The N70 deviates from the norm in terms of dimensions (70 mm wide, 240 mm long), but the material properties of the brick are exactly the same as those of a classic facing brick. This means that the requirements for the mortar remain unchanged.

  1. Standard products suffice

You do not need to specify special or more expensive products. Standard masonry mortar, adhesive, or thin-bed mortar (matched to the suction class of the specific brick) works just as well for the N70 as it does for a Waal format, for example. The processing is identical.

  1. Practice: over-wet mortar and 're-tempering'

Because the N70 is narrower, there is sometimes a myth that it 'dances' or sinks more quickly during traditional masonry. In practice, however, the cause of sinking bricks is almost never the brick format, but rather mortar that is too wet.

  • The pitfall of re-tempering (adding water): On the scaffolding, it often happens that mortar which has stiffened up after lunch is made workable again by adding extra water and a shovel of cement. If the mortar is made too loose or wet as a result, it loses its initial load-bearing capacity. This causes bricks to sink, regardless of whether the craftsman is working with an N70 or a standard brick. Always maintain the correct, stiff mortar consistency.

Conclusion

The N70 does not require different materials in the mortar tub. It only requires familiar craftsmanship and correctly prepared mortar.

See also: How do I process facing bricks for the best result?