Core terms

Mortar

Core terms · definition

A cement-based paste used to bond masonry or, as thinset, to adhere tile to a substrate. Different mixes are rated for different applications and exposures.

Source: InterNACHI — Inspection Glossary: Mortar Types

  • Bond

    A surety bond is a guarantee from a third party that the contractor will complete the work (performance bond) or pay subs and suppliers (…

  • OSB

    Oriented strand board — an engineered panel of compressed wood strands and resin, commonly used for sheathing and subfloor. Cheaper than…

  • Load-Bearing Wall

    A wall that carries weight from the structure above down to the foundation. Removing or opening one requires an engineered beam and posts…

  • OSHA

    The Occupational Safety and Health Administration — the federal agency setting and enforcing job-site safety standards. A contractor's sa…

  • Liquidated Damages

    A pre-agreed dollar amount the contractor owes the owner for each day a project runs past the contracted completion date. Must be a reaso…

  • Partition

    A non-load-bearing interior wall that divides space but carries no structural load above it. Generally simpler and cheaper to move than a…

  • Lien Waiver

    A signed document in which a contractor or supplier gives up the right to file a lien for a given payment. Collect lien waivers with each…

  • Permit

    Official jurisdiction authorization to perform regulated work, triggering required inspections. Unpermitted remodels can force teardown,…

Where this term fits in a remodel

The pillar guides set terms like this one in context — what the work involves, what drives its cost, and where it sits in the sequence of a project. Pricing a specific house takes a defined scope and an on-site assessment.

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