers or any project including setting tile.

If this floor tile mortar is mixed with NA 3000 latex additive it can be used for setting marble, granite, porcelain, and slate. It’s possible to use this product both indoors and outdoors. You can even use it in freeze/thaw conditions for both residential and light commercial flooring projects.

Whenever you’re installing a tile floor, you want to make sure you have the right mortar for the job. With floor tile mortar, you get a product created specifically to make the process of installing tile easier. North American Adhesives offers a top floor tile mortar option you can use for a variety of tile types.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Multipurpose Ceramic Tile Mortar – North American Adhesives

A standard-grade, thin-set, and polymer-modified mortar, the North American Adhesives Multi-Flex Pro, multipurpose ceramic tile mortar is often used in commercial and residential flooring projects. It can also be used for interior commercial walls or both interior and exterior residential walls. This product is a top bond for porcelain, pavers, granite, natural stone tile, ceramic, and for most marble tile installations.

NS Grout

When you need high strength, positive expansion, and non-staining characteristics, NS Grout is the right product for you. It contains only natural aggregate and an expansive cementitious binder, which makes it very flowable. Once cured, this product will appear very similar to concrete.

With NS Ground, you get a non-staining option, excellent for bearing, without the added chloride ions. It’s a very strong option and offers the appearance of concrete. This makes it an ideal option for a variety of applications including generators, machine bases, column base plates, compressors, mortars, pumps, fans, and more.

Pool Shotcrete

While it’s not a pre-made product, we offer the necessary products to create the shotcrete mixture you need when handling pool construction. Pool shotcrete is used in both swimming pool construction and to deal with cracks in swimming pools. This product offers incredible flexibility and provides a very strong option for building your swimming pool.

Pool shotcrete can be applied through a spray process and give you the look and strength you need. It uses less water compared to other types of concrete mixtures, which means you get fewer joints between the wall sections.

When you’re trying to handle any type of pool construction, we offer the aggregate and Portland cement you need to create pool shotcrete. Our team will be happy to help you get just what you need to create this incredible mixture for your next pool construction project.Taking on a project requiring mortar or cement can be tricky. You want to make sure you have the right type of mortar or cement for your project. Without the right type, you might not have the strength or features you need for your specific construction job.

Some types of mortar and cement are made to withstand the freezing and thawing process, while others won’t hold up as well. It’s necessary when you’re performing pool construction, creating a sidewalk, or taking on any other type of concrete project that you get the right type of mortar and cement for the project.

At 9 Brothers Building Supply, we provide a variety of options to fit many different projects. Our team is ready to help you get the types of mortar and cement you need for your specific project. Stop by our Brentwood or Riverhead locations today and let us assist you.