What's the difference between morter and sand mix? While I'm asking there is type N and Type S morter. My application is building a concrete shower curb and base, to eventually be tiled.

Thanks

labman

Maybe a weak answer is better than none at all. I think sand mix is just that, mortar with sand already mixed in it. It should be cheaper per pound, and is ready to go. Mortar is great for larger jobs, dump a bag of mortar, a few shovels of sand, and the water in the mixer and let it go. I think the different types of mortar have different ratios of portland cement and lime in them, the one producing a stronger mortar. For a small job like yours, buy the sand mix.

We could use somebody here that knows a little more about this than I do.

tommytman

Will you be putting in your own shower pan under the morter??

hansgreg

Yes, if I understand the question...We used sand mix. Built a frame of 2x6's on the outside of the curb. Poured the floor over the pan liner. And used real dry mix to form the curb (so it would hold it's shape on the inside corner).

There is definitely a difference betweeen sand mix and mortar. We used mortar for the pre-pan (the cement under the liner). IT was much more difficult to work with because it was sticky, and took forever to set. The sand mix acted like you would expect concrete to act.

If I find a good explanation of the different types of mortar I will post it here.

Thanks!

I don't know why I didn't try this Friday! I searched for "type N mortar" and found all kinds of info....From what I read....
Sand mix has no lime. Mortar has varying amounts of lime in the mix.
Here is the link to one of the sites I found, detailing the formulas.

http://www.free-ed.net/sweethaven/Bl...p?iNum=fra0104

I also found a site where they talk about deck mud and fat mud specifically for shower curb and pan applications. basically sand mix for the pan, and mortar for the curb... I have a professional tiler friend that told me to use sand mix. HE said don't use mortar. I hope it's OK to quote another help site. Here is what they say...
http://www.johnbridge.com/vbulletin/...723#post103723


I do know from personal experience that all mortar is not the same. We recently did a stone fireplace, with mortar purchased from the stone manufacturer. It worked much better that the mortar we purchased at the local home center when we ran out of the "good stuff".

I hope that I have "given back" to this forum, for all the help I have received here.


Thanks again