Mortar vs. Concrete: Which Should I Choose?

Mortar and concrete sound a lot alike: Mix in some water with these cement-based materials, slap them down, and let them dry out to harden into permanent fixtures. But there’s a lot more going on beneath the surface—literally. While concrete excels at large, stone-like projects, mortar works as a binding material to join other bits of masonry. Let’s dig into how they differ before you contact a pro near you.

Mortar vs. Concrete: Key Differences

While mortar and concrete look similar at a glance, they’re actually very different materials and can’t be used in the same applications by local concrete and building pros. Mortar is more of a binding agent, while concrete is stronger and more suited for larger projects.

What Is Mortar?

Mortar is traditionally a thick binding material made with Portland cement, fine sand, and a lime additive (as in limestone, not the fruit), although newer versions use a more advanced masonry formula. The result, when mixed with water, is a coarse, putty-like material. 

Imagine bricklayers scooping up thick mortar and slapping it onto bricks before smoothing it out and adding the next row of bricks. It’s technically weaker than concrete, but it makes up for its lack of strength with greater flexibility, allowing walls to shift over time without cracking.

Best for: 

• Bonding masonry materials like bricks or concrete blocks 

• Stabilizing masonry walls and similar structures

• Helping as an adhesive or repair material in certain landscape projects

Pros of Mortar

• It has a thick, spreadable consistency: Mortar is very easy to work with by hand and trowel.

• It handles movement over time: Where concrete would crack and fail as walls shift, mortar can handle these shifts without completely crumbling.

• It retains more water to settle and bind more easily: Mortar holds onto water longer than concrete and develops more small bubbles, which allows it to weather cold temperatures without breaking.

• It can be repaired: Certain types of mortar are used to refinish and repair mortar that has started to fail without needing to replace the whole wall.

• It comes in various types to match the masonry: It’s easy to customize your project using mortar.

Cons of Mortar

• It requires careful mixing: Mortar needs careful attention when it comes to adding water—too much or too little will threaten its integrity and be difficult to fix once it’s been laid.

• It’s significantly weaker than concrete: Mortar doesn’t have anywhere near the strength rating of concrete, even in its more powerful versions, so it can’t be used in the same large-scale applications.

• It has limited applications: Because of mortar’s role as a joiner, it has a more narrow range of tasks than the all-purpose concrete.

• It’s important to choose the right type: Mortar comes in several different grades, and if the grade isn’t matched to the right material, it can cause serious structural problems later on.

• It’s not as DIY-friendly: It takes more skill to properly mix and apply mortar than concrete.

What Is Concrete?

Concrete is a very common material used around homes for a wide variety of tasks, from DIY projects to larger-scale professional landscaping and construction. This classic compound is made from Portland cement, water, and aggregates like gravel and pebbles. 

Concrete can come in bags that homeowners mix with water themselves, or in concrete delivery trucks with mixing tanks. Then, homeowners can fill in post or fence holes, create slabs for outdoor HVAC units or sheds, and contour dry riverbeds, pathways, or other types of landscaping.

Best for: 

• Landscaping work

• Larger projects like foundations, driveways, and expansions

• Weather exposure 

Pros of Concrete

• It’s very strong: Concrete has a high strength rating that makes it an excellent choice for support and for tasks that require lots of durability.

• It’s DIY-friendly in small amounts: Concrete is affordable and easy to find, and for small projects, homeowners can easily mix and apply their own concrete by following the instructions.

• It’s highly versatile: Concrete can be used in all kinds of tasks, from patios and driveways to foundations and ornamental landscaping or pathways.

• It’s long-lasting when installed properly: When properly mixed and applied, concrete can easily last for decades without needing much maintenance or repair.

• There are many different types available: Concrete is available with different aggregates for different textures, as well as additives for specific purposes, from curing extra-fast to adhering to surfaces more reliably.

Cons of Concrete

• It can’t join blocks or other masonry together: Concrete can act as a filler material, but it should never be used as a joining material between blocks or bricks.

• It’s vulnerable to freeze cycles and ground shifts: Concrete isn’t as resilient as mortar when it comes to extreme temperature changes or movement underneath it, which could lead to problems over time.

• Choosing the right aggregate is very important: Concrete requires careful decisions about aggregates and additives to get the right effect.

• It needs more maintenance: You need to clean concrete and seal it occasionally since it’s more exposed, whereas mortar is often fine on its own.

Mortar vs. Concrete

Mortar and concrete aren’t used for the same purposes, so your project should dictate which one you choose. However, let’s take a closer look at how mortar and concrete match up on several key factors that they have in common.

Strength: Concrete

Materials like concrete and mortar are measured by PSI or pounds per square inch. The most powerful types of mortar are rated at 2,500 psi when fully cured. Concrete, meanwhile, starts at 4,000 psi and can go much higher with specialized versions. Concrete is much stronger due to its composition, while mortar is weaker because it fills a different role that requires some flexibility.

Price: Concrete

Concrete has a simpler construction than mortar and is more common, making it less costly in most cases, especially for DIY work. In the rare times when concrete and mortar may be used for the same project, like some kinds of landscaping, concrete will be the more budget-conscious choice.

Durability: Mortar

Mortar has special qualities that let it roll with the punches, handling freezing weather and wall settling over time by flexing instead of breaking (when properly installed). Concrete, meanwhile, is more rigid and has difficulty dealing with harsh changes, which can lead to large cracks forming over time.

Length of Life: Concrete

When concrete is properly mixed and applied, such as with strong foundations, it can last many decades or even over a hundred years. Mortar, meanwhile, lasts for a few decades before starting to show serious wear and needing repair or replacement.

DIYability: Concrete

Mortar requires more careful mixing and application and is more frequently used by pros who know how to handle it. Concrete is significantly more DIY-friendly. Anyone with a shovel, wheelbarrow, and a little muscle can mix and apply their own concrete without worrying as much about getting it wrong. Hire a pro for your mortar projects. 

Maintenance: Mortar

Both mortar and concrete require relatively little maintenance. However, mortar is more of a “set and forget” material. Once it’s fully settled, you don’t really do anything with mortar unless it starts chipping years down the line. Concrete is more exposed and needs to be occasionally cleaned, monitored for erosion, and (depending on the purpose) sealed against the elements.