With the CEMEX range of mortars you’ve got consistent performance in the bag. Professional Builder’s Lee Jones talks to the company’s Andy Walker and Mike May about these low carbon products.
On site mixing might be the age-old method but it’s always likely to result in variations in the mix. Indeed, having experienced durability issues with below DPC mortar in particular, a number of national housebuilders have now completely banned the practice from their projects.builders
If you’re a small builder working on an extension, where you’re required to match to an existing brick build, then differences in colour can have a hugely detrimental effect on the job, and that’s why more and more builders are waking up to the benefits of a factory-produced bagged product. Add to that a huge range of colours, and a lower carbon formulation, and the appeal of CEMEX M4 and M12 Coloured Mortars quickly becomes apparent.
“The Coloured Mortars range includes 12 different colours in three shades, which equates to a 38 strong portfolio,” reveals Andy Walker, Specification Manager for CEMEX UK. “Dove Holes White is the on-trend choice, which complements the greyer and lighter bricks that are presently proving popular.”
At the same time that range is greatly extended by the manufacturer’s bespoke service, as Mike May, Sales Manager for Mortars Europe, explains: “Builders will often go to great lengths to ensure that the brickwork is in harmony with any existing structure, but will often neglect the mortar, and that’s a failing that can have a huge impact on the overall aesthetic. When you look at a wall, 20 per cent of what you’re seeing is actually the mortar, and if you don’t get the colour right in the first place it can be very difficult to subsequently rectify.”
“Not only do CEMEX M4 and M12 Coloured Mortars offer a factory-controlled consistency, we also provide colour swatches and samples as aids to specification. Builders can also send samples and photographs from which our technical department can formulate a suitable a compatible colour, whilst a site visit can be arranged for larger developments.”
In terms of mix options there are two different bagged mortars – an M4 for bricklaying above DPC and an M12 – with a higher cement content – for below DPC. The latter is also strong enough to be used on roof copings, where it will resist the effects of frost attack, and in in landscaping jobs where aggressive ground-based chemicals, such as sulphates, are in evidence.
For paving slabs, the extensive collection of CEMEX solutions extends to Streetpave – a dedicated bedding mortar, where slabs can be pressed in place and, once cured, a jointing mortar applied. In addition, there’s a cementitious pointing mortar – ONPOINT – available, which is equally effective on brick slip panels.
Crucially, both M4 and M12 Coloured Mortars are lower carbon solutions and offer CO2 savings of greater than 15 per cent. This is achieved by reformulating a traditional CEM1 Portland Cement with the manufacturer’s Cemstone, without any detriment to technical performance. Cemstone replaces about 15 per cent of the clinker content with limestone fines, a by-product of the hard rock quarrying industry that would otherwise go to landfill.
Used as a binder in cement products, clinker is an inherently high energy and CO2 intensive material. At the same time, the remaining clinker in Cemstone is ground to a much finer consistency, all of which combines to produce a BS EN9882 compliant, 52.5N product that has the same characteristics as a high performance and high resistance CEM1, which means that the cement content in the M4 and M12 Coloured Mortars doesn’t need to be increased.
“The bagged mortars are factory mixed to controlled standards,” concludes Andy, “with all the necessary additives to enhance workability included. As a result, there’s the reassurance of a consistency of colour, mix and strength – all that the builder has to do is add water in accordance with the mixing guide provided.”
There are two sizes available – a double sleeved, 1 tonne bag, which can be resealed in order to maintain waterproofing, as well as 25kg plastic and waterproofed packs. In either case, dependable performance and appearance is assured.
For further information on the CEMEX range of bagged mortars www.rdr.link
