Difference Between Mortar and Grout | Different Types of Mortar and Grout

What is mortar

Mortar is a bonding compound created from a mixture of water, a cementing or binding substance (lime or cement), and fine gravel (sand, surkhi, sawdust, etc.). It is used to bind different building materials together, such as bricks, tiles, and stones. In brick or stone masonry, it can also be used to create a decorative pattern. Mortar has been used since the start of time.

Different types of mortar

1. Cement Mortar
2. Lime Mortar
3. Surkhi Mortar
4. Gauged Mortar
5. Mud Mortar

Cement Mortar

Cement mortar is a form of mortar in which the fine aggregate is sand and the binding material is cement. Depending on the desired strength, the cement to sand proportion in cement mortar ranges from 1:2 to 1:6.

Uses of cement mortar

• In brick or stone masonry, mortar holds the bricks or stones together.
• Pressure is distributed evenly.
• It is used to fill gaps between bricks or stones to make walls more solid.
• It is utilized in concrete as a matrix.
• It is used to hide joints and improve the appearance of plastering projects.
• It’s utilized for ornamentation and moulding.

Lime Mortar

Lime mortar is a form of mortar in which the binding element is lime (fat lime or hydraulic lime) and the fine aggregate is sand. Lime/sand ratio in cement mortar is 1:2.

Gauged Mortar

sand (fine aggregate), cement +lime (binding material). It’s essentially lime mortar with the addition of cement for enhanced strength. Gauging is the term for this procedure. Cement/lime ratio range from min 1:6 to max 1:9. Gauged mortar is less expensive than cement concrete and more durable than lime mortar.

Surkhi Mortar

Surkhi mortar is a form of mortar in which Surkhi is used as the fine aggregate and lime is utilized as the binding element. Surkhi mortar is cost-effective.

Mud Mortar

The binding material is mud, and the fine aggregate is sawdust/ rice husk/cow dung. When lime or cement isn’t accessible, mud mortar is preferable.

What is Grout?

Grout is a semi-liquid that is usually to require fill gaps in existing constructions or to reinforce them. Grout is a mixture of water +cement+ sand that is used for pressure grouting, embedding rebar in masonry walls, connecting pre-cast concrete sections, filling gaps, and sealing joints between tiles.

Types of Grouting

Based on the types of materials the following types of grouting are used. 

Cement Grouting

The injection of cement or grout under pressure into voids or fractures in the soil, rock unit, or concrete structure is known as cement grouting. Cement grouting is a method of filling cracks and spaces in concrete structures by injecting cement under pressure.

Chemical Grouting

By filling the spaces with low viscosity, non-particulate grout, chemical grouting turns granular soils into sandstone-like masses. Chemical grout is applied using a machine through the perforations under pressure. The grout absorbs water and hardens in no time.

Bentonite Grouting

Bentonite Grout is prepared by using sodium bentonite. Drilled hole abandonment, water well grout, monitoring well casing sealing, and geothermal grouting are all possibilities.

Resin Grouting

Traditional grout is made from a cement-based mixture. When it gets wet, instead of repelling water, it absorbs it. Anyone who has cleaned grout knows how quickly it absorbs stains.

Bituminous Grouting

The grouting ingredient is melted bitumen. When hot bitumen is injected into saturated media, it cools quickly at the interface and changes from a fluid to a highly viscous, tenaciously sticky, elastoplastic condition.

G1 Grouting: Steel Structures

This type of grout is commonly used in steel structures, towers, ships, small pumps, and other non-vibrating machinery, though the precise application of the grout type to any location will be established by the relevant drawing.

G2 Grouting: Concrete Structures

Concrete foundations, footings, etc., will all need this sort of grout. The minimum compressive strength (7days & 28 days) of the grout will be 50 N/mm2, and 60 N/mm2 respectively.

Also Read: Grout vs. white cement

Ceramic Tile Grouting types

Unsanded Grout

This is for wall tiles with grout joints that are less than 1/8″ broad.

Fine Sand Grout

This is for floor tiles with 1/8″ to 3/8″ broad joints.

Quarry Type Grout

This is similar to finely sanded grout for ceramic tiles, but with a coarser sand grade. For 3/8″ to 1/2″ wide joints, such as those used with Saltillo tiles, quarry-type grout is employed.

Epoxy Grout

Epoxy ceramic tile grout is stain and chemical-resistant, with exceptional bonding strength. It’s ideal for stain-prone surfaces like countertops.

Pros of Grouting

• This can be done on nearly any type of surface.
• It has no vibrations and can be controlled to avoid structural damage.
• In-ground structure improvements can be measured.
• Ideal for applications with limited space and headroom.
• It can be placed next to existing walls.
• Process and its types can be utilized to regulate seepage, groundwater flow, and hazardous waste materials.

Applications of Grouting

• Stopping large amounts of water from entering mines, tunnels, parkades, dams, and other underground constructions.
• Grouting of soil and rock.
• Chemical-resistant steel, concrete reservoirs, floor coatings, gels, and mortars (chemical factories, pharmaceutical industry, mills).
• Environmentally friendly uses.

Mortar vs Grout

There is the following difference between mortar and grout

Characteristics	Mortar	Grout
Material	Cement + Sand + Lime + Water	Cement + Water + Sand + epoxy/acrylic polymer
Water-Cement Ratio	Less	More
Function	Cement mortar’s principal role is to act as a binder in brick or stone masonry.	The grout’s principal duty is to act as a filler material in tilling and cracks.
Stiffness	Stiffer than Grout	Less stiff than mortar
Workability	It adheres well to a trowel and has more workability.	It is more difficult to handle with a trowel or other equipment as the water content increases.
Viscosity	Less	Highly viscous
Color	It is usually the colour of cement.	As required, several colours are available.
Types	Cement Mortar Lime Mortar Surkhi Mortar Gauged Mortar Mud Mortar	Sanded grout Un-sanded or wall grout Epoxy grout Furan grout Acrylic grout
Porosity	Non-porous	It is quite porous and retains water even after hardening.
Curing	Curing is required for the hardening process of mortar.	Curing grout does not necessitate extra water; the initial amount is sufficient.
Setting Time	Longer	Shorter
Application	In stone, concrete, and brick masonry, it is used as a bonding agent. Used for joint sealing.	Used as a crack and tile filler. It will prevent cracks, make soil stabilize, and correct bedding planes.

Grouting Process

The following steps are used during grouting:

1. Grout colour
2. Put the Grout on
3. Maintain a perpendicular with the grout float
4. Use a damp sponge to wipe the tile
5. Remove the Haze with a Damp Cloth
6. Seal the surface
7. Apply

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