Both type N and type S mortar consist of a mixture of sand, masonry cement (or masonry sand), lime and Portland cement. The difference is the amount of each of these components used in the preblended mixture for mortar mix.
Type N mortar is used for laying block, brick and stone in load bearing walls, as well as used for building the “above grade” walls themselves, and can be used in planters, and chimneys. It can also be used as scratch coat and brown coat of stucco applications. Type N mortar can support up to 750 PSI.
Above grade walls are the walls of a building with a bottom plate that are above the grade of the earth surrounding the building.
Type S mortar is also used laying brick, block and stone in load bearing walls and to build walls, planters, and chimneys, but the difference is that Type S mortar can also be used in “below-grade” walls.
Below grade walls are any walls that are in direct contact with the ground. This means that Type S mortar must be used for any basement walls, retaining walls, masonry foundations or wherever the weight or overall load to the wall is high.
For this reason, type S mortar is far stronger than type N mortar. Where type N mortar can support up to 750 PSI, type S mortar can support up to 1800 PSI, and some mixtures can support between 2300 and 3000 PSI. So, if your finished block, brick or stone project will also be under heavy weight or pressure, you should always use type S mortar.
Both types of mortar:
Bedrock Orlando has been supplying type N and type S mortar, and numerous other masonry products to the Orlando, Tampa, Daytona Beach and Lakeland areas since 2001. Give us a call at (407) 859-1300 or fill our simple online quote form to reach out to one of our knowledgeable and courteous masonry product experts to answer any questions you might have about your project.
407.859.1300
10500 Rocket Court - Orlando, FL 32824
