BRICKASSOCIATIONOF THECAROLINAS

The Latest About the Use of Brick

Introduction: A Canvas Of Color

To builders and architects,a home or commercialstructure is its own distinctart form, where line, color,composition and texture allplay equal parts. Becauseof their versatility, brickand mortar are often thetools chosen to create aunique, personal statementthat, like a fine painting or sculpture, increases invalue and beauty over time.

A thoughtful combinationof brick and mortar cantransform a project fromordinary to exquisite. Brickoffers a limitless choice ofcolors, shapes and texturesthat, coupled with its mod-ularity, can achieve uniquearchitectural elements.Mortar, which accounts forapproximately 20 percentof a wall’s area, expandsthese options by offering acreative, colorful way toindividualize any buildingproject. Even a subtlechange in mortar color canmake an enormous impacton the look of the brickand on the overall look ofthe project.

From buff to red, from char-coal to chocolate, the skill-ful use of mortar colorsmakes any project standout. The right mortar colorcan bind disparate architec-tural features together,accentuate details or pro-vide striking contrast to aplain brick surface. It’s all in the hands of the crafts-man who puts it together.

ATCHFocusOn

Colored Mortar

BUILT TO SUIT ANY TASTE

The Stutts Cove develop-ment in Mooresville, NCstands out from otherresidential developmentsin the Lake Norman area near Charlotte.The reason is deceptive-ly simple: varying notonly the brick, but alsothe mortar color fromproject to project, giveseach home a personalityall its own.

The developer for StuttsCove, Michael J. Fox &Associates of Charlotte,understands that col-ored mortar is amongthe best ways to individ-ualize a home and uses C O N T I N U E D PA G E 2

Combining light-colored CastleberryOversized brick with a chocolate mortaremphasizes the individ-ual, uneven shape ofeach brick, giving thishome a rustic, earthylook. (1a, b)

1a

1c

1b

BRC

K

BRIC

KW

ATC

H

2

“Colored mortar used with

brick gives a richer appearance

that is more appealing to the eye.” - MICHAEL J. FOX

BUILT TO SUIT ANY TASTEC O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 1

it liberally through-out the development.“Mortar color playsa major role in personal-izing a residential development by creatinga more prestigious look,”says Shaun Ogden, contractor for Michael J. Fox & Associates.

In many ways, coloredmortar is its own designelement. It can draw the eye toward arches,keys, window treatments,steps and any other dec-orative brick accent. Asingle brick style oftencontains a whole spec-trum of colors, and colored mortar is themost effective way to draw out the hue that works best for the project.

“Colored mortar makesthe appearance of ahome look 10 times better than regularmortar. It can completelychange the appearanceof the brick,” says Ogden. “It is definitely a different look.”

SHAUN OGDEN

CONTRACTOR

MICHAEL J. FOX

DEVELOPER

Residential developersoften use the simple yet classic monolithic techniqueto give privacy walls anupscale look. (2b)

LIMITLESS FLEXIBILITYThese three projects aretestimony that even aslight variation in mortarcolor affects the color ofthe brick itself. Thougheach project uses Chesa-peake Pearl brick, thesephotographs show thatusing colored mortaroffers unlimited ways topersonalize any project.

The application of buff-colored mortar provides aseamless canvas for thebrick’s color and texturevariations while high-lighting its warm tones(2c). White mortar bringsout the pink tones of thebrick, while regular mor-tar draws attention to thebrick’s neutral gray colorproperties (2d, e).

2b

2d 2e

2c

2a

3

“A well-chosen mortar is probably

the best money someone can spend

on a home.” -RICK STANLEY, BUILDER, AIA

The pictures to the leftdemonstrate how coloredmortar changes not only theoverall look of a project, butthe appearance of the brickitself. The left side shows atraditional gray mortar, whilethe right side shows matchingcolored mortar. (3d)

Achocolate mortarenhances the earth tones of Mission Rose brick to soften the colors of entranceto this townhome. Its application also smooths out the brick’s rough edges, giving it a cleaner, contem-porary look. (3b)

The European mono-lithic look, achievedhere by matchingDiamond WhiteOversized brick withwhite mortar, allowsthe eye to focus ondesign details. (4c)

3a 3c

3e

3b

3d

FocusOn

ColoredMortar

4 WATCH

THE

DET

AIL

S

By matching the mortar toStratford RoseOversized Tumble brick, the eye is natu-rally drawn tothe non-uniform,handmadeappearance of the brick. (4b)

The monolithic look is a great way

to achieve color mass and keep

projects from looking busy.”- DAN GOLIGHTLY

DAN GOLIGHTLY, AIA

ARCHITECT

“

A RECIPE FOR LASTING MORTAR COLOR

To ensure color uniformity in mortar, consistency inmixing methods and materials is crucial. For bestresults, premix cement and coloring agents in large,controlled quantities and in a consistent mixingsequence. The same source of mortar materials should be used throughout the entire project.

Final mortar color and color permanence depend on factors such as the amount of mixing water, moisture content of the brick when laid, whether the mortar is retempered, the time and degree of tooling, cleaning techniques, the quality of pigments, weathering and the efflorescing qualities of the mortar.

Colored mortar can beapplied in a variety of jointfinishes, which furtherenhance the overall look of the project.

For more information, seeTechnical Notes on BrickConstruction No. 8 from theBrick Institute of America.

4a

4b

4c

5

5d

5a

KEEPING IT SIMPLEA simple design, likethe AdBel MedicalBuilding in Matthews,NC, frees architects to experiment withinteresting masonry tech-niques, like using morethan one mortar in thesame project. “Brick andmortar are just like anyother tool,” says archi-tect Frank Williams ofCharlotte. “It’s just amatter of knowing how to use them.” (5a, 5c).

