Key takeaways
- Mortar color changes the look of the same brick
- Concave joints shed water well
- Look at cured, dry samples
- Match strength as well as color
Color changes everything
The same brick can look light and crisp with a pale mortar or deep and traditional with a dark mortar. Mortar color comes from the sand, the cement and lime and any pigment.
Always look at a sample panel that has cured and dried, because wet mortar looks darker than the finished wall.
Joint styles
Concave joints, made with a round tool, press the mortar tight and shed water well, which is why they are so common. Struck and weathered joints throw a shadow and suit some styles. Flush joints are clean and flat, and raked joints give strong shadows but collect water and are best for protected walls.
The right joint depends on the look, the climate and the brick.
Matching an existing wall
For repairs and additions, matching is about the color, the texture and the strength of the mortar. A mason who makes samples, lets them cure and compares them in daylight gets the best result.
Do not match a soft, old brick with a hard modern mortar. It can damage the brick.
Related services
Quick answers
Does darker mortar hide dirt better?
Often it does, though it also changes the overall look of the wall. A sample panel helps you choose.
What is the best joint for rainy climates?
Concave and weathered joints that shed water well are the usual choices. Deep raked joints can collect water and are better for sheltered walls.
Ready to talk it through? Get a free estimate or call 615-431-3789.