Home building guide · Walls and materials

Mortar

A paste of cement, sand and water that bonds bricks or blocks together.

Mortar: illustration
Illustration

What it is

Mortar is described by its mix ratio of cement to sand. Typical mixes are 1:6 for 9-inch brick walls and 1:4 for thin 4.5-inch walls. Lime mortar was used in older Chennai buildings.

Types and key points

  • Cement mortar: most common today
  • Lime mortar: traditional, breathable
  • Thin-bed mortar for AAC blocks
  • Used within about 30 minutes of mixing

Why it matters

Mortar that is too weak, too wet or used after it starts setting gives weak walls and cracks.

How Elamentt handles it

Mortar mixes are set in your specification and mixed on site in measured batches.

Next step

See it on your
own plot.

Our studio turns your plot size into a plan, a 3D model built stage by stage, and a list of the cement, steel, bricks and sand it needs. Or ask an engineer.