A repair you can't find, because the mortar matches.
Color, texture and strength matched to old mortar for repairs, additions and restorations, with test samples cured and compared in daylight before the work begins.
- Color: Sand, cement, lime and pigment tested together
- Texture: Sand size and tooling matched
- Strength: Softer than or equal to the masonry unit
What it is, and why it matters.
Mortar makes up about one-fifth of a brick wall's face, so a poor match is easy to see. Mortar matching means three things: the color, which comes from the sand and the cement and lime; the texture, which comes from the sand and the tooling; and the strength, which must suit the brick or stone.
We match mortar for repairs, repointing, additions and restoration work in Nashville and across Middle Tennessee. We make test samples, let them cure and dry, and compare them with the wall in daylight before we mix the full batch.
Four things done right.
Samples cured and dried
A mortar sample looks different wet and dry, so we let it cure before we judge it.
Sand that matches
The sand decides color and texture more than most people expect.
Strength that suits
A mortar harder than the brick can crack or spall the brick.
Compared in daylight
We check samples against the wall outdoors, in the light you will see it in.
From first call to mortar matching.
- 01
Take a sample
We note the color, texture and joint style, and may take a small sample of old mortar.
- 02
Mix test batches
Several mixes are made, cured and compared to the wall.
- 03
Choose the match
You see the samples next to the wall and pick the closest.
- 04
Mix and apply
The full batch is mixed to the same recipe and applied.
Mortar Matching across Middle Tennessee.
We do this work in 28 cities, from Nashville and Franklin to Murfreesboro, Gallatin, Columbia and Dickson.
Mortar Matching: common questions
Why doesn't new mortar match the old on day one?
Mortar changes color as it cures and as it weathers. A good match accounts for that, and a test sample cured for a few days gives a better idea than a wet mix.
Does mortar strength matter?
Yes. If the mortar is harder than the brick or stone, the masonry takes the stress and can spall. A softer, matched mortar protects the units.
How do I get a price for mortar matching?
Fill in the form or call or text 615-431-3789. We confirm what is involved and send a written price, and most projects start with a free visit.
Ready to talk about mortar matching?
A visit and a written price. A real person calls back, usually the same day.