​Concrete and mortar are often confused as the same construction material. Let me clarify for once that concrete and mortar are different. While concrete and mortar are two of the most famous and widely used construction materials, they have their own unique differences, benefits, and weaknesses. 
Can I use one to replace the other to construct my home? 
Generally speaking, mortar is not an alternative for concrete and the other way around. To answer the question straight, these two are not alternative options. Mortar is used for binding purposes while concrete is used to build large, wide, and thick structures. 
If your mason tells you that you should use a concrete than a mortar or vice versa, that means your mason is not an expert and you should probably consider hiring a new one. A basic knowledge about mortar and concrete is that they differ in materials, use, and benefits. However, in some cases, cement is used to bind small objects, too. But because mortar is designed to bind two objects regardless of its surface texture, it is just proper to use it rather than opting for concrete binding.  
What is the fundamental difference between a concrete and a mortar? 
Concrete is basically a mixture of sand, water, and cement. In addition, it contains coarse aggregates such as small rocks which makes it fundamentally stronger after it hardens and solidifies. Its application requires a certain amount of water per concrete cement mixture to create a consistent thick material. 
Concrete is used for building heavy and big structures such as buildings, bridges, roads, dams, and airports. Concrete has high-level structural integrity and can withstand an unthinkable amount of weight – ideal for building public infrastructures such as highways. 
On the other hand, mortar is used to fundamentally bind two things. While it has the same basic materials which are sand, water, and cement, it does not carry the same capacity of a concrete. Mortars are usually used for constructing houses with veneer applications. It is also used to bind bricks and stone panels. Its property makes a very durable and resilient binding material despite having it exposed to water and heat.
Know its roles and purposes
A non-expert may not be able to tell the difference because the two practically look the same. Some of its raw materials are the same with concrete having more additions because of its purpose in construction. 
Both are used in small, medium, and even big building projects but have their own roles and purposes. Knowing a mortar and a cement’s use, their roles in the construction, and the purpose of using them can save you a lot of money and increases the safety of your property. 
The usage and application of both masonry construction materials are crucial to the quality of output of your mason’s work.
Is stucco made from the same raw materials?
Stucco walls are a special masonry product. Innovation and product development led industry practitioners to use stucco as an ultimate masonry construction material. It is famous in the United States and is gaining popularity in Eastern and Western Europe and in Asia. 
Aesthetics is now a universal indicator of value when it comes to home. Make sure to take care of your stucco walls by allowing expert masons to stucco repair your walls. Never let nature tear down your wall little by little. Regain the durability of your stucco walls by allowing stucco repair experts to fix small holes and small cracks.
If you think that stucco is invulnerable to water damage, you are wrong. Look for water damage that may manifest in small to large portions of your walls.
Trust Our Stucco Repair Experts
Reading or watching about stucco online alone does not make you a person who can navigate the differences in stucco finishes, its technicalities, and its proper application. If you want to save money and avoid waste, you certainly need an expert to do it for you.
Orlando Stucco Repair Pros has a team of dedicated expert masons and a stucco repair team. We have years of experience in the masonry construction business. We make sure that your house is our pride with the latest techniques, methods, and the best tools to use, your home will have the glow it needs.
Need a stucco repair for your home’s exterior walls? Never try DIY kits because they only waste time and money. Application of stucco is not instant and definitely requires skills, knowledge, and the right tools. Get it done the right way with the best expert mason in Orlando.

​You might be wondering what stucco is and how versatile this masonry construction material is. Well, let us walk you through the different stucco finishes that are ideal for your taste or the aesthetics of your home. 
Stucco is gaining popularity in an unprecedented way thanks to its industrial-grade performance. Stucco is designed to last for more than a decade. It is a class-a masonry construction material and can absolutely stand the test of time. One of the main reasons why it is preferred by many homeowners and even business owners is because of its cost-efficient in a lot of ways. Many do not know this, but stucco is relatively cheaper than any other masonry construction material. It cost a lot cheaper compared to wood veneer walls and brick walls. In addition, stucco is low maintenance making it the ultimate ideal material for any type of home.
What are the different finishes of Stucco? 
So much about its resiliency and cost-effectiveness, let us talk about the design! We know for a fact that aesthetics is very important for a house. It adds significant worth to the property not only economic value but as well as psychological value. Design is important because it gives the owner something to look forward to. If you are a person of style, stucco is the best fit for you. Below are the different finishes that you can opt for when it comes to choosing a stucco for your home. 
1. Montalvo Finish – sometimes informally called cat face finish, Montalvo is generally smooth with random rough small to medium surfaces that add a unique touch to your exterior walls. If you are looking for a rugged but elegant looking wall, Montalvo is the ideal stucco finish for you.
2. Spanish Lace Finish – an elegant-looking finish, Spanish lace is preferred by homeowners with medium to big properties. Spanish lace compliments big walls. If your mason does not know what Spanish lace is, try asking him about the skip-trowel finish – it is one of the same things but the latter is more common.
3. Dash Finish – a stucco with a highly textured gravel finish. It is one of the most famous stucco finish because it can add a unique texture to your home’s exterior walls. Partnered with a generous amount of outdoor plants, a dash finish stucco can give a Mediterranean vibe.
4. Sand Finish – unlike dash finish, a sand finish stucco is lightly textured – as if you are touching sand on the beach. A foam float gives a classy finish to your stucco wall. The sand finish can effectively hide imperfections on the walls which cannot be removed otherwise. 
5. Worm Finish – a worm finish is definitely aesthetically pleasing for everybody. It is also famously partnered with popping colors. A worm finish has a rough to smooth surface with small seemingly dent touches to make it look imperfectly perfect. 
 
6. Santa Barbara Finish – a smooth and soft finish for homeowners who love plainness and simplicity. Looking at it closely, you will see a little sandy surface give a semi-smooth texture which you can only tell by touching it. 
7. Smooth Finish – if Santa Barbara is still too rough for you, the smooth finish is an absolute choice for homeowners who want fineness and consistency. Smooth finish stuccos are absolutely about plain, simple stucco not to mention its low-maintenance texture. 
Different stucco finishes give different benefits and values. More so, some are low-maintenance, and some need a little more cleaning than the others. It generally depends on how textured the surface is. 
Choose only the Experts
If you have an old stucco wall in your house, you might want to ask an expert for a stucco repair. Maintenance and stucco repair is very important more especially when you see small cracks and holes on your stucco. You might not know this, but stucco repair is absolutely cheaper than having a new stucco installed on your home’s exterior. 
Orlando Stucco Repair Pros is one of the leading stucco service providers in Orlando and nearby areas. Never let a mediocre handle the stucco job for you. With a non-stucco expert, you might be spending more than what you get. Remember that stucco is a specialty masonry construction material. Its application is complex than laying bricks and stone walls. Get your stucco wall repaired now and retain the elegant looking walls of your home. 
Call us now and ask our expert stucco repair team to take care of your stucco walls. Go treat yourself by taking good care of your home.