Masonry Magazine April 2004 Page. 46
Colored Mortars
By Jamie Farny
Masonry and Special Products, Portland Cement Association
Masonry, in all its varieties, allows for unlimited architectural expressions. The shapes, sizes, colors, textures and finishes of the units and joints can be combined in endless variations. Complementary or contrasting, colors of units and joints create the wall's overall perceived color. The minor fluctuations in shade and texture impart depth and character to masonry structures. Masonry, with its hand-assembled heritage, is in part appealing because each wall is unique.
Mortar should always be considered in designing a wall for maximum architectural impact. It is a cost-effective means of upgrading the wall's aesthetics. Beyond color, a wide variety of joint treatments, even the size of the joint, play a prominent role in the resulting look. Along with design, construction practices and techniques contribute to the final appearance of each joint.
Because colored mortars are chosen for their appearance, they may be noticed more than gray mortars. The key to consistent colors is keeping everything the same from one batch to the next the same materials, the same proportions, the same mixing, handling, placing and tooling techniques.