Replies

1. 
   MarkH | Feb 23, 2006 05:40am | #1

   Probably the mortar uses "white sand" instead of the typical colored sand.  Silica sand is white.  Then there is also white portland cement, as opposed to grey portland cement.

2. 
   blue_eyed_devil | Feb 23, 2006 06:47am | #2

   Ive seen that stuff in Michigan. We have a lot of white brick and white mortar.

   Shipping costs would be major!

   blue

    

3. 
   MarkH | Feb 23, 2006 02:24pm | #3

   I don't know where you could get white sand in Oregon.  But if they can get it from somewhere else for 3x the cost of regular sand, I dont think that's too much.  How much sand would you need?  Sand is the cheapest part of the equation. 

4. 
   Mooney | Feb 23, 2006 03:19pm | #4

   View Image

   White Sand 1.5 Qt Price: $4.29

   Thats pretty high and I didnt stick around for shipping.

   Tim

    

5. 
   PeteVa | Feb 23, 2006 03:46pm | #5

   Check out your local swimming pool builders

6. 
   PaulBinCT | Feb 23, 2006 04:44pm | #6

   Hard to believe a good local mason supply shop doesn't have it? Here I get sacks (40 lb I think) for about 8 dollars IIRC.

7. 
   gb93433 | Feb 23, 2006 04:49pm | #7

   Not sure exactly what you are looking for but have you tried a place which supplies masons and plasterers?

8. 
   Notchman | Feb 23, 2006 05:16pm | #8

   If it's not used in the firebox, but just the stone veneer, glass block mortar is white and available at masonry supplies and not terribly expensive....right here in Oregon.

   
   

   ---

   Edited 2/23/2006 9:18 am by Notchman

9. 
   Billy | Feb 23, 2006 05:55pm | #9

   Try glass block mortar...

   Billy

10. 
    Mongo | Feb 23, 2006 07:34pm | #10

    Connie,

    You should be able to get white portland cement and white silica sand locally. At least start out by asking at a masonry supply house, they should be able to order it for you or point you in the right direction.

    If you want "white-white", then white portland and silica will do it for you. For something less white, white portland and regular mason's sand will give a slight tan or yellow hue to the mortar.

    Going with regular gray portland will muddle it into the gray family.

    White portland cost me a few dollars per bag more than gray.

    Here's the mother ship:

    http://www.ahi-supply.com/

11. 
    ponytl | Feb 23, 2006 08:08pm | #11

    i cast alot of concrete and about always use white portland and white sand... i get what they call "golfcourse sand" it's fine white and clean... yeas it costs 3x as much buti usually get 10tons at a time (all i care to put on my dumptruck) and it runs about $100 a load...  cost 2x as much delivered... but still not $$$    for white mortar we use white sand, white portland and lime from the farmers co-op... about 20lbs lime per 94lb sack of portland...  from there you can add any color you want  the liquid colors work real well... a little goes a long way

    p

12. 
    fengelman | Feb 23, 2006 10:12pm | #12

    kids sand box sand...

1. 
   connie363 | Feb 24, 2006 01:39am | #13

   Was this a serious response? I think sand box sand should be able to be come by easily even in Oregon!

1. 
   Matt | Feb 24, 2006 01:56am | #14

   Yes - he was serious...

   Anyway - You say "white sand mortar" - If I read you correctly, your first problem is trying to get pre-mixed mortar.  Look for white mortar and then use playsand, or other white sand usually available at home centers in bags ($$$) or by the ton at a sand and gravel supplier - a few buckets should do ya.  Or, as ponytail said, just make your own mortar by mixing cement, lime and sand:  Something like:

   1 part white Portland cement 

   1 part Type S hydrated lime 

   6 parts white sand

   This will make quite a strong mix - you could even go up to 10 parts sand.  It's best to use a motorized mixer, but for that small amount you could probably mix by hand - it might work best to mix materials dry and then add water.  Go where mason's go - don't waste time at home centers, they probably won't have what you need, and you will get looks like you are from outer space :-)

1. 
   dedubya | Feb 24, 2006 03:39am | #15

   while you are hunting for the white materials dont forget

   if you are going to tool the joints you need pexiglass or acyrilic

   joint tools also available at mason supply stores if not

    the carbon steel masons jointers will leave a dark smear

   on the joints.   D.W.