Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Masonry Home > Frequently
Asked Questions > Coloring mortar Q:
What is the preferred method of coloring mortar?
A: Colored mortar is most often mixed
at the job site—using preblended materials or individual ingredients.
Mortar color is a cost effective way to increase the visual impact
of masonry structures, whether concrete or clay units are used.
Both custom and stock colors are available.
 To
create color in mortar, mineral pigments are added to mortar mixes,
either along with the cement at the manufacturing facility or directly
to the mortar mixer on the job. When added to the cement, the benefits
of preblended color are a consistently mixed product and factory-controlled
dosages. Contractors can be assured that the cementitious product
is uniform, and they simply need to do their part to batch materials
consistently and mix mortar thoroughly. (The same uniformity is
applicable to preblended colored mortar mixes.) For job site blending,
individual pigment packets are added to the mixer. To get proportions
right on a consistent basis, it’s usually recommended to use
only full bags of cement for each batch, as partial bags necessitate
measuring partial pigment dosages.
Consistency is key to uniform results—and uniform appearance
over the entire wall surface. From batching to mixing, placing,
tooling, and curing, every aspect of getting the mortar in the wall
can affect its final appearance.
Sand should be from the same source for the entire project, and
proportions of sand relative to cement should be monitored for consistency
from batch to batch. (Preblended mortar mixes ensure proportions
through factory-controlled batching.) Similarly, water should be
dosed consistently to maintain a uniform water-cement ratio in the
in-place mortar.
Several companies that produce colored mortar mixes have online
design tools that allow viewing how chosen colors of mortar change
a wall’s appearance. The architect or homeowner chooses brick
and mortar colors and views results onscreen.
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| Red brick with brown mortar. |
Red brick with tan mortar. |
Mockups and sample panels are especially beneficial where colored
mortar is concerned. They provide the opportunity for all involved
parties to agree on the surface appearance. More
on mockups.
For more information on colored mortar:
Mortar Color,
IS247
Explore Unlimited
Possibilities with Colored Masonry Mortars, RP422
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