Property Plus
Bangalore
Chennai
Hyderabad
Kochi
Malabar
Thiruvananthapuram
As earthy as it is enticing
|
Truly eco-friendly, that’s terracotta tiles, writes RANJANI GOVIND
|
-Photo: H. Vibhu
Eco-friendly home: The gaps that come between the beautifully arranged tiles allows hot air to rise.
Getting on to the roof, sitting on the ceiling, coming down to the floor or getting nestled in green pathways…that’s terracotta tile, the refined clay tile, that is game for all. ‘Earth and baking’ is an ancient industry, but for contemporary sensibilities it is ‘terracotta business’ and the multi-utilitarian resplendent matter is a composition of special refined clay and sand with suitable viscosity and homogeneity, mixed with water and
baked at high temperatures in kilns.
Technological breakthroughs have brought in the best of baking procedures and this modest gravel of the earth has helped spin a commerce that caters to roofing (Mangalore tiles), flooring, wall-cladding (even on staircases), slope elevations, pathways, courtyards, landscaping and car parks. The clay is usually sourced from Mangalore, Calicut, Thrissur, Nuzvid and Warangal. More than 70 varieties of terracotta are available for roofing. The clay from Calicut, where the double-groove roof tiles are made, goes through superior kiln formulas and has as minimum as 12 per cent water absorption. The cost of roofing ranges from Rs. 24 to Rs. 30 per sq. ft.
The primary roofing has wooden reapers or steel slotted angles wherein the tiles are placed in between. The secondary roofing has a sloped RC roof on which these water-proof tiles are set. If you need them as ornamental designed tiles for your ceiling, make sure your labour and workmanship are from deft hands that handle the same with care.
Terracotta uses can go on to become a serpentine list…you can plan an array of tapering sunshades along your open verandah where you can relax with a cuppa along with your newspaper. It is available in the form of perforated bricks; wall bricks; hollow bricks for air circulation; jolly bricks for compounds; and as border tiles and cladding tiles.
Brick work
Putting terracotta roofing tiles over an existing RCC slab is an elite fad. In fact this helps in increasing the durability of concrete. It is better to use them on plastered brick instead of exposed brickwork. The gaps in between the tiles allow the hot air to rise. Not to forget its glaring presence in the world of artefacts!Terracotta flooring tiles have gone ‘designer’ too. The mixed bag of shapes and curves can determine a floral pattern, especially for lounges and landscaping. Lafarge, the French company, has convenience options set with hi-tech pigment glazing in an array of colours, a general efflorescence protection coat – a guarantee against fading, moss and algae retention. No wonder the green architect, Benny Kuriakose, says “Only a pastoral beckoning can infuse this clay craze in you.”
Printer friendly
page
Send this article to Friends by
E-Mail
Property Plus
Bangalore
Chennai
Hyderabad
Kochi
Malabar
Thiruvananthapuram
|
