What is the difference between mortar and render?

[mouk]

I have some repairs to do in my house - some blocks need pointing and also some internal rendering needs fixing.

As far as I can work out mortar between blocks and bricks is 3:1 or 4:1 sand and cement with plasticiser

Render is also the same as far as I can work out.

So can I make one mixture and fill in blockwork joints and also render repairs?

 

[Norcon]

I have some repairs to do in my house - some blocks need pointing and also some internal rendering needs fixing.

As far as I can work out mortar between blocks and bricks is 3:1 or 4:1 sand and cement with plasticiser

Render is also the same as far as I can work out.

So can I make one mixture and fill in blockwork joints and also render repairs?

Mortar is used for rendering and rendering is using the mortar.
Simples.

 

[noseall]

As far as I can work out mortar between blocks and bricks is 3:1 or 4:1 sand and cement with plasticiser

Render is also the same as far as I can work out.

Similar, yes. Whilst it may be possible to use a render mix as brick-laying, pointing etc, it may not be possible to use a brick-laying mortar for rendering.

It's all about the type of sand and the additives within both styles of mortar which makes them more suitable for their given applications.

Some brick-laying mortars for instance would be useless as a render because they would shrink and crack or craze within hours of being slapped on a wall.

Similarly some renders would not be fatty enough for bricklaying, i.e. lifeless pug and would end up sliding off the trowel.

I would say that as long as it was a home made render i.e. sand/cement/lime/plasticiser etc, then this could be used as a mortar. Some of the manufactured coloured renders (monocouche, k-rend etc) however would not be suitable.

 

[mouk]

Hi

What would be your recommended mix for brick layign mortar and render?


In my situation I would probably knock up some render. Preusmably if bits of render have fall off I can just trowel some new into the gaps (it should hold).

 

[pred]

Me personally always use Holm sand 4:1 with a waterproofer which is also a plasticizer, only problem doing render with two coats with waterproofer is the second coat takes a while longer to dry.