Ochres have been used as colorants in mortar for many years and have been used as a standard buff color since the late 1800's. A range of colors from very light buff to a very dark buff can be obtained simply by varying the amount of ochre used per bag of mortar. A white mortar and a white or neutral colored masonry sand produce cleaner colors.

Proper maintenance of colored mortar requires avoidance of acid cleaning whenever possible. Acid attacks cement, loosening the pigment particles on the surface and exposing the sand grains. If cleaning is required, use a commercial cleaner or not more than one part muriatic acid to 19 parts water. Cleaning should not take place before the work has cured for 3 to 5 weeks.

Ochres have been used as colorants in concrete for many years and have been used as a standard buff color since the late 1800's. Ochre can be used in patios, driveways, stamped concrete, tennis courts, swimming pools, decks, street curbing, parking areas, sidewalks, freeway sound barriers and landscaping, tile-up building walls and cast in place concrete.

Ochres have been used as colorants in building materials such as brick, ceramic tile, roofing granules and paint for many years.

Until the mid 1940's, ochre and umber were chiefly used as a buff coloring agent in linoleum and concrete. Advances in process control and color technology since 1977 have proven iron oxides produced by NRO to be a cost effective colorant in: roofing granules, paper, concrete block, ceramic tiles, textiles, cosmetics, animal feeds, inks, paints, stains, sealers and caulks. NRO's iron oxides also have non-colorant uses as a source of iron in chemical formulations, foundry industry, high density applications and in the processing of aluminum.