Masonry Magazine October 2008 Page. 34
MORTARS
MORTAR
MEETS
THE
CHALLENGE
Mortar has been used for thousands of years. Over the centuries, the formulas have changed, and we aren't done yet as the proliferation of new masonry products provides new challenges.
By Tom Inglesby
As recently as 15 years ago, masons just wanted to make mortar the way they did for the last 100 years. In the last 5 years, however, they have become eager to have companies create performance mortars using admixtures that are approved by the different building codes. Contractors are looking for performance mortars or architectural mortars - and it's been easy for vendors to keep developing new products when they know there is a market looking for them.
As recently as 15 years ago, masons just wanted to make mortar the way they did for the last 100 years. In the last 5 years, however, they have become eager to have companies create performance mortars using admixtures that are approved by the different building codes. Contractors are looking for performance mortars - or architectural mortars - and it's been easy for vendors to keep developing new products when they know there is a market looking for them.