FAQ
Lime Mortar
Components - Which aggregate should I use?

Components - Which aggregate should I use?

Bethany Evans Posted this on 08 Apr 2024

Which aggregate should I use?

We have a range of aggregates available that can be used across all applications including; pointing, plastering, rendering and screeding. We are continually working to improve the environmental credentials of our products, looking for more sustainable alternatives to freshly quarried sands which deplete a finite natural resource. By working with suppliers in the recycling sector, we are proud to say a number of our aggregates are now sourced from recycled building materials, the waste materials are processed, washed and then graded to ensure they meet the criteria required for Lime mortars.

The table below explains the aggregate size, colour and suitable application for each aggregate.

Aggregate Name	Aggregate Colour	Aggregate Size*	Suitable For **	Available in
Aggregate Name	Please note, pointing joints tend to be finer for brickwork, than stonework, so the smaller aggregates are normally advisable for brickwork.
*Silica*	Pale Yellow	<1mm	Internal Top Coat Plaster	25kg Small Bag 1 Tonne Bulk Bag
*Fine Cumbrian*	Buff	1mm	Top Coat Plaster	25kg Small Bag 1 Tonne Bulk Bag
*Dark Blaenavon*	Very Dark Grey/Black	2mm	Pointing - Brickwork	25kg Small Bag 1 Tonne Bulk Bag
*Blaenavon*	Dark Grey	2mm	Pointing - Brickwork	25kg Small Bag 1 Tonne Bulk Bag
*Rhondda⁺*	Grey	2mm	Pointing - Brickwork Bagged Finish	25kg Small Bag 1 Tonne Bulk Bag
*London*	Yellow	2mm	Pointing - Brickwork Top Coat Render	25kg Small Bag 1 Tonne Bulk Bag
*Cumbrian*	Buff	2mm	Pointing - Brickwork Top Coat Render	25kg Small Bag 1 Tonne Bulk Bag
*Red Sandstone*	Red	4mm	Pointing - Brickwork Pointing - Stonework	25kg Small Bag 1 Tonne Bulk Bag
*Cheshire*	Pale grey with dark grey fleck	4mm	Pointing - Stonework	25kg Small Bag 1 Tonne Bulk Bag
*Caernarfon⁺*	Pale grey with coarse grey fleck	4mm	Pointing - Stonework	25kg Small Bag 1 Tonne Bulk Bag
*Shropshire*	Pink	4mm	Pointing – Stonework Base Coat Plaster/Render	25kg Small Bag 1 Tonne Bulk Bag
*Cotswold*	White with yellow fleck	4mm	Pointing – Stonework Roughcast Render	1 Tonne Bulk Bag
*Screeding Aggregate⁺*	Pale grey with coarse grey fleck	4mm	Floor Slab/Screed Bedding Flagstones	25kg Small Bag 1 Tonne Bulk Bag
*Rice Coal*	Black Fleck	4mm	Aesthetic addition to mortar	25kg Small Bag
*Wold*	White Fleck	8mm	Aesthetic addition to mortar	25kg Small Bag
* Largest aggregate size listed, all aggregates will go down to dust which generally is required to make a reasonable mortar/plaster. ** Suitable for, but not limited to the suggestions made in this table. ⁺ Recycled Aggregate