AFFORDABLE SOPHISTICATION: Clayton Terracotta

Yes, custom colours and profiles are possible, however custom profiles will necessitate a once off tooling fee.

Terracotta cladding is made from natural clay and water. It is 100% recyclable and repurposed into other uses including road base and landscaping at the end of its life.

In addition, the higher thermal mass and rainscreen system improves energy efficiency/performance of the building.

The heat transfer process through the building wall occurs by conduction, convection and radiation.

For example, in the daytime the solar radiation hits the external all surface, a part of which is released to the outdoor environment and the other part if absorbed and conducted across the material. The heat transfer through the building envelope depends on several factors but the key one that is a benefit of terracotta is the thermal mass. 

Thermal mass is the amount of heat energy that the object can absorb and store. In the building, thermal mass can significantly minimise indoor temperature fluctuation and reduce the heating and colling demand. 

Terracotta compared to lighter and thinner materials have a higher mass, a higher density that will moderate the heat transfer into the building. 

The higher thermal mass of terracotta sees it able to offer over 4  x better resistance to heat transfer when compared to solid metal products.

There is currently a 14 - 16 week lead time

Unlike other cladding products typically used on building, terracotta is fired in a kiln at 1200ᵒC for over 4 days. In this case, each terracotta panel has undergone exposure to heat that far exceeds those experienced in a AS1530.1.

Terracotta cladding classed as a Non-combustible building material under clause C2D10(5)(G) on the 2022 National Construction Code.

The most common ways to install Clayton is as a rainscreen façade.

The terracotta panels are hung onto an aluminium framing system that is mounted to the substructure.

This method offers the durability of a masonry installation without the added weight.

The panels create a continuous external façade with overlapping joints that allow the façade to ventilate drain water from the cavity that sits behind the panels.

See technical manual here.

Clayton comes with a 15-year warranty as standard, subject to terms and conditions

Unlike other cladding products that require cleaning every 6 months, Terracotta can be cleaned every 2-3 years.

The cleaning process is also much simpler than other products which need detergent and brushing, terracotta can be cleaned using high pressure water to blow away accumulated dust from the surface – leaving the product looking like new.

Longer cleaning intervals as well as a much faster cleaning method makes terracotta a breeze to maintain.

The following tests have been caried out:

1. AS4284
2. AS4456.6
3. AS4046.7
4. AS1170.2

With advanced production technologies, terracotta is now a cost effective cladding solution. Clayton pricing varies significantly depending on the chosen profile and thickness. Please contact us for detailed pricing.