टेराकोटा टाइल - Ṭerākoṭā Ṭāil (Terra Cotta Tile) | Inheritage Foundation Art & Architecture Thesaurus | Inheritage Foundation — Interoperable Heritage Documentation

टेराकोटा टाइल - Ṭerākoṭā Ṭāil (Terra Cotta Tile) | Inheritage Foundation Art & Architecture Thesaurus | Inheritage Foundation — Interoperable Heritage Documentation

Title	टेराकोटा टाइल - Ṭerākoṭā Ṭāil (Terra Cotta Tile) टेराकोटा टाइल Ṭerākoṭā Ṭāil
Description	A fired clay tile, typically reddish-brown in color. Used for roofing and flooring. Provides good thermal insulation and durability. Fired at temperatures between 1000-1200°C.
Tags	टेराकोटा Terākota Tile Clay Mrittikā Terra Cotta Ceramic टेराकोटा टाइल Ṭerākoṭā Ṭāil Roofing
Material ID	`INHFMAT-524379924-20-11-25-ER`
URI	https://www.inheritage.foundation/aat/material/terra-cotta-tile
API Endpoint	`https://inheritage.foundation/api/v1/aat/materials/terra-cotta-tile`
Total Sites	2
Primary Sites	0
Created	November 20, 2025
Last Updated	November 20, 2025

Material Types

Types	Ceramic

Regions

Regions	Bengal Tamil Nadu Gujarat West Bengal Kerala

Historical Context

Time Periods	Ancient Medieval Modern Ancient times Medieval Period CE Ancient times - Present
Dynasties	Gupta Pala Chola

Geographic Sources

Sources	Clay pits Tile factories Clay pits (various locations)

Properties

Properties	Porosity: 15-20% Water absorption: 10-15% Firing temperature: 1000-1200°C Compressive strength: 20-40 MPa Porosity: 15-25% Thermal conductivity: 1.0 W/m·K Compressive strength: 20-30 MPa Firing temperature: 900-1100°C

Common Uses

Uses	Roofing Flooring Wall cladding Decorative panels Cladding Decorative elements

Related Materials

Materials	चूना - Chunā (Lime Mortar) सुरखी - Surkhi (Brick Dust)

Related Styles

Styles	Bengal terracotta architecture Vernacular architecture Bengal architecture style Tamil architecture style Kerala architecture style

Related Categories

Categories	Temple House Residential Buildings Roofing

Conservation Notes

Notes	Susceptible to frost damage Requires sealing Efflorescence can occur Efflorescence Susceptible to frost damage in cold climates Requires periodic sealing to reduce water absorption Efflorescence can occur due to salt migration

Recommended Sources

Title	Type	Notes
Central Glass and Ceramic Research Institute Publications	Technical Report	Ceramic tile properties and manufacturing
Traditional Building Techniques of India	Book	Tile manufacturing

Heritage Sites (2)

Site Name	Status	Usage	Confidence
Hindu Temple Greater Chicago Lemont	Secondary		100%
Malibu Hindu Temple Calabasas	Secondary	Walls	100%