Loading
Mortar is a workable paste — typically cement and sand with water — that bonds bricks/blocks and is used for plastering and bedding.
Materials · Also: Cement mortar, Masonry mortar
Mortar is a workable paste — typically cement and sand with water — that bonds bricks/blocks and is used for plastering and bedding.
Plain-language explanations for planning and learning. Local codes, consultant advice and contract documents take precedence over glossary summaries.
Unlike concrete, mortar usually has no coarse aggregate. Mix ratios (e.g. 1:4, 1:6 cement:sand) are chosen for masonry or plaster strength and workability. Joint thickness affects brick/block counts and mortar volume. AAC often needs manufacturer-specified adhesive mortar rather than conventional thick joints. Quantities come from wall area × joint/plaster thickness with wastage.
Example: Internal plaster 12 mm thick on 100 m² at 1:4 mix — cement and sand volumes are derived via the plaster calculator, not from house built-up area alone.
| Unit | Notes |
|---|---|
| m³ | Wet mortar volume |
| bags / m³ sand | Material take-off from mix ratio |
| mm | Joint or plaster thickness |
Aggregate
Aggregate is the sand and stone (jelly/metal) that make up most of concrete’s volume — fine aggregate is sand; coarse aggregate is crushed stone.
AAC block
AAC blocks are lightweight autoclaved aerated concrete masonry units used for walls, valued for speed of build and thermal insulation versus clay brick.
PCC
PCC (Plain Cement Concrete) is concrete without steel reinforcement, often used as a leveling or bedding layer under foundations and floors.
Each Varnarc glossary term includes a simple definition, a technical explanation, a worked example, units where relevant, and links to calculators or materials so you can take the next action. Thin one-line dictionary stubs are not published.
Glossary 2026.08.1
No. Concrete includes coarse aggregate and is used for structural members; mortar is finer and used for bonding and plaster.