Mortar Analysis & Matching Service

Mortars can be seen in a wide range of colours and compositions across the country, they will vary from region to region as local sands, local sources of lime and pozzolans would traditionally have been used. It is the aggregate/sand that predominantly effects the colour and texture.

There are several ways that you can go about choosing an appropriate mortar, you can :

■ buy a box of samples that will enable you to choose the closest match on-site - see below;

■ ask us to do a free mortar analysis/match – mainly used when pointing work is to be undertaken on an old building and it is required/desirable to match the colour and texture of the original mortar. A sample of the mortar (golf ball size) can simply be posted for the attention of Product Support, Ty-Mawr, Unit 12, Brecon Enterprise Park, Brecon. LD3 8BT with a note about who to contact, where the mortar has been taken from and what you are trying to achieve specifically in terms of application and work schedule. One of our advisers will then call you to discuss your options.

■ a chemical analysis or a petrogrpahic analysis – although more unusual, these techniques are used for historical information for reference or where it is necessary to check the exact composition of the mortar e.g. in cases where failures may have occurred. Please call us to discuss your requirements. As a guide, a full chemical analysis is approx £180.00 plus VAT and will usually take a couple of weeks (depending on work schedule).

As well as getting the colour and texture right, it is also vitally important to choose a lime that will produce a mortar of an appropriate strength for the job that you are doing, see lime products.

To see the different colours of mortars side by side or for assistance calculating the quantites you require, please go to our Quantity Calculators!

"To Nigel, Joyce and team, It's not often I will write a few lines of thanks down, not because I'm a meany, but because something has to be in absolute 1st class order. We received your product today in excellent condition, well wrapped and in a good sturdy container. The lime mortar was a next to perfect match and over a few seasons will look as though we were never there. Thank you". DBBS, Hants. 2010.