TARAKOTA

It is a structural clay product. It is similar to bricks and tiles with the only difference that this clay is homogeneous and burnt carefully under controlled conditions.

It is the earthenware which is generally used for ornamental parts of the building. It consists of 8 parts of sifted clay, 3 parts of crushed pottery, 2 parts white sand and 1 part ground glass. Saw-dust or ground cork is added to obtain porous terracotta. Terracotta can be sawed and nailed very easily. It is manufactured by the selected type of clay which is reduced to plastic mass by crushing, grinding and mixing thoroughly in pug mills. Clay thus prepared is molded to shapes and then dried and coated with a thin layer of clay, feldspar or flint which is called slip. The slip coating is used to impart desired shapes to the product. Terracotta products are then burnt in special kilns. It is manufactured in two groups i.e., (a) Structural terracotta (b) Architectural terracotta.

Structural terracotta is used for partition blocks, cornices, and ornamental blocks, moldings as ashlar blocks and as a brick of arches. Terracotta blocks have better resistance to fire, moisture, weathering and good insulation against heat and sound. These are light in weight, with high strength.

Architectural terracotta is used for various architectural decorative purposes such as window trims, mantle pieces, pillars lining and drawing room decorative pieces etc.