Although the samebrick was used through-out the project, a simpleswitch to a darker mortar color betweenwindows and on thebanding gives theappearance that a dif-ferent brick was used.Recessed brick withdark mortar in split-faced masonry poststies together the manymasonry elements.

Old Colony brick withblack mortar neutralizesthe red tones of the brick,offering stability to theattention-getting design of this fast-food franchise.(5d)

Clean, simple masonrytechniques accentuate the reverse-concave mirrored windows overAdBel Medical Building’sentrance. (5c)

Colored mortar lendsitself well to brickdetails, such as brickbanding and corbelingtechniques. (5b)

FRANK WILLIAMS

ARCHITECT

5c

“You can change the whole

mood of a building when

you change the mortar.” -FRANK WILLIAMS

FocusOn

ColoredMortarBR

ICK

WAT

CH

6

BRThe Solid Investment

CK

BRICKASSOCIATIONOF THECAROLINAS

800.62.BRICK

Suite 8008420 University Executive Park Charlotte, NC 28262

www.gobrick.com

KUDOS1a-b, 2a Private residences, StuttsCove development, Mooresville,NC; Developer: Michael J. Fox &Associates, Charlotte, NC; Contrac-tor: Shaun Ogden, Charlotte, NC.

1c & 2c Private residence, TheBluffs at Lake Jeanette, Greensboro,NC; Builder: Gary Jobe Builder,Greensboro, NC; Architect: PaulHarris; Mason: Eusebio Hernandez,Greensboro, NC.

2b Smithbrook developmententrance gate, Anderson, SC;Developer: Joe & David Bates,Anderson, SC; Architect: DavidBates, Arrowood Signs andDesigns, Pickens, SC; Mason: Lyn Thourell, Anderson, SC.

2e Private residence, Kernersville,NC; Builder: Fortis Homes, HighPoint, NC.

3a Private residence, Riverbenddevelopment, Caldwell County,Granite Falls, NC; Builder: SWAssociates, Hickory, NC.

3b Private residence, CambridgeTownhomes, Conover, NC; Archi-tect: Designs Unlimited, Conover,NC; Builder: Don Hedrick Con-struction, Conover, NC; Mason: T&RMasonry, Conover, NC.

3c Private residence, Doe Run development, Kernersville, NC; De-signer: Wayne Boger, Kernersville,NC; Builder: Northridge Builders,Kernersville, NC; Mason: DonnyStroud, Mocksville, NC.

Boral Bricks, Inc.Boren BrickCarolina CeramicsCunningham Brick Co., Inc.General Shale–Hanford DivisionLee Brick & Tile Co., Inc.New London Brick WorksOld Carolina Brick Co.Palmetto Brick Co.Pine Hall Brick Co., Inc.Richtex CorporationStatesville Brick Co.Taylor Clay Products Co.Triangle Brick

A NEW TRADITIONThe expansion of Mt. Horeb LutheranChurch in Chapin, SCdemonstrates how the monolithic look,achieved by matchingthe color of the mortarto the brick, can trans-form and update thelook of any existingstructure (6b-d).

The church’s newentrance, built with adeep garnet-coloredbrick and matching mor-tar, contrasts with therose-colored brick ofthe existing educationbuilding and fellowshiphall. “Mortar has more of an effect on the over-all appearance thanpeople give it creditfor,” says the project’sarchitect, Dan Golightlyof Columbia, SC.

CO

PYR

IGH

T 2

000 B

RIC

K A

SS

OC

IATIO

N O

F T

HE C

AR

OLIN

AS

Traditional gray mortar defines theshape of the brick inthis church’s facadewhile framing therecessed monolithicpanels between thewindows. (6a)

3d Solomon Color showroom,Springfield, IL.

3e Private residence, Lecho Parkdevelopment, Conover, NC;Architect: Mary Bruce RobinsonAssociates, Marietta, GA; Builder:Don Hedrick Construction,Conover, NC; Mason: T&RMasonry, Conover, NC.

4a Private residence, Danville,VA; Builder and Architect: A.K. Ferrell Construction,Danville, VA; Mason: Larry Soyers,Danville, VA.

4b Private residence, Statesville,NC; Builder: Richard Wilson,Statesville, NC; Designer: RichardWilson; Mason: Allen Guy, StoneyPoint, NC.

4c Private residence, Traemoredevelopment, Winston-Salem,NC; Builder: Keith Rogers Homes, Inc., Winston-Salem, NC; Mason: Espinal Masonry, Winston-Salem, NC.

5a & c AdBel Medical Building, Matthews, NC; Architect: Williams & Associates Architects, Matthews, NC; Builder: Shelco Inc., Charlotte,NC; Mason: Leder Masonry,Charlotte, NC.

5b Office condominiums,Burlington, NC; Builder: CarroleFisher Construction, Salisbury,NC.; Architect: Burl Brady,Salisbury, NC; Mason: DeanPhelps Masonry, Lexington, NC.

5d Bojangle’s restaurant,Burlington, NC; Builder:Richardson Turner Construction,Knoxville, TN; Mason: Gary Whitesell Masonry,Burlington, NC.

6a Ascension Lutheran Church,Charlotte, NC; Architect: AdamsGroup, Charlotte, NC; Builder:Rogers Builders, Charlotte, NC;Mason: Gates Construction,Mooresville, NC.

6b-d Mt. Horeb Lutheran Church,Chapin, SC; Architect: DesignCollaborative, Inc., Columbia, SC; Builder/Mason: J.A. Metze & Sons, Inc., Columbia, SC.

The monolithic theme established by the church’s entrance is repeated in the horizontal band-ing that spans the existing rose-coloredstructure. (6b, c, d)

6b

6c

6d

6a