Building mixtures: universal and specialized compounds

Dry building mixes are used for a wide range of finishing and general construction works. They are used not only for leveling surfaces, but also in decorative finishes. The catalog of most manufacturers contains a wide selection of materials that vary in both composition and purpose. All this allows you to make the best choice for specific work.

Variety of classifications

All types of manufactured building mixtures are classified according to the following criteria:

used binder;
functional purpose;
terms of use;
method of application;
grain sizes.

Manufacturers take into account all these factors, which is the reason for the variety of the proposed mixtures. The analysis of all the above parameters will help you choose the best option.

Type of binder used

In the production of dry construction mixtures, various binders are used, as a result, materials of different properties are obtained. The following types of products are distinguished by this feature:

cement - based on cement, which makes the treated surface resistant to moisture, at an affordable price;
gypsum - the main component is gypsum, which makes the mixture white, suitable for finishing;
calcareous - made from inexpensive lime, used for interior decoration;
polymer - based on polymers that make the compounds plastic, the disadvantage is the high price;
mixed - compositions that use several types of binder, so you can focus on certain properties.

Mixtures, depending on the binder, have different prices and practical characteristics, differ in color and application conditions.

Functional purpose of building mixtures

Use dry mixes for the preparation of solutions that are used in a variety of works. The appointment of the compounds served as the basis for the creation of one of the most popular classifications of this material. The following types of building mixtures are available:

masonry - used for bricklaying, aerated concrete blocks;
plastering - used to align walls;
putty - used to level surfaces and seal cracks;
adhesive - used for the installation of ceramic tiles, thermal insulation, drywall and other sheet materials;
grouting - are necessary for sealing joints between ceramic tiles and drywall sheets;
floor - used to form screeds of different thicknesses;
insulating - are composed of additives that improve the waterproofing, heat-insulating or sound-proofing properties of the treated surface;
protective - contain additives that improve fire resistance, resistance to corrosion or exposure to microorganisms;
decorative - form complex surfaces due to the presence of hard grains of various sizes.

A review of the assortment of leading manufacturers allows you to find out what products a particular factory specializes in. The entire range of products is produced only by the largest suppliers of mortars.

Terms of use and method of application

A simple comparison of the operating parameters allows you to divide the mixture into two large groups:

for external use;
for internal use.

The main criteria for identifying one species is resistance to temperature extremes and high humidity. According to the method of applying the mixture, they are divided into two groups:

manual application;
machine application.

In the latter case, complex technical devices are used to work, which help to finish large areas in a short time.

Granularity matters

All mixtures are used for applying a layer of a solution of a certain thickness, for this the main components are crushed to different grain sizes. According to this parameter, mixtures are:

coarse-grained - with grains up to 5 mm;
fine-grained - with grains up to 1.25 mm;
finely dispersed - with grains up to 0.2 mm.

Coarse grains are used for preparatory work, for the preparation of masonry mortars and screeds. Finely dispersed are used for finishing finishing works. Universal dry mixes are in each product category, with their help they carry out the bulk of the work. Specialized compounds are used to give the surface special properties - decorative, practical or protective